Page 10 of Tainted Love

I nodded silently, feeling a little mixed up about everything. My stomach knotted up as I thought about what could have happened for her to drop everything and stay with us.

Brian emerged from his bedroom with a yawn and joined us on the couch.

“Brian,” she began, her voice heavy and tired, “something has happened.”

My hands clenched tightly around my blanket until it hurt.

“Your father is okay,” she reassured us. “Physically, at least.”

“Then why isn’t he here?” Brian demanded.

Gram took a deep breath before delivering the news. “He’s in jail.”

That’s where people go when they’ve done something really bad. What did he do?

“What did he do this time?” Brian asked nonchalantly.

I stare at my brother in confusion, wondering how he can be indifferent to our father’s troubles. Gram squeezed my hand.

“He was in an accident—while driving his friend’s car,” she revealed.

Tears welled up in my eyes. “But if it was an accident, why is he in trouble?” I managed to ask through sobs.

“You’re so stupid,” Brian scoffed at me, causing me to cry harder. “He was probably drunk or high like he always is. I bet it wasn’t even his friend’s car. He probably stole it.”

“Brian, enough!” Gram chastised.

“All you need to know is that your father isn’t returning for a while,” Gram said with a heavy sigh, her voice tight and defeated. “And you will come to my house for a while.”

The news hit me like a punch to the gut. I can’t believe it. I thought she’d be staying here with us. What about my home and my new school? What about Sascha?

“No!” Brian yelled, his voice laced with anger and hurt. “I’m not moving because my parents are losers! I have friends here. His problems are not my responsibility.”

His words cut through the air like knives, sharp and painful. Gram didn’t deny his accusations. Instead, she let out a weary sigh.

“Brian,” she said calmly, trying to reason with him, “you don’t have a choice. I’m very sorry things have to be this way, but I have to take care of things at home before I can think of staying here long-term.”

“I hate you! I hate this family!” Brian screamed before storming off to his bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

Gram stood up slowly, her kind eyes filled with understanding and love as she reached out her hand toward me.

“Come with me, Michael, dear,” she said, “Let’s pack a few things for you to take to my house.”

Feeling lost and confused, I reluctantly followed my grandmother into my room to pack for our stay at her house. I tried to push back the tears threatening to spill over as I thought about leaving my home and everything familiar behind.

That was two days ago, and today, the car is packed up as we move our lives to my grandmother’s for an unknown amount of time. I’m grateful to my Gram for being able to take care of us, but every time I think about leaving my home, I cry. It might not be perfect here, but it’s my life, and it’s all I know.

My thoughts shift from one subject to another, swirling around in my head like an angry storm. Brian hasn’t spoken in the past two days. Will he get over this change or use it to become more of a jerk than ever?

I miss my dad. When will I see him again?

I wonder if my mom would return if she knew what was happening. Would she care?

I’m taking everything I can fit in the car, especially the drawings Sascha and I did during art time. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to her before being forced away from everything I’ve ever known. That might be the worst part of all.

Chapter 5

“Blister In The Sun”