The Horrors Of A Small House

Part 1:

Mason

I think it's better if my mom works.

"Lucas, Mason, are you guys ready?"

"Yeah"

"Yep"

Ever since our dad left she's been really... neglective. She doesn't talk to us much anymore. I think maybe, we remind her of our dad too much.

All you can find her doing now is working, and I think it's better for her. Although I think anything that doesn't include us is better. But I'm happy for her, she gets along fine with her job from what I've seen, and being a writer consumes a lot of time, time that she can easily afford. I've also read one of her books, so I know further what she's going through and how much writing takes away the pain, even though it'll always be there.

The only thing that makes me mad about our mother shutting us out is how all of this affects our little brother, Lucas. He's seven, but he's smart enough to know that our mother doesn't like us, and I know how much it hurts him; Lucas is a sensitive little boy, but he's not good at expressing what he feels so you have to bring it out for him sometimes.

"Lucas, your shirt is backward, and your hair is a mess" Mavis, my sister, laughed. She was a poor excuse for a mother since our mom couldn't be, even though Mavis was only 15, the same age as me. She nagged Lucas all the time and pushed me around. I didn't really like it, but Lucas didn't mind, "Woke up late" Lucas yawned as Mavis fixed his shirt and his hair, combing it out with her fingers then turning to me, an annoyed look on her face, "Why didn't you wake him up?! I've told you numerous times Mason! He can't wake up by himself!"

I opened the door, "I tried, I did, but he's a really deep sleeper, it's a better job for you." I joked and walked out onto the porch. It was really warm outside since it was mid-summer. Which meant we only had a few days of school left. And that made me super excited, a whole three months of sitting at home babysitting Lucas because Mavis would be out with her friends doing what teenagers with a lot of friends usually do. Though I'd probably get Victor--my best friend-- to come over since he was the only person that bothered to talk to me. '...And my mom would stay writing her life away on the computer screen.' I thought to myself.

|☬|

Mavis' tattered Chevy rolled down the local roads, houses and kids walking to school passing by. As I looked out, I thought about the recurring dreams I'd been having. Strange figures, otherworldly places, situations I can barely explain... yet lately there have been two more additions to the nightmares. Two older people I've met a lifetime ago, standing there in the masses, calling to me. I haven't told anyone about the dreams yet, because I can't even describe them, but they haunt me. The older people call me over as if they've been waiting for me this entire time as I trudge through my dream. Their presence is warm and familiar, but still with a hint of uncertainty I go closer and closer to them. Last night, I was close enough to see the wrinkles on their leathery skin and tired eyes. Features that were unique to them were clear as day, and they stood there with open arms as I sunk into them. I don't know how id remember the faces of my grandparents that I have seen in over 10 years, but I felt it was a sign to see them once again. 

"Do you think that Grandpa and Grandma knew," I asked her as we rounded the block, coming to the drop-off entrance of Lucas' school. Mavis, mind mostly focused on the road, "Grandma and Grandpa? Haven't heard from them in forever..."

"Well you know, I've been thinking about mom and the divorce and how she has been isolated in her room and I wonder if in our family knew, or if she even contacted them about any of it," I said a'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s I looked in the back seat at Lucas as he gathered his things, preparing to be dropped off. Mavis pulled the car to a spot beside the entrance and turned to give lucas a smile, letting him know he could exit, "I don't even think they're alive, we haven't seen them in forever, Lucas doesn't even know who they are"