Forgive us Our Sins

Chapter 4

I walk in and the smell of cigarets hits me like a wall. I inwardly curse and me and Derek share the same look. Mom only smokes when she is extremely stressed and I've never ever known her to smoke in the house. The minute we close the door her heels clank in our direction. Her blonde hair comes into view around the corner seconds later.

"Derek!" She screams and hugs him while I stand by hoping I'm not on the wrong end of this situation. With each movement the smell of hairspray and cigarettes mix for a familiar scent "where were you!! why didn't you answer my calls?" She rushes out while I look to Derek for his answer

"I was with Liza" he looks away from her and runs a hand through his thick hair

"I called Liza's mother she said you left hours ago" she claims still hugging his chest to her small frame

"I went for a walk" he replies back and I fight the urge to roll my eyes

She pulls back from him with a look that could kill "is that-" she pauses "do I smell weed on you?" Her eyes widen in terror and Derek winces as if in pain. Honestly I'm surprised she knows the smell.

"Mom please it's been a long day" he groans and backs away

"And I can smell the alcohol on your breath! You were with them, those-those trashy gang boys! weren't you?!" She screams at him, I slowly try to walk past them, not able to handle anything else today "and you young lady! I told you to text me when you found him! And what were you just going to let him lie to me?" Her voice grows higher and angrier with each word

"No, mom this is between you two-"

"That is your brother! Your baby brother! I trusted you to find him and tell me where he was! You would think at twenty you would be able to do such a simple task!" Derek stays silent which only fuels my anger

"My job isn't to take care of him! Im sorry you think I'm supposed to be both his mother and siste-"

A sharp sting erupts across my cheek and I instantly raise my hand to calm the burn. I look over through my hair, that had been flung across my face, to my mother. She's breathing heavily "do not disrespect me like that again, both of you leave my sight and you're both grounded" at this I try not to laugh

I don't say anything and walk past both of them. The counter has an ashtray full of at least four cigarette buts. Rolling my eyes and I walk into my room and check my phone to see it's two in the morning and I have a chemistry lab at 8 tomorrow. I fall on my bed needing someone to talk to. I find Finns number and wait for the rings to end. It doesn't until his voicemail echos in my ear. As I'm putting my phone down Derek walks through the hall to his room, he looks at me with hazel eyes. I expect him to thank me or apologize for everything but nothing.

I have obeyed my mother for the last twenty years. I've upheld the facade of the perfect family for the last two years. My father was the voice of reason in this family and without him my mother has lost herself and has tried to become a perfect person. I've gone along with this to help her grieve...I've put off moving out to help her with the bills, stay near her, and never asked for anything in return.

I pull off my shirt and jeans and slip into something much more comfortable. I check my phone again. Finn should be done with his show. I text him telling him to call me back when he can. I walk into my bathroom to see my left cheek is slightly redder than the other. It amazes me how my mother turns my brothers punishment into my own. I sigh and wash the mascara off my eyes. I hear my phone ringing from my room and I quickly pad my feet over to the bed.