Thanksgiving Paper Part 2

Later after coming home from flag football with Jayson, I saw that while the house was lit, there was no Conrad playing his PSP out front, or Mom in the kitchen, or even Dad's TV shifting through channels every half hour or so. What was going on? I had to see.

When I opened, the door, I realized nothing was going on, literally. It was just my oldest brother, Vaughn, studying for his Algebra 2 test for when they got back. That was really confusing. Usually more than one of my family members are at home.

"Hey Vaughn..." I started when I entered the living room. "Why are you the only one here? I mean, you're allowed, you're almost seventeen. Where are the oth--"

"They went out. And you talk too much, shorty." Vaughn ruffled my bangs. "Mom is at work late tonight, and Conrad went with Dad. I dunno where though."

"It's called CURIOUSITY. Why did Conrad get to go and not me?"

"I have no idea, kid. Maybe it's because you were OUT with JAYSON earlier. Flag football, remember?"

Oh yeah! How'd I forget that so easily?

"Text Conrad, Vaughn! I need to ask where he's out to."

"Why?" That was all my older brother asked.

"Uh...well, I--" Then I stopped. "N-never mind. Just give me your Blackberry."

He handed it to me. I grabbed it and texted Conrad. He texted back.

"Going with Dad to somewhere. He didn't say." was what the text read.

"Oh crap. VAUGHN!!"

"What? Maria, what's going on?"

"We have to go!"

"Where?!"

Crap! I hadn't even thought about asking Conrad's whereabouts now.

"Never mind, bro. Thanks anyway."

Vaughn stared at me. "You are so WEIRD." he said. Then he left.

I flopped down on the couch and waited for Conrad to text again.
****~~~~****~~~~****
Chk! The door clicked itself open, and Mom entered the warm home.

"MOM!!" I yelled, running straight toward her. "We have to go see if Conrad's ok! He and Dad have been out since forever!"

"Kaleb, that airhead...." Mom began. "Vaughn, come with us. We're going to need you."

"For what?" Vaughn asked.

"Just come, dude." I said, grabbing onto his arm and glaring. He just looked down and followed.
****~~~~****~~~~****
"Dad was hanging out with his buddies?" I asked cautiously. I was scared my Mom would snap at me.

"Yes, your father WAS. I cannot believe that man."

I was in the back with Vaughn, as to not get Mom in her demon mode. Tears were falling from my eyes and I held onto Vaughn for comfort.

He seemed to get the idea. "Mom, I think you should just let it go. Dad does need time for himself, like any human being. Besides, it's not like he's out smashed or anything."

Mom pulled over. I strained my neck, and there he was, or rather Conrad, as he was carrying (more like dragging) Dad on his back. I gasped, and Vaughn brought me closer to him.

"Conrad! Get in here!" Mom's eyes were wide, but her tone was full of fury. I tried looking away and Vaughn kept holding me.

"He's wasted, Marie." Vaughn said, trying to cheer me up.

"He's comatose. COMATOSE." I wasn't in the mood to be making jokes, especially since I was beyond upset about Conrad's welfare.

"Hey, Maria, you alright?" Conrad asked me as he got in the front. He glanced over at me.

"I'm sure you can tell, bro." Vaughn replied as Mom shoved Dad's unconcious body hastily in the backseat with us.

"Be quiet while I concentrate on thinking, you three!" Mom was beyond homicidal.

Us three of her children stayed quiet the whole way home, mind the occasional quiet sobs coming from me.
***~~~~****~~~~****
Next day Dad woke up with what he called a killer hangover.

Mom was making pancakes for us. Conrad and I were watching some cartoons just because there was nothing else on, and Vaughn was dozing off with his iPod playing some random music I couldn't make out.

I saw Dad drag himself into the kitchen. I went to follow him, mainly because I wanted to hear what Mom was going to say, but I guess I was feeling hungry.

Lucky me, Mom didn't shoo me away. She got right to her point.

"I can't believe you would just deliberately disobey me like that! You're not one of my children, I have three already! I don't want a fourth one that is supposed to be my husband!"

"Vaughn's not old enough to drink yet, Mom." I said. This time she pushed me away. I still stood in the doorway.

"I'm here now. I should have been more aware. Conrad is such an adult already, even if he's fourteen, but look at me. It seems I've backtracked, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has. Don't EVER do that aga--"

He grabbed Mom and kissed her. Mom got the message and she let herself enjoy it. At the moment, it was just the two of them.

"I got it!" I exclaimed. This stopped Mom and Dad's scene short.

"Oh, heheh. But I just thought of an idea for my homework! Happy Thanksgiving, Mom, Dad!" I kissed Dad on the his forehead and rushed out of the room.
****~~~~****~~~~****
"Hi Maria!" Zoe said, all cheery. Very unusual for her, since she's so rough and tumble.

"Hey Zoe! I've finished my homework!" I replied, then waited for her to process it.

"No!" was her extremely surprised remark.

"Uh, yeah." I said back. "You'll never guess what it's on."

"Food?" Zoe asked.

"No, " I answered. "Family."

"Family?" Zoe scoffed. "What happened that made you write about that? You love food so much!"

"A lot." I replied, then laughed. "A lot.