I saw my mother eating a plate of re-heated pot-roast at the table. Nows my chance, I thought. I would once again engage in a cat&mouse game to see if I could kill this booze mistress with ironic kindness. I had a napkin in my pocket, and from experience, I was able to sneak up behind her 100% un-noticed. I approached her to wipe her food-stained lips. When I reached my hand around her head, I realized she was wiping her mouth before my hand could enter her line of vision. Blast it! How does that woman do it? Not one to be outdone so quickly, I lifted her glass and put the napkin under it to serve as a coaster, only there was already a coaster there! I was defeated inside- I swear to oglogoth that wasn't there when I came in. I fetched an apple from the counter and joined her, with a defeated yet coy smile. She met my smile with one that was only coy and lined with fresh horse shit residue.
"Mmm Rosey, Rosey, Rosey, R-Rose... Hehe..." Sighed my mom as she swirled about her martini glass. "I can keep this up just as long as you can."
"I guess thats true, mother." I payed her. "I just can't believe you're so spry what with all those drinks you've been having."
"Oh..." My mother let out as a hearty laugh. "I'd say mommy's a little better with a little buzz. Did you do your homework?"
"I finished it in school-"
"Good giiirrrl!" My mother laughed. At this point I couldn't take her seriously. I wondered how the hell she maintains her job. Is that it? Is she stressed out? It can't really be since she seems to keep her astronomy work with her. That and a handbag full of wizard statues.
We made idle chat for a few more minutes. I finally decided to leave this surprisingly wise drunk to finish her meal. She may mot be coherent, but shes clearly been around the block a few times.
The next day at nearly the same exact time as yesterday, I came home to see her at the table. Although, this time she seemed a lot more serious than usual. It took me a while to notice the missing booze, but when I did I instantly put two and two together. I walked silently to the table and grabbed a seat.
"Hello mother..." I said as tenderly as I could.
"Rose... Just go to your room.. Please..."
"Mother I-"
She swiftly stood up and glared down at me. "Room!" This command echoed on every surface in the house.
I stood up myself to meet my mothers stare. I could understand that she is experiencing some withdrawal symptoms, but I did not feel like tolerating this unjustified anger towards me. I walked calmly up the stairs while she remained motionless. Though I was walking away from her, I could feel her omnipresent hate radiate off of her the way the sun cloaked all exposed to its light with a tender warmth. Perhaps something at work had caused this burst of sobriety.
I made my way to my laptop and tried to do a little reading. Only I did not get too far, because my focus was ruptured by a loud and angry scream, followed by the sound of a couple of things shattering. I was not used to seeing her so scorned. This was a fine example of what anger was like. I was intrigued enough to want to examine what kind of things happen when someone is this infuriated, but if I were to go down there, may safety would be jeopardized.
Although, with this cold psychiatrist facade, I found myself snapping in sadness and concern. Who was I kidding? This was my own mother! Not only did I have to watch her dangle on a tightrope of alcoholism, watching painstakingly to see when she would plummet to her dizzy death, but now I have to decipher why she is so angry! I barely could understand the problems of my friends, who all had the stereotypical and bland adolescent angst problems that plague youth. I had no idea how to handle an adult...
I fell asleep that night to the sound of agonizing silence, which foreshadowed an unknown outburst of crying, shouting and shattering.
