Chapter 12: Time to Move on
The stay at the cabin dragged on from then on. Good too bad to worst . . . if that could happen. Dad has tried harder than every for us to bond. And with mother countless buggy, I caved each time.
Mostly, to get away from my sister. So, yeah, taking the chances were almost worth it.
After mom caught dad fishing more than bonding. Her plan was that we take a hike through the woods of trees, hills, lakes, all that wonderful wilderness stuff.
Mom should have watch dad more carefully, seeing as he was able to sneak some of his fishing gear along.
"How you liking the fresh air, Max?"
"Flipping great." Been hours from the last chat we had, the words barely choke out for him to hear.
"What?"
"I said, great, dad, really great." Faking the happy tone for him to drop it.
During the walk, my feet seem to know the way of this uncharted path. As for my dad, who kept bumping into something or another.
After, maybe, his sixth run-in with a tree, we took a rest.
Finding some mossy, fallen over, rotting trees to sit on.
The ground too muddy to place our bags down, having them to stay place on our backs. At least the weight is not as bad as before.
Thinking on the plus side. Have to.
Munching on some fruit bars, mom gave us.
"Maxy?"
"Yeah dad?" Not choosing to look at him, knowing that tone, it can't be good.
"Your mother . . . and I have had our minds on something. About you. And Max, I just want to know . . . Mostly your mother. You're my son, what could ever be troubling you, right?" Giving a weak laugh at the end of the line.
I just shrugged, taking another bite of my snack. "What do you think is wrong or at least, what does mom think?"
"Really Max, I have no idea as much as she does." He states to me. "That letter from the school . . . We're worry Max, even Carmen, she's just going through her girl things, she'll be back to normal."
"Maybe she can, but not me."
"Max . . . "
I stood up in rush. "I'll never go back like she can. After you had to open your fat-head mouth about this trip. My life has even to hell!"
"Watch your mouth . . . "
"No!"
Don't scream, you'll scare the animals . . .
I hear that voice once more, out of fear, I scream. Looking around to try to find it. The eyes of my father look at me, in confusion.
He . . . He can't hear it.
"Max . . . "
Control yourself. You were raised better than that, Max.
"Shut up."
"Max . . . "
I hear a mixture of dad's and this unknown voice. In chance for silence, I run. Anything to get some quietness. I know dad's shouting at me of fear I'll get lost, but these woods have been in my dreams for so long.
The paths come out of knowing where as I run.
If there was a better time to try to move on. This would be it. For a chance the dreams will go away. My family going back to what they were. To have my old self back.
Not this.
As fast, my legs could go, I lost my footing. Falling down a steep end. My left arm taking most of the hits. Finally reaching the bottom with a thud.
The ringing echoes harshly in my ears. My left arm shooting with pain.
But the voices were finally gone.
Take the bad with the good. It was worth it.
Moving would have been a good idea, but my body wanted to rest. I did just.