DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN VICTORiOUS. This chapter is from Robbie's POV.

Chapter 24

Life Changing

Post 9/11 attacks. October.

I can't believe that happened! Why would anyone want to do that? That and tons of other questions flood my mind.

The house has been crazy since the attack on the country last month. Dad has been called to duty, leaving mom, little Lisa, and I alone. At least I have Rex to entertain myself with. Mom's busy taking care of Lisa, leaving me almost completely alone. That upsets me a lot, but what can I do?

I'm in the kitchen, with mom and Lisa, eating eggs for breakfast. Rex is upstairs in my room. Mom is feeding Lisa and reading the newspaper. She almost completely ignores me.

"Mom?" I say, trying to get her attention.

"Not now." She says.

"Why not?" I ask. She turns to look at me.

"Because I'm feeding your sister!" She yells. I flinch a little and raise my hands in defeat. What'd I do?

"Ok, ok. Sorry for bothering you." I reply.

"Quiet, I'm reading." She orders. I sigh and finish my eggs. I put the empty dish in the sink and I start to wash it and the rest of the dishes.

"Must you do that now?" Mom asks. Wow, she really doesn't want me. I stop and turn the faucet off and I leave the kitchen for my room.

I don't understand. What did I do to deserve such hostility? I climb up the stairs and enter my room. I go to where Rex is on my bed. I sit down and pick him up and put my hand through the hole in his shirt.

"How are you doing, Rex?" I ask the puppet.

"I'm alright. You ate pretty fast." He replies. I throw my voice in a lower pitch so that it looks like Rex does talk. Kinda the idea, right?

"Mom's busy with Lisa and got upset with me when I started to do the dishes." I explain to Rex.

"Man, that's not right at all." Rex replies, shaking his wooden head.

"I agree, but I don't know what to do."

"What's up with your dad?" Rex asks.

"He thinks he's going to be shipped across the seas for combat." I reply. "I don't know when that'll happen; he says it won't happen for a long time, but they'll definitely send over people."

"I'm not liking this situation here, Rob." Rex admits.

"I don't either." I tell him. I hope everything goes well. I'm a little scared because of what's been happening.

One week later.

So, dad's coming home tonight. He has been at the base for over a month now. I don't know what we will expect, but I don't think it'll be good.

Mom has been very frustrated lately, with having to take care of Lisa and me. She gets upset very easily and tries to balance playing with Lisa and me, but she usually plays with Lisa more. I've been using Rex to pretend to be having conversations with dad, since he is not around. He only calls every now and then.

Today at school is show and tell, and it's my turn to do it. I'm gonna bring Rex for it and it'll be so awesome. I've been practicing what I'm going to do. I'll be doing a little comedy skit. I'm not that good a ventriloquist, but, I've been getting a little better. The real trick is to not move your mouth too much.

I'm in my room, getting ready for school. Rex is ready, obviously. He doesn't have to bathe. Lucky. I put my shoes on then I scoop up Rex and my bag and go downstairs for my breakfast.

Mom is downstairs already, feeding Lisa and reading the newspaper. I've seen this somewhere before.

"Morning." I greet, putting Rex and my bag on the sofa in the living room before I go back into the kitchen. I look at mom, who hasn't replied. Lisa just looks at me like she always does, with a blank look. But, mom gets her to eat some more. I just roll my eyes and shrug. Whatever. This has been happening a lot lately, and it's annoying me know. I get some cereal for myself and eat it silently, not bothering to sit down at the table. I just stand at the countertops and eat, watching mom and Lisa.

After finishing breakfast, I put my bowl in the sink and go upstairs to my bathroom and brush my teeth. I go downstairs again and into the living room. I check the clock and it's time for me to go.

"Bye." I say, to myself mostly. I don't bother projecting my voice, because I know it'll go unanswered. I leave the house, locking the door behind me. I walk to the bus stop and wait there for the bus.

At school. Show and tell time.

"Robbie, are you ready for your show and tell?" Mr. Dryden asks. I nod. I grab Rec from my bag and go to the front of the class. I face the others and I clear my throat. I'm so nervous, my hands are sweaty.

"Morning, guys." I say, my voice a little shaky. Some reply and others nod or wave.

"I'm Rex." Rex introduces himself. The whole class goes 'whoa!' at different intervals.

"How'd you do that, Rob?" A boy near me asks.

"I didn't do anything." I reply.

"It was all me." Rex says, waving his hands. The class chuckles. I turn to Rex.

"So, Rex," I start.

"Yo?" he asks, looking at me with those lifeless eyes.

"Do you like ribs?" I ask.

"I can't eat man, you know that." Rex replies.

"Then why did I catch you the other day, eating the leftover ribs, man?" I ask accusatorily.

"Because they're sooo good!" Rex moans, rubbing his stomach. The class laughs again.

Later, in the evening.

"Hey, when's dad supposed to be getting here?" I ask mom. We're in the living room together, watching TV. Lisa is in her room, sleeping. Mom looks at the clock. It's almost seven.

"Uh, I think a little past seven." She replies. "Now, be quiet, the show's back on." She adds, as the commercials end and her show returns. I roll my eyes and lean back against the sofa. She never has time for me anymore.

I get up and leave the living room, and she shouts at me for walking in front of the TV. I go upstairs to check on Lisa. She's still sleeping. Man, she's annoying when she cries. I sigh and leave her room and go into my room next door.

I turn my lights on and I go to where Rex is on my bed. I pick him up and lie down on my bed with him next to me.

"Did you have a good nap?" I ask lazily.

"Yeah." He yawns. "How you doin, Rob?" I sigh.

"I wish my parents would have some time for me. I know I shouldn't be greedy, but mom completely ignores me when she's with Lisa." I reply, upset.

"Man, that's just not right at all." Rex says.

"I know."

"Robbie! Your dad's home!" Mom's voice booms from downstairs. I turn to Rex excited.

"Dad's home! Let's go man!" I say and I leap out of bed, Rex in hand and we go downstairs together. I go into the living room, where mom and dad are sitting on the sofa. They both turn when they hear me coming down the last few steps. "Hi, dad!" I greet smiling.

"Hi, son. Sit down please." He replies in a low voice. What's going on?

"What's up?" I ask. Dad sighs.

"I'm going to Afghanistan by the end of the week. Their sending some people over; there's talks about invading Iraq as well." He replies.

"What's Iraq and Afghanistan?" I ask.

"Their countries on the other side of the planet; we believe they are responsible for the attacks last month." Dad replies, rubbing his face.

"You're leaving?" Rex asks.

"Yeah, I'm leaving and I don't know when I'll be back." He replies.

"But, honey, you can't just leave." Mom says.

"I know, I know. I have no say in the matter." Dad sighs. Mom hugs him and he hugs back. I get up and get a hug as well. "It'll be alright."

Will it?

Chapter 24. Comment or review plz or whatever. This begins something life changing for Robbie and his baby sister.