Drew overheard the conversation between Tonya and his mother and he was really mad. He didn't talk to Rochelle all day.
"Boy," Rochelle said finally, "What's gotten into you? You've got a bad attitude lately. What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking you love Tonya more then me and Chris"
"Boy you say that again I'mma smack the stupid right outta you," Rochelle said, "What would make you think that"
"You get mad at us. You ain't never get mad at her"
"Sure I do"
"No you don't. Mom do you think I'm dumb. I overheard you and Tonya talking today"
Rochelle sighed.
"Baby Tonya has needs that you don't have, that all. I tried to hide it from you and Chris because I didn't want you guys to feel bad but Tonya is very sensitive. She has EESS"
"What's that?"
"Extreme Emotional Sensitivity Syndrome," Rochelle explained, "She's really sensitive and the littlest thing can set her off"
"Oh. Well maybe I'm sensitive too"
"Boy you say that again I'm gonna knock your brain back into your head. You don't want to be like Tonya"
"She gets away with everything. Chris and me can't even get mad at her"
"She doesn't get away with everything. She's wired that she feels bad whenever she messes up. Trust me you don't want to be like that."
"Well I DON'T LIKE IT WHEN YOU GET MAD EITHER"
"Then don't do stupid things," Rochelle said, "You're such a smart kid and you don't live up to your potential"
"Mom I'm a kid. You expect too much of me sometimes"
"And yet when you want to do something you're 'grown up' almost"
"Well that's just different," Drew said.
"Look baby I know what it's like to be a kid," Rochelle said, "And I as a parent have to do what's best for you and your brother and sister even when you don't like it"
"I mean can't you try not to get mad"
"Sure. If you can try to behave yourself"
"Can't you think of an alternative to getting mad"
"Sure. How about no going outside for a month"
" a reasonable alternative"
"I'll talk with your daddy tonight and we'll see what we can come up with but you know it's gonna be hard to change that for awhile."
Drew and Rochelle shared a quick hug.