Growing Up Chase
By Rebel Yell
Part Five (Age 11)
"Hi, Mrs. Kelleher."
"Mum, Rob's staying for dinner, yeah?" Danny announced it as much as asked permission.
" Your parents aren't expecting you home, Robert?"
" No, ma'am." He stared at his toes, not because he was lying but because he didn't think his parents would notice if he didn't come home for days at a time. Dad had moved out last month (Mum insisted it wasn't forever, but Rob had heard the last fight, and knew it was) and Mum was spending loads of time with her "friends" that Rob didn't like. Most nights she didn't come home before midnight, and she was never awake when he left for school. Dad didn't like Mum's friends either - and for once Rob actually agreed with his father.
"Well, it's all right by me then. Good lord, Robert Chase, you need a haircut." Mrs. Kelleher was the fussiest mum in the neighborhood, and even with four kids of her own she always had plenty of fuss left over for their friends. "And that uniform - your mother's supposed to be a fashion icon or some such thing, and you look like you're wearing something from the lost and found."
" Johanna took the fortnight off, her daughter's just had a baby."
" And I suppose you've hardly seen your mother, because I doubt she'd let you out of a broom closet looking like that. Doesn't your father ever notice these things? Typical, isn't it? Men never notice these things. They'd let their children run about in rags for lack of knowing better."
" Mum." Danny bit out, and Rob tried to signal for him to leave it be, "I told you that Dr. Chase moved out."
" That's right, of course, how could I forget? Oh, Robbie, I'm sorry, I've just…well I'm sorry."
" No worries."
" Daniel, run upstairs and change your clothes, Robert stay a moment won't you?"
" Ma'am?" Rob asked, hearing his friend pound up the stairs noisily.
" I know you're a good boy, Robert, and you don't like to talk about these things but I want an honest answer now."
" Yes, ma'am."
" You've eaten over here once a week for the last three weeks, and Mrs. Collins said you've been 'round there too. If I were to call Mrs. Hughes, I expect she'd say something similar. How often do you eat at home?"
" I…most nights when Johanna's there she makes dinner before she goes home."
" And since Johanna's been helping out her daughter?"
" If it's a problem, Kelleher-"
" It's not a problem, Robert. I'm just worried about you, child. You're skin and bones as it is. Perhaps I should have a talk with your mother -"
" No, please. She's just upset about the divorce. She'll be right soon. And Johanna's back next week. Only four nights left. Three if I eat here tonight. Please don't bother Mum."
" All right, but I don't want you eating over here for the rest of your life, young man. If this continues I'll be having a word with your mother. If she can't be around, the least she could do is hire someone who can stay evenings and look after you."
" Yes, Mrs. Kelleher."
" Dinner will be about an hour yet. Go on up and see what Daniel is up to."
"Yes, Mrs. Kelleher." He nearly ran towards the stairs, anxious to get away from his friend's mum. She was very nice, but if anyone was going to catch him lying about his mum's situation, it was Mrs. Kelleher. Somehow, she always knew when Rob wasn't telling her everything.
