Hey everyone! I'm sorry for the late post, but my internet is acting stupid, so I've had to upload them on another computer. School is starting up again. A bittersweet feeling, right? Well, I hope everyone has a bearable school year. I can't honestly say a 'good' school year, since, honestly, when is school ever good?
My sister is a hoot. I've been making her read so much Degrassi fanfiction, she had a dream about it! I was in it, too! She's so silly. Also, don't ask me about this totally random author's note. It's three a.m. and I'm known for being a bit…whimsical at this hour.
Enjoy!
Helen and Randall had faced many difficulties.
They had faced their eldest daughter's rape and suicide attempt. They had faced the death of their closest friend, Randall's brother, Jonathan. They had faced every day challenges, such as bills and debts.
What Clare could not understand, is how they could go through all of these things, and consider getting a divorce.
They were constantly fighting. It was always something trivial. Something tiny and insignificant would start World War Three in her living room.
Dinner was tense. Helen tried desperately to make small talk, to ease the tension. But, when Randall had made an ill comment about the turkey being dry, Helen had went from calm and collected, to furious and outraged, accusing him of always putting her down and not appreciating the things she did.
Of course, this only angered Randall, who accused her of being hypocritical and not taking notice in the 'sacrifices' he made in for his family.
Clare watched from her seat as Randall and Helen Edwards argued.
Usually, this was Clare's cue to leave and put on Eli's noise-cancellation headphones.
But, curiosity had gotten the better of her. So she remained silent.
Clare became invisible the moment Randall and Helen began to squabble.
Clare listened as Helen accused Randall of not loving her anymore. The tables turned as Randall laid blame on Helen, saying that if she loved him, she would understand why he was working so late.
Helen grew angrier by the minute. In a fit of rage, she decreed that the reason for Randall's sudden loss in interest for her and this 'family' was because he probably because he was looking at other women.
Randall, infuriated, announced that Helen was crazy. Bad move. Very, bad move. Suddenly, insults were being flung.
Harsh insults at that. Then, Helen did what was expected, and started bringing up things from the past, even though they had nothing to do with their current argument.
She always did that when she was pushed too far. Clare flinched when Helen called Randall a 'dirty liar.'
Clare flinched again when Randall called Helen 'a crazy bitch.'
She had had enough. Standing slowly, Clare cleared her throat rather loudly. Both parents stopped whatever offensive word they were about to say and turned to their daughter. Their shocked expressions showed that they had completely forgotten she was there.
"Do you guys even hear yourselves?" Clare's mother was about to interject, but Clare held up a hand, dismissing what she was about to say.
"You guys have been fighting so much. Over stupid things, too. You don't listen to each other, and you certainly don't listen to me. The other day, I was out two hours past curfew. You can punish me for that later, but the fact of the matter is: You didn't notice.
"I could've been dead on the streets for all you know. Instead of coming home—through the front door—to a pair of worried sick and angry parents, I come home to you two arguing, about who spent more money this week! I mean, for Pete's sake, can you honestly remember the last time you said 'I love you' to each other? I know life isn't easy, but still. Can't you stop screaming at each other for one day? And, furthermore, shouldn't you two also be interested in your daughters' lives? When is the last time either of you have called Darcy? When is the last time either of you have asked me how my day was, without insulting the other afterward?" At this, Clare turned to her mother. When Clare would come home and her mother would be there, she would ask how her day went, then continue on to ramble about how infuriating her husband was.
Randall and Helen looked at each other and turned back to Clare. Both glared hard at her.
"Honey, our relationship is none of your business." Randall nodded in agreement with Helen's statement.
"And, you're grounded this weekend for staying out past curfew." Helen also nodded in agreement. Clare scoffed.
"You two are ridiculous." She muttered. She stood and walked away. As she stomped up the stairs in frustration, she was surprised to hear silence. A few chairs scrapping and a dishes clanking, then, utter silence.
"Unless it concerns me being anything less than perfect, my parents won't stop fighting." Clare concluded, pushing her door open and slamming it behind her. She kicked off her flats and crawled into bed. She grabbed her cell phone and called Eli.
After greeting her, Clare jumped right into telling Eli how stupid and immature her parents were being.
"…and I'm beginning to wonder who the adult is and who the child is in this house!" Clare finished angrily with an annoyed sigh. To her surprise and irritation, Eli started to laugh.
"Clare," He finally managed to choke out after calming down. "Didn't you know? Adults hate when children and teenagers tell them what to do. It hurts their pride. Of course they'll want you to keep your comments to yourself, even if you are right. But, that doesn't mean they didn't hear you or that they aren't considering what you said. Give it time. I'm sure things will work themselves out." Clare sighed.
"I guess you're right." She murmured.
"Of course I am. And Clare?" He questioned.
"Yeah?" She asked.
"I'm proud of you." Clare was puzzled.
"What did I do?" She asked, though her heart fluttered at the thought of making Eli proud. She couldn't remember the last time someone had told her they were proud of her. She guessed that when everyone thinks you're perfect, the things you do become expectations.
The last person to tell Clare that they were proud of her was her English teacher, Ms. Dawes, for Clare finally getting rid of her writer's block.
"You finally stepped up to the plate and told your parents how you feel. You and I both know the truth hurts sometimes, and that having their constant arguing being addressed probably isn't the easiest topic to talk about, but you did. And I believe that things can only get better now. You know, my dad used to try to get me to open up when something was bothering him by saying 'I can't fix it unless I know it's broke.' Well, now, your parents can start to fix things." Clare smiled brightly and hugged her pillow.
"Thank you, Eli." She whispered. He chuckled on the other end.
"Any time. Now, maybe you can make it up to me? Lunch at The Dot tomorrow?" Clare's smile turned into a frown.
"I can't. I've been grounded." Eli snorted.
"What for? Forgot to pray before going to sleep?" Clare rolled her eyes at Eli's lame attempt to mock her.
"No. I…accidently told me parents that they were being so inattentive that they didn't eve know I broke curfew by two hours." Eli burst into another laughing fit while Clare blushed from embarrassment.
"Wow, Clare. Wow." He stated simply.
"Shut up!" She laughed. She looked up suddenly when she heard her door open and her parents walked in. Clare's smile faltered.
"I have to go. I'll call you back in a little bit. If not, I'll call you tomorrow." She rushed out.
"Okay." Clare hung up her phone and turned her attention to her parents.
"I'm sorry we interrupted your call." Her mother apologized quietly. Clare shook her head.
"Don't worry about it." She mumbled. Randall cleared his throat.
"We just wanted to tell you that you aren't grounded. We were actually hoping that you could spend the day at a friend's house." Clare's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Maybe Alli's?" Her mother offered. Clare nodded slowly.
"Sure. But, what made you change your mind?" She asked, bewildered. Her mother smiled softly.
"Your father and I are going out tomorrow. We'll probably be gone most of the day. We just figured we'd give you a heads up, since we don't want you to spend the day home alone." Clare nodded slowly.
"Just, don't hang out with any boys." Randall said gruffly, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Sure, daddy." Clare smiled, feeling content. Her father turned and left. Helen was about to leave, before she walked over and hugged Clare. Clare smiled and hugged her back, accepting the silent thank you.
"If you need to talk-"
"I know where to find you." Clare finished her mother's sentence. Leaning down, she kissed her forehead.
"Goodnight, Clare." She whispered.
"Goodnight, mom." Care responded. Her mother turned and left, shutting the door behind her. Clare lay back in bed, letting her mind wander about the night's events. She came to a conclusion.
Adults were weird.
Just a little look on Clare dealing with her parents' arguing, at least the way I would picture it. I know, subtle Eclare, but I promise more tomorrow. Also, I'm getting a bit stuck, so if you have any ideas, feel free to drop them with a review!
~S.S.