"Teddy, you're not going to win this one." Mom was sitting angrily at the table, pen in hand, reviewing bills or some shit. She had recently written a New York Times article that had flopped big-time; I took it upon myself to blame this incident for her recent bitchiness.

"But it's not fair!" I asserted, "I've had this party planned for weeks! I've been grounded for four days already, just let me go!" I was so pissed, I could've broken something. But I'd done that before and it didn't go over too well…

"This is discussion is over." She gave me that "Mom" look that told me this wouldn't be the last party I'd miss if I didn't leave her alone. I sighed. Dad was upstairs getting ready for some stupid corporate event they were going to – there was no way I was going to get anywhere pleading my case with him. I stalked down to my room in the basement, popped on my headphones, and pulled out a stack of porn from my stash under the bed. If they weren't going to let me go, I was damn well going to do something to piss them off.

My phone buzzed next to me. Emma.

"So? Did you get out of it?" It read.I rolled my eyes. Here we go…

"No. I'm pretty much screwed tonight." My head hit the pillow. Even the lovely ladies of Busty Babes couldn't comfort me tonight. My phone buzzed again.

"Fuck that. I'm coming to get you." No! I began typing rigorously.

"No, don't. Just go, I'll b fine. You don't understand my dad, he's fucked up." Another buzz.

"Grow a pair. I'm coming." I threw my phone to the floor. I knew better to argue with her, but the last time I'd gotten caught sneaking out I thought my Dad was going to beat the shit out of me. To this day, he still had never layed a hand on me, but there's a first for everything…

I snuck halfway up the stairs to see what my parents were up to. If they didn't leave soon, Emma would run right into them and blow my cover before I even put it on.

"He's just a kid," I heard Mom say, "He needs his independence, Christian."

"I know he's just a kid," Dad barked. "Why do you think I'm protecting him? I can't do it again, Ana. I can't lose another one of you, not for one second – that fucking nightmare is unliveable."

"Oh Christian…" Mom consoled. I knew what he was referring to. Apparently some guy Mom used to work with escaped prison and tried to kidnap us when we were little. Obviously he didn't succeed, but that stupid fucker inspired my dad to be on 24/7 police duty around us ever since. I hated him for that. Both of them. One idiot's lame attempt at a life of crime had somehow managed to ruin my entire life. "He's in prison for good now. We don't have to worry about that anymore – "

"How the fuck do you know!" Dad screamed. I jumped back a few steps. "There's always someone else – some other person lurking around the corner, trying to take what I have!" Dad was so goddamn intense sometimes. Calm down, dude! "I don't want to talk about this anymore." That was Dad's signature line – always a great way to shut us up. "Let's just go. Are the neighbors watching?" I didn't hear any response, but footsteps began plodding in my direction. I ran back down the stairs and into my room.

"Teddy?" Mom called.

"What," I scoffed. She paused.

"Mrs. Schofield is watching so don't even think about trying anything." Damnit. I didn't answer.

"Teddy, goddamnit, tell your mother you understand. I want to hear you say it!" Dad commanded.

"For God's sake, I get it!" I cried. I slammed the door and returned to my perch on my bed, fuming.

"Good," he said, slightly less agitated. "We'll be back around midnight. Take care of your chores like you promised, please." Mom always tried to convince me that was his way of saying "I love you". Humph. As if my dad even knew what those words meant.

I heard them shut the front door and the house was quiet. Phoebe was off with a few friends until her curfew at 10 (again, Mrs. Schofield was watching – blah, blah, blah) so it was just me for a few hours. I picked up my phone to see if Emma had texted again, maybe to give up on her fruitless endeavor. Nothing. She was coming. Which meant I was going to have to find a way to sneak out.

My short story romance is up on Amazon, along with the link to the FREE Indie Pop title track! Here's the link: www dot amazon dot com/Losing-You-P-j-Haynie-ebook/dp/B01663N97K

Or just search for "Losing You" by P j Haynie

OR if you'd like a free copy, just email me at pjhaynie at yahoo dot com and I'll send it right over!

Thanks for reading!