Part 3: Chapter 4

Haley, Nathan, and Keith were sitting down at the table eating spaghetti and meatballs. Outside, the rain was pouring.

"I hope Lydia gets home before it gets worse," Haley said. "I am going to have a talk with her when she gets here."

"Why don't you have a talk with her now?" Keith asked. "She's in her room."

"What?" Haley asked.

"Yeah," Keith said. "She came home a long time ago."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Nathan asked.

"You never asked," Keith replied.

Haley got up and walked upstairs. Nathan looked at Keith.

"Is Mommy going to yell at Lydia?" Keith asked.

"Probably," Nathan said.

Keith got up and walked upstairs.

"Keith," Nathan said as he followed after his son.

Keith walked to Lydia's room where Haley and Lydia were arguing.

"I just wanted to walk home!" Lydia shouted. "Is that a crime?!"

"No!" Haley shouted. "I don't mind if you walk home, but the way you treated your 5 year old brother and your father is not okay!"

"Why do you treat me like I'm a kid?!" Lydia shouted.

"You're only 13!" Haley shouted.

"I'm in high school!" Lydia shouted.

"Yes you are and you're lucky to get to go to high school a year early!" Haley shouted.

"I'm grateful that I get to go, but why won't you let me have friends in high school?!" Lydia shouted.

"I have no problem letting you have friends!" Haley shouted. "What I do have a problem with is you sneaking behind my back and going to an unsupervised party with alcohol!"

"I didn't drink!" Lydia shouted.

"You still went!" Haley shouted.

"You ruin my life!" Lydia shouted.

"Well you're a little bitch!" Haley shouted.

Haley gasped as she realized what she said. Keith ran into his room and Nathan ran after him.

"Lydia," Haley said. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you're right Mom," Lydia said. "I am a bitch."

"Lydia," Haley said.

"No, it's fine," Lydia said. "You're just telling me the truth."

"Lydia," Haley said sitting down on Lydia's bed. "What's going on?"

"It's so hard," Lydia said.

"What's so hard?" Haley asked.

"Being younger than everyone," Lydia said. "Can I please go back to middle school and complete 8th grade?"

"Lydia," Haley said. "You can't go back to middle school. You completed the curriculum."

"The reason why I went to that party was to make friends," Lydia said.

"I have no friends," Lydia said.

"Lydia," Haley said. "You have lots of friends."

"Not anymore," Lydia said. "Ever since I started high school, no one wants to be my friend."

"Lydia," Haley said. "I'm so sorry. But you can make new friends. Just not at unsupervised parties."

Haley held her daughter tightly.

"It's going to be okay," Haley assured her daughter."

"Thanks Mom," Lydia said. "Am I still grounded?"

"Yes," Haley replied. "For one week. Now I know you're hungry. Will you please come downstairs and eat dinner? It's spaghetti and meatballs."

"Okay," Lydia said.

Meanwhile in Keith's room, Keith and Nathan were sitting down on Keith's bed. Nathan held his son tightly in his arms.

"It's okay Keith," Nathan said softly.

"I can't believe Mommy called Lydia a mean name," Keith said.

"I know," Nathan said. "But she didn't mean it."

"Why did she say it then?" Keith asked.

"She's just upset," Nathan said.

"Mommy hates Lydia!" Keith shouted.

"No," Nathan said softly. "Your mother loves you and Lydia so much."

"Yes I do," Haley said walking into the room. "Sometimes I let my anger take control and I say things I shouldn't. I do love you and Lydia so much. Now can I have a hug?"

"No," Keith said.

"Then I'll have to tickle you!" Haley said as she began tickling Keith.

"Okay," Keith laughed. "You can give me a hug."

Haley and Keith shared a hug and Haley kissed Keith on the forehead.

"Now let's go finish dinner," Haley said as the power went out.

"Power's out," Nathan said.

"You think?" Haley asked sarcastically.