I needed someone to talk to, someone who could give me some perspective. I did not want to go to my sister, because Charly was her friend. I didn't want to put her in a position of choosing her friend or me. At that moment I wasn't really sure she'd pick me, in any case. My esteem was pretty much at rock bottom.
So as mom went upstairs to get changed and ready to do whatever it was she found important that night, I followed.
"Hey," I said, quietly. I'm pretty sure my voice was brittle.
"Yes?"
Mom was trying to sound kind, but irritation shone through. She was probably late.
"Could I uh, talk to you about something? It's kind of important..."
"Oh, honey, could we talk later? I'm late and..."
I saw the distraction in her eyes, the complete lack of interest.
"Sure. Whatever."
"Thanks
