“Audree Leigh Carlson where in the world have you been? Have you lost your
mind?!” My mother screeched as soon as she saw me step one foot into the
house. I guess trying to be as quiet as possible and shutting the door lightly
didn’t affect how much she heard me. The fact that she yelled as soon as I
stepped through the door, I knew this wasn’t a good sign. “This is going to be
bad.” I thought to myself.
“Uh, hi mom.” I said, trying to play off a state of confusion as to what she
was yelling about. It didn’t work.
“Don’t give me that, ‘Oh, Hi mom.’ stuff, it’s not gonna work and you already
know it.” She shouted. The tone of anger in her voice set disappointment to
mind. How can she get so mad without talking to me about it. “Where were you?”
She said sternly, her voice sounding more demanding than before.
“I was out with a friend.”
“A friend, huh? I’m not stupid, tell me the truth.” I feeling of guilt washed
over me.
“A guy at school offered to take me out after school and show me around town.
I accepted and then he said 4:30 and I said okay, until I remembered I had to
pick up Amy. But, Angie said she’d do it and so I went. I didn’t think it
would matter that much.”
“You didn’t think it would matter?”
“What’s your problem?” My hands flew to the sky. “Amy was picked up, we all
had a good day at school. Why are you always so worried? I’m a big girl, I can
take care of myself.”
“That’s just it. YOU can take care of YOURSELF. I wasn’t asking about
YOURSELF. I asked for a small responsibility from you and you didn’t follow
it. A small task, you couldn’t complete! And, a date, on your first day of
school!” She began to go on and on about absolutely nothing. I stopped paying
attention. She goes on about things that are absolutely pointless. I focused
back on what she was saying. “You know, I need you to help me out around here!
I can’t do it all on my own. Hello! We’re a family here, it’s not just you!”
With that she stood up from the kitchen table in which she had been sitting
at, going over some papers.
“Are you calling me a selfish brat?” I asked rudely. We’ve gotten into this
type of conversation many times before. It always ends up with her being
right, and me being grounded. I could see, that’s the same place this was
heading.
“I didn’t say that.” She shook her head and tried to calm her voice, into a
softer tone. “I just need your help out with the family more. You need to
listen, I’m the mother here.”
I stood in silence, gazing into her eyes, as if being put into a trance.
“You’re grounded for the rest of the week.” She said blankly, and calmly. As
if it was that easy and there was no point in fighting about it. I took the
signal quickly. Although I can never give out just like that, without putting
up a fight? That’s just not me!
“What?! Why? Can’t you ever see things from my point of view! Nothing
happened.”
“Nothing happened? You’re past your curfew as well, as not listening to me.”
Her tone still calm, although her arms were now crossed.
“We just moved. I don’t have a curfew; new town, new curfew.” I said in a
snoody voice. Although I knew I shouldn’t have said it like that, I couldn’t
help it. I always get punished for stupid things.
“Don’t get that tone with me or I’ll make it two weeks.” She glared and raised
her soft tone by a little. “Go to your room, we’re done.” This said in a
direct, but quiet voice.
“But this isn’t fa---” I started. She closed her eyes. The index finger of her
right arm pointed to the stairs.
“UGH!” I let out in frustration. Quietly I walked to the stairs, but going up
them, I pounded loudly, and quickly on each significant step to annoy her.
When I reached my room, I slammed the door. Filled with fret and frustration,
I jumped onto my bed, laid on my stomach, and reached underneath the bed for
my diary.
Dear Diary,