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“Persephone! I’m sorry. It’s okay. Sometimes I get confused.”

“Ken, what’s wrong with you?” I didn’t just mean what caused him to come out of sleep fighting. Or what made him need the pharmacy on his nightstand. I wanted to know what made him sit for hours holding a picture of his sister and crying. And how he had reached almost the end of his life with only a screwed up teenager and an old Marine buddy to care about him.

“It’s bad memories, Persephone. Everyone has them. Some are worse than others.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry if I frightened you.”

“It’s okay. The pizza is here.” I couldn’t look him in the eye. I
was
scared, but not for the reasons he thought. I was terrified to realize everyone I knew and loved was damaged, flawed beyond repair. There was no pursuit of happiness—just a constant battle to keep the worst of the demons at bay.

“Alright.”

Comments about the pizza and which kind was our favorite covered up the fact none of us were really talking. At least not about anything that mattered. Not about all the things we could and should have been talking about. All the things none of us
wanted
to talk about.

When the last bit of crust had been eaten and the box shoved in the trash can, we had no choice but to stare at one another.

Ken finally claimed exhaustion and went to bed. Despite his earlier nap, he did look worn out. When we heard his door shut, Maggie asked if I would take her home.

We were in the car for at least five minutes before either one of us spoke. Maggie was the one to break the silence.

“You know, Persephone, I think this is all going to work out. I like Ken.” I reached over to hold her hand.

“I hope you’re right, Maggie. I really do.”

We pulled into her driveway. “Just have a little faith. Sometimes things actually do go right, you know?”

“Yeah, I guess. I mean, we’re still friends right?” I tried to sound casual about it, but there was a break in my voice.

“Always, Persephone, always.”

I waited to make sure she got into her house okay. On my way back to Ken’s I realized my phone had been silent all night—Mom hadn’t called or texted. I told myself not to worry about what she was doing all by herself, but it was easier said than done.

Mom finally called while I was driving to school the next morning. I hadn’t even thought about lighting a cigarette until I saw her name on the screen. I fumbled to light one and answer at the same time.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Good morning, sweetheart. I was calling to check in, see if you might be coming home tonight. Dad’s gone on a trip for the next few days.” She sounded so small and defeated. I didn’t want to hear her voice anymore. I didn’t want her to need me like this.

“Maybe, Mom. I have some errands and stuff to do after school. Maybe I’ll come by later?”

“That would be good, Persephone. I love you.” I felt another hook attaching itself to me, dragging me back to her, my dad—to destruction.

“K, Mom. Bye.” I flicked the cigarette out the window as I pulled into a parking space. I only had a few days left. Who cared about school policy?

Maggie and I walked in together. There was a brief, awkward silence, but things were better. When we saw each other in the hallways, we exchanged our private this-is-a-freaking-joke smiles. I got a text from her fourth period expressing her dismay at still being in class and asking if I wanted to grab coffee after school. I told her I had to run some errands for Ken, but she was welcome to come along. We could grab a Dirty White Boy (the ultimate coffee drink) from Classic Rock while we were out. My treat. I got a smiley face back.

She was perching on my car, much like the day before, but today she was smiling, face turned to the sun—the perfect picture of a contented teen, ready to grab the world by the horns. It was funny how deceptive appearances could be.

“Hey, bub,” I greeted her.

“What are we shopping for?”

“Food and new sheets. Really fun stuff.”

“Most definitely.” We laughed and got in the car. Maggie cranked up the radio, Eminem rattling the windshield. It felt good to have my friend back.

We giggled and criticized various bed sets for the next hour, finally picking a bright tie-dyed one with a matching comforter. I thought Ken would like it. Or at least it would make him smile.

At the grocery store, we meticulously followed Ken’s list. He had written brand names and quantities next to each item. It was impressive.

“You know, this stuff is going to get hot if I take you back to your car before I drop it at Ken’s house. Do you mind running over there first?”

“No that’s fine. Mom actually came home last night. Guess she couldn’t reel in a new victim. Anyway, she started in on me about my outfit for graduation and my reception. She wants to go shopping, and I’m doing everything I can to not do that. She has shitty taste in clothes. Where are you having your reception?”

“Uh, I don’t know. I guess I’m not having one.”

“Are you serious? Your mom hasn’t planned anything?”

“No. I think Dad will be out of town on a trip. It’s really no big deal.” And it wasn’t. The normal milestones of high school meant something vastly different to me than to my peers. Graduation wasn’t a celebration. It was a day to get through, another step closer to freedom.

I wasn’t having a reception because there wasn’t anyone to invite. My dad had colleagues not friends. My mom’s social circle didn’t extend beyond Jim, Jack, and Jose. She did have a sister somewhere in South Dakota, but they rarely spoke.

My aunt had come to visit when I was little. It was for my grandparents’ funeral. Car crash on a dream trip to New York. All I could remember was a shouting match between my aunt and my father. Dad called his sister a meddlesome bitch, and she had never come back. I had cousins I only knew through pictures on Christmas cards.

And the last thing I wanted was a present from my father.

“What about Project Graduation? Did you buy your ticket yet?”

It hadn’t crossed my mind.

“I don’t think I’m going to go.” Locked in for the entire night with hundreds of people I had no desire to spend more than thirty minutes with under normal circumstances? A vision of school board-approved activities, music, and snacks filled my head. I shuddered. No thank you.

“Come on, Persephone! Don’t make me go alone! I know you’re not going to prom. Don’t miss this, too!” It was true. I had turned down three guys for prom, and word got out to not even bother. I had officially solidified my position as resident, bitchy ice queen. It had only taken four years of diligent, daily effort. Good to know the hard work had paid off.

“Why don’t you not go, and we’ll hang out together that night?” I suggested.

“No! I know you’re not into all of this, and I’m really not either, but come on! We only get to graduate high school once. It’s just one night. Please Persephone!” I could feel my resolve wavering. It wasn’t because I was getting all sentimental and gushy. It was because it was Maggie asking. And I owed her. She had missed a lot because of me. I needed to do this for her.

“Fine. I will get my freaking ticket tomorrow, okay?” She actually squealed and clapped her hands. I laughed.

We dropped off groceries and made my bed with the new sheets. I was right, they made Ken smile. I took Maggie home. She chirped happily the whole way there about nothing in particular. It was nice to hear her sound like Maggie again.

Later that night, as I curled into my new bed for the first time, I realized I never went to see Mom. I hadn’t even called.

It was the last Friday the seniors would ever grace the halls of the high school, and it was chaotic. Teachers tried their best to keep us in line and somewhat out of trouble. It didn’t work. A box of miniature bouncing balls was released into the student center in between morning classes. The fountain was filled with dish soap and smoke bombs went off in one of the girls’ bathrooms.

When we were finally released, I rushed out to my car, determined to get to Mom’s as soon as possible. I felt bad for not seeing her the night before.

The house was dark and silent when I walked in. “Mom? Are you here?” No answer. I walked down the hallway towards her bedroom. The door was shut. I knocked. “Mom?”

The drapes were pulled and the lights were out. Mom was curled up in the corner of her bed with an empty bottle of vodka on the nightstand. There was no glass. She was drinking straight out the bottle now. My stomach was a rock sitting in the middle of my internal organs.

Everything came crashing down around me. The weight of my family, my home, my life pounded on my shoulders and head. How did I think I could leave? Who was going to take care of her now? I couldn’t do much for her, but at least I could keep her from finally disappearing into a bottle. It would only get worse when Dad got home and discovered I was gone. Without me there, all of his attention and energy would be focused completely on her. What would she do then? How long before she broke?

“Mom.” I nudged her shoulder. “Mom, it’s me. I’m home.”

Her eyes struggled to open and she looked at me, confused. “You were supposed to be here yesterday.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I got caught up doing other things, and I ran out of time. I should have called.”

“I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”
Well no shit. You were probably almost sober last night.

“Yeah, well here I am.” She rubbed her eyes and tried to sit up. Her hair was sticking out at crazy angles and there were remnants of yesterday’s make-up smeared across her face. It was like watching
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
rise from my mother’s bed.

“Good. I’m so glad to see you. My head is throbbing. Would you mind getting me some aspirin and a glass of water?”

“Sure, Mom. Of course I will.” I patted her hand.
Of course I will take care of you, Mom. I will always take care of you. And one day, maybe you will take care of me, too. It’s okay. I know right now you can’t. But maybe one day…

I rummaged around for some Tylenol wondering how I was going to tell Ken I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t leave her. He would understand, right? And Maggie would be okay with me not going to Project Graduation. This was a good place actually to go ahead and end our friendship. She would be leaving for college in a few months and would never need to look back. Who kept friends their entire life anyway?

I sat back down on the edge of her bed. “Here, Mom. Sit up.”

“Oh thank you, sweetie. You know, your dad is coming back home tomorrow. It was a short trip.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t you think you should be here when he gets back? I mean, don’t you think that would be better for everyone?” For the first time she looked me straight in the eye, clear and focused. I didn’t understand. How could she possibly think things would be better for me?

“For everyone, Mom? Really?”

“Sweetheart, your dad knows you’re supposed to be grounded. And I know you think you left this house for good. But enough’s enough. You’ve proven your point. Now come back home so everything can be okay. Everything can go back to normal.” Mom patted my cheek and lay back down, snuggling into her pillow. “Would you mind finding yourself something for dinner? I just don’t feel very good right now.”

She knows! Oh my God, she knows!
I felt sick. Maybe she didn’t know it all, but Mom knew her life was easier when I was there—when I could help absorb his abuse. And when she weighed my life out over hers, she deemed hers more valuable. Everything shattered.

“Yeah, I’ll do that.”

“You’re such a good girl.” And with that her eyes closed. I didn’t know if she had fallen asleep or passed out. How much had she had to drink today? Was that bottle from last night or this afternoon?

You can’t afford to care anymore. Run.

And I did.

Ken was waiting for me in the living room when I got there. “Hey, kiddo. I was starting to get worried about you.”

“I’m sorry. I had to go by and see my mom after school.”

“That’s okay. Everything alright at home?”

“Sure, just needed to check in on her. Dad’s gone on a trip.”

“That’s not what I meant. Don’t you think it’s time we talk about what’s going on at your home?”
Oh Jesus, why? Why do we need to do this now? Why do we need to do this ever?

“Nothing’s going on at home. My relationship with my parents is just…complicated.” I couldn’t look him in the eye. Had I ever outright lied to him? I wasn’t really lying then—it was an oversimplification.

“Persephone, let’s get something perfectly clear before we go any further. You need to be here as much, if not more, than I need you here.” I opened my mouth to say something, and he held up his hand. There was no arguing with that gesture. “Let me finish. I may be old, and my eyesight may not be what it used to be, but I’m not stupid. There is a reason you would rather be here than at home or out with your friends. Or friend, since you only have one that I know of.”
Well, that’s kind of cold.
“There is also a reason you have scars all over your arms.”

I instinctively crossed them over my chest, trying to hide them. How in the hell had he seen them? I had been so careful!

He shook his head. “That doesn’t do you any good, Persephone. Is everyone in your life blind? Do your parents wilfully ignore them? Never mind. The answer is painfully, horribly obvious.” He sounded angry. His words were like sandpaper over raw skin. I didn’t want to hear anymore. I had to say something—anything—to make him stop.

“Ken, listen, it was something stupid I did. I don’t really—”

“Stop. Just stop. I don’t know what’s going on, and I’m not entirely sure I want to. What I do know is I care about you. If your parents aren’t going to take care of you, I will. Do you understand?”

You don’t deserve this. You know that, right? He may think he cares about you, but if he knew—if he knew everything—he wouldn’t want to have anything to do with you.

“Persephone, are you listening to me?” I couldn’t look up. I couldn’t speak. “Persephone?”

“Ken, I... I don’t think you understand.” Then the sobs came, uncontrollable and violent. Each breath hurt and my face contorted in pain. Ken crossed the room to wrap his arms around me.