I'm in the Business of Misery {003}

We returned home, only to come face to face with the Henderson's. I scrambled out of the van, already sick of my family.

There stood Mrs. Henderson, a fifty year old, rather plump woman with rosy cheeks and gray hair, greeted my mom with a very sad smile. Her niece, a girl my age – Rebecca – smiled happily my way.

"Congratulations on your getting your diploma," She said to me. "Are you happy to be out of high school now?"

I smiled at how polite she was, "Yes, it's good to be away from the drama, you know?"

"Oh yes, I do know." Rebecca winked at me.

I always liked Rebecca; she was a twenty-something nurse-in-training or something or other. I didn't know exactly, but she was going to be paid a lot.

My mom and dad reached the Henderson's yard (after lecturing Marina on respect… and this is the part where I smirk) and they too smiled sadly. We heard Marina slam the door to our house before my dad spoke.

"I see the sign, Carol, and I'm sorry. We're going to miss you and Rebecca… not to mention your blueberry muffins."

At this, Mrs. Henderson giggled. "Thank you Tom, but this house has become too much with this old age. Rebecca and I are going to move into a bit more smaller house."

My mom swore softly under her breath, "Shit, Carol. Are you really thinking about old age? You're not much older than I am. Don't think like that, my goodness."

"I know, but maybe I should start. You know, my brother had a heart attack earlier this month, and he's only five years older than I am. You can't completely sure of anything anymore these days."

I immediately felt sick, I hate death talks. My dad felt the same, I could tell. He put his hand on the small of my back. I smiled slightly at this affectionate gesture, but he didn't see it: he was already walking away.

My mom and Mrs. Henderson kept on talking about health issues, then something about insurance, as that's Mom's occupation. I rather stood here, feeling out of place. Rebecca went back inside to, "Pack more gosh darn bags!"

Soon I felt a tug on my arm, and saw my mom dragging me back toward our house.

"Goddamn Stacy," She was lecturing, "You always zone off, it's really creepy."

"Oh thanks Mom," I laughed slightly, "Are we going to brunch now or something?"

"Yes, but first I need to tell you something."

I cringed. "Mom –"

"Oh, don't you 'Mom' me!" My mom shrieked, but then calmed down after cursing to herself.

"Is this a sex talk?"

"No, Stacy!"

"Is this talk about you and dad? Oh, please tell me you're not getting divorced!"

"Stacy," My mom started tiredly, "No, this is not a sex talk, and me and your father are happily married –" At this, I exhaled, oh, the relief! – "But this does have to do with that one boy."

I stopped in my tracks. "Oh, you mean Derrick?" Derrick was my ex-boyfriend from sophomore year. My mom already had us married and was probably planning our wedding behind my back. Then she'd probably say 'Derrick' not 'that one boy', she'd been too in love with Derrick to not label him.

Yet again, he did cheat on me, so maybe she felt his name was forbidden to be spoken.

"No, umm, you know, the one that always made fun of you."

Oh, flying assholes from motherfucking Hell!