Calm before the storm Pt.2

Marie had gone home not long after Lindsay had left. The guys had planned on going and investigating at the school right away leaving Megan, the weird naked blonde girl, to clean her mess of a life up.

Don't get her wrong, Marie understood that Megan was a victim. That she was under the influence of some weird voodoo shit. But show a bit of willpower. Constantly flirting with Tom, dressing like a slut, even running by then all naked. It felt like Megan was enjoying the effects more than she was a victim.

That was the problem with people her age, no will, no strength of character. They all were weak, self destructive, craving any sense of approval. Validation that their current existence was okay. Marie rolled her eyes. Honestly she thought Megan was better than that seeing her at school. This condition was really exposing her for who she truly was, Marie supposed.

Memories of insults and drama in her life instinctively flashed in her mind. Calling her judgemental. Bitchy. Obsessive with a superiority complex. Was it a complex if it was true? Plus, she thought as she opened her front door, it wasn't that she thought she was so good that she was superior. It was that everyone just hung themselves at such a low standard it was easy for her to be superior. That's different and not her responsibility or problem.

The smell of dinner hit her nostrils and she felt her stomach grumble. All this chaos had distracted her from getting meals in. She was starving. Walking into the kitchen, the red head barely acknowledged her Mother while looking in the fridge for something to drink. Nothing. Which was very strange seeing how Mom always went shopping today. So why was there just pop and sugary juices? "Where's my fruit smoothies?"

Her Mom finished mixing some sort of sauce before frowning. Almost looking at Marie in fear, "I'm sorry, Honey. Today was a bit crazy and I must have forgotten."

Water it was then. Silently fuming, Marie marched next to her bimbo of a mother and poured herself a glass of...tap water. Grimacing she sipped away at it before hungrily studying the food being prepared around her. Buns... unnecessary...bacon...not worth it. Four leaves of lettuce, some sliced tomatoes and onions, incredibly sugary condiments. In horror Marie looked over at the stovetop and loudly groaned. What her nose and stomach were excited to experience her eyes and brain revolted. Burgers. Her mom was making burgers. And seeing the oven on no doubt it was also fries.

"Do we have something made for me?" Marie tried asking politely through gritted teeth. It wasn't even close to successful. "Maybe a chicken?

Her Mom looked tired and confused looking around, "I made sure to get the low fat mayo, I got extra veggies to go on the burgers, low salt fries and extra lean beef baby."

Marie rolled her eyes, "It's still beef and those sauces are super sugary. Not to mention buns are a complete waste. I can't eat like this forever, Mom, I need to keep a decent figure you know. Not that you care but..." That's when she noticed tears in the woman's eyes. She faltered for a moment before reassuring herself she wasn't out of line. She was just being practical and honest, this was just her Mother's emotional reaction. Possibly even defensive reaction to get sympathy.

After a long an strenuous pause her Mom softly spoke, "I can cut up the veggies for a salad. Just give me a bit. It's been a day."

Marie just nodded before silently walking away. Had she gone too far? She just was hungry and said she didn't want burgers and fries. She wasn't that sort of American stereotype. Her Mom needed to walk out of the archetypes she was caged in and Marie was just lighting a fire to help her free. But her Mom looked really upset. Like she was actually hurting her. And the fear on her face. What was that even?

Marie was defensive. Annoyed. Hungry. She was a people person. Sure some people had opinions but those were outbursts of their own insecurities. So why did it feel like the two of them never got along since Dad left? It was a tough two years.

Silently they ate. Marie noticed her mother was avoiding any eye contact. Any attempts at conversation were hastily discarded. Marie felt a pit in her stomach replace her hunger. Fuck her for trying she guessed.

"I don't really know how to say this..." Her Mother finally said, their eyes meeting for the first time all meal. They looked sad and frightened again, "Next month...I either need to charge you rent or you need to find your own place."

"What?" Marie silently scoffed, "And how would I pay rent? I go to school, I volunteer I work on free projects to get experience. I don't have a job!"

Her Mother looked away her hands clenching the tablecloth, "That's kind of what I'm getting at. You take on all these projects and such which is great but we both know you take them on whenever I suggest getting a job. Or whenever I mention I need help. Since your father left I've been drowning Marie. I had to go to the bank to try and find some sort of options to try and pay our bills while keeping you in school. I had to take out some credit but it will only last a few months before it is maxed out."

"Okay but like..." How was that her problem. She wasn't the parent. She didn't leave.

"Marie. Your beauty products, the expensive groceries, the gas to get to all those places you go to do free work at. It's crazy expensive even if Richard was still here. But...he isn't anymore. And I tried. I really tried, baby. But I can't."

Marie felt the sting of her talking about Dad. The anger she bottled up of him leaving. The anxiety her mother was unleashing from the consequences of their failures. The realization she would need to add even more to her plate because of their inability to parent. She was trying to stop some maniac from turning the school into some perverted distopia and her mother had the nerve to ask Marie to start helping her be a parent?

"I don't get it." Marie finally answered coldly. Her emotions took control. "Just because you couldn't keep a functional relationship together I have to do your jobs for you? You couldn't keep Dad around so now I have to take his responsibilities? It's not supposed to work like that."

Her Mom cried and scoffed, "Marie...you're twenty years old."

"And you're thirty eight and living like this!" Marie lashed out defensively. "Like...I'm sorry but eating burgers and feeling sorry for yourself? Coming to me and telling me I have to put my future on hold because my parents can't take care of themselves? That they can't even handle having a basic relationship?" I glared at her, "I thought you said a woman should be independent and strong? Guess that was a lie."

Marie jumped at the loud crash. Her Mother's chair had flown backwards with how forcefully the older woman had stood and left the room crying.

Utter despair and guilt. Ugh. Marie folder her head in her arms on the table. Sure a lot of what she said was true, but her Mom wasn't ready to hear it. Most days she could of found a clever way to defuse and distract. Avoiding having to get a job that could ruin her focus on her schooling and experience. But after the meeting, after seeing Megan's change. She was on edge.

Marie wearily eyes her Mother's half eaten burger across from her and she reached out and grabbed it, "Fuck you... Richard."