Page 82 of Truck Up
So many of the dishes we buy her vanish over time. She swears she has no idea where they go. It doesn’t matter. As long as Mom keeps the company that frequently visits her, she’s never going to get better.
I stop after I find the baking sheet and stare at my brother. “Maybe we should start coming more often. Once a month isn’t enough.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” His jaw drops and he looks at me in disbelief. “I can barely handle once a month, Chris.”
I glare at him for using the nickname that I rarely hear anymore. He only uses that when he’s mad at me because he knows I hate it. Chris was the drug addict punk who didn’t care whether he lived or died. When I came out of rehab the first time, I decided I’d never be called Chris again.
“Don’t call me that.” I don’t yell, but the tone of my voice indicates I’m not happy he used it.
Remorse instantly takes over his expression. “I’m sorry, bro. It’s just … well, you know how much I hate coming here.”
“I know, but we’re all she’s got.”
He sighs and glances around the apartment. Even though he’s cleaned it from top to bottom, it’s still a shithole. “I don’t know how much longer she can live like this.”
“I know, but we have to try. Especially now that I have a baby on the way.”
He furrows his brow. “You’re not considering letting Mom meet the baby after it’s born, are you?”
I shrug. “Depends on her. But Lia wants to meet her.”
“Dude, you can’t be serious.” Chase looks at me like I lost my mind. “She isn’t like us. Mom will traumatize her.”
“Who will I traumatize?” Mom stares at me like she doesn’t really see me. She’s completely strung out.
“Hey Mom.” I wave at her and pick up the package of hamburger buns. “We’re here to cook you dinner.”
She blinks a few times before she looks at Chase and then back at me. Then a huge smile covers her face. “Christian, my boy. You came to see me.”
She takes a step toward me like she’s going to hug me but then stops and alters her course. She sits in a chair and rests her head on the table instead.
I rush toward her and lift her face so I can take a better look at her. “Fuck, Mom. How much did you take?”
“What are you talking about?” She frowns. “I didn’t take anything.”
“Mom.” Chase sighs. “I found you with the needle still stuck in your arm.”
When she looks at Chase, her frown turns to an outright scowl. “Don’t you lie to my boy. You don’t know shit.”
“Sure, Mom.” He shakes his head and continues to put the rest of the groceries away.
I step back and inspect her more closely. She’s so skinny. I bet she weighs next to nothing. “You stay here while we cook.”
She nods but her eyes have already turned listless. She’s in bad shape. Too many more hits like this and she might not recover.
I head to the counter where Chase is watching Mom with disgust. “Maybe you’re right. I can’t introduce Lia to that.”
“Of course, I’m right.” He stares at me like he thinks I’m crazy. “And you can forget about letting her anywhere near that baby. I won’t allow her to touch it.”
“What baby?” When we look over at Mom she’s staring at us with a confused expression on her face. “Who’s having a baby?”
My shoulders sag and I let out a deep breath. “I am Mom. My girlfriend is pregnant.”
Her mouth falls open and tears well up in her eyes. “You can’t!” she cries.
“Too late. It’s happening.” I grab the pack of beef patties and rip it open. I need to keep busy if I’m going to survive this conversation.
“No!” she yells and slams her palm onto the table. “You’re in no shape to have a baby.”