Page 34 of Releasing 10
“That was one time, Dad,” Gibsie argued back. “And one bead.”
“It was four beads,” I corrected with a laugh, remembering the incident during arts and crafts at school last week. “And you had to go to the hospital to have them removed.”
“I wanted to see how many would fit,” he defended. “Is that so bad?”
“Yes,” all three of us chorused, causing my friend to sulk in typical Gibs fashion.
“Honestly, Gerard, I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but no foreign objects are to enter your nostrils.” Waving a wooden spoon around like a weapon, Sadhbh shooed her son away from the number-seven-shaped birthday cake. “Or your ears!”
“I’ll pop upstairs and grab their weekend bags,” Joe told his wife but made no move to go upstairs until Sadhbh nodded her approval.
“When’s Dad moving back home?” Gibsie asked when his father had left the room. “I hate it here without him.”
Me too, I wanted to chime in, but my parents had warned me to not interfere.
According to Mam, Sadhbh and Joe were going through a separation, and we needed to stay out of it and keep our opinions to ourselves for Gibs’s and Bethany’s sakes.
I had plenty of opinions of my own about the crap going on in the house across the street from mine. Especially about the asshole Sadhbh was kissing instead of Joe, but I did as my mother asked.
Keith Allen.
Puke.
“Gerard.” A weary sigh escaped Sadhbh. “We’ve talked about this, pet.”
“No, we haven’t,” Gibs argued back. “Telling me Dad’s moving out isn’t talking about it, Mam. It’s telling, not talking. There’s a difference.”
“Nothing has changed,” his mother said, trying to coax him and going to his side. “Your father and I still love you and your sister very much.” She patted his curly hair and stroked his cheek. “We’re still a family, love.”
“Except we’re not.” Gibsie’s voice cracked, and he pulled away from his mother before swiping his cheek with the back of his hand. “And everythinghaschanged.”
“Wearestill a family,” Sadhbh repeated in a sterner tone. “Our family just looks different to how it used to.”
“Yeah, becauseyoubroke it!” Gibs choked out, backing away from his mother. “You and your asshole boyfriend.”
My eyes bugged and I quickly clamped a hand over my mouth to stop the wordsoh shitfrom slipping out.
His mother sucked in a sharp breath. “Gerard!”
“What?” Gibs glared defiantly at his mother. “I’m not lying.”
“Don’t speak to me like that,” she commanded, voice cracking. “I’m still your mother.”
“Well, I wish you weren’t!” Gibs screamed before bolting out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with his mam.
“I, ah…” Pushing my chair back, I stood awkwardly and gestured to the kitchen doorway. Feeling uncomfortable, I shrugged and offered Sadhbh a half-hearted smile. “I should probably go home.”
With tear-filled eyes, Sadhbh offered me a pained smile before quickly turning around so I couldn’t see her face. “Okay, love.”
“I’m, ah…thanks for the cake.” I shook my head and moved for the door. “And, uh…sorry.”
Not waiting for a response, I pulled a Gibsie and bolted out of their house, breaking my personal sprinting record in my rush to get across the street to the safety of my house.
“I think you made your mam cry,” I announced breathlessly when I reached my driveway and found Gibsie hopping a basketball off the garage wall.
“Good,” was all he replied before throwing the ball at the wall once more.
“You don’t mean that.”
