Page 79 of Spiralling Skywards: Fading
“Don’t fucking bother.”
I gave my brother a kiss, and he pulled me in for a cuddle. “We don’t seem to see enough of each other these days.”
“Well, you know where to find me. It’s not like I ever go anywhere.”
“I’ll be round. I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Liam followed me out, despite my telling him not to. He helped me strap the kids into their seats, but when he attempted to kiss me goodbye, I snapped, “Fuck off and kiss Cassie.”
I slammed the door of my car and locked it before he could pull it back open. Then I drove away, leaving him standing there, watching me with his hands pushed down deep into his trouser pockets.
After leaving the house at eight thirty that morning, I finally picked Carter up at school, treated the kids to a happy meal from the drive through, finally arriving back home at four. Once they ate, I gave them quick baths and put them to bed early. I forced myself into a shower and climbed into bed at seven o’clock. Thinking about how much of a failure I was at life, I cried myself to sleep.
