“Presley, I really wish you would sit up straight. It’s not ladylike,” my mother whispers to me.
“I don’t want to.” I don’t know why I said it, I just did. Maybe it’s the alcohol.
“I’m not in the mood to argue with you. Sit up.” My mother’s expression is clear that there will be no arguing. I sit up.
“Well, kids, we’re here to celebrate tonight,” Dad finally announces.
“Oh? And what are we celebrating?” Trevor asks.
“Your mother and I are getting back together.”
I begin to choke on my wine. I mean, really choke. I’m coughing, not able to catch my breath and Levi hands me a glass of water. I look over at Trevor, and his mouth has dropped open.
“You can’t be serious? You’re divorced,” I’m finally able to talk.
“Well, that doesn’t mean we can’t get back together. We’ve spent a lot of time together and we feel this is right.” My mother reaches over and grabs my father’s hands.
“Am I in the fucking Twilight Zone?” I spit out the sentence before thinking. It’s Marley’s turn to cough on her wine.
“Presley, language.” My father gives me a stern look.
“No, in fact, hell no. You two don’t get along at all. I remember the fighting and yelling and the hell Trev and I went through.”
“Presley, enough.” My father’s voice raises another octave.
“No. This is the dumbest thing that could ever happen.” My voice gets louder, and I see that people are looking at us.
“Presley Marie, shut up, right now,” Mom hisses.
“I can’t believe this. It’s bad enough that Trevor and I had to be separated, but now it’s all okay to get back together. Is it because there are no kiddies at home to get the house dirty? ” I shoot a look at Mom. She was always complaining about the house being dirty because of us.
“Presley, I don’t know what’s going on, but I highly suggest you shut your mouth now.” Dad’s face is red with anger.
“We were under a lot of stress when you kids were little. It was harder then, but things have calmed down. Plus, when Trevor gets drafted, we can go as a happy family,” Mom adds.
That’s it. That’s the straw that breaks it all. “Oh, of course. Let’s make sure that we’re a perfect fucking family for ESPN!” I shout at her. I stand up so fast my chair falls back and slams to the ground.
“Smarty.” Levi grabs my arm, but I jerk away from him and take off for the door.
I run into the night air down the street. I’m in four inch heels, on ice and snow, but I keep running. Until I fall. I fall right in the middle of the sidewalk on my hands and knees, and I have no urge to get up as the tears spring from my eyes.
“Presley!” Levi yells behind me. I feel him as he picks me up fireman style.
“Take me home,” I choke out. “Please, get me away.”
“Trevor is getting the car.” Marley lays my coat over me as I cling to Levi’s neck.
I can’t stop crying as Levi places me in the backseat of the SUV. Trevor is driving, and Marley is in the front seat. I don’t want to leave his arms and Levi doesn’t let go. Not a single word is said as we get back to my apartment. Levi doesn’t let me go as he carries me up the stairs and heads into the kitchen. He sits me in a chair, and Marley comes out of nowhere with my first aid kit and a couple washcloths. It’s then I notice my knees are bleeding, and the palms of my hands are too. Marley wipes my face of the tears and makeup. Trevor is standing behind her, and his eyes are sad. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Trevor look so sad. He knows what I’ve gone through with our parents, and I know that he hates it as much as I do. Levi begins to fix up my knees and hands, and I’m finally able to stop crying.
“I’m sorry,” I choke out.
“Hey, Smarty, it’s-” He stops talking as my father opens my apartment door and walks in with my mother.
“Presley, what the hell was that?” Dad exclaims.
“Honey, are you taking drugs or something?” Mom’s face is full of concern as I stand up to face them.
“I’m not taking drugs. I don’t do drugs. And what happened was that you care more about Trevor than me. That’s what that was.”