Maelstrom (Inferno 5)

CHAPTER THREE

Dalton

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Kalen goes straight to his room like he always does when we get home from school. I think he likes to live in his own world, one where Mom actually gives a fuck and Dad might come home one day.

The more the days go by, the more I’m convinced we don’t need him. I’m just fine being the man of the house and I think eventually Mom will be okay with it too.

I do my best to make sure she’s cared for, though it never feels like enough lately.

She barely eats her food.

She hasn’t opened her mail in months.

She doesn’t go outside.

She barely showers anymore.

I’ve had to give her sponge baths to keep her from rotting on the outside like she seemingly already has on the inside.

The house is usually in disarray until the weekend when Kalen and I have a chance to do our weekly power-clean.

Somehow, some way, she still manages to maintain her youthful good looks.

I think she primps and primes herself when we’re at school or out with our friends.

And it’s never, ever for us.

It’s for him.

Wherever he may have wandered off to.

___

I stop just outside of Mom’s door, running both of my hands down my face in preparation of what may possibly be on the other side of oblivion.

Taking a deep breath, I put a shaky hand on the doorknob, turn it, then let myself into her room.

There’s no point in knocking anymore—she never responds.

I just have to go in and hope I’m not invading some kind of private moment where she’s gotten lost in thoughts of him.

“Hey, Mom,” I greet her softly as I walk in and close the door behind me.

I arch an eyebrow when I notice her empty bed. Quickly glancing around the room, I wonder where in the world she could be hiding, when it suddenly dawns on me.

Fuck.

Walking quickly toward her bathroom door, I push it open, then slap the shower curtain out of the way, almost fainting in relief that she didn’t go under and drown while we were at school.

I had been in such a hurry this morning, since Kalen had an important test first period. I guess I just forgot to go back for her.

“It’s okay. I’m here now,” I tell her quietly as I lean down and scoop her out of the tub, holding her wet, naked body against mine.

“We’ll get you dried off, put on your prettiest night gown, then get you into bed.”

Mom doesn’t even look at me, completely dismissing all of the kindness I’m trying to provide her, and it makes me wonder if Kalen doesn’t have the right idea about her these days.

Maybe she isn’t the best mother in the world, but even the worst one, whoever that may be, at least tried once in a while.

I’m sure of that much.

Looks like we need to get her another babysitter, and hopefully this one won’t run away.