Droplets from the Inkwell

Writing Quickie: Teenage Friends

Content Note: This Writing Quickie touches on the topics of alcoholism and domestic violence as experienced from an adolescent's point of view.

The two teens lay side by side on the grass, staring up at the white clouds that peppered the crisp blue sky. The redhead lifted a scrawny arm, pointed, and said, “That one looks like a sailboat.”

His blond companion followed the pointing finger. “Yeah, it does. And that tiny whisp below it could almost be a fish.”

“Nah, Jerome, I think you’re stretching it on that one.”

“Well, I certainly see it that way, Sam.”

“If you say so.”

“Well, do you at least see the dragon over there?” Jerome asked, pointing toward the western horizon.

“Oh yeah! He looks like he’s about to breathe fire!”

“You’re right! Wonder if he’s attacking a village or something?”

“I just hope it’s not our village.” Sam paused before adding, “Though that would give my parents something to do other than argue with each other.”

Jerome lay there in silence for a moment or two. “So they got into it again last night?”

“Yeah. It was awful. I could hear Mom’s screeching even with my head buried under both pillows.”

“Man, that sucks. How did your dad react?”

“He stormed out. Probably headed back to the bar.” Sam sighed. “I suppose that’s better than the times that he beats her.”

“Still not good, man.”

“No kidding. I hate it when he drinks like that. I wish he wouldn’t do it so much. Then this morning, no one in the house was talking to each other. Nothing but icy silence.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah. Worst thing is, that’s the good time. I’m sure things will get worse again tonight. It’s always worse when the rent check is due.”

Jerome stared at the sky for a moment, feeling for his friend. He knew that when things got really bad, Sam occasionally came to school the next day with nasty looking bruises. He hated seeing that happen to his friend, and it infuriated him that none of hte adults seemed to notice or care enough to do something about it. He decided to do what little he could. “Hey, you want to see if you can spend the night at my place? We haven’t had a sleepover since summer began.”

“Do you think I could? That would be great.”

“Sure! I’ll even see if Mom will spring for a couple video rentals or something.

“Cool. I think we have a bag of potato chips in the pantry. I’ll see if I can sneak them into my backpack when i come over.”

JarredH

Our tears remind us that we're alive. Our laughter reminds us why.