The Fight

The Fight

“I thought we were coming up here to actually enjoy ourselves, David. I didn’t realize it’d be another, -shit on the family and everything we do-fest.”

I stared languidly out the window, my earbuds not completely drowning out my parents argument. Mountains rose up and fell away around us as I rocked with the curves. Greenery raced by as Dad took the curves a little too fast.

“I would be enjoying myself if that asshole hadn’t tried to pass me just now! There was no space!” Dad yelled, his face red and puffy. He coughed roughly into his hand, taking his eyes off the road for an instant. I lurched to the side as he jerked the car back into our lane.

“David! Fucking pay attention!” Mom screeched in her birdlike voice. Her thin are reached over and slapped Dad across the thigh of his pants.

“Sorry,” he muttered, still fighting a coughing fit. I sighed and rested my head against the window, staring out as trees and valleys swept by. I couldn’t stand when they decided to get all pissy with each other.

I glanced over to the empty seat next to mine, wishing I could’ve gone off with my brother Danny and his friends to go swimming. It had already put my parents on edge when he’d told them he was going out, and now Dad’s road rage was taking over. I thumbed the volume up until it hurt my ears.

“So, you’re still taking us to Jose’s, right?” Mom asked between songs. I turned the volume back down, stomach rumbling. Dad only grunted.

“So, what the hell is that supposed to mean? I don’t speak asshole caveman.”

Dad glanced at her, a vein bulging in his bright red forehead. I thought it might burst as Dad roared, “Can you just give me a fucking break? I’ve spent a lot of money already just to get this piece of shit van out of the shop and get us up here!”

Mom snorted, “Great, so first you ruin the drive and now we don’t get to eat. What’re we going to do?”

“We’re going to Jose’s for God’s sake!” he cried, jerking the wheel again.

I felt the car edge it’s way off the asphalt this time, and Dad howled as he fought the wheel to get it back on. He slammed the breaks and the car made a horrible squealing noise as we skidded to a stop, halfway off the road. The side of the car was inches away from the rock wall, a single angled piece filling my window. A horn blared and another car swerved to avoid hitting us from behind. Dad met my eyes in his rearview and I could tell he was scared.

My stomach dropped a little, knowing he’d probably crossed a line with Mom this time. I pulled out both my earbuds, but nobody spoke. Dad pulled the car back onto the road and drove more slowly. We drove for a few more miles, silently. Climbing steadily cars were packed closely in front and behind of us now. There was a sign for pull offs and scenic overlooks ahead.

“Pull over up there, sweetie,” Mom said, laying her hand on his leg again, but this time gently.

We joined a small line of cars jockeying for a spot, and a moment later Mom was saying, “David, I need to talk to you.” She gestured to a low stone wall that sat in front of the row. Without a word they each got out and I held my breath.

I stared out of the front window watching as they sat down beside one another. I looked past them as Mom started to speak, Dad hanging onto her words. We were high up, the mountains opening up around us like a great bowl. There were other people out of their cars taking pictures, smiling, and laughing with one another. I sighed, leaning my head against the window again.

I must’ve dozed off, the next thing I knew Dad was knocking on the window. He cracked the door and spoke softly, “Candle, can you come out here for a moment?”

I stiffened and stared at him, he hadn’t called me that in years.

“What’s going on, Dad?” He shook his head and opened my door wide. Mom gestured for me to come over and sit by her on the wall and I did, Dad sitting close on the other side.

“Candace,” Mom began, “You know your Dad and I haven’t been getting along much lately right?”

I snorted, “Of course, Mom. I mean, you know I’m fifteen, right? I’m not blind to what’s going on around me.”

I hated it when she acted like I was a little kid.

“Well,” she began again, glancing at Dad, “We want you to know that we’re not giving up on one another.”

“That’s right,” Dad muttered softly, resting his head on her shoulder.

“I know it’s been hard for you to watch lately, but I want you to know it’s going to get better. I’m not going to say it’s going to be perfect, but your Dad and I still love one another.”

I wiped angrily at my eyes as I spoke, “It’s been awful listening to you guys after you think I’m asleep. I mean, just because it’s after ten that doesn’t mean I’m knocked out.” They suddenly looked very guilty. “Do you guys even realize how awful it’s been lately?” I didn’t know where this was coming from, I hadn’t expected to say any of it.

“Sweetheart,” Dad spoke up, “What can we do to make this better for you? Because we want to fix this for us,” he said giving Mom’s hand a squeeze, “But we want to fix it for the whole family too.”

I stared, wondering how true this was. Twenty minutes ago Mom and Dad were screaming at each other like they were about to swing punches and now they were talking about how everything was going to be okay? Bullshit.

“You can just stop fighting all the fucking time,” I said quietly. Mom flinched when I cursed but she didn’t speak. “That’s why Danny didn’t come today. He didn’t want to get caught in the middle of another argument and now, here I am, all alone.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Mom said hugging me fiercely, “You’re not alone.”

I could feel Dad squeezing his big gorilla arms around the two of us and for the first time in a while, I thought maybe it would be.