Blood Moon

This story takes place in a single night. One of the summer nights when the nearby forest fires casted a blood red glow over the moon’s face. The same color red that was in Sydney’s bloodshot eyes after one of her classic panic attacks. It has been observed repeatedly preceding these attacks, around twenty-three minutes average, pure rage follows. She sits there, on the couch, in the second story of her unfinished house, with a single tear cascading down from each eye. Her oldest daughter walks into the room and looks at her with worry.

“You okay?”

“Yes, fine.”

Lori was used to this game. She changes the subject.

“Jesse and Allison are back in town. They’re going to pick me up in a bit.”

Sydney nods her head while eyes locked on the stained carpet below her feet. She thinks of when she last vacuumed, feeling slightly embarrassed that she couldn’t. Then her embarrassment shifts when she begins feeling embarrassed for the sake of her daughters. How could she raise such filthy self-centered animals? They should be the one’s vacuuming. She pondered. Her gaze drifts over to Lori who was still chattering about her friends. Sydney’s red eyes began bulging from her head, along with the veins from her forehead. She instantly regrets ever having children. She has a brief flashback of her youthful days, when she would sing in pop bands around the clubs of San Francisco. “I don’t care about your juvenile delinquent friends, because you don’t care about me.” She thought. It had been thirteen minutes since her panic attack. Lori speaks again, this time it actually grabs Sydney’s attention.

“Oh they’re here! I’ll be back by midnight. Love you!”

Lori quickly grabs her shoulder bag and heads towards the door. Her foot hits the porch wood when she hears a murmur. This could only mean a cry for help.

She takes another step to the porch railing and leans over the edge to notice her friends waving her to come down. She grips the railing. Allison and Jesse knew to avoid meeting Lori at her front door. This game of roulette could mean encountering the most humble angel, or Lucifer after descending from heaven. Altogether, it just wasn’t worth the coin toss.

There Lori was, in the exact situation she’s seen time and time again. Standing in between a possible night of entertainment and reunion, or being a stand-in babysitter for her mother’s instability. As she assess the situation, she begins to astray, sinking deeper in swift thoughts.

Lori hold’s up a finger to Allison to inform her that she’ll be a minute. Allison nods, unsurprised. One foot at a time walks back slowly until stained carpet is felt under the soles.

“Did you say something?”Lori inquires.

She hears a soft whisper “no” only to hear a croup from Sydney clearing her throat.

“No.” This time was much more harsh. She continues. “Bill and I broke up.”

For once in a long time Lori feels genuine sympathy for her mother. Bill and Sydney had been together for six years, the longest relationship since Lori’s father. Bill was a nice man, very reserved, and for some reason, put up with Sydney’s issues. Until now.

Lori steps closer to the couch. She debated staying to comfort her mother instead of going out. As she pulls out her phone to text Allison she glimpses at the time. Remembering her mother’s emotional pattern of panic to melancholy to black out rage, she takes one step back and considers some parting words. She wants to leave with some kind remarks of empathy but can only think of three.

“Im very sorry.”

Sydney turns her head to stare at Lori. She doesn’t blink. Tears of anger build in her eyes and saliva builds in her resentful lips. She closes her eyes to think of a reply when tears break from her lids and fall to her bent arm. She responds:

“Well you should be.” Sydney conveys sharply.

Lori looks confused.

“Excuse me?”

“You and your sister are why he left me. But mostly you. YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!”

It was as if a bomb had gone off. Lori was looking to run, but it was too late. The war had begun. The next thirty minutes was a mix of shouting, blame, and fury. Two lamps had been shattered on the kitchen floor along with one plate and salt and pepper shakers. The noises and destruction had become increasingly intense.

“You just had to tear us apart! You couldn’t STAND to see me happy!”

“Mom that’s not true. Just calm down. Drink some water.”

Lori glanced out the window and observed her long time friends slowly pull out of the driveway. As she witnesses Jesse waving his hand goodbye, Lori feels a cold hard SLAP across her cheek.

“You were fine with leaving my like this.” She starts crying again. “Are your friends more important than your own mother?!”

Sydney’s voice echoes in Lori’s ringing ears.

Lori, still bent over holding her hurt face, closes her eyes. As she turns to reply she opens her eyes and finds herself still holding on to the porch railing. A quick moment of confusion before Lori revives to reality.

Allison sticks her head out of the van window and yells.

“Hey, you ready?”

Lori turns around and sees her mother’s shadow on the couch. Sydney stares at the floor, tears falling. A soft murmur is heard again. Sydney, talking to herself but awaiting a reply from the present audience. Without hesitance, Lori turns to her left and cascades down the stairs. Never looking back.