An Unexpected Midnight Adventure

Out of the blue, when my blistered feet told me to go home that afternoon, I decided instead to go visit my friend at my old job. She was working alone - a side effect of summer holidays - and she was happy to have some company for a change. While she worked I sat in the back cubby, drinking some juice, and just talked. We talked for hours! It felt good though. Two weeks locked up in my house without talking to anyone beside my mother and sister, it was nice to talk to somebody else for a change. She revealed to me that her birthday was tomorrow and for a moment I felt horrible. I had completely forgotten! But she didn't seem to mind and actually invited me to go to the state fair with her and her friends. So I could "live a little" . I was hesitant at first. Big crowds weren't really the highlight of my fancies, but something was telling me to go.

So she picked me up and me, her, and 5 more of her friends came along. We arrived just in time before the ticket booth closed. We shot some hoops, threw some balls trying to dunk this rude obscene clown, we rode on the bumper cars (although it was going a bit too slow) and I watched them ride this insane ride that flipped you around in a tight cage whilst in the air (I value my life so I stayed behind and guarded the valuables that may have fallen out of every ones pockets otherwise). Yet the three best things were the ones I will always cherish for the rest of my life: The midnight happy birthday serenade we all sang to my friend up in the sky from the large booth of the Ferris Wheel, overlooking the entire fair (a little to her surprise but delight - how many people can say they entered their name day LITERALLY in the sky);  The petting zoo, which despite the typical association, I got to pet and feed llamas, camels, and Indian Zebu's among the usual donkeys, goats, bison, ponies and horses...

But the best part was that now I can actually say...

I RODE AN ELEPHANT!!!

That's right! I rode an elephant - a beautiful graceful elephant named Beula. Her skin was rough and smooth at the same time and she walked so steadily without needing a single word from the trainer. I was so happy that when I got home I ran to my bathroom and did my happy dance which I only use in the most extreme happy moments (a kind of unconstrained squeal while jumping up in down in circles, punching the air - don't judge, we all have a happy dance). Just that alone made my entire day - No! it made my entire year! Never once in my life did I imagine I would ever ride an elephant! But I did it! And I couldn't be anymore proud of myself.

(This picture was taken by the birthday girl from the Ferris Wheel)

Is anyone else seeing a problem here?

2 Weeks Ago...

End of the school semester. Me and my sister spend time together watching movies and TV series, playing games and reading novels. It feels like the old days, when it was just the two of us, trying to get away from every day life.

1 Week Ago...

"I'm going to start working at my old job again" She says "We need the money - and I need to get out of this house. I'm tired of being couped up here."

6 Days Ago...

Its time for dinner. She comes home late. "Hey everyone. I bought some sweets and cookies from my job." She is so happy "Everything is just like I left it: The boss is the same funny guy, the costumers were all happy to see me. I really did miss that place."

4 Days Ago...

Its time for dinner. She comes home late again and stays in our room, laying on her bed, surfing the net on her cellphone. Me and my mom sit down for dinner but she doesnt join us. She must be tired.

3 Days Ago...

Its time for dinner. She forgot her keys so I go downtairs and open the door. She closes herself in our room again. Me and my mom eat in silence. Later on she finally comes out and eats by herself, attempting at small talk. As she finishes she is about to go to our room again and I tell her to put the left overs in a taperware. "Why do I have to do it? You can do it! I've been working, what have you been doing all day?"

2 Days Ago...

Its late and she forgot her keys again. I go downstairs to open the door without a single word. Yesterdays jape had hit home in more ways than one - and still no sound of an apology. "Our cousin called me today." She says "He wanted to know if I wanted to go to a bar tomorrow with him and the rest of the gang - you know, to hang out. I may not go. Apparently its a fancy bar, and I don't want to get all dolled up just for a bar. Did he call you?" I stare straight at my plate. "No."

Yesterday...

Time for dinner - it's left over night. She forgot her keys - again. I warn her to take them with her next time. Me and my mom start heating up our meal but she grabs a towel and heads for the shower. "Are you going somewhere?" My mom asks. "Yeah, I'm going out with our cousin and the rest of the gang." She says. My mom frowns - she is starting to get upset. "Are you at least going to have dinner?" "Yeah, just heat up something for me. I really need to get dressed." Her phone rings and she runs out the door. Her food is still warm atop the table.

Later that night...

It's 2 in the morning. I stay up in case she needs me to open the door again, or in worst case scenario, if she comes home "sick". Yet still no news from her and its getting late. I text her. I'm not going home. I'm going to sleep over our cousins house, she texts back. I close my book with drowsy eyes and fall asleep.

Today...

Its 8 am. My mom wakes me up worried. "Where is your sister?" "Oh," I mumble, "she texted me late last night saying she was going to stay at our cousins house." My mom  frowns "Why didn't she tell me?"

Later that morning...

My mom tells me she needs work pants so she takes me out shopping so I could leave the house. She says I need fresh air. We have so much fun! Suddenly my phone rings. "Hey, its me. I'm locked out. Could you come downstairs and open the door?" I frown. "I'm sorry but we aren't home. Me and mom went out." She huffs "Well, when are you coming back?" "I don´t know. maybe in a few hours." I say. "Oh, ok. I'll wait at my job then. Call me when you get home." She hangs up.

Later that evening...

I open the door and she storms up the stairs, rummaging through her  clothes. My mom shows her what we bought at an attempt on small talk. I can tell my mom is worried and lonely. She changes clothes and walks right out the door. My mom asks me where she is going. I assume she is going back to work.

Later that night...

Its time for dinner. Me and my mom are watching a movie. The door rings. She forgot her f###ing keys again. She then runs to my computer and says she needs me to pass some files onto a jump drive - she promised her friend she would give it to her tonight. I try but I can't, the files are to big for the jump drive. She huffs "just text me the online link then." "Where are you going?" My mom asks. "Out." Thats all she says. Now my mom is angry "Then why bother coming home?" "I needed the files." She says as she leaves. "Don't forget your damn keys or I am not opening the door!" I yell back at her.

Later into the night...

Its 3 in the morning. My sister still isnt home. Still no word if shes going to be late or if she is even coming home at all. I text her and we fight - one part in particular stands out:  All I have to say is reread your texts to me and try to figure out why I don't want to be home just yet. She says. I stare at my screen, and all my anger comes out. If I hadn't texted you, would you have said something? No. Because you never do. Its 3 in the damn morning and no word from you at all - not a I'll be late, or a I'll be sleeping over someone's house -NOTHING! So you know what, you treat me like garbage, then I'll start acting like it.. Come home or don't come home. I could care less. You do things your way, you always do. Just do me a favor and rethink the last few days and try to remember the last time me and mom were in it!"

Am I the only one seeing the problem here? Or is it my fault?