It’s been months since my father last spoke to me. The silence slowly settled into my daily routine, no matter how hard my mother tried to shove it away. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a visceral reaction from him. It ached, and it felt like I was carrying the weight of his anger on my shoulders.

But I couldn’t give up, not when my sister launched me forward. I couldn’t disappoint her or fail her. Neither of those were options. 

Sweat trickled down my forehead as I finished loading my car for the ride to school. My brother and I were finally heading away. Although I was physically prepared, my hands trembled for the move ahead. I do feel disappointed that my mother couldn’t at least come with us. She had to take more shifts lately and it makes me worried for her well being. No one would even tell us why, it just happens. 

These last few days I was even banned from my sister’s room by my father. I didn’t feel like arguing with him. My mother would keep me posted on her wellbeing, and that was enough for now.

“Ok I’m ready!” My brother tossed his bags carelessly in the back. The outfit he wore reminded me on his first day of sixth grade. He was jumping up and down to go to a school close to us. I smiled as I fixed the bags so they wouldn’t spill all over my car.