Damn, Ive been tag teamed.

I looked back and forth at each of them. Both sitting back against the couch, Evan avoiding all eye contact while Tina stared directly into my eyes daring me to say something.

“I, uh…”

I tore my gaze from Tina and looked at the therapist.

“I havent been home.”

“Is work more important than your family?”

“No.”

“Really? Cause it seems that way.”

“Will you let me talk, Tina?” I asked getting agitated.

*****

I remind quiet waiting for her to own up to the reasons for our family falling apart.

And nothing.

So much for her brilliant breakthrough.

I sighed looking at Evan. I could tell she was trying to zone out but was unsuccessful. Her eyes blinked several times bringing her back to reality. I took her hand and squeezed it. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes.

*****

Great, just great! I didnt want to cry, especially not here. In front of him. I tried to catch them before they fell but was to slow.

“Evan… why are you crying?”

Not here, please and not now, I thought swiping at them.

“I dont want to talk about it,” I said running for the door.

“Evan,” I heard my mother call.

“Sweetie, are you okay?” the receptionist asked.

“Wheres the bathroom?” I asked.

“Down the hall to the right.”

I grabbed the door and flew down the hall. I ran into a stall and locked the door. I laid my back on the door trying to stop the tears from coming. I didnt want to cry… not about her. But I couldnt help it. Minutes later I heard the door open. I tried curling up on the toilet hiding but she knew I was in there.

“Evan,” she called.

Not the mother I was hoping for.

“Leave me alone!”

*****

“Evan, please…”

“I dont want to talk to you,” she screamed.

I followed her voice to the stall she was in. I stood there.

“Baby, I know I fucked up. I made so many promises to you and havent kept any of them.”

I really wasnt expecting a response but something would have been nice.

“Im not going to make any promises to get you to come out of there. I know Ive done a ***** job being your mother and I apologize for that. Somewhere I got comfortable with leaving you with Tina. Not that I shouldnt have because shes a great mother to you but I shouldnt have left all the responsibilities on her shoulders. It was unfair to her and to you.”

Silence.

“I know theres nothing I can say to you right now thats going make you come out of there.”

Still nothing.

I stayed hoping that she would come out but of course she didnt. My phone began to ring.

“Hello.”

Silence.

“Yes, I know Franklin, but I had a family emergency.”

*****

She came in here chasing after me and instead of trying to get me to open the door, which she didnt try very hard, she talked on the phone.

I tried not to listen, angry that she even answered the phone but found my ear pressed to the sky trying to hear every word.

“There are other people in the office that are capable of handling it, Franklin. Yes, I know what my position is. It also means that I have the option to delegate the responsibilities.”

A huge sigh came out of her mouth.

“You know what, Franklin… Ive spent to much of my life in that museum, giving you everything that I have to ensure its success and I get nothing in return.”

Silence.

“My paycheck? You think I do this for my paycheck? I love art, Franklin. Every aspect of art.”

I heard her become angrier as the phone call went longer.

“I have sacrificed the happiness of my family for that damn museum, Franklin!”

Silence.

“If you think you can threaten me with losing my job… then surprise Franklin… I quit!”

I heard the snap of the phone closing and her scream out. I unlocked the door and peered out.

“Mom?”

*****

Her voice made me turn around. Her face peeked out form the stall.

“You okay?”

She was worried about me.

“Im fine, baby. More than fine actually.”

“The phone call?”

“Yeah, you heard it. I quit. I need to be there for my family before I dont have a family to come home to.”

She rushed out the stall and into my arms.

“Thank you,” she said hugging me.

There wasnt a reason to thank me. I had finally realized my reality… I was losing my family.