Crystal Lies - Melody Carlson [105]
“Jacob.” I opened the door wider. “Come in.”
He stepped inside, and I suspected by the jitters and twitches that he was on something. “Hey, it’s you,” he said, pointing at Marcus. “I remember you. You’re the counselor dude from the loony bin. What’re you doing here at my mom’s place anyway?” He glanced at me with suspicion. “What? Is this some kind of intervention or something?” He looked over my shoulder as if he expected someone else to come down the hallway.
“No, Jacob,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. “Marcus was here for Thanksgiving dinner.”
Jacob slapped his forehead. “Oh yeah, I totally forgot, huh? Sorry, Mom. But seriously, are you pulling something on me here?” He returned his focus to Marcus, then scratched his head.
“No one’s pulling anything, Jacob,” said Marcus.
“I don’t know.” Jacob still had his backpack securely in one hand. “This doesn’t feel right to me.” He turned and narrowed his eyes at me. “Mom?”
I held up my hands. “Honestly, Jacob, Marcus was simply here for dinner, along with some other friends that I managed to round up when you didn’t show.”
“Is anyone else here?” asked Jacob, peering toward the hallway again.
“No. My neighbors just left. Do you want some leftovers?”
“I, uh, I don’t know.” He looked at Marcus again.
“Maybe I should go,” said Marcus, standing.
I wasn’t sure what to do or say now. On one hand, it would simplify things if Marcus left. But at the same time, I was feeling a little uncertain about Jacob’s behavior tonight. Something about the look in his eye wasn’t only unsettling but also a bit frightening. Still, I reminded myself, he’s my son. Jacob would never do anything to hurt me. And yet I wasn’t sure.
“Or I can stay,” offered Marcus, carefully studying me as if he were reading my thoughts. I think he understood that I was uneasy.
I nodded at Marcus, then turned my attention back to Jacob. “I’m glad you’re okay, Jacob,” I began,“but I wish you had called me about not coming today. I was getting worried about you.”
“Like I said, Mom, I just totally forgot. Don’t you believe me?”
“Right.” I went into the kitchen now. “Are you hungry? There are still some leftovers.”
“I…uh…I don’t think so.”
“Want me to fix you a plate to take with you?” I asked. I couldn’t believe that I was hinting to Jacob that he would have to leave, that he wouldn’t be spending the night here. But I knew that he was still using, and I’d been trying to remain firm with him about not living here without getting help and getting clean. Still, I felt like the world’s worst excuse for a mother as I realized I would be throwing my very own son out on Thanksgiving.
“Huh?” He looked back and forth from me to Marcus and back again, as if he was trying to keep an eye on both of us, as if he thought we were really up to something.
“In case you get hungry later?” I said to get his attention back. “You could take some turkey and things with you.”
“No, that’s okay. I don’t want anything.” He turned back to Marcus, but his expression seemed to be turning hostile now “Really, man,” he said in an agitated voice,“I want to know what you’re doing here in my mom’s apartment. Why’d you come? Are you trying to get me into your loony bin again? Cuz I’m not going. I’m not into that kind of crap. I mean that place is for psychos and losers, you know. And I don’t care what you guys think. You’re not forcing me to go there.”
“That’s right, we’re not.” Marcus sat back down on the couch and looked evenly back at him. “No one gets forced into rehab, Jacob. It’s a personal choice that only you can make for your—”
“And don’t think you can sit there and talk me into it either.” Jacob shook his fist. “I don’t need your crap, man.”
“I’m not trying to talk you into anything, Jacob. And I realize that you’re high right now” Marcus was speaking in a soothing but personable voice, probably the same tone he used in working with patients.