Napped

Kent walks towards the couch slowly and doesn't even glance at me. His hands are in his pockets. “I don’t want to hear it right now.” “Jam...” Kent snips while his eyes make contact but I immediately interrupt. “No,” I place my finger on his lips as I stand up to him. “Collect your thoughts and please take Emma and Lillie to Jenny’s house. They want to spend the night over there.” I cross my arms over my chest and walk towards the laundry room, sneering. “I told them it was okay and probably a great idea I told them it was okay judging by whatever just happened up there.” “Fine,” Kent sighs and doesn't fight back. I want answers and he better give them or the couch is his bed for the night. That hollering couldn't have been for nothing. “Make sure you find out where Ryan went too, please.” I snap at him before he leaves. He says nothing and closes the door. I change the laundry around and fold the ones that are freshly dried. Place the clothes on the shelf above the machines to distribute into the kids room tomorrow. I make myself some tea with my favorite liquid creamer. I sit down in the kitchen reading a book. James strolls in with his skateboard in one hand and helmet in the other at seven. “Hi James, did you have fun day today?” I smile and hug him. “Yeah, it was good as always. I promise I am staying safe, Mom.” He smiles with a shrug. “What’s wrong?” I pull a chair out for him to sit beside me. “Why is Ryan punching a fence at the park?” He lays down his helmet on the table beside me and sits. “I went to walk up by him and stopped when I saw what he was doing. I’m scared, Mom.” James face saddens. “I have no clue, James.” I sigh closing my book and hug him. “Dad and Ry were fighting a bit ago. I am waiting for Dad to come home and find out myself. I’m sure whatever it is, it’ll be resolved when they are both home. Is there anything else bothering you?” “I miss Dad being fun. Lately he’s been so…. strict and crabby with Ryan that he hasn't been spending time with me. When will Ryan stop being like this? I miss Ryan too!” James vents his feelings to me. He rests an elbow on the table with his hand in his hair. “I’ll talk to Dad, Sweetheart. I don’t want to see you this upset. I know it’s been a bit chaotic. But hey, you still have me and your sisters to hang out with.” I smile hoping to make him chuckle at that thought. James rolls his eyes and smiles. “No offense Mom but I don’t want to play dolls and paint my nails.” James says in a girlie tone. I laugh. “Put your board away and then you can have whatever you want for dinner.” “Okay,” James leaves the room. Kent comes home fifteen minutes later. He takes a shower longer than usual and then goes straight to bed. I walk in to lie down beside him. “Do you want to tell me why you hollered at him?” I whisper. “No, actually I don’t want to tell you.” He lies down on his stomach. “I honestly believe you don’t need to know what’s going on.” “Our son is outside punching a fence and you think I have no right of knowing what’s going on!” I yell in concern. “The more you know the more you will freak yourself out! I don’t want to tell you.” Kent hollers at first to get my attention and then softens his voice. “Kent Sterling you better tell me now or you can go sleep on the couch.” I ignore what he says because I seriously want to know what is going on in this house. I'll risk the chance of freaking out. His yelling is freaking me out enough today. Kent rolls his eyes and gives me a dark look. He says nothing and sighs. “I’ll take the couch. That way I can watch out for Ryan.” Kent grabs his pillow and a small quilt. “I didn’t want you to pick that option. Tell me already.” I follow him into the family room, crossing my arms. “No, I would like to go to sleep.” He responds stubbornly. “How bad can it be?” “Leave me alone, please?” Kent moans. “Are you mad at me?” I question him acting like a little kid. “I’m not mad at you. I love you too much to get mad at you. I’m mad at Ryan for not listening to me about something. Just let me deal with him. You can’t be nosy and interrogate him either tomorrow.” Kent sits up and gives me a kiss. I decline the kiss turning my cheek. “That’s entirely not fair! Kent, here you are screaming up a storm in the boys’ room and I can’t ask any questions. I’ve been through enough in my lifetime of secrets that involve me, you and our kids.” “Jamie…” Kent pipes up but I jump in before he says another word. I take a step back from him. “No! Furthermore, James misses you. You need to spend more time with him. He’s right; with all this stressing between work and Ryan, you haven’t been happy lately. I don’t like this side of you. I miss my husband who is not acting like a jerk or worse…Kyle.” Kent remains quiet and doesn't look at me. He places his hands behind his back. I shift to my other foot. “I know I am not the best wife but I am trying not to make my paranoia over Kyle an issue. The yelling is freaking me out and now Ryan is asking questions. I can’t do this! I don’t like these secrets between you two.” I walk away to go to our bedroom but Kent grabs my hand and hugs me. Kent stares at me and sighs. “Now you’re not being fair. I work very hard for you to take care of our kids. I stress over what our kids do because you, my beautiful wife, worry way too damn much.” Kent kisses my hand and holds them. “Thank you for telling me off. Thank you for telling me I need to cool it. I am sorry for how I have been lately. I have a lot on my plate and shouldn't put it out on my bonding time with our kids or us. I don’t want to be my father or their father. This doesn't excuse the fact that I don’t want you being nosy and asking Ryan questions. You don’t need to know right now.” I go from a smile to a glare in seconds. “I’m going to bed. I know I am not going to win.” “I love you.” Kent mopes. “I love you, too.” I leave the living room to go to bed even though I know I won’t be sleeping. I wish he would just tell me already. It can’t be that bad. Can it? I toss and turn with anxiety. I’ve lost all concentration and kick my covers away from me in anger. At least I got my point across about his negative attitude. In between tossing and turning I hear Kent and James playing video games laughing away. I am happy to hear this. Kind of helps me doze to sleep. I just hope James didn't listen in on the entire fight and ask about who Kyle is.