Code Blue

~ Chapter 15 ~

Chapter 15
Wednesday August 30th
Mallory's POV

I pulled into the gravel that led up to my parents' house. The same old beat up windows and rotted wood greeted me, the same way it does every time that I make the drive out here. It's been this way ever since I was a little girl chasing Noah around in the yard or since Veronica was the only person I would let come over. She never judged me, even when we were just kids.

Obviously as a child I spent a lot of time here. I learned how to crawl on dirty floors and learned how to step over beer bottles before I could write my own name. I fell asleep to the sound of my brothers voice telling me bedtime stories that he would create in his head, as I ignored my parents arguments in the other room. It's the place where I'd sneak out of my room at night to put pillows under my dad's head when he'd sleep on the floor, because Noah grew to refuse to take care of them and only would care for me.

As I got older I spent less and less time here. I would spend countless nights at Veronica's house, grateful for the home cooked meals her mother made. Of course I appreciated Noah's signature peanut butter and jelly and microwave meals, but the taste of a lasagna or steak was savory. I would pack a bag and stay for days at a time, because Noah urged me to. Eventually, I left one evil to move in with another and my visits to my childhood home were numbered. I try to visit once a week or so, but sometimes I get so ahead of myself.

I figured my parents were due a visit by now.

I turned my car off and headed inside. I didn't bother knocking or anything since it didn't matter, and I just walked in to the same hoarded environment I was used to. I made my way through the mess to the living room, seeing both mom and dad relaxing on the couch, both surprisingly awake.

"Hi guys" I greeted with a smile. Once I got older, Noah and I had different views on our parents. He was quick to get out the second I did, barely looking back, and limiting all contact with them close to nothing. I don't even know off the top of my head the last time he was in the same room as them, since he refuses to let my two year old nephew meet them.

On the other hand, I still yearn for that connection with them I never got as a kid. I visit when I can, and I help them as much as possible, because they're still my parents. Noah and I have gotten into disagreements about it before, where I feel bad and he doesn't, but we've managed to never let it come between our relationship. Noah wishes that I would follow his lead because he's used to wanting what's best for me and that's what he feels is, but I haven't been able to cut the cord yet. It bothers him, and it used to bother me with his adamant stance about it, but I've come to realize that we did have two different experiences growing up.

We lived in the same house, but had two totally different lives.

Now, I just get questioned about when he's coming "home"

"Hi Mals" My mom shoved some junk that was on the seat next to her onto the floor. "Come sit darling"

I stepped over the stuff on the floor and took a seat next to my mom. She wrapped an arm around me in a side hug. Unsurprisingly, I could smell the reek of alcohol coming off the both of them. It wasn't unfamiliar to me. "Hi mom"

"Hi" My dad muttered.

"I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!" My mom exclaimed. "You look tired, are you sleeping? Honey you need your rest"

"The hospital doesn't allow much time for that" I chuckled quietly, knowing even my time here was limited.

"Right the hospital" She nodded along, like she just remembered.

"Yeah"

"How's it going? You said it was good, right?"

I sighed, knowing that I told her it was not going smoothly when I was here last. It's not uncommon for her to forget what I say considering the amount of alcohol she consumes on a daily basis, but it is frustrating sometimes.