I looked at the clock in the waiting hall that afternoon. It was past after three. Silence was deafening.
Looking at my hands, I heard approaching footsteps. I was still staring at my badly chewed-up nails (even one finger had dried blood in it) when the footsteps stopped next to me. Then I heard her familiar voice.
"Ready to go home?"
I looked up and saw her exhausted face. Then I got up and followed her to the parking lot.
The drive home was filled with unsettling silence. Mom was obviously struggling for something to say as she was driving. Me? I didn't feel like talking.
When we finally arrived home, Mom parked the car in the driveway. She heaved a sigh before turning to me, her eyes flashing in anger and exhaustion.
"What were you thinking?!" she suddenly yelled. "A two-week detention, breaking another kid's nose? This isn't like you!"
"Well, maybe you don't know me very well--" I began, but she interrupted me.
"--don't get you get smart with me, young lady!" she snapped, slapping at the steering wheel. She was almost hysterical now. "I want an explanation!"
"Oh, do you?" I sneered. Before I could stop myself, I went on, "How about this, Mom? They said Daddy is a sinner and he's going to hell for what he did - AND THEY JUST WOULDN'T SHUT UP ABOUT IT!!"
Silence. Mom's face went pale, her eyes wide with shock. I didn't wait for her response, though. I just opened the car door, rushed into the house, up into my room before slamming the door behind me.