//------------------------------// // Hazy morning // Story: Pony bound // by Shortcourt //------------------------------// “Uhhhhhhhhhhh!” I yawned while awakening from my slumber.  I tried to open  my eyes, but the crust that enveloped around them made it difficult. I rubbed the crust off my eyes  while sitting up.   After taking in the sight of the pink bean bag that I sleptin (no pun), I immediately knew I was in Katie’s room. Ah, Katie’s room... “Katie’s room...” I repeated in a low growl. How did I get in here anyways? Was last night that much of a blur?   I slowly got up on all fours and headed for the door. Since I'm experiencing no headaches... I'm guessing last night isn't as much as a blur. Before I left, I glanced at the bed and noticed Katie was still slumbering on it. She was snoring like she  usually does... although her snoring is a bit unusual since she stops breathing for a couple of seconds once in awhile. I think they should get that checked on... Anyways,  doesn't she  has schoo- oh wait, I forgot she goes on vacation today. That means I'm going to be seeing her all day... perfect. Every time I see her I'm going to be reminded of how she took a level in dumb ass yesterday. Her iq dropped from 122 to the metacritic score of Duke Nukem forever.   “I hope you’re happy, shit-for- brains!” I snarled at her. I expected her at least to choke from the loud sound registering in her ear, but she snored even louder then before. I sighed and trotted towards the door that lead to the corridor. She’s not even awoke.  Forget going off on inactive people, I have the whole day to do that. I just need to get out of here because stomach is literally twirling in three different ways. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................  When my hooves landed on the living room floor, the back of my mother's head was welcomed into my sight. She was sitting at her usual spot on the sofa, watching television with the volume unusually  low. Wait, does that means she heard my footsteps? If she did... Ii need to get the hell out of here... I hesitantly made a full-turn with my body, looking directly at the steps.  Heard me or not,  I don’t feel like seeing her and definitely don’t feel like talking. “I know you’re there, Shawn...” Mom muttered. Son of a bitch!  “We need to talk... now."  “No, we don’t,” I replied defiantly while screwing my head around slowly, “there is nothing for us to talk about. As far as I’m concerned, nothing happened yesterday.” “Really? Then how come a pony that looked just like you was arrested? Oh wait... that pony was you!” I froze once again, feeling my heart drop. “H-How do you know?” “It was on the news. People compared you to George Zimmerman and the police officer in Missouri.” “Oh,” I said blankly. I looked down at the ground, taking a few seconds to  let Mom’s response drown in. So that’s how that guy from yesterday recognized me, huh? Damn... I don't think I'm going to go outside anytime soon. Hell yeah, man. We're going to live in the basement for 22 years until everything dies down. How will I tell if it dies down? Easy, just listen through the good ol vent. “I’m disappointed in you, Shawn. I thought I told you to bla bla bla bla...“   Mom’s yammering interrupted my mini convo with Brain. Ugh, even though my brain is annoying, I rather listen to him than this woman. I’m just going to ignore her.  “Bla bla bla just because you didn’t kill an alien doesn’t mean you have the right to take it out on an innocent person!” My eyes flickered for a few seconds before enlarging to the point where they took the shape of frog eyes. Okay, I definitely heard that part.  Is this piss-ant serious or what? “I went on a drinking binge last night, Shawn,” she said as if it was a perfectly normal thing to do. "Okay." “I drank so much last night I passed out on the kitchen sink. I had a dream that Arabian woman weren't covering their  faces and bodies. Underneath their guise they looked like a Cobra Commander from Gi Joe.” I don't know why she is recapping her night with me for... I really don't care. Unsure how to respond, I sarcastically put my hoof up, emulating a thumbs up. "Cool story, Mom.” “What do you mean  cool story?” she grunted.  "Me getting drunk like that is supposed to be 'cool'?!" I shrugged. “Hey, you passing  out in a weird spot from drinking is nothing new. Don't blame it on me because I never told you to drink in my absence. The way you cope was your prerogative.” For once my back talk seemed to have left her speechless, for she didn’t respond in at least a good ten seconds. “Get... your ass... over here...” she finally said, stressing every syllable. I shook my head. “Nope, I'm not doing this today.” After my remark, I turned around once again, priming  myself  to walk away and diffuse the situation.   “Wait!” she called out. I stopped, not even bothering to turn my back.  “What? Do you want me to stay just so you can brown-beat me again?” “No... I just want to talk.” “Okay, I'm listening.” “Don't you want to come near me so I can look at you?” “Nope. This way I can easily leave if I feel you're being hostile to me. ” She groaned. “I would prefer if you can... look me in the eyes  and read my emoti- never mind,” she snorted, sucking her teeth in agitation.  “First of all... tell me... why? Why did you go after that alien? That was the second time you left the house in one day... one day! Do you like scaring me to death or something?!” My face flared up.  I would go upstairs now, but I feel an obligation to reply to that. I opened my mouth and took an exaggerated breath, as if my mouth froze for a couple of seconds. “Mom, if it wasn't for your daughter holding me back, I wouldn't go after him in the first place! But now that he's free and you guys already spilled the beans out, this house is a good as screwed! Congratulations, Mom,  they got the drop on us!” “That's not true!” she exclaimed. “H-he's was just a-a misguided kid!  Maybe if you weren't so harsh to him you would understand  better,  Shawn!” “Understand what? Hello, earth to Mom... he's not from earth! He doesn't give a flying fu-feather about how nice you were to him!” “That's not true... you don't know his story,” she maintained. “Besides, why would he do that when he seemed to only serve his race because of fear, not loyalty?” This woman is incorrigible. I rolled my eyes. “Uh-huh... say that. I still can't believe  you defended him two times in one  day though... especially at Ray's 'funeral'! What 'source' were you using to make your decisions? ” “Shawn, I was using common sense as a source. What  would strangling him do honestly? You should thank me for stopping you because you would have killed him permanently!” I pouted. Well, she makes a great point there. “You're right but still... why?” “Why what?” My hoof teased on the stairs as I mused if I should go through with the question or not. It's better off to let this topic die then constantly revive it... but I don't think I'll be at peace without knowing the real reason.  “Why did you hide that from me? I thought he was dead all this time but  he really wasn't. Do you have any idea what I was going through that week? You had me thinking about all the possible ways he  died! Last week was nothing but anxiousness, blood, and blood! ” “Shawn... honestly... I have no idea why I did that.” “...No idea, huh?” I whispered disdainfully. I took a huge breath, trying to compress the anger that's threatening to explode from  me. “... I'm not surprised. At least your being honest.” “No!” she shouted. “I mean, there is a reason, but you might think it's silly...” “Try me,” I replied in a challenging tone.  She paused for a moment. “...You see, the reason I did it was because... I didn't think you would take it lightly.  I know you and Ray are very close , which is why I didn't tell you Kane was the one who  did it. I know you have anger problems, Shawn. The way you reacted today was a testament to that, you know?” her voice levels dropped in volume and shifted towards a more nasal tone as she  sniffed.  “I-I-imagine how you would react if I told you the truth in the beginning? I thought it would be easier for you, Shawn. Even though it was a mystery for you, at least you didn't go around the house with 'paranoia' purging through your head, or 'vengeance'. I'm not saying it was a good idea... but it was a good compromise for what you probably would have felt.” I stared at the ground compulsively. Is that really the reason?  I admit, when I'm angry I don't think logically and make extremely  rash decisions. Like,  all my actions literally come out of  my ass. But, I still ain't buying what she's saying. Right now, it  sounds like an excuse for how she  feared  for her 'precious' hubby's life. “Then how come you didn't tell... Dante or Katie? If you feared for the way I acted only  how come they didn't know?” She sniffed again.  "Because it would probably scar them as much as you...”  My right eye twitched. I was about to open my mouth to protest, but my brain insisted on letting her continue.  “Honestly, it wouldn't be fair if I told one of you guys something while keeping it hidden from the other two. I think of you guys as equals and wouldn't treat any of you different in the slightest." Okay, now that sounds contrived and shallow. I turned around, huffed, and marched straight towards Mom. I stared at her intently, taking in her appearance for the first time. I couldn’t help but frown. Hangover or not, she looks perfectly fine to me. Not one string of hair out of place or anything; besides her eyes being a little more puffy than normal due to crying. “A-achooooooo!” I feigned a sneeze.  I smudged my hoof against my nose shortly after while saying,  “Sorry... I'm allergic to bullshit.” Mom eyes broadened. “Shawn, watch your language! And how is it b.s.? Explain!”  “I think you're using your story to veil  your true intentions!  We both know you did what you did just so I wouldn't lose all my respect for Dad, especially since it's obvious my clock for the old man is ticking! Yeah, cause he's soooo much more important than me! ” “No! Shawn, it isn't like that at all! It's about keeping the stability of the family! If you think you were going through hell throughout the week, imagine how much hell you would go through whil-” “-I know, Mom, I know! That doesn't have anything to do with you not telling Katie and Dante though, especially since  they didn't have the same connection with him like I did!  And when did you start thinking of us like equals? Katie got a credit card at 13 while I had to wait until I was 16!  Man, she has her own room too! And please, don't let me bring up the convo I overheard where you talked about getting her a ca-” "-Shut up!" She interjected. I couldn't help but smirk. "What? The truth hurts?" Her eyes slowly bulged open as her hand found its way on her lips.“How dare you... I told you I regret what I did already... but don't go on and say it was because I did it to protect Kane solely!  I worried  for the life of this family and I know my intentions  more than anybody  else, so don't be absurd! I would never do that to you, Shawn! And even if Katie and Dante weren't connected to him on the same emotional level as you, you have no idea what would have went through  their minds! “I wanted to try and make things easier for you, but look what happened!” she exclaimed while abruptly throwing her hands in the air, which made me flinch.  “You're pissed off at me and coloring me as some selfish has-been! I just wanted what was best for you, sweetie, but I guess it wasn't enough!” The room became void of talking, the only audible sound being Mom’s sobs.  Mom’s heart-wrenching, guilty,  vulnerable... sobs. Okay, her sobbing surprisingly makes her sound more sincere. In fact, looking at it from her point of view,  what she did  was a totally innocent, heartfelt mistake. It’s... kinda consistent with her character actually. Speaking of character,  even though Mom has been pissing me off recently, I still can't forget who this woman is. Mom may be vindictive, short-tempered, and overly-protective... but she is still a very caring person, and more importantly a caring mother. I can't hold a grudge against her. What she did wasn't right, but she sure as hell didn't make a 'left' on seaseme bitch street.  I cocked my head back to relax some of the muscles in my neck. “Mom,” I started in a low, stern voice, “It's okay, I forgive you.” “...W-what do you mean it's okay?” she asked with a sense of inquisitiveness under her tone. “I mean, I'm still somewhat angry, but I kinda understand you better now.  In fact,  since Ray is alive, why don't we just... pretend this never happened? I kinda want things to go back to the way they were... before-” Wait, what is that?  My eyes laid focus on a family portrait. The picture was located on top of the television, right next to the satellite.  Huh, how come I never paid attention to that before?  The picture showed the whole family striking different  poses. From top to bottom, the picture showed  Dad smiling directly at the camera whilst hugging Mom with one hand. Mom  hugged Dad back, using his body to support her stance; Dante's arms were crossed as he was glaring at Katie, who obviously provoked him in this picture by pulling at his hair. Her expression was very anime esque, where one of her eyes were closed while she crossed her fingers and made a 'peace' sign at the camera. And last but  least... it was me, smiling while  doing some weird gang sign where my fingers were shaped as a 'c'  and a 'b'. The funniest thing is my smile outshone everybody else. And yes, it was a smile not a smirk. I sighed wistfully. Yup, there was a period of time where everyone was happy. This was taken like  what, two years ago?  I think I know why I never paid attention to it... because I was already 'living' the picture. I couldn't reminisce about it because there weren't any memories... my life was too good. But after what happ- “Gah!” I squawked. My monologue was interrupted by Mom pulling me into a massive hug. “Aww....Shawn,” she cooed while  squeezing the life out of me. “Uhhhhh, too... tight!” I yelped, literally feeling  my bones poke out my skin. Jesus, why do people hug me so hard for? What happened to the quick  hug everyone used to give me? “Sorry,” she said while releasing the hug.  “It's okay, Mom,” I muttered while turning my head around to  dust myself off. When I turned back around, Mom was looking into my eyes tenaciously. Her eyes were still glowing red, but at least she stopped crying. “...What?” “I just.... want to make sure everything between us is all good again. Once again, I'm sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way, honey...” “Mom, it's okay. Your heart was in the right place, that's all that matters, ” I said while smiling weekly. “Just be more honest with me next time, alright?” She nodded. “I will.”   Well, this has been an  interesting morning.  Even though this is the second time Mom and I had a 'talk', this time she was the one who opened up to me. It was basically an inverted version of what happened the day I went back to school... which is redundant but not bad. I talked to Mom and she talked to me, so  I don't think we will be talking  again anytime soon as long as we stay honest with each other. Yeah, if you do. My stomach suddenly rumbled, sounding just  like an incoming avalanche.  Yup, that was a palpable rumble... and I don't think it's from an 'aura'. Matter of fact,  I don't think I ate ANYTHING yesterday, besides  chicken nuggets and a bag of Cheetos the officers gave me. Hell,  I can't even digest  meat so all I ate were  the Cheetos. I scowled. I guess it ain't easy being cheezy after all... “What's the matter, sweetie?” Mom asked, taking note of my change of expression. “Nothing. I'm going to get something to eat,” I said while walking past her. “Wait! Before you go... don't you want to explain to me what went on with the... kid?” I stopped walking. You know what, I thought she totally forgot about. “...You sure you want to hear it?” “I would appreciate it. It's only fair  that I know why you were arrested after all. ” “...” Was my response. I rather not. Even though it's better explaining to Mom instead of having her believe I did it for spite, it's so retarded and embarrassing it matches the infamy of the former. “It's stupid. You don't want to hear it.” “Try me.” I took a deep breath. “Well... I'll tell you after I eat.” “I'll make breakfest for you!” Damn,  she is really persistent... …......................................................................................................................................................