Oklahoma, Age 15
The baby wouldn't stop crying.
It was 10:00 Sunday night. I had school the following day. Heather and Brian went to the casino a few hours ago. I had put the rest of the kids to bed an hour ago. We had meatless Hamburger Helper for dinner. Or rather, the kids had Hamburger Helper. One box only went so far, after all.
I had some crackers with tuna for dinner. I helped them with their homework. After that, I let them watch a movie. Then I sent them off to bed, hoping I could get some peace to do my homework.
But the baby wouldn't stop crying.
He'd been fed and changed, but he wouldn't stop crying. I picked him up again from his little chair that vibrated. It usually worked to make him go to sleep, but not this time. I wore the soft blue robe he liked and rocked him back and forth.
Adult Swim played one of the Naruto movies in the background.
I rocked, and I hummed, trying to soothe him. But sometimes, babies just cry. If it weren't dark out, I'd have taken him on a walk in his stroller. He'd be out before we finished the first loop around the block.
I laid on the couch with the baby on my chest. He liked to be close to hear my heartbeat. I lowered the television volume, and eventually, we both fell asleep.
I woke up to the front door slamming open.
The baby started crying again.
Brian came stumbling in, cursing loudly. He hurried to the bathroom. I heard him throwing up. Then Heather came in, walking like a newborn foal in her heeled boots. I sat up, cradling the baby close, and placed him in his chair, turning it on.
My mother didn't make it to the other bathroom. Instead, she got sick, leaving a mess on the carpet in front of the front door. I took a towel from the laundry I never folded (the next morning, I'd get grounded for the laundry not being folded and the dishes not being done) and tossed it over the puke. Then I pushed her into a chair and tugged off her boots.
I turned to check on the baby. He was asleep again.
I helped Heather to the bedroom. Brian was passed out already, his shoes were still on. I pulled a blanket over Heather. I walked into the bathroom to see the mess Brian had made. I cleaned that up. Then I walked into the living room to clean up Heather's mess. I pulled out my textbooks and started to work on some homework.
The baby started crying again.
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