Family Story - 004

"I was surprised to see you smoking. I thought you said that you hadn't before, and you didn't plan to."

"Well… that's true," I say, squirming a little, "I don't know, it was just kind of hard to say no when it was right in front of me. Are you mad?"

"Why would I be? It's fine, only…"

"Only?"

"… only they say you're bound to get addicted after trying just once."

"I'm pretty sure that marijuana isn't that addictive…"

"No no no, without a doubt you're going to turn into an addict. This is the beginning of a downward spiral that you can't possibly escape from. First marijuana, then you'll move onto harder stuff… it's all over for you."

"Really? Is my life really that over? After just one joint?"

"Yeah, it's all unavoidable now. Eventually I'll have to leave you too, out of shame. It'll be an incredibly embarrassing for me, but I'll have to move on."

"You're already over me?!"

"I'll marry a rich older man, the exact opposite of you, and I'll forget all about you."

"I can't believe it! My life's done for!"

Tayla smiled, "but seriously, it's fine, just don't get addicted or anything. It's not like you have enough money to pay for an addiction."

"I'm happy your worried about me," I replied, "I'll be careful."

"Yeah, I'm sure you'll be fine, your pretty responsible…"

Am I? I don't know if that's how I'd describe someone who ran away from home.

"… it's just that I heard a rumour at school. Apparently, there's been way more drugs on the street recently. There's a new dealer around, or something. I heard that he sells most of his stuff to kids our age, or younger."

"Selling drugs to young kids like that is just…"

"Disgusting?"

"Unforgiveable."

Tayla looked at me with concern, "I hope you're not thinking of doing anything stupid."

"Anything stupid?"

"Getting involved in something like that. You're only a teenager after all, you can't do anything and everything."

"I know, I know. I wasn't thinking anything like that. I don't think I'd get into drugs either. It's not like I have the money to buy them anyway."

"That's true… guess I was worried for nothing."

Tayla's so cute sometimes. It makes me incredibly happy that she's worrying about me, even if I think she's worrying about something pointless. I can't really imagine myself becoming addicted to drugs. I feel like I'd have the self-control not to. But I guess that's the problem in a nutshell. I'm sure most everyone who's become addicted to anything, didn't expect to end up becoming addicted.

As for whether I was thinking of putting a stop to it, of course not. Like Tayla said, I'm just a teenager after all. It's not like I helped her or Arthur because I wanted to play the hero. I just did what I wanted to.

"Oh yeah, I was always meaning to ask you…" Tayla began a new topic of conversation.

"What?"

"I was wondering why you chose to go to that particular school? I mean, there's at least one or two that are closer that you could've gone to."

"Well, it was partly due to Massimo's connections, but to be honest, I kind of have a connection to that school."

"How so?"

"I learnt that it's where my father went to high school."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I know I've said that I don't want anything to do with my past, but I couldn't resist the chance to go there. I felt like I wanted to see if there was anything there that might help explain why he ended up the way he was."

"Was there?"

"Not really. Of course, he's celebrated by the school as their most successful alumni, but his records as a student aren't all that impressive."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. He got good marks, but especially in his later years, he missed a lot of classes. In his last year, his attendance was below half."

"Not exactly what you'd expect of the moon man."

"No…"

Suddenly, I didn't really want to keep talking about my father.

"Anyway, I don't remember the way to your house that well, but we're almost there, right?

"Yeah, it's just around the next corner."

"So, what are your parents like?"

Whilst I have met Tayla's mother before, I didn't really get a good sense of what kind of person she was at the time. She was a bit shocked by what I had to say at that time. And I don't even know what Tayla's father looks like, let alone what kind of person he is.

I looked over at Tayla when she didn't answer me immediately, but it seems she had just been thinking about it, because she began to speak before I'd even turned to face her properly.

"My mother's a really nice lady. Sweet, really. She'll be kind to you. My father on the other hand… he's well intentioned, but often a bit heavy handed."

"How so?"

"I suppose he's just… very assertive. He knows what he wants, and how to make people do what he wants, but not in a bad way. It isn't like he manipulates people or anything, he's just good at making people see his opinion, I guess. Or rather, he's a bit forceful, but well intentioned…"

Tayla's rambling on about her father makes me laugh a little.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking that he might be similar to someone I know."

Tayla gives me a questioning look, "are you saying that I'm like that?"

"Are you saying you're not?"

"No, I've never done anything like that to you, have I?"

…

…

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Tayla pouted.

"Sorry I was thinking. Your completely correct. You haven't once tried to forcefully make me do something, or anything of the sort."

Sometimes you have to pick which battles to fight. This one, is not one worth fighting, especially at this time.

"You don't sound that sincere…" Tayla said, "but I guess it's fine. It's not that important. If that's what you think, I'll make you see that I'm not forceful at all."

Then why did you get that upset?

And besides, just by saying that, aren't you proving my point?

You'll make me see that you're not forceful, huh…

My straight man tendencies make me want to say something about it, but like I just said, sometimes you have to pick which battles to fight.