Chapter 156 - On Your Side

Lance.

Brad's Diary(Journal)

I have been switching the meds now for a month. I feel good about it because mom is back to herself. She has been happy, she plays with me again. She helps me with my homework and she watches our favorite cartoon. Dad seems to be normal, he doesn't suspect anything but he also hasn't said anything about the way she is acting. I like the way things are and if I have to continue switching the meds, I will as long as I can have my mother back.

Lisa seems to think that I am making a mistake, I don't know if I can even trust her. It almost seems like she is on dad's side. She promised not to tell anyone, but I can never be too sure.

I just have to keep protecting mom for as long as I can and if dad doesn't even know, then nothing will ever happen.

I close the book with a loud thud. I hate reading this. I can already imagine the bad that will come of it. There are doubts in my mind now because Mr. Max said Ford is just like his mom. What if she was sick and needed the meds? That thought has been running through my mind and I don't know how I feel about it. The doorbell rings and I jump off my bed and run over to it. Eren was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago.

I open the door and the person on the other end is not who I was expecting "Mom,'' I mutter.

She manages a smile. "Can I come in?''

Since when does she ring the doorbell? This is as much her house as it is mine. Why the fuck is she acting so weird?

"Why did you ring the bell? Don't you have a key?'' I walk away from the door and she follows me. Still fucking smiling. I don't even know how I feel about her, I don't even have the time to think about her. All I can think about is getting Ford out of that hospital. If they think he is sick. We will work on it together. He will see another doctor. One that is not clouded by John. His involvement to the whole thing is what irks me. I don't trust him, no matter what I think. He is not trying to help Ford. He is too secretive and I don't think the way he has handled the whole thing is the best. That is why I will never be on his side.

He hasn't thought about how this whole thing is affecting his son. He is only thinking about himself and what people will say.

"I didn't know If you would want me to come in.''

The more words that come out of her mouth, the more annoyed I get. "Just cut it out, mom. There is no point for all this."

"You canceled our dinner. I was worried."

I shrug and walk over to the couch "I was tired." I tell her honestly. I am actually tired. I just want to get past this and I know she is not going to be of any help, so I don't see any point in the back and forth.

"Should I order something and we can talk about it through a late dinner?''

I frown "Talk about what?''

She sighs and then runs her hands through her hair "You know what I am talking about. Why are you trying to make things difficult for me?''

"Is it working?''

This might not be fair but this is also the only way to transfer my aggression to someone else. I am going through a lot, emotionally right now. She is of no help to me.

"Please, let us talk. I have a lot to say,'' she pleads. I wish I could just forget everything that has happened but the reminder that she betrayed me will always be there. No matter how many good things she does to make amends.

"Fine but Eren is supposed to be coming over.'' I tell her wanting her to know that I don't plan on listening to her for a long time.

"Okay. He can have dinner with us if he gets here while we are eating." She dials the Chinese restaurant near the apartment and orders the usual meal we get. While we wait, she looks up at me from the opposite side of the couch.

"I believe you.''

The uninterested expression on my face is wiped away and shock replaces it "What?'

She continues "John is hiding something from me, which makes me think that you might be right about his relationship with his son."

"And?''

"I don't know. I have been thinking about it and I want to support your relationship with him."

It seems like I am in an alternate universe. The fact that she is saying all this is shocking to me. she supports my relationship, even though he is locked up right now. "Do I even have a relationship when he is locked up?''

She sighs "He is going to get out. You know this won't be permanent."

"How long? Do you even have an idea?''

She shakes her head. The doorbell rings and I jump up from my seat. She wants me to be happy that she will support the man I love. I wish she came here to tell me that she was going to take my side and Ford. That she was going to ask him to let him go—or at least help us but no. she just came here to support a relationship that would always thrive without her.

I collect the bag of food and she stands up and hands him the money. "Thank you,'' she tells him as I close the door.

It has been almost an hour. Where the fuck is Eren. I have a plan, that will involve him and Jack. We have to break him out of there. The bell rings again, this time I jump for joy as Eren—one of my best friends smiles on the opposite side of the door "Hiya,'' he waves in the air. He is dressed in a pair of brown shorts and a black long sleeve shirt. There is a beanie over his head, so I cant see if his hair is messy like usual or actually brushed. It is probably messy.

"Come in,'' I pull him closer "Mom, please, can we have this conversation some other time. I need to be with Eren tonight."

I know I am being mean to her but I have priorities and my main priority is getting Ford out of this mess. I will leave my life with her and everyone else behind just to be with him again. I want to see his smile again. I don't want him to worry about anything.

"We were going to have dinner,'' she interjects sadly.

"I promise, we will do this some other time. It is late and I am tired. I don't want to think about Ford and all the drama tonight.''

She sighs "Okay, will you at least eat the food?''

I nod.

"Fine." she walks over to me and rests her hand on my shoulder "Know that I am on your side. I will always be on your side.''

You were not on my side when I needed you.

I think those words but I don't say them out loud. I don't want to keep her here any longer. I need to talk to Eren.

Once she leaves,. I face him. He raises a brow "You are thinking about doing something crazy. I can already tell,'' he walks further into the room, reaching for the bag of food and peeing into it "Oooh, dumplings." He grabs one of the containers from inside the bag and opens it, throwing one into his mouth "What do you want?'' he asks chewing slowly. I roll my eyes because he can even think of eating. I have been unable to eat since they took him from me.

"I need to get him out of there.''

"It won't be easy.''

I nod "I know but I don't have any other options. I have to do this because no one wants to help. I thought his uncle would help us but everyone wants me to just sit back and watch, like the man I am in love with is not locked up like some kind of prisoner.''

He sighs "So how are we going to do this? What is the plan?''

I like the fact that he already knows that he is involved in this. I like that he is ready to do this with me. Eren is a good friend, one of the people I know I can trust. I am so grateful for him "There is no plan. I thought you would have some suggestions. I thought your cousin could help us out.''

"Uh... he could lose his job though. so that's kind of a big deal.''

I nod in understanding. "I know but this is my only option. I need to get him out of there before the week ends. I am desperate Eren. Please help me.'' I walk over to him and grab his free hand that doesn't have food. 

''Alright. I will help.. Let me talk to him first.''