I woke up in the middle of the night with an achey head and a dry mouth. I sighed quietly before rolling over onto my back, contemplating whether or not it was worth getting out of my warm bed to go downstairs for water and some Aspirin. What made up my mind was when I swallowed and almost started choking because my throat was so dry. After that, I decided I didn't really have much of a choice.

It took way more motivation than it probably should have to climb out from under my warm blankets and stand up on the cold floor, but once I was finally up, I moved quite a bit quicker in hopes of getting back to bed before my warm spot cooled.

As I padded my way to the top of the stairs, I paused for a moment. It was almost like I could hear voices coming from downstairs. I couldn't understand what was being said, but one of the voices sounded like my dad. I shrugged it off, though, merely assuming that he was just getting in from work and talking to mom about something. I continued down the stairs, not really concerned about the voices.

When I got close to the kitchen, and subsequently the front door, a feeling of apprehension came over me. I could hear the voices much more clearly, and while I was right about one of them being my dad's, the other was definitely not my mom. I could hardly understand what they were saying, but dad sounded upset, and the mysterious woman sounded desperate. I considered abandoning my previous prospers and going back to bed, but my curiosity beat out my better judgement. I crept closer and closer until I could hear what they were saying.

"Are you sure I can't come in?" the woman asked.

"Yes," came my dad's somewhat gruff reply. "I told you, my wife and son are upstairs."

"But we don't need to go upstairs," she bargained, her tone flirty. "And you know that I can be quiet."

"And you know I can't be," dad said, or should I say purred.

I didn't really know what was happening, but I didn't like my dad's tone of voice. There was a certain sexual undertone to it that he wasn't even trying to disguise. I could feel my stomach tighten up at the assumptions my brain was making. I didn't like it at all; I didn't like the way my brain was jumping to the worst conclusions possible.

"At least let me tell you goodnight," the woman suggested.

I felt my heart in my throat. I slowly peaked my head out from the corner to see them. All I could see was my dad's back, but it was enough to calm my nerves a little bit. That is until I heard dad say, "I suppose that can be arranged."

That's when everything went down the drain. I saw her arms, thin and tan, wrap around my father's neck. His own arms moved from his side out of my line of vision. I also saw his head dip down—I didn't have to see them from a direct angle to know what was happening. She was kissing him, and he was kissing her back. Everything started spinning around me, but, for some reason, I just couldn't look away.

The next thing I knew, his head ducked down to where her shoulder and neck would be. I saw her face over his shoulder as she rested her chin on it. Her makeup-covered eyes were closed, and her mouth was slightly open. Her lips were a smoldering yet wet looking red. Her curly blonde hair was disheveled just slightly.

Everything started moving again when a soft noise came out of her mouth. That's when I knew I had to get out of there. As I bolted up the stairs, I could feel my dinner churning around in my stomach, begging to make a second appearance. I managed to make it to the upstairs bathroom before the feeling became too much. I don't know how someone didn't hear me, but I'm glad they didn't.

When I was finally finished, I flushed the toilet, took a drink from the sink, and snuck out the door.

The last person I expected to run into when I came out was my father. "Are you okay son?" he asked, a worried expression on his face.

It took everything I had in me to bite my tongue and not call him out right then and there. "Y-Yeah," I said, my voice breaking.

He frowned and put his hand on my forehead, causing me to flinch. "You feel kinda feverish, and I could hear you throwing up from downstairs. Are you sure?"

I bit my lip and shook my head because, in actuality, I wasn't okay. Not even close. I felt like I was in a fucked up dream... or should I say nightmare?

Dad sighed. "I'll tell your mother not to wake you up before she leaves tomorrow. Go get some rest."

I nodded slightly. "Go-Goodnight."

He smiled gently. "Night, Jack."

Back in my room, I sat on my bed and cradled my head in my hands. I'd just seen my dad cheat on my mom, and while what I'd seen wasn't as bad as it could've been, the way they were talking made it obvious that it wasn't the first time. To be honest, I was terrified.

My thoughts were a swirl of Should I tell mom? What if she finds out on her own and knows I didn't tell her? She'd hate me. But the instinct to protect my father was there. I felt like my hands were tied; I just didn't know what to do.

---

When I woke up the next morning, the sun was peeking over the windowsill and flooding into my bedroom. I know I should've felt happy and relaxed after getting so many extra hours of "sleep," but honestly? I felt like shit. My chest was heavy, and my head is whirling. After I went back to bed that night, I didn't sleep, not really. I tossed and turned, and while I did pass out for a little bit, it wasn't a restful sleep.

I eventually willed myself out of bed and downstairs, where I (thankfully) found an empty house. There was a note on the table from my mom, one that made my stomach roll again:

Morning Jacko!

Dad said you weren't feeling so well last night. I'm sorry to hear that. There's oatmeal in the fridge if you feel like eating. Get some rest today and feel better!

I should be back around 2-ish.

Love, Mom
I felt bad knowing what I hadn't had yet to do about my dad. My mom's too sweet and nice to deal with that, but she deserved to know. I had to tell her. It would ruin their marriage, but she could find someone else, I guess. I just didn't know what to do.

I left the kitchen and retreated to the couch. I laid down and turned on the television in hopes of calming my nerves at least a little bit. I forced myself to watch whatever daytime soap opera was on, but I just couldn't keep my mind off of what happened the night prior. I never thought something like that would happen to us. We've always had the perfect family; mom and dad always seemed to be so in love. But I knew that everything I'd ever known was a lie.

I spent the entire day in a daze. Not even the text I got from Alex when he would've been in first period made me smile.

Hey, angel, hope you're okay. Missing you x

I sighed and threw my phone across the floor. He'd understand why I didn't text him back, right? I mean, once I'd finally work up the courage to tell mom, I'd probably need to get out of the house for a little while. I supposed I could've gone to see Rian or Zack or someone, but I just felt like Alex would be just as understanding, if not more so.

I laid around trying to distract myself until eventually my mom came home, right around when she said she would. As soon as the door opened and she walked in, I was up off the couch. I pulled my mom into a hug before she could even put her purse down.

She chuckled softly before hugging me back. "How are you feeling, baby?"

I pulled back and shrugged. "Out of it, I guess."

"You do feel warm," she said, feeling my forehead. "Have you eaten anything today?"

I shrugged. "Not hungry."

She frowned. "Come sit down in the kitchen, I'll make you some soup."

"Actually, mom," I said, my voice shaky, "can you sit down for a minute? I have to tell you something."

That was it. Since the words had left my mouth, I couldn't call them back. I had to tell her; I had to tell her something. I didn't think I could stand lying to her.

"What's up, Jacko?" she asked, worry creases forming on her forehead. She sat down across from me at the table, putting her hand on top of mine.

"I went downstairs last night to get some water," I started, taking shaky breaths. It was more nerve-racking than when I'd come out to her. That time, I knew there was nothing I could do to make it easier for her.

"I don't understand." She shook her head. "What's going on?"

"I saw dad cheat on you."

Notes