Family not family

My name is tarryln carter I live in Atlanta Georgia I'm the youngest of my parents three kids and I have a lot of situations I'm trying to break through. Sometimes things can get better sometimes things can get worse in my situation shit didn't go either way,my life was up and down I had to much shit going on at once trying to stay focused on school and hoping my family would stay together. Now with me being the youngest of my sisters like what the hell , how can I live through this when I'm only fourteen years old I'm still learning shit have of the time I feel like I'm teaching them some things. Me and my oldest sister meneka have our little arguments every now and then she always trying to tell me something ,I tell her just because she eighteen don't mean she going to sit around her and boss me around like she my momma . Now her and our other sister Tyra now that's a different story ,they can go at for hours get into each and every day me and Tyra has a good relationship we always get along now my momma and daddy love each other !I know they do .they always hugging and kissing dancing to they're favorite song from time to time and daddy made sure his family was straight, now we might have our disagreements and agreements but we manage to get shit back together couldn't nothing break up this happy home I mean nothing he made sure his daughters was cool he was strict as hell now momma she sometimes let us have our Way and sometimes daddy would get mad but , I love my family unconditionally.It was a Friday night daddy was out working momma was cooking up a Friday night meal I was playing uno with Tyra while meneka was always on that dang phone .Uno! '' i yelled ' nobody could never beat me and uno I was the champion of uno .(meneka) " let me find out you cheated again with your big head self ".(Tyra)" no she didn't cheat I just let her win . " I gave her a look like girl you know you lying I'm always whooping y'all buts in uno " - momma came out the kitchen-" the food ready girls come on eat " (meneka) " ma why we always have to have sloppy joe and fries on Friday why you couldn't order pizza or cooked something different ". " now you know this your sister favorite and when you can get a job and or some type of money than , we can have pizza now eat your food and terryin stop stuffing ya face before you get choked . (Meneka) " really ma you always cooking her favorites like the rest of us don't have favorite, you never asked to even see what I like to eat this don't make no sense at all I don't even want this damn food -she stood up and slid the food across the table and ran out the kitchen- (Tyra) " ma just leave it alone you know she gets when she aggravated and upset about something that we don't know about and never speak upon she'll calm down even though it was wrong ". " maybe she's on her period " I blurted out" momma and Tyra looked at me like I was crazy " I was just saying ma" . Tyra cleaned up the table while me and momma washed the dishes -meneka walked in the kitchen- "ma I'm sorry I didn't know what gotten into me i just been going through a lot with all this school stuff going on and I just want to apologize to all of you " momma looked at meneka and just nodded her head. " see every time I try to apologize you never listen what's the name point of me apologizing I'm done "-she ran off to the computer room- momma just continued to wash dishes she slammed the plate down and walked out the kitchen-(Tyra) " all this over some food something not right at all I done had enough for tonight,I'm really sick of this going on we living life like we a happy family not with all this going on-she walked out- tonight has been a weird ass night I'm still confused about what happen ,what's going on and, what's going to happen because I know I'll still be confused trying to figure out why all this happened. -daddy walked in- (Daddy) "what's up bubble what's going on why you looking like that , daddy had just came home from work I'm knowing he's tired my daddy works very hard he was working at this over night stock at a ware house. He would always come home telling stories about what happen at work " hey daddy nothing I'm okay it's the others with the problems I'm fine but,how was work ?" Awe it was just like any other Friday but I guess you didn't notice the time " he was home from work early and it's only 9 "o clock hmm I surprised. " yeah daddy your home early on a Friday night what's going with that because your never home -momma walked in the living room- (momma) " hey sweetie I miss you -kisses him- baby you are home so early did yo ass get fired what did you do Charles ?. (Daddy) " I didn't get fired first of all me and the crew and our boss are going out tonight ,to celebrate for his birthday because this weekend he going somewhere with his family and he wanted to treat his workers so I decide to go it starts at 10 " daddy why can't you stand home with me to watch movies it's been a while since we had us time " daddy and I always had us time at least that's what he called it,it would be me and him watching movies and eating popcorn but, since he've gotten this new job a barely see him .(Daddy) "awe bubble I promise tomorrow I'll spend the day with you I promise maybe momma can take my place for tonight and watch movies.- she gave him at look-right babes want you do that for daddy ?. I know she didn't want to but since daddy ask she might just do it momma was always on the phone with her gals Mariah Brianna and,Carly they always gossiping about something or somebody. (Momma)"yea babe I'll do anything for my baby girl you know daddy has he's life and have things to do to do I'll watch movies with you sweetie. "Okay momma that's fine . -momma phones began to ring - "exactly what I be talking about somebody calling her to gossip" -daddy came downstairs looking fly as ever all white pants with some black nikes with a all black shirt hat on-" looking good daddy "I yelled " -ran to give him a hug -" daddy that cologne smells good " daddy always dressed nice from head to toe (daddy)" thanks baby I look fly don't I flyer than you -we both laugh -well baby girl you be good alright enjoy your night with momma I'll see y'all later on ." -he walked out the door I can still smell his trail of cologne .- momma walked in - (Momma) "he left yet now he know I told him before he leaves stop in the room before he go ,girl your daddy some hardheaded now what movie you want to watch first ". Ma I don't want to watch movies no more Momma looked surprised. "What do you mean, sweetie? I thought you wanted to watch movies with me?"

"I did, but now I don't feel like it anymore," you said, feeling a little down.

Momma sat down next to you on the couch. "Is everything okay?"

You took a deep breath. "I just miss spending time with daddy. He's always working and going out with his friends it's like he never have time for us anymore or ,we never get to do things together anymore what about when we all would go out and do things together as well ."

Momma nodded. "I know, baby. But your daddy is working hard to provide for us. And he did promise to spend time with you tomorrow."

"I know, but it's just not the same," you said, feeling a little frustrated.

Momma put her arm around you. "I understand, sweetie. But sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the people we love. And I know that your daddy loves you very much, even if he can't always be here."

You thought about what momma said and realized that she was right. Daddy loved you and was doing his best to provide for the family. And even though you missed him, you were grateful for everything he did for you.

"Thanks, momma. You always know what to say," you said, giving her a hug.

Momma smiled. "That's what moms are for, sweetie. Now, how about we watch a comedy to cheer you up?"

I'll just go upstairs to my room and watch cartoons until I fall asleep thanks anyway moms " baby what's wrong are you upset because daddy couldn't stay and watched movies ." No ma I'm fine just don't feel like watching movies no more I'll be upstairs if you need me " -I walked up stairs meneka on the phone Tyra somewhere in this house ig I'll just watch some cartoons for a bit -As you settled into your room to watch cartoons, you couldn't help but feel a little sad about the way things had gone that evening. Your family had always been close, but lately, it seemed like everyone was at odds with each other. You turned on vour favorite cartoon and tried to forget about everything that had happened. But just as the show was starting, you heard a knock on your door.

"Hey, Tarryln, can I come in?"

Tyra asked. "Yeah, sure," you replied, pausing the cartoon.

Tyra walked in and sat down on your bed. "Listen, I know things have been tough lately, but I want you to know that I'm always here for you, okay?"You smiled at your sister.

"Thanks, Tyra. I know you always have my back."

"Of course I do. We're family," Tyra said. "And I know we've been arguing a lot lately, but I think we need to start working together to make "I agree," you said. "But how do we do that?"

Tyra thought for a moment.

"Well, I think we should start by having a family meeting.

We can all sit down and talk about what's been bothering us and try to come up with solutions together."You nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. Do you think Mom and Meneka will be on board?"

" don't know, but it's worth a shot," Tyra said. "We have to start somewhere."As you and Tyra continued to talk, you felt a sense of hope and optimism. Maybe things weren't as bad as they seemed. Maybe your family could work through their problems and come out stronger on the other side.

You turned off the cartoons and hugged your sister.

"Thanks, Tyra. I'm glad we can talk about stuff like this."

"Me too, Tarryln. Me too,"

Tyra said, returning the hug.

"Now let's go talk to Mom and Meneka and see if we can make this family meeting happen. "Okay," you said, feeling a sense of determination. "Let's do it."

You and Tyra made your way downstairs to the living room, where you found your mom on the phone and Meneka scrolling through social media on her laptop.

"Mom, Meneka, can we talk to you for a minute?" Tyra asked.

Your mom nodded and ended her phone call while Meneka closed her laptop.

""What's going on?" your mom asked.

We were thinking," Tyra began, "that we should have a family meeting. We can all sit down and talk about what's been bothering us and try to come up with solutions together."

Meneka rolled her eyes. "What's the point? We'll just end up arguing like we always do."

That's exactly the point," Tyra said. "We need to start communicating with each other and working through our problems instead of just ignoring them or fighting about them."

Your mom looked thoughtful. "That's not a bad idea. Maybe we could do it this weekend?

And we can have that talk with your father about trying to finding a we all can spend time with each other as well but as said your dad just been very busy I know he'll find time to spend with us "

"Meneka rolled her eyes once again that's not going to happen daddy just never has time for his family anymore he always with the fellas or his boss taking him and the crew out it's 10:00PM on a Friday night. I read books about this stuff and I'm just saying "Tyra looked a mom " what I'm just joking dad wouldn't do anything like that ."

Mom face changed to a serious expression. "Meneka, I understand that you may feel frustrated but making assumptions and reading books about it won't solve anything. We need to have a family meeting and discuss our concerns and figure out a way to spend time together as a family. And joking or not, we shouldn't make assumptions about your father's intentions . Your father is a good man so I don't want you to say anything else like that again understand Maneka ? Meneka nodded, looking a little ashamed. "Sorry, mom. You're right. I shouldn't assume things about dad . I understand that you're going through a time where we all feel that your dad isn't home a lot and spending less time together . I gave Tyra  a look and she looked at momma so you feel the same way as we do ma what happen to the times we stay doing things together. "Momma" look enough everybody go back to their rooms once your father gets home I'll have a little chat with him myself " I walked upstairs back at square one "Tyra goes to Meneka room i stood by the door to listen." why would you say something stupid like that daddy is not cheating on momma I know that's where you was headed with that conversation . Meneka shrugged. "I don't know, I just feel like he's never home and doesn't really care about spending time with us anymore."

Tyra sighed. "I know, but we can't just jump to conclusions like that. We need to talk to him and figure out what's going on."I opened the door "

You chimed in. "Yeah, and mom's going to talk to him when he gets home, so let's just wait and see what happens."

Tyra nodded. "You're right. We should try to stay positive and not assume the worst."

Meneka looked a little skeptical, but she didn't say anything else. You all went back to your rooms, but you couldn't help but feel worried about what mom was going to say to dad. You hoped that everything would turn out okay and that your family could find a way to spend more time together.

"Later that Night"

I must have dozed off I looked at the time it was 2:30Am .it was quiet until I startled focusing on sounded like dad voice i can hear a little tension in his voice than I hear momma yelling " I jumped up ran to the door as I walked out I can see Meneka and Tyra standing at the beginning of the stairs You could hear your parents arguing, and it sounded pretty heated.  " Dad" so you think I'm cheating on you what type of shit is that i can't go hang out with my boss and the fellas " huh "You didn't want to eavesdrop, but you couldn't help but listen in.

"Dad, you're never home anymore! You're always out with your friends or your boss, and we never get to spend time together as a family!" Mom's voice was raised, and you could hear the frustration in her tone.

Dad sounded defensive. "I'm working hard to provide for this family, and sometimes that means putting in extra hours. You know that, and I don't appreciate you questioning my intentions!"

"I'm not questioning your intentions, Charles, I just want us to spend time together as a family. Is that too much to ask?" Mom's voice was calmer now, but you could tell she was still upset.

Meneka "this is bullshit we've always spent time in the past dad but all of a sudden, you work so much that we can't spend time with each other or you barely at home.the most that you are ever home is before work if we get to see you or after nine -twelve hours than you decide to come home. Lately I've been feeling like my dad don't care about us anymore ." Tyra ran back upstairs I ran behind her "Tyra wait

Her dad's expression softened as he looked at her. "I know, Meneka," he said. "And I promise I'll try to make more time for us. But please don't ever accuse me of something like that again. I love your mom and you all more than anything in this world."