“Do you have anything to say?”

Swallow it back, even if it hurts; even if it burns the entire way down, swallow it back. Sitting in the passenger’s seat, staring out the window, Casey is guilty as charged and he and his mother both know it. There’s nothing to say; there’s no defense, or at least not one she’d buy into. She seems to be having fun playing the victim — the mother in distress over her wayward son.

She’s shaking her head, slapping her hand against the steering wheel, huffing. Waiting for him to explain himself, but he shows his refusal by avoiding looking all together — avoiding speaking. He’s sitting beside her, picking at his nails as a distraction.

She says she can’t believe he’d embarrass her like that, but really, he assumes she’s just mad he ruined her date. “Casey?”

Casey shakes his head, leaning his shoulder into the window. Trying to create as much distance as humanly possible without launching himself out the passenger door, although he doesn’t discount it as a backup plan, and maybe even spends too long entertaining it. What would she do if he went through with it? “No, I have nothing to say.”

“You could have gotten hurt.”

Casey shrugs, folding his arms. “I didn’t get hurt.”

“You’re damn lucky you weren’t expelled, you know.”

“No, you’re lucky I’m not expelled. I really don’t care.”

“You don’t care that I have to take time off work to watch you? I don’t get paid for that, that’s dinner.”

“No one said you have to watch me, mom.” Casey rolls his eyes, focus locked on the window. He’d never admit it, but the idea of spending three days at home with Jennifer genuinely terrifies him. “You act like I did it just to mess with you.”

“Sure as hell feels like it sometimes when every time I turn around, you’re getting into trouble. Fighting, really?”

“Ch'yeah, I’m totally gonna pick a fight and lose ‘cause I know it’s gonna piss you off. You’re totally right.”

“Jesus Christ, Casey…” Jennifer shakes her head. “You done?”

“Are you?”

She slams her hand on the steering wheel again. He doesn’t look.“Unbelievable. You know, I really don’t know why you hate me so much…”

At that, Casey’s jaw tenses, a burning sensation ignited in his chest, spreading outward. Either she’s playing dumb or she really doesn’t get it, and he can’t figure out which is worse. “I could honestly ask you that same thing.”