I was stuck walking home from school, in the rain. My little brother had basketball practice. Since I am being punished, mom won’t make the trip to pick up just me from school. So I wait or I walk. Waiting is boring. So is walking, but at least its doing something. So I walk. My mom was always the master of the cold shoulder, the silent treatment. She’s no slacker with the guilt trip either. But her weapon of choice is the silent treatment. That’s what she has been dishing out at me for weeks. Maybe even a month now. “Did you come home early then leave again?” She asked him. I just nodded.