The Churning Wake

Chapter Eight - Now

The phone rings and I answer, "Hello?"

"Brianna!" My mom rants, stretching my name into four syllables, "I'd like to say hello and then ask why I got a call from the school, but I don't think either of us wants to go through that nonsense right now."

"Mom?"

She ignores me and continues, her voice crisp and brisk like a crackling fire on a chilly autumn evening, "Brianna Celestial Bennett. You know better!" I can hear her gritted teeth, and even though she's not around, I still shrink down.

"Sorry, Mom... I just..."

"You what, Bri? I don't care if that kid was shitting himself, okay?" She pauses and when she speaks again, her voice is soft, "Brianna, I've almost lost you once to that goddamn school, and I sure as hell am not going to go through that again. Bri, I love you and I know you know it... I just..." She exhales, "You scared me, baby girl." I know she's emotional, because my mom starts cussing when she gets emotional.

"I'm sorry, Mom."

Mom sighs on the other end of the phone, and I imagine her eyes falling down to whatever is in front of her. "The last time I got a call from... About you and the school, it was Miz Thomas, crying, telling me her son had been reported dead and she didn't know where you were. She was panicked, Brianna. You had us scared shitless, you know. We lost Cole, and we could've lost you, too. We thought we did. It was horrifying. Just imagine your Beanie... Wait, no, don't imagine that. You shouldn't have to. Just promise me, Brianna?"

"What, Mom?"

"No more trouble." The hard edge is back, the crackling fire. It feels nice, warm even, until it's scalding hot.

"Yeah. Of course, Mom."

"Alright. Am I picking up Beatrice?"

"Sure! That'd be great. Thanks."

"Okay, sounds good. I gotta get back to work. No more school calls, please."

"Sir, yes, sir."

She laughs quietly, "Righty o. And Bri?"

"Mm?"

"I love you."

"Love you, too, Mama Bear. Bye."

"Bye." Her voice is a bit sad as she hangs up.