Frayed Edges

Families

The drive to Staten Island wasn't exactly scenic. Concrete condos and above ground pools lined the roads they traveled but Mia still watched them pass intently.

Jake's voice filled her ears as he recounted childhood memories that occurred on the streets they passed.

He painted a picture of an idyllic life.

Mia did her best to nod and listen but she couldn't help but feel jealous of his heartwarming stories. She never had a parent that wrote cute notes in her lunchbox, or gave her a comforting hug when she skinned her knee. Her earliest memories were her Mom passed out drunk in front of the TV as Alex made her cereal for dinner.

The day her Mom kicked Alex out was the worst day of her life. She had cried until the tears no longer ran as he packed up the little belongings he had in trash bags. As he threw them in the back of his beat up car she swore to her mother that she would leave the same way, the minute she turned sixteen. She made good on her word and the memory of Alex stood outside her mother's home helping her load her own bagged up possessions was one that filled her chest with joy each and every time she thought of it.

Since that day she had only seen her Mom a handful of times. She didn't even know if she lived in that same rundown house that was once her childhood home. It would surprise her if it was even still standing.

The car began to pull to a stop outside a quaint suburban front lawn. Cropped grass was lined with fresh bloomed flowers, breathing life into the brick and mortar. To Mia it was something out of a story book. The kind of house she always dreamed of growing up in, the ones she saw her friends skip home to every night. She couldn't help but wonder if Jake knew how lucky he really was to have a home and a family like this. Most likely not.

His Mom opened the door seconds after Jake lightly rapped his knuckles on the brightly painted door. A huge wide smile lit up her face as she pulled him into a tight hug. She quickly pushed past him when she spotted Mia lurking a few paces behind on the porch's bottom step.

"You must be Mia!" she cried pulling her into a hug just as affectionate as the one she had given Jake. Her voice was warm and welcoming and she smelt like fresh clay and floral perfume. She leant back to take a better look at her, the comforting smile on her face immediately put her at ease. "God you're so beautiful!" she cooed placing her hands on either side of her face. A deep blush rose beneath her fingers as Mia's cheeks rushed with blood.

"It's lovely to meet you Mrs Peralta" she smiled sheepishly.

"Please! Call me Karen..... or Mom!" She giggled and Jake placed a hand on her shoulder pulling her back into the house.

"Okay Mom... let's not get too excited" Jake tried to drag her away but she waved him off.

"Oh Jake she doesn't mind! Do you Mia?" She cooed once more as her soft hands remained on her cheeks. Mia shook her head in compliance as Jake shot her an uneasy smile.

They were led into the living room adored with rust coloured curtains and a floral patterned couch. Colourfully painted and slightly wonky plates and bowls were placed on every available surface which Mia assumed is where the clay smell came from.

After a moment or two a grey haired man entered wearing black rimmed glasses. He paused when he saw Mia and shot her a welcoming smile before heading towards her with an extended hand.

"Mia right? Captain Roger Peralta, at your service" He bowed a little as he shook her hand and Mia smiled back weakly.

"Nice to meet you" she replied suddenly uneasy in her surroundings.

"You look really familiar..." he began and Mia's body suddenly froze "Your mother wasn't a flight attendant for PanAm in the early 90s was she?" Mia went to reply but Jake had already placed his hands on his father's shoulders ushering him into the other room along with his Mom. He tried to argue but Jake didn't give him the chance, shooting him a friendly warning look.