The day I wrote a song about you

Chapter 56: World

"Nicolas? Is it really you?"

I let out the breath I was holding. "Yes, maman."

"I thought you were mad at me." She said softly.

"I was. But then I thought about it... and I don't know. You're my mother-"

"Your father-"

"I didn't call to talk about my father." I stated firmly.

"Okay." She said slowly. "How are you? Everything okay?"

"Why did you call me?"

"I... I heard about the exhibit. I heard it was a success. That deal you made with-"

"Do you really want to talk about money?" My tone was not the sweetest but I couldn't help it. I was hurt and the last thing I wanted to talk about was possible clients and future deals.

"I'm- I'm trying, Nicolas."

Then I heard it in her voice. And it was rare, but I could feel it. She was hurting, too.

"I'm sorry. How are you doing?" Those words felt strange in my mouth. I had never had a normal conversation with my mom.

"We're doing great." Of course, she was talking about her new husband. "We were actually thinking about visiting."

"Me?"

"Of course, mon beau. Who would I be visiting?" She chuckled.

"Oh, okay." I cleared my throat. "Uhm- when?"

"Probably next week. I'll have to arrange a few meetings there, too."

Of course.

"Sure, uhm... just let me know."

"I'll text you, okay?" I heard she was going to hang up when I decided to just tell her.

"Uhm, maman. I- I have a girlfriend."

"Une petite copine?" I could feel her smiling. Her son was straight once again, less of a problem. "Since when?"

"A few months now."

"Is it serious? Or is it one of your-"

"It is. Serious. She's my whole life." I said firmly.

"Oh la la! Les amoureux!" She laughed. "Then I want to meet her! Let's have lunch all together!"

Great. You did that to yourself, Nico.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Bébé, it's gonna be okay." I sat at Cara's new bed, aka Brandon's old bed, while she went through her closet -now that she had one- to decide was she was going to wear.

"It's not. I'm not good with people, you know that." Cara then seemed to remember something and tapped her forehead. "I don't speak French! What am I gonna say? Bébé?! I can't call your mom bébé!"

I laughed hard. I had to admit that was funny. She didn't think so, though. She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Nico."

I lowered my voice after I calmed down, still looking at her amused. "Cara."

"I'm being serious."

"My mom speaks english, bébé. Her husband, too. You don't have to worry about that." I added, following the little stars on her sheets with my fingers.

"Okay, well, and what are we going to talk about?" She turned to look through her clothes again.

"Who knows." I shrugged. "My mom's a bitch."