Tight

Part 3

We pull up to my house a few hours later. My friend is one of the greatest friends in this world. She completely understands what I go through. My house is the last place I want to be right now. This is not even my house. My house is back in Texas where I was born. I slowly open the door and step inside. I cannot see my brother anywhere. I guess he is at Wapala's place. I am glad my brother is small enough that these worldly matters do not affect him.

I see my mother lying on the couch. I immediately regret my decision of coming back to the house. I should have roamed around with my friends for the entire night and then crash at one of their places. I love my father so much. Even the idea of my mother seeing someone else feels like a betrayal. I try to avoid her completely. I even go so far as to take off my shoes so that she does not even know I am here. But of course she gets up from the couch at that moment.

What my mother did yesterday was wrong on so many levels. But deep down I know she did right. Because feelings can blind a person to reality. This whole situation would have been worse for Wapala than me. Wapala is my teacher and teacher-student relationship is illegal. But when I think back on our date, I cannot help it. I never went on a realer date before. A poetry shows, I did not even know such a thing existed before I went there.

We sit in the way back of the auditorium. The lights are dim and we are almost invisible. He gently strokes the upper part of my hand with his finger. I can count each of his strokes and how long they are. He takes my hand and kisses it. I just look at him. Every guy seems to forget this simple gesture. Then I know I start blushing so I look forward. The best part of the night is, he performs. I think I love poetry because of him. I give a standing ovation when his recitation ends.

My mother hugs me tightly. I just put my hand on hers. I know life is hard since my father died. She apologizes and we both get in tears. I guess we just have to accept our fate. But I cannot forgive her for lying to me. I take her hands off me as she looks at me with surprise. Then I leave her in the room as I go to sit on the balcony. She will tell me about this new guy she sees. Maybe we will all be introduced. He may even be our new fucking dad.