Abandoned

chapter twenty-four.

I took a deep breath and shook my head, pushing the door open. Justin was close behind as I started to pull drawers open, doing my best to ignore the fact that I'm in the room of my dead mom.

"What are you doing?" Justin asked softly. I realized then that I probably looked like I was having a psychotic break, flailing clothes all over the floor.

"She had to have had some money stashed away somewhere."

"Ray." He sighed. "You don't have to..."

"Yes, I do." I said. Soon enough I'll have to get an apartment and completely support Rose. Let alone start some kind of college fund for her. My small wages at the diner aren't going to cut it forever.

"Gross." I shuddered, finding a half empty box of condoms. I tossed them towards Justin, hitting him in the chest. A small smile appeared as he laughed quietly, but then his face was serious again.

"Maybe we should just-"

"Ha!" I cut him off after opening the bedside table drawer. I pulled out a wad of money.

"Holy shit..." I counted it all. Then counted again because I thought I must have screwed it up. "This is nearly five thousand dollars. If- if she had this much money saved up then..." Why did I grow up having to steal food just keep Rose from being hungry? Why did we have to wear the same pair of shoes for years on end? How... Why did she hide this?

My hands shook slightly as I continued to look through the drawer. I'm shocked no one's broken in here and stolen everything. I guess an old poor apartment complex isn't a robbers idea of a good profit, and even if it was, they couldn't get every single room in every apartment. It's not like my mom was around to break in here and get it back herself.

I picked up a map from the same drawer and unfolded it. There was a red line drawn from here, in Kentucky, all the way across to California, mapping out a specific route. Getting an idea, I ducked under the bed, finding a duffle bag.

I threw it on the bed and slowly zipped it open. It was filled to the brim with clothes. Inside a pocket of the bag, I found another $500, but no letter or note. I pocketed the money with shaky hands, stepping away from the bed like it was a bomb about to explode.

"Ray...?" Justin hesitated. I'd forgotten he was here.

"She was planning on ditching us before any of this happened. She had it all planned out. She..." I fell silent. I expected tears to fall, but they never came. All I felt was a steady thumping of anger.

"Hey..." He took a step towards me.

"Don't." I stepped back. "Let's just get out of here."

He nodded, dropping his head. I didn't even stop to take one last look before climbing back out through the window. I'm glad I'll never see this place again.

We were both quiet as we made our way back to the car. He didn't speak until he had pulled onto the road and the building was lost in the distance.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said, watching lights flicker past through the window. "I already hated her. Only so much damage can be caused."

Justin frowned, but didn't push the subject any further. I was tired all of the sudden, and kept dozing off in the passenger seat.

"We're home." Justin's voice woke me up. I noticed then that Justin and Rose and even myself refer to Justin's house as "home." I didn't know if I liked that or if it freaked me out.

We walked inside as quietly as possible, lucky that Pattie was already in bed. I walked straight up the stairs towards my room, but Justin stopped me when we were at the top of the steps.