Adrift Awakened Life

Scene 2

"Mom..."

"What."

"I'm going to move out..."

"What?!"

Isuki's mom, a stocky 42-year-old Chinese mom, stopped preparing their meal. Sitting down on the table, she took out the rolling pin. Her eyes widened, eyebrows furrowed, and mouth ready to whip out their weapon to beat Isuki down.

"Speak."

Isuki's eyes couldn't reach her mom's. She lowered her head and took a deep breath. This was it.

"I'm moving out."

Her mom immediately denied it.

"No."

"Why not?"

"You're not old enough. You need to save up your money for college."

"I'm sharing it with two other people. I'll be fine."

"Two other people?! Are they strangers?! You can't live with strangers! They could attack you, they could kidnap you. Haven't you heard what happened to the girl a few towns over to us? She got kidnapped because she left her door open!"

"I'm moving in with Fenix and Kasura. They're not strangers."

Isuki's mother shook her head in disappointment. Beside Isuki, Shadow sat down on a chair, propping his hand up to his face, looking at the mother.

Why don't you tell her that it was either living with Fenix and Kasu or living by yourself downtown? Remember to tell her about your careful planning and the benefits of moving out. Don't lose yourself in your anger.

"You'll be the only girl! Think about it. You and two boys. Won't it be uncomfortable? I'm going to tell their parents! What are Kasura and Fenix thinking?"

"Mom. I've planned this perfectly. I'll be able to get to my jobs faster and the rent is incredibly cheap. We've talked it out amongst ourselves and made the best decision. You'll also have one less mouth to feed and will be able to take care of Nisha better. You'll have more time! And anyway, it was either the place with Fenix and Kasura or a place alone downtown. Which would you prefer I live? This is a final decision. You can't convince me not to move."

Show her the documents.

Isuki brought the documents from her room and placed them in front of her mother.

"Here."

Isuki's mother skimmed it, her eyes narrowing and veins throbbing in her neck.

The mother slammed the papers on the table, pointing her finger at Isuki.

Words lashed out of Isuki's mother's mouth. Isuki did her best to tune out the rant and focus on Shadow instead.

Don't look at me. This was your idea.

I know. Hopefully, she'll be convinced after this.

I only know what you know.

You and I both know that's not true anymore.

That shut Shadow up.

Isuki's mother took another breath, looking at the papers and then Isuki.

"You said you can't be convinced otherwise?" Isuki's mother said.

"Yes."

"Alright, fine. I will be meeting Fenix's and Kasura's parents shortly."

Isuki's whole body relaxed. Her eyes lit up, and she suppressed a smile.

"Thank you."