Midnight Kiss

𝐈𝐈

Liona Angelos

I walk up the stairs of our front porch. My keys clinking together, as I swirl them around my fingers.

I'm contemplating telling my Mum about what happened today.

That I nearly got fired, again. I remember, calling her and telling her the exciting news that I have just gotten another job. And just a few days later, I had to tell her that I have been fired, once again.

But I don't want to sadden her, again.

That is what I have been doing in life.

Again, again and again.

I always disappoint her, my dad, my friends, Cora and everyone on the whole entire world.

I won't let her know that I recently came dangerously close to losing my job. And try to stay on the positive side. I'm going to skate in front of the whole world in just a few weeks. And I have never been more excited for something, then for this.

As a child I have always dreamed of this.

"Mamá, I'm home!" I call into the poorly decorated hallway. My Mum tried to make our home as homely as she could. We hung up some pictures of when we were children playing in our old apartment, eating ice cream or staying at our grandparents place for the holidays.

I smile to myself at the memory.

The time which we spent there, was my favorite time at all. Me and my Brother have been given all the sweets we wanted. Every time my Abuelo would come home from work, we got a small gift. Sometimes sweets and sometimes even a game or a teddy.

My Abuelo and Abuela are Spanish, but moved to Greece a long time ago. They hoped to have a better life here and have it easier for my Mum and aunt.

"Lionaaaaa!" My little Sister, Oletta , comes running towards the door. In her hand, her favorite doll, that I have gotten her from my first pay check. She loves dolls and cars, they are her whole world at the moment.

I can still recall my obsession with dolls, when I was her age. I had so many of them.

"How was your day, my pretty Oletta?" I ask picking her up and putting her on my hips, walking towards our kitchen. I look around the kitchen, seeing no one there I make my back towards the living room, which also functions as our parents bedroom.

"It was okay, I couldn't go to school today. Mamá said said that I couldn't. But I've redressed my doll, Liona look!" I look at her doll, seeing that it has a hand made gown on.

"It seems lovely! Have you made it yourself?" Oletta gives me a cheeky smile and a nod as I ask while glancing at the dress. As soon as I take a step into the living room, I see toys lying all over the floor and blankets scattered around. I really have to clean this up.

"Liona, you promised me to play cars with me." She looks at me with those puppy eyes. She wiggles a bit as I hold her, signaling me to let her down. As soon as her feet touch the ground, she runs for the cars, scattered next to DVDs.

"But Olett, you know that I don't have the time for that at the moment" I look at her, her eyes getting bigger and bigger. "Why don't you ask Otis?" She looks at me with sad eyes, those eyes which can't tell no to.

It must be tough for that her siblings are way older than her, so she has basically no one to play with. I was fortunate that I had my cousins, if I didn't have them I would have been all alone too.

"Oti doesn't want to play with me anymore." She says sadly, "He said that he has to do a lot for school and also wants to meet his friends" Her lips are quivering. I just know that she is about to cry.

Otis is at the beginning of puberty and wants to spend as much time as he can outside with his friends. Every time I try to tell that Oletta, she seems to not understand. We have had this conversation now for the third time this week.

"You know what I told you on Monday?" I crouch down to make eye contact with her and wipe away the little tears, that have already escaped her eyes.

She nods, sniffling. "Okay, if you want I can play with you a bit." Her eyes light up and she runs towards her cars, "But firstly we have to clean the mess you have made and cook some dinner." I tell her, looking at all the mess she has made.

She immediately jumps up and goes to work and I have to keep myself from laughing at her enthusiasm. She quickly picks up all her toys and throws them into her toy box, not caring if anything will be damaged.

That child will be the death of me, I sigh and help her.

-

Oletta spills salt into the pot, filled with water and potatoes, when the front door squeaks. Indicating that somebody just got home. Oletta's head perks up at the sound and she quickly climbs down the chair, that I have gotten her so that she could properly help me cook. Although I still had to do the most of cooking.

"Mamáaaa!" She squeals and starts taking off towards the front door.

"There you are my princesa." Mamá says and pick Oletta up, taking her shoes off at the same time. "I brought something for you from work." She takes out a wrapped sweets, pushing it into the six-year olds hands. "But don't eat them all at once, Olett!" She calls after her, as she runs towards the living room, her feet patting against the tiles.

"Hola Mamá!" I call as I can see her walking into the kitchen, removing her coat and purse and laying them onto the dinning table.

"Hola Liona, Qué estás cocinando?" (transl. What are you cooking?) She asks, peering over my shoulder and opening the other pot with the sauce.

"Solo unas papas," (transl. Just some potatoes,) I shrug, turning around to watch my Mamá wash her hands. "We don't really have anything else a to eat anymore, Mamá." She stops and closes the faucet, drying her hands with one of the reusable cloths we have lying around the kitchen.

"Mierda, I knew I forgot something important." She scolds herself, "You know, I'm going grocery shopping in the morning before I leave for work."

"It's okay Mamá, I just wanted to remind you." I turn back to the stove, the potatoes nearly cooking over. I can hear Mamá taking plates and silverware out and setting them on the table. "Oh and before I forget, I also finished paying the rest of my tuition for the last month."

Again she holds still and I can feel that she is looking at me, with pain in her eyes. "Liona, we had an agreement that I would cover any debts you have."

"I know Mamá." I sigh, knowing that she couldn't pay the requested amount at all.