Midnight Parking in Olmos Park

Chapter 13: Michael

I need my mom, right now.

Since the fight between my dad and I, we've been distant.

If I were back home, we'd spend days and sometimes weeks until one of us caved. Except, it didn't necessarily mean he'd apologized.

I'd only give in and talk to him, before he had the chance, because I needed my dad sometimes.

But, even when I had him, he still wasn't there.

It was almost one o'clock in the afternoon, and I'm still lying in bed. I'm home alone because he's at work, and won't be back till sometime after four-thirty.

I don't care, though.

My communication is very limited with him right now because it's not like we had a regular arguments like we always do.

Just wish we didn't have to start fighting this early into my visit.

I heard my phone ringing on the desk from across the room, inducing me to pull myself up and answer it before it went to voicemail.

I slid my thumb across the screen when I saw Mom's contact photo.

"Hello?" I say, trying to contain my excitement into a calm greeting.

"Hi, Mijo!" She calls out.

There was a silent pause after I heard her voice. I tried holding myself together but failed when I could feel the tears starting to overflow my eyes.

The sound of her voice triggered each tear to tremble down my cheeks, one by one. Triggering an ache to spiral inside my heart.

I sobbed. "Hi ma,"

"Michael?" She softens her tone. "Are you okay?"

I shake my head, hoping she could hear it all the way from the Bahamas. I take a deep breath, but my breathing becomes transparent the more I hold the mic closer to my mouth.

"Ay, mijo, what happened?" She whimpers.

"I just miss you ma," I lie, letting the tears drop from my face down to my chest.

Technically, I'm not lying, because I do miss her. I miss being back home with her, and the vibrant, warm energy she gives me.

"I miss you too, papas... how are things going with your dad?" Ma asks.

"Okay," I lie again, leaning back in my computer chair.

"What have you two been up to?"

"You know Dad... he's free whenever he isn't busy," I utter. "How's your trip going?"

"Good, good... Hank's parents are really something else," She laughs causing me to join her. "They party hard over here and they're only 67 years old. They have more energy than me, Mijo!"

This is what I miss. Talks where my mom can cheer me up without intentionally trying.

The more she talks about how crystal clear the water is, how beautiful the scenery is over there, or the way Hank and her tried something new that makes me hear her smile even harder.

And since her miscarriage, that's all I ever wanted from my mom was to rediscover her happiness when a huge part of it was taken away.

I spend most of my time wondering if I'll ever get to that point in my life.

I'm scared my heart won't ever be the same again if it's gone for much longer.

Dear God, please help. I'm unsure how long I can put up with being here before reaching my breaking point.