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ɴᴇᴡ ʜᴏᴍᴇ

ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ 10:37 ᴘᴍ

After some time had passed, my mom finally came back. I was curled up on the sofa next to Aunt Sofia, wrapped in a fluffy blanket as we watched Friends on the television.

The room smelled like popcorn and vanilla from the scented candle she lit earlier. We'd been laughing together just a little at the jokes, and for once, things felt almost normal.

Then I heard the door creak open, and the mood shifted.

"Great, good to see that you're getting comfortable," Mom said, her voice echoing through the room.

She stepped inside, struggling to carry two large suitcases, with a pink duffel bag slung awkwardly over her shoulder. Her face was flushed, and she looked tired more tired than usual.

"Yeah, it's really nice here," I replied, a bit softer than I meant to. Aunt Sofia glanced at me and smiled warmly, giving my hand a little squeeze.

Mom gave a stiff nod before dragging the luggage toward the stairs. "Here are your things, honey. I'll come and check on you regularly, but for now, we're gonna have to be apart," she said, pausing halfway up the steps to adjust her grip on the bags.

I didn't say anything. I just sat there and stared at the screen, not really watching the show anymore.

She called out from the landing, "You're also gonna be homeschooled as well. But don't worry there are kids in this neighborhood around your age."

I looked at her in disbelief as she came back down and stood in front of me. I didn't know what to say. My throat was dry, and my chest was tight.

"Okay, love you," was all I could manage.

She leaned in, kissed the top of my head, and whispered, "I'll be leaving now. Take care of your aunt for me, and behave."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked down the stairs toward the door. Aunt Sofia followed closely behind her, her arms folded across her chest, her expression unreadable.

The door shut quietly.

Just like that, she was gone again.

11:29 ᴘᴍ

I stared at the now-dark TV screen, my mind spinning. My body was exhausted and burnt out from the emotional rollercoaster of the past 24 hours but my thoughts wouldn't stop racing.

I couldn't believe my mom. Just like that, she left me here. Again.

She's such a witch. But with a b. I clenched my fists in my lap, holding back tears. I didn't want to cry anymore.

I glanced over at my aunt, who had just returned from walking my mom out. She looked calm, maybe a little tired too, but her presence felt safe.

"Sorry to mention this so late," I said quietly, "but I need to shower... and it's way past my bedtime."

She looked at me, then at the silver watch on her wrist. Her eyes widened slightly.

"Oh my, you're right. It is very late," she said, standing up quickly.

She turned off the TV and the lamp beside the couch, the room dimming with a soft click. Then she reached her hand out for mine.

I got up and slipped my hand into hers, her fingers warm and comforting as they wrapped around mine. Together, we walked upstairs.

At the top of the steps, she handed me a soft white towel and a fresh toothbrush still in its packaging.

She led me down the hallway and opened the bathroom door with a gentle push.