Pragtige

Chapter 11

Jacob: I'm so sorry.

April: It's fine. That's when I realized I didn't have a choice but to do everything on my own. So I took the first job that would hire at 13 and went everyday after school. There were some helpful adults though. Like Mrs. Smith. She let Callie stay in after school daycare while I was at school for free. And my manager, Mr. Hawksley was really cool. He knew about my home life and let me bring Callie to work with me. Those two people are the only adults I trust wholeheartedly.

Jacob: What about Mr. Montgomery?

April: He's alright. I'm warming up to him I guess.

Jacob: If you don't mind me asking? How come you never told anyone?

April: For starters, there was no one I could've told. No one would've been able to help me and if someone knew they probably would've made fun of me for it. So I just kept it to myself.

Jacob:....

April: So what about you?

Jacob: Hm?

April: What's your big secret? Why don't you have any friends? Why don't you talk to anyone?

Jacob: My mom doesn't remember who I am.

April: What?

Jacob: She has Alzheimer's.

April: I'm so sorry. That must be really hard to go through.

Jacob: Yeah. My dad isn't in the picture either. He dipped out before I could even have a chance to know who he was. Only reason I know what he looks like is because of some old pictures I found.

April: If you ever need anything I'm here.

Jacob: Thanks, but I have a pretty good job and I pay for help. Marsha does well with my mom. She's the only reason I could even be here.

April: How long has Marsha been working for you.

Jacob: Four years. Since I started high school.

April: So, if Marsha has been with your mom for four years how come you don't have friends?

Jacob: My mom got sick when I was in middle school. 7th grade. I already had a hard time trying to connect with the kids around me, they all just seemed so different. So then when my mom got sick it got even harder but then I met this girl. We got pretty close and one day she wanted to come over. And I was scared at first but my mom was doing really good for a while so I let her. She came over and it was cool. Then my mom came home from work and started freaking out over something. She was having an episode and was yelling about something that happened years ago. The girl freaked out and left and she told everyone that my mom was a wack job and to stay away from me because I was probably the same.

April: Wow.

Jacob: Yeah. So ever since then I just thought that I'd be better off alone.

April: And that's when Marsha came into the picture?

Jacob: Yeah. Marsha is really great. She keeps telling me I need to make friends though.

April: She's right.

Jacob: I knew you'd say that.

April: * chuckles* Do you like Marsha?

Jacob: Yeah, I guess. It's kind of hard not to like her especially since we spend a lot of time together taking care of my mom.

April: *face palms* No. Do you like Marsha?

Jacob: I-... I never really thought about it like that. I don't think so.