Chance

Chapter 11 - "You're an idiot."

Adam Andrew Brown

I rang the doorbell twice. It was 12.46 am by my watch. My mother was taking far too long to get the door and I was starting to get worried. I had forgotten to take my keys. And I was starting to regret it.

I furrowed my eyebrows. What was going on? I furiously rang the doorbell again. stepped to the lawn next to the door and tapped on the living room window. "Hello? Mom?" I called out, trying to get a peek of what was happening inside. I could hear a faint song. My mother was playing George Michael again.

I took my phone out and decided to call my mother. She probably didn't hear the doorbell. Just as I was about to hit call, the door swung open. A very drunk mother of mine appeared behind it.

"Hey there, son. C'mon in. What're you doing here in the cold?" she said smiling, totally intoxicated. "Mom? Are you okay?" I asked. "Dance with me, son," she said, taking my hand.

She, in her night gown and a glass of wine in the hand, closed her eyes and let herself move with the music. She didn't miss a beat. I took my coat off and looked at her. "What're you doing?" I asked flatly. "You shouldn't be drinking so late. Speaking of which, why are you still up?" I asked. She didn't seem to hear me. "Mom?" I said. I walked towards her and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Mom, you're drunk," I said as I took the glass from the hand and turned the music down.

"You're such a killjoy, Adam," she said as she crashed on the couch. I looked at her, my eyes were focused on her. "Just like your father," she said looking at me. "You're just like him."

My eyes softened. I drank whatever was left in her glass. It seemed to dramatize the situation a bit. It seemed appropriate.

I sat on the armchair next to the couch. "You're really drunk," I said, looking at her. "He used to say the exact same thing. 'You're drunk, Sarah. You're drunk like a sailor. You're gonna kill yourself one day because of your habits. You're driving towards a cliff, Sarah. Put the bottle down.' Little did the asshole know that he drove me into drinking. With his homophobic statements about Sylver's mother and I. The bastard. His hate towards her drove me into drinking. I couldn't stand it. Every night, Adam. Every single night I had to share a bed with this man who shamed me of who I was. Who shamed me of the love of my life. I hated it." She was looking up now. Her eyes were filled with tears. She cupped her face and let out a deep breath.

I let out a breath too. It was terrible to see my mother like this. Before I could take her to her bedroom, she broke into another speech of a sort. I let her. It was best to let things out than to keep it in, and who knows how long she had to keep these things in.

"You have his eyes, you know? You speak like him too. You have his height and the stride in his walk. You're a spitting image of your disgusting father. But you don't have his heart. I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry," she said as she broke down. She absolutely broke down. I felt poorly. I'd be lying if I said I didn't almost shed a tear or two. "You did great, mom. He's not here today, but you are. And so am I. I'm here because of you and that's all that matters. You're the best person I know, mom. Don't cry," I said as I walked towards the couch and knelt in front of her. I held her hand and kissed it. "You'll be okay. He's not here anymore. It's okay," I kept telling her.

That made her cry more. "I miss her. She's gone too. I really miss her." I put my head down. My forehead touched my mother's hand. I listened to her intently. "I really loved her, Adam. I did," she said. The crying had stopped. She just looked plain sad. "I'm happy for you. Sylver is a beautiful girl," she said, smiling through her tears. I looked up and smiled at her. "Let me help you up, mom. C'mon," I said as I propped her up.

She sat up and tried to stand. I helped her up the stairs and to her room. "Goodnight, mom. Take care of yourself, yeah?" "Thank you, honey. I love you." I smiled as I closed the door. I ran downstairs to get my coat. I smiled to myself because my mother was right.

Sylver was beautiful.

—

I lay down looking at the ceiling recollecting today's events. What a crazy day it had been today. I smiled to myself.

I called Shei to see if he was okay. After the fight this afternoon, he didn't seem too happy that I punched Kyle for him. He said he could defend himself, which he clearly couldn't. He didn't pick up. I fired up my laptop. I checked Skype. He was online but declined my call. I dropped him a text.

Don't leave a brother hanging, man. Call me.

I checked Facebook. Sylver was online. I smiled. I sent her a message.

Adam – What a day! Thanks for dinner. :)

Sylver – Adam Brown, you make me blush. Why aren't you asleep? Talking to your side bitch, I presume? Who can blame you, after the punches you threw today. ;)

Adam – I felt like the Hulk. Goodman is totally scared of me now. At least, I hope so.

Sylver – Who gives a shit? Anyway, thanks for dessert. You better slow down. I just might start a history of diabetes in my family.

Adam – Thanks for taking me out of the closet, babe.

Sylver – Like mother, like son?

Adam – Asshole.

Sylver – Adam Brown. Don't freak out but I need to tell you something.

Adam – Homosexuality is not hereditary, you idiot.

Adam – What's up?

Sylver – I love you.

Adam – Idiot.

Sylver – You're an idiot.

Adam – You're an even bigger idiot. You idiot much more than I do.

Sylver – You dare not tell me that. I know.

Adam – I love you too.

Adam – But you're still an idiot.

She went offline after that. My laptop buzzed. She was calling me on Skype. I hit accept.

Her face popped up. Her eye makeup wasn't completely off yet. She had changed into a Coldplay t-shirt. She had knee socks on. Her hair was messy and she looked sexy as ever.

"You're gonna give me heart attack one day," I said. "What'd I do?" she asked, laughing. "If you keep looking that gorgeous behind a computer screen, away from my reach, I'm gonna die from a heart attack."

She laughed. "I'm glad I amuse you, idiot."

"It's like 2 in the morning. Why are you up?" she asked. "Mom kept me up. She was having the talk about the birds and the bees. Real important stuff, you see. That kept me up," I said. "If that was a subtle way to get into my pants, I'm afraid I'm going to have to smack you across the face," she said, giggling.

"I could never do that, babe. Never," I said in a fake serious tone. "Such a bore," she said nonchalantly. "What the fuck?!" I exclaimed. She roared with laughter. "I tried to speak to Shei today. He didn't look well," she suddenly said. "He sort of hates me now. I'd rather not talk about it. Okay?" I said. "Whatever you say, boss," she said, smiling cheekily.

"I'm gonna go off to sleep now, babe. I'll pick up before school, then?" I asked. "Sure. Goodnight." She gestured a flying kiss. She was such a cutie. "Whoa I just said I love you, what does that have to do with the kisses. Keep it in your pants, you eager beaver." She laughed as she said goodbye. I'm glad my terrible sense of humour cracked her up.

I drifted off to sleep thinking about how Sylver's hair smelled like wild strawberries, and how she spoke with confidence, and how she took me out tonight, and how she laughed at the bad jokes I made about the food, and how she made  me smile at the smallest things. I drifted off to sleep thinking about Sylver and that she said she loved me.

And I loved her back.