Silence

Chapter 2

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

I woke Mam up early, and we headed downstairs for breakfast. We got in the car 30 minutes later. Mam wasn't in a good mood, as you can imagine. Shitty relatives are the worst. We took the more scenic road and headed home. Home. Our apartment. We lived on the top floor but still had a small set of stairs that led up to my room, the attic. I won't go into too much detail, but it was very small and very cramped. Our kitchen was the size of a normal toilet, and our toilet had the jacks and shower head right beside each other. Mam slept on the couch and gave me my own room.

We had enough money to make ends meet and were never late paying rent, but it was still hard for both of us. Mam worked two jobs: a secretary at some big corporation and a waitress at night. And life was okay for the two of us. I was at school all day, and Mam wouldn't let me get an after-school job. We'd fought about it before, but I gave in every time. Mother knows best, after all.

I leaned over and turned the radio up. Sometimes, we got popular songs from America, and today, "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry was playing. Mam became a fan when she lived in America. She won't really tell me anything about it, but I think that's where she met Dad.

She started singing along, tapping her fingers on the wheel. Some of the words that she says I don't fully understand-- Americans speak weirdly-- but it was a good song. Imagine finding a love that lasts a lifetime. I chuckle under my breath, and Mam looks at me like I'm crazy.

She reaches over and turns the volume down a little, "What's up, hun?"

"Nothing, I was just... Thinking."

"Oh, wow. That's dangerous," she said, laughing.

"Thanks, Mammy. Love you," I said, rolling my eyes and turning the volume back up. Then, leaning back in my seat, I fell into a deep sleep. 

Mam parked in our parking lot and took her keys out of the ignition. I watch her as she grips the steering wheel tightly. I can tell she's trying not to cry.

"Hey, Mam, I'll go inside and make food for us. You can stay in here and calm down if you need to," I said, leaning towards her, hoping to grab the keys.

She nods and hands them to me.

"Thanks, Momma," I said, exiting the car and closing the door behind me.

There's one big staircase that leads to every apartment in the complex. The lobby's not too fancy, but the security's good. The security guard knew me, so he opened the doors for me to let me in.

"Thank you," I said, nodding at him. He nodded back, and I headed towards the stairs. My phone buzzed the second I put my foot on the first step. I pulled my phone out and looked down at the screen.

You have one text from FURGUS.

So, I unlocked my phone and read his text:

"Im @ ur house. When will u be back?"

So, he was skipping again? I raced up the stairs, and sure enough when I reached the top, Furgus was sitting in front of my door. I took a quick breather, and then walked over to him.

"Why are you here? Are you okay?" I asked, leaning down to look at him.

He stared up at me hazily. "Wuzzat?"