Earning Your Wings

Chapter 3

The bus dropped me off and I began to walk home. Seriously, what would have the school administrators heard? Most importantly, why does it bother me so much? Ever since dad left I've never really much put any care into anything. The therapist said its because I feel that everyone will eventually leave me. But won't they? Everyone leaves at one point whether it be because they moved or because of death. It's not a problem, it's the truth. Finally, home. I've never been so excited to be home. Yet, something inside of me wanted to see what tomorrow would be like. I set that feeling aside and went into my room to nap for 30 minutes. Just 30 minutes because I would have to set up dinner for when Mariam got home. Just 30 minutes.

"Natasha, I'm home. Tell me all about your first day!"

I opened my eyes a little and spotted the clock showing 6:40. Dammit! I overslept! Mariam will be furious!

"Natasha, come here. I have a surprise for you!"

I sprang out of bed wondering what Mariam could have bought me.

"Going Mariam!"

Once I go downstairs I see Mariam in the kitchen with a plate of food in her hand.

"Oh there you are! How was school? I made rice with baked beans and coleslaw, it's your favorite, right?"

I didn't know what was more surprising, the fact that Mariam cooked or that she knew what was my favorite food?

"It was better than I hoped. And thank you, it is my favorite."

"Did you make any friends?"

"Um, yeah. One. Her name is Melissa, she is really nice."

"I'm so glad sweetie!"

Sweetie? Mariam hasn't called me anything other than Natasha ever since dad left. Why was she so happy?

"Why are you so excited today?"

I asked.

"Well, I wanted to save the other surprise for after dinner but, I got the job."

"What job? You have a job."

"No Natasha, I applied to work with Gilbert and Co. as their receptionist three weeks ago. Today they called me and said I have gotten the job. Finally Natasha, we will have enough money to pay this house!"

"Why didn't you tell me when you applied?'

"I was afraid of getting your hopes up and not receiving the job, but honey, I did it. No, we did it. This family can finally move forward!"

Family? What is that? I haven't felt like a family ever since dad left.

"Natasha, I know I don't really say this but, I love you."

Wait, I love you? Did I hear correctly?

"When your father left, it tore this family apart. But, now we can make something out of nothing! Oh God did hear my prayers! Now go eat and after you finish we will talk about your first day of school!"

"Congrats Mari--, I mean, mom."

Mom. Haven't used that term in a while. Maybe this promotion will do us good! Seems like things are really changing indeed! After eating together, Mariam, well mom, and I had a conversation about school. I lied a little, saying that it was a blast because I didn't want to ruin the smile she had on her face. I've never seen such a wide smile. My mother, finally after two years, she was smiling again. This was the first night I came into her room and found her asleep and not crying in over two months. Now me? I am happy, I really am. I just really do hope that our "family" does move forward. Laying in bed is when I do most of my thinking. I think of dad, of Mariam, of school. The darkness is just what I need. Family. That word kept coming into my mind. What is family? Can a family be only a mother and her child? If so, how? I can't imagine being a family without dad. But then again, he imagined a family without us. I prayed to God before I went to sleep. I thanked him for the job promotion he gave Mariam and for the good day I had in school. Mariam told me that you have to thank God for the good things that he has put in your life and not just complain about the negatives. But then again, I've never had something really to be thankful for until today. I began to daze off in bed and ended up falling asleep but once again, that dream came up. This time, I touched the figure. It's arms held me. For once, I felt at home. For once, I felt like I haven't ever since, well ever since dad left. The figured then disappeared and I was left awaken with a pillow soaked in my tears. I looked at the clock and it read 3:20. Even though I had enough time to sleep. I just couldn't. The dream. It had me shaking.