Game Over: Life's Over

Lost Time

My weekend with Mom was over faster than I wanted it to be. It was good to see her again and even better to be back home where it was familiar to me. I hated to go back to Eric and Theo's but I knew I had to.

I just wished Mom could take care of me so I could stay with her.

"I'm sorry you have to go home already. It feels like you just got here." Mom looked in the rearview mirror as she spoke.

I nodded. "You should take time off more often so I can come visit you more than just once a month."

"I wish it were that easy. Work is always busy. I put aside work to spend time with you so when I go back, I'll have more to catch up on."

I frowned. "That's not fair to you."

"I picked this career knowing it would be grueling at times. I wasn't even planning on having a family when I went to law school so it didn't bother me that I'd be knee-deep in work at all times. Now, I feel like it's all I can think about. It doesn't leave me with much time for anything else."

I nodded. I'd always felt that way but I didn't want to blame Mom for not being around. She knew she wasn't around. She knew that she wasn't there for me as much as she should have been. I didn't need to tell her that. She was busy with her career and making money to support us. The only problem was that she was never there for me like some of the other kids in my class. Even Alex's mom would drop anything for him.

"I know I should have tried harder when you were growing up. I can't change the past. I'm hoping that I can change things now and maybe make up for that lost time."

"Don't beat yourself up over that, Mom. You're already doing a good job."

"I appreciate that, sweetheart."

I grabbed my binky and stuck it in my mouth. I couldn't tell where we were or how close we were to the meeting spot. I knew it was halfway between each house. It was still a long drive but not as long as it could be.

We pulled into the parking lot after a while and I was glad I could get out and stretch my legs for a few minutes. I hated that the drive was so long. If it were up to me, Mom would live right next door to Eric and Theo.

I was messaging Soleil that I was close to being home again when Eric and Theo pulled into the parking lot. They pulled in beside us.

Eric got out of the driver's seat and smiled at us. "Hey, long time no see."

I rolled my eyes. "It was only two days."

"You haven't been away from us since you moved in. This is the longest you've been gone," Theo said. He walked around to where we were standing.

"Did you miss me that much?"

Eric laughed. "It was a lot quieter without you."

Mom patted my back. "Hopefully, you can come over soon. I'd love to make this a regular thing."

I nodded. I wanted the same. I wanted to see Mom more than I had been able to.

"Did you tell your mom your news?" Theo asked.

Mom looked over at me with raised brows. "Tell me what?"

I sighed. "I finished the last of my schoolwork. I'm basically graduated now."

"And you didn't think to tell me? This is big news, Jake."

I shrugged. "It wasn't that hard to get."

"You managed to get it even when these last few months have been hard on you. I'd say that's something to be proud of."

"I guess."

Mom hugged me. "I'm happy for you, sweetheart."

"Thanks."

Theo raised his eyebrows at me while Mom was hugging me.

"Alright, sweetie. I better head back home so I can get ready for work in the morning."

I frowned. I hated when Mom had to leave.

She pulled back and gave me her 'I know you hate this part' smile. "Let me know that you made it home, okay? It was really good to see you again, sweetie."

"Yeah, you too."

"I love you, Jake."

"I love you, too."

"I'll get your bags," Eric said.

"Go ahead and get in the car."

Mom and I said our goodbyes and then I got into Eric and Theo's car. I buckled myself in and then reached for my binky. I didn't have it clipped to my clothes like I usually did. I felt around in both pockets of my shorts before coming up empty. Just as I was about to freak out, Mom appeared.

She opened the door and held out my binky for me. "You better start keeping an eye on this."

"I'll try." I'd already lost one once. I really needed to take better care of them.

She patted my knee. "Bye, sweetie."

"Bye, Mom."