Like All Things, It Too Shall Pass

Chapter Seven: Amy

Amy

When I got back inside, I went straight to my mom's room and started searching everywhere. I made sure to lock the door and take the letter that I received from her. I opened the letter one more time and started reading:

Amy.....

I know that things haven't been going great since your father died, and I want to apologize for everything, especially for what I'm doing right now. I don't know how things got out of hands like that. I don't know what came over me, but I started doing things that would change both our lives, mine as a mother and yours as my daughter. I don't know if you noticed, but I came from good Christian woman to being a junkie and that's not what I wanted. I didn't want to put a shame on you so I thought this would be the best. It looked to me as if you were taking care of me instead of me taking care of you. You're only 17 years old. You deserve better. I'm so sorry about this, and remember what your dad always tells you when playing hide and seek? "If a person does not want to be found then no matter how hard you look you will not find them." Go under my mattress and you will find something there and I know you're smart enough to know how to use it, I love you, I always will but I'm sorry, please forgive me.

I looked at the letter and put it back on the bed. I started thinking to myself. Does that mean she doesn't want to be found? And what does she mean I'm smart enough to know how to use it? I pushed my thoughts aside and lifted the mattress, under there I found stacks of money and a credit card. I didn't even worry about where she got the money. I know she must have went to the bank and got them. Next to them I saw a little piece of paper that says, 'Don't worry, college money is safe in a separate account. Enjoy.'

That got me thinking, if she's talking about college that's like three to four years away... Does that mean she's not coming back? I took the money and put it in a small safe box in my room and placed it on the back of my closet. It took me a while to understand what was happening, but when I did, I cried myself to sleep that night realizing my mother had abandoned me. I was now on my own. I thought about going to the police but then again I knew they would take me away and sent people to look for my mother. I finally fell asleep thinking of what would happen next.

Next morning I woke up to the knocking sound on the door. I looked in the mirror, fixed my hair and went downstairs. When I opened the door and saw Jeremiah standing there fully dressed ready for school, that's when I felt the throb on my head. I looked at him who was looking at me up and down.

"Amy? You okay? You're not going to school today?" He asked me.

"Good morning," I said and walking back inside leaving for him to follow. I went to the living room and sat on the couch with my hand on my head, and few seconds later Jeremiah was sitting next to me on the couch.

"What's going on Amy? Talk to me." He said putting his arms around me.

"I have a headache." I told him.

"So you're not going to school today?" He asked me.

"I don't want to, but I have to." I told him.

"I'm sure your mom will let you stay home, have her call the school." Jeremiah told me and without even knowing what was happening a teardrop fell down my face.

"Don't cry. It's going to be okay. Come here, sooner or later you're going to have to talk to me and tell me what's going on with your mom." He said stroking my hair. And without any hesitation I told him everything.