He Found Her.

Chapter 29.

Vintage POV

Teenagers go through so many changes. I was changing. I was maturing. I was becoming a little more responsible than I intended to be. I had taken on so much since my mom and I moved to California. My main responsibility was my mom. I believe she's sick. She's just not telling me.

I was thinking about her a lot throughout my daily activity.

"Hey Mom."

I hadn't saw my mom all day today. She barely acknowledged my 'hey'. When I finally catch up to her, I see her leaned over the counter looking at some type of paper.

"Mom, what's that? And why do you look bothered? Is everything alright..?"

She had her index finger and thumb held up to her forehead like she was rubbing her temples to relax herself.

I mean, something was obviously going on. Something was obviously wrong.

She hasn't acknowledged a word I've said. It was making me upset. She walked straight past me, and I watched her. She didn't even make eye contact. She walked up the stairs and I heard her door shut.

She left the paper she was looking at on the counter. I was fighting with myself.

Should I be nosey or should I just leave it be? Whatever it was, it bothered her so I came to the conclusion of wanting to help.

I took a look up the stairs to see if my moms door was still shut. It was, so I walked over to the paper and picked it up.

It was the house bill.
Our total was $1254.30 in paid cash, or we'd lose our home.

Our house was nicely sized, but that amount of money past due was even nicer.

I ticked my tongue in expression of frustration and concern. I had to help.

Responsibility huh? Talk about getting a job.

I've never had a freaking job. How do you even get a job? What would I be getting paid? When? Do I need to apply online?

So many thoughts ran through my mind.

I slammed the paper onto the counter and faced the window with my hands resting behind me. I fiddled with my finger tips. That was my way of thinking. I raised an eyebrow and ran upstairs to go get my phone.

I flopped on my bed and went to my speed dial list. Dylan was #1.

"Dylan, we need jobs dude. Like, now."

His phone was static like. I couldn't make out his words.

"Dylan, what are you doing? Where are you NOW?"

"I'm still gone."

"Obviously genius. I need you here. We have matters to discuss."

"Yeah, be there in 10."

It was time for us to become full fledged adults. I'm not leaving mom in the dirt. Even though I didn't like this house, I knew my mom did, and I'd do anything to make her life easier.

**

I was bored out of my mind. I had woken up from a nap and my clock read 7:14pm. I slapped my forehead with the palm of my hand and fell back on my bed.

I heard my mom talking on the phone. My door was cracked so I could barely make out her words. I tiptoed to my door and stuck my face out to get a better hear.

--"Yes, and I don't know how much longer I can go without telling her."

My heart started to pound out of my chest. The feeling of anger and resentment came over me.

How could she hide ANYTHING from me..we tell eachother everything. But obviously that wasn't the case anymore.

I snatched my door open. I stopped at the top of the stairs to gather myself. I had to remember to pretend as if I never heard any conversation.

I walked down the stairs slowly.

"Hey..mom." I didn't look her in the face.

"Hey honey, ho--"

I cut her off.

"Mom, who was that?" I pointed to her phone on the counter. I couldn't stop the words. It's like my mouth was moving faster than my brain could process.

She took a deep breath and threw her hair to the back.

"That was your auntie Mary."

I stared at her lips as the words rolled off her tongue, not believing a word she said. I disregarded that thought and snapped myself back into the act.

"Oh, did you tell her hi for me?"

I turned away and walked towards the fridge. Mom took a pause before she answered.

"Mom?" I looked over my shoulder.

"Vintage, there's a few matters we have to discuss."