Chapter 17

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by glambert6370

by glambert6370

~Daniel's POV~

I could hear Joey leave. I could feel my mom brush the hair away from my eyes. I could hear her crying. I feel confused. Why is she here? I thought she wanted nothing to do with me. I feel hurt. But I also want to comfort her.

"I'm so sorry baby." She grabbed my hand. I could feel my throat tighten; in a metaphorical way, of course. "I never meant to hurt you. I was just so ignorant and naive. But I've changed. I don't care who you love. As long as you're happy."

I want to cry so hard. I want to pull my mother close and hug her tight. "It's okay. I love you so much. It's okay." Is what I'd say. I'd brush her hair away from her tear stained eyes.

"Please come out of this!" Her voice shook. "When we make it through this, I promise to be a better mother. I'll be there for you. Things will change. I'm so sorry." I could feel her hugging me tight.

I want to cry, but I can't. I want to hold my mother, but I can't. I want to scream out and forgive her, but I can't.

Eventually, I felt her stop crying. She lay curled up next to me on the bed. "I haven't talked to your brother or sister in a while. I hope they're okay. I'm sure they're doing great. Your dad is doing good. I'm sorry I couldn't get him to come." She was silent for a moment. " Joey, your boyfriend, is the one who called me. He's really a sweet kid. I hope he treats you right. I hope you treat HIM right." She laughed. "He's a real keeper."

"I know! He's a true sweetheart." I would say.

"I'm gonna call your sister and brother tomorrow. For you. And for them. I feel like a terrible mother sometimes. I want things to change. For you. And for your siblings. For this family."

She must have laid there for hours. I sort of drifted in and out for a while. It's like falling asleep, but you're already asleep in a way. Unfortunately, drifting means that you have no idea how much time has passed. But when I 'woke up' again, she wasn't there. Part of me never expected to see her again. But I knew that wasn't going to happen. Things are going to change. It's going to be different. And I can't wait to be there to see it.