Unconditional Oceans (MegYoncé)

34

Megan

"My favorite student!" Professor Smith exclaims happily reaching down to give Mason a high five as we enter his office.

Mason gives him a five that's less enthusiastic than usual.

He's still not back to himself yet.

I want him to be his normal happy self, but it's only been 3 days since the fight, and one day since the news incident.

I know he needs time.

I just hate seeing my baby so down.

"How are you today young man?" Professor asks.

"Fine." He whispers.

Professor clocks that something is off, but he doesn't make a fuss.

"Have a seat guys." He says.

I take a seat in one of the plush leather chairs and Mason hops in my lap.

His office is regal like he is.

Expensive furniture.

Beautiful African art.

Smells nice.

Exactly what you would expect of a gay black man in his 40s.

"So. You missed my essay." He says taking a seat behind his desk.

"I did. I apologize." I say.

"You apologize? That's it?"

"I don't have an excuse. It slipped my mind." I tell him.

"At the risk of overstepping... That's nonsense. Something is clearly going on."

"Professor Smith, I—"

"You can call me Terrence outside of class."

"Terrence... I forgot the deadline was last night." I repeat.

"Megan, is everything okay? Things seem a bit off." He points out.

I sigh.

I may as well tell him because I don't know if things will get better the rest of this semester.

I cover my son's ears.

"Have you seen the news recently."

"I like to stay up to date on current events. I watch the news every evening."

"You know the wanted woman they found in pieces?"

"Yes. Tragic story."

"She was my..." I pause for a moment because what was she to me? "She was technically Mason's other parent."

"She was your partner?" He asks with wide, concerned eyes.

"No! Just someone I was...with, I guess. In the distant past." I say dropping my hands from Mase's ears.