Territorial {A.Irwin}

Territorial : Part 1

                                                                         "Guilt on the mind"

                                                                                       ~

                                                 "Ya' know, maybe I should stay. I mean, I can always make the trip when i'm a little older." Watching my mother put out the small toaster fire had given me heartburn, followed by a long list of disasters that could happen. What if I'm not here and something happened to my stubborn mother?

My brows furrowed as my thoughts played out more scenarios in my head, my clumsy fingers fiddling with long locks of chestnut hair that I had inherited from the woman before me. I loved my mother, I loved her way more then a spontaneous trip to Australia, just to fuel my adventurous side.

I couldn't leave her.

Taking a step deeper into the kitchen as my mother used her oven mitts to remove the piece of electronic, I couldn't help but to swat the air around my face. The smell of burnt toast had wafted my senses, burning my nose and eyes.

"This wacky piece of junk-" After tossing the useless toaster in a garbage bag and knotting the top, my mother turned to me with a stern face. "-Terrance Roosevelt Reed, you are getting on that plane tomorrow. You're going to land you butt in Australia, take lots of beautiful pictures and have the time of your life. No if's, and, or butts "

The use of my full name was spoken to let me know she was serious. And to obviously make me cringe. She loved to tourture me with that middle name because she knows I dispise it.

My mother had been so doped up and tired, she asked the fiffty something year old nurse to give me a middle name - since my father had fainted at the site of me covered in blood and had been slumped in a chair.

Apparently the lady had been so obsessed with the former president Roosevelt, that she named me after him. Course my mother thought it sounded like "rose" in her high so she had agreed.

"Mom, I can go another time. I don't think leaving you alone right now is wise.-" After the realization of what I just said had hit me, I was quick to retaliate. "- I mean, I've never been away longer then a week. I'd miss you too much, and home. I'm just not positive moving so far away is the best thing."

My mothers hazel eyes narrowed in on my figure as I tugged on my right ear lobe, a nervous habit I picked up when I turned eleven, telling my first major lie .

I know she saw threw my nervous act, she always did. But despite worrying about my mom, I was excited to go some place new. Ever since I could remember I've wanted to go to Sydney.( I think all the Australian movies my dad watched had some influence in my decision.)

"Terrance, You're going tomorrow even if I have to drag you onto that plane. You've bought your ticket, and a apartment is waiting for you. You've been saving for years.-" My mother stared me down as I listened to her words. her steps closing in as she brushed my thick hair behind my bare ears. "- I remember every year for Christmas or your birthday you asked for another piggy bank. You kept filling them up faster then your dad could take the trash out."

We both laughed at her metaphor, mom had always complained about him never taking out the trash.

"What I'm trying to get at is you've been dreaming of this moment since you were little, and I'm not going to let you change your mind now. I've listened to you brag about living there for way to long now, I don't think I can handle another night." She joked, a smile consuming her face.

"Okay, okay. But you have to promise to call me everyday!" I told her. I was completely serious. It was going to be the first time she's been alone since my father's accident.

"I think I should be telling you that, but I refuse to hear your whiney little butt everyday anymore. "

"Hey! That's not very nice." I had pouted. Wich earrned me a raised brow and pointed look that clearly said 'see what I mean?'

I managed an eye roll as she began to crack up, and began taking the trash out with a kick in her step.

She's going to be fine Terrance.