Road to Evergreen | #Wattys2016

f o r t y - o n e

After work, I head home. I feel partly guilty that I ignored my mother's calls but she's probably too drunk to even care.

As I enter the apartment, the smell of spices fills my nostrils instantly. My stomach growls.

Adam finished his omelette in less than two minutes so I ended up giving him my share. Of course, he argued at first but after I told him I was full from the pancakes I had earlier this morning, he ate it. Even though he wasn't too pleased with who I had pancakes with.

I'm frustrated that I didn't bring up the fact that he's known as a player around campus or that his brother is the dean. As well, I desperately wanted to ask why he hit that officer but each time he smoothers his hand across my cheek, I forget.

He is my weakness. And that boy is going to turn my life upside down.

In the kitchen, I find my mother chopping some vegetables and tossing them in the pan. I feel like I just ate my own words- Not a drunk anymore.

I clear my throat, "hey mom, what are you doing?"

She puts the knife aside as she wipes her hands on her apron, "cooking. What does it look like I'm doing?"

"Something you haven't done in a long long time," I say as my eyes widen.

My words don't seem to hurt her in any way as a smile grows, "Bob is coming tonight for dinner."

I arch my eyebrow in confusion. "We discussed it two weeks ago. You said we should invite him," she continues. I did? "Oh yes of course," I feel like slapping myself. "I totally forgot," I say.

"It's alright, sweety," she offers a weak smile.

"With what can I help you?" I ask.

"It's not a problem. I'm almost done with the food. Why don't you go shower instead?" She says. I nod in agreement.

As I'm making my way to my bedroom, she stiffens in front of me. "Lesley, please don't follow my footsteps," she pledges. What does she mean by that? Being an alcoholic or messing up my life?

"I'm sorry I didn't answer your calls. But mom, trust me when I say I'm totally capable of handling myself," I say.

She nods as pain fills her eyes.

"I promise," I reassure her and I take her in for a hug. She nestles my hair as her body shakes, shedding tears.

She retracts from the hug. "Oh God, I didn't mean to get emotional." She wipes her tears and replaces it with a smile.

"It's okay," I whisper, plant a kiss her on the cheek, and head to the showers.

Twenty minutes later, showered and dressed with a pair of jeans and shirt, I re-enter the kitchen to find the dinner table beautifully laid out. My mother has totally overdone herself. It's decorated with sentimental candles that fill the room with the smell of vanilla. As well, a variety of food are placed from lasagna to chicken with vegetables to rice to pasta. My mouth waters to the sight of it.

"Looks good?" I spin to see my mother dressed elegantly in a red dress that hugs perfectly on her curves. Along that, she's wearing red lipstick with pearl earrings and a neckless that match.

"Wow," I say. "Mom you look absolutely stunning," my eyes widen with disbelief.  I never have seen her look so young and beautiful since.. since my father passed away. She managed to shock me twice in one day.

"Oh, hush. It's nothing," a smile is plastered on her face as she smoothers her dress.

"It's definitely not nothing," I say. Oh now I get it. "Is this all for Bob?" I wave my hand from the dinner table to her outfit as I wiggle my eyebrows.