Her Lovely Scar

Chapter 5 ~ Protective

Chapter 5

It was raining when I woke up this morning, and I could hear mom’s snoring in her room. I checked my alarm clock to see that it was only five in the morning. I sighed in aggravation. I’ve only slept three hours total. I’ve been worried about everything that’s gone on that I couldn’t fall asleep.

Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to go to bed again, I got up and got ready for another day at school. I took my time to wash my hair and shave. I got out of the bathroom, throwing on a pair of jeans, and a Kiss T-shirt. I put my mask on, and covered it up with my hair.

I heard mom start to get up, and I headed to her room. She was sitting up, gently touching the wound on her head. She winced when she touched it spot on, and groaned at the pain. I sat down next to her on the bed, and took her hand away from her head.

“Quit touching it, or it’ll get infected.” I scolded. She looked at me, still a bit groggy.

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready for school?” she asked. I shrugged, looking at her.

Her hair was a mess. It looked like a tornado storm had shown up and just nested in her hair. Her face was still pale, but it had more color than when I found her yesterday. The thought of yesterday shot through my head like a bullet.

“Ma? Why didn’t you tell me we’re being foreclosed on?” I asked. Mom looked at me stunned. She didn’t really believe that I wouldn’t find out did she? She looked down at her hands in her lap, and sighed.

“How did you find out?” she asked. Hearing her ask that, and not deny it made my stomach flip. It made me sick. So it was true, I wasn’t just seeing things.

“I found the notice.” I said. Mom sighed in exhaustion, and lay back on her bed. “How long do we have?” I asked. Mom closed her eyes, placing her arm over her head.

“I talked to the land lord, and he said we have until the end of the month to put down a payment.” She said. The end of the month? That’s two weeks! I kept myself from groaning in defeat, there wasn’t any use to that. I’m just going to have to bulk up, and figure this out.

“I get my pay check on Friday, so I’ll just ask for an advance.” Mom said, thinking that it will solve everything. Mom’s pay check wasn’t going to be able to pay much of the rent.

“I’ll go look for a job after school.” I said, more to myself than to mom. The bed shook from mom getting up quickly.

“No.” she said. I looked at her puzzled. “You are going to concentrate in school. You are not going to go work, you’re education is too important.” She said.

“Ma, we need the money.” I state.

“I don’t care about the money. I’ll find a way to make things work. You just concentrate on getting to school, and getting good grades.” She said.

We’ve had this argument too many times before, and it always ended up the same way. With mom or me walking out the door. I didn’t want to cause any more stress for mom, she needed to rest, not worry. So I got up, and kissed her cheek, which surprised her.

“Okay, I’ll go to school.” I said.

“Promise?” mom asked. I nodded.

“I promise.” I said, and crossed my heart. Mom smiled and shook her head at me. I began to leave, but then remembered something. “I called your work yesterday and explained what happened. You won’t be going to work today.” I said. Before mom started chewing my head off, I ran out the door.

I pulled my hoodie up as the rain came down on me. I looked back at the apartment to see mom staring down at me. I waved at her to go back to bed, but she only waved. I rolled my eyes, and began walking to school.