Race. [TMNT 2012]

040. Mother; Lucy

I peer into my mother's study and pull a green jacket onto my bare arms.  I spot my mom sitting at her computer desk, her gray eyes glowing white from the screen.  Her dirty blonde hair is tied in a loose knot while wild strands hang around her face.  Her facial expression reveals how exhausted she is.

   Feeling like I interrupted something, I back up and say, "Sorry."

   "You're alright, honey," my mother promises.  "I'm just looking for a job.  After spending all night searching, I think I've settled on a restaurant downtown."  Her faint wrinkles crease into those of a fake happy smile.

   My heart aches for her.  My mother is strong.  Finding the guts to divorce my father was the toughest decision she's ever made.  Her biggest fear of being alone forever is closer than ever, but she knows that it's better than staying with my father.  She is truly a brave soul.

   Saying my father is a bad man seems wrong.  He has his reasons for doing what he did, and I refuse to judge him for that.  Every person has a right to make their own choices; his just weren't beneficial for us.  So, we went our separate ways.  No arguments or begging.  We just accept it.

   Even though my father has visiting rights, I kind of hope that he will stay away.  I am sure that his presence around our new home will just soil it.  My mother, being overly kind at times, denies it; but I know that seeing him again will send her head-first into a depression.  I don't want that, so I make it my goal to stay happy for her.  To encourage and lift her up when she needs it.  She's my number one responsibility.

   So far, it's working.

   "That's great, mom!" I say with a huge grin.  "When are you going for an interview?"

   "I just sent in my résumé," my mother answers, looking relieved at my excitement.  "They said they would respond within twenty-four hours, so we will know then."  She leaves the desk and puts an arm around me, kissing the top of my head.

   "It's been hard leaving your father behind," she murmurs thoughtfully as she rubs my shoulder.  "But if I get this job, things will finally start rolling around here.  We'll finally be able to decorate your room the way you want to," she adds with a tiny smile down at me.

   I laugh.  "I think you want my room decorated more than I do," I giggle lightly.  Suddenly, a bark from outside the study reminds me what I am supposed to be asking.

   "Oh, that's right!" I look up at my mother.  "I want to take Lilac for a walk.  She hasn't gotten to stretch her legs properly since we moved here, and the weather is better than it has been in days.  There's a park not too far from here that looks perfect for dogs.  Can we go?"

   My mom frowns for a moment, as if she's skeptical.  I understand why; New York City isn't exactly the safest place to walk around on my own.  Especially after the whole Shredder incident.  It took weeks for me to locate my mother again, even after the Shredder was killed.  Now that we're finally together again, it's going to be tough to let me go places.

   With Lilac with me, though, I am more than protected from any strangers that come near me.  She's a cute dog, as well as the runt of the litter, but she certainly knows how to scare off creeps.

   "Alright," my mother agrees, evidently reading my mind.  "Be safe and do not leave Lilac's side."

   I smile.  Lilac is my best friend.  Of course I won't leave her.

   "Bye, mom!" I call as I race towards the front door.

   "Put a leash on Lilac!" My mother's voice echoes after me, to which I just snort in amusement at.  She knows that Lilac hates leashes.  It's impossible to put one on her. Besides, she always sticks near me, so she doesn't really need one.  However, just in case, I grabs a leash and collar on my way out the door.