Between You and Me

~~2~~

I was currently taking the bus to the local mall.

School starts in two days and I haven't been shopping for supplies yet. I had been too busy working at the sports bar.

Dan was the nicest, most understanding boss I've ever had. He ran his business with a laid back quality that I admired very much. If my livelihood was on the line like it often is in the service business, I would be one big ball of stress.

"Main at Twelfth street is our next stop." The bus intercom blared to life, indicating my stop.

I needed a new backpack for the new year; my senior year. I was looking for something cheap, yet durable.

Dan payed great money, but my list was still quite long for only a summer job's payment. I basically needed a new everything. That included clothes.

Walking into the air conditioned building, a bright red Sale sign catches my attention from the window of a store. Old Navy. They usually have decent prices during their sales.

I head over to their entrance and surround myself with jeans, T-shirts, blouses and shorts.

I head to the change room to try on a few pairs of skinny and boot cut jeans. I like the way they rest on my hips, so I throw them all in the Yes pile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few hours later, while I'm trying on a new pair of running shoes, I get a phone call from my mum.

"Sage! How is shopping working out?"
"It's going well, mum. What's up?"
"I just met our landlord and I invited him and his daughter over for dinner. She's your age, dear and you need a friend."
"Is this why you were baking again yesterday? You planned this didn't you mum?"
"Maybe. Will you be coming home, Sage?" I can hear my mothers desperation in her voice.

And I understand why she's so desperate. She hasn't had a friend in a few years. My father decided that keeping my mum inside the house at all times was a good way to keep her mouth firmly shut about all of his mistresses. She's invited our landlord's daughter over because she thinks that I need a friend too. I haven't contacted my friends from home since we moved and she knows it.

"Of course I will, mum." I check the time on the watch wrapped around my wrist, 4:30, "I'll grab the next bus after I pay in this store."
"Thank you, Sage! I've got a pork roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn and a summer berry salad on the menu. See you soon, I love you!"

She hangs up on me before I can even reply. But I know how happy she is to have someone to look forward to meeting. And I guess I'm excited to meet the daughter too. I won't show up to school knowing no one like I thought.

It takes me half an hour to get home, and when I do, my mum has cooked up a storm. Literally.

It looks like a tornado went through the kitchen and spewed cupcakes, cookies, muffins, quiches, potatoes and pork.

"Mum?" I call out to her when I see her nowhere.
"Out here."

She calls to me from the small patio that we have just outside the living room. When I peak my head through the sliding white door, I find her sitting at our small black bench.

"What's wrong?" I ask when I sit down beside her.
"I just feel terrible about the life you have to live now. You have to buy everything you need and want because I couldn't stick with your father long enough. You have to live here when we were living in one of the nicest houses on our street two months ago." She turns to face me and grabs my hand, "I'm sorry, Sage. I never wanted you to have to grow up this fast."