Collision Course

Chapter 14: Cereal

The rest of the week went by almost the same as Tuesday. My sleep would be disrupted by the sight of the room and the torture it brought. Then school would drag by for the first four periods until lunch which was considerably more exciting and enjoyable with our new additions. Then the rest of the day would drag on again. Mom kept coming home late from her meetings with Dominic and by then I'd already be pretending to sleep.

Friday eventually rolled around and mom left when I got home from school. She was casually sitting at the counter in a pair of jeans and comfortable top. It was odd seeing her in normal clothes instead of her perfectly prim ones.

We spoke briefly about the weekend and her trip but some about Dom. It was strange that she kept spending so much time with him but I thought nothing of it. They've been coworkers and friends since mom first got the job nearly twenty years ago. Dom was close enough to me to be considered an uncle. I guess you could call it ironic that he helped introduce my father to my mom.

Anyways, Friday evening rolled around and it was just me, my couch, and Chin's Chinese food. Oh, wait. I can't forget the five Disney movies I watched until midnight. Yeah, yeah, I'm a little bit of a sap.

Friday night's solitude was enough for me to practically run out of the house Saturday morning. The cool air that bit my skin wasn't any closer to warming up now than it was in the middle of December. January weather in Wisconsin everyone.

I walked the three miles to the Target in my worn out boots, water beginning to pool in the cap. My own navy blue Hyundai lay forgotten in the garage collecting dust. It was pointless to drive it out when the streets were covered in mushy sleet that was a high factor in accidents this time of year. Plus, I wouldn't be home all day to consistently use it anyways.

The large red and white bullseye could be seen from down the street, standing out against the brown bricks. Only a couple cars filled the expansive parking lot, extra space where it wasn't needed. The automatic doors opened when my feet hit the sensors underneath the door frame. A blast of warm air hit my chilled body, beginning to thaw me.

My feet brought me down the isles I used to roam when I was a child helping with weekly trips. They finally stopped in the section full of multicolored boxes of all different brands. Shelves upon shelves of cardboard put together in a rectangular prism to hold the goods inside. That was when my fingers dialed the number.

The phone rang once, twice, a third time before someone picked up and the conversation time began.

"Hello?" His voice came out hoarse and quiet like he'd just woken up. Maybe he did, it was only ten o'clock.

"What's your favorite type of cereal?" I asked casually, running my fingers along the outside of the boxes. So many endless options.

"What?" His voice was still rough, trying to get used to waking up after hours of being in a comatose state. At least now he was getting the sense of being confused. Who just answers their phone without checking the ID?

"What kind of cereal do you like?" I asked again, this time slowing down how fast I said my words. People tend to take a while to get their brains fully functioning again. "They've got all kinds here. Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Puffs, ooh Lucky Charms." I may have gotten distracted.

There was shuffling on his end of the phone, "Ok who is this?" He asked, any trace of sleep in his voice was gone. I suspected the shuffling was him getting out of a laying position to be sitting upright.