Deal With The Devil

Chapter 6

Javier's POV

I hadn't dreamt anything Wednesday night. It felt strange not to dream. Like I had been floating around in a empty space instead of the bizarre and unsettling settings of my dreams. It was Thursday so that meant I had to go see my therapist, Sandy. I didn't mind it as much as I used to. Sandy wasn't there to grill me and make me tell her everything. I just told her about the stuff that was going on in my life and for the most part she kept it between me and her. She told me the only time she'd tell my parents anything I told her was if she thought I was in danger. My appointment was at 9:30 so I got to sleep in a little and wasn't at school until 11. I had woken up at 8 to my phone buzzing on my nightstand. I fumbled for it and opened a text from Victor.

Victor: you wanna hang after school with me and a couple friends?

My thumbs hovered over the keyboard as I thought about it. Victor hung out with different people than just me, Tyler, Ronan, and Jesse. He hung out with some of the people who slacked or had slacked in school and life but knew how to have fun. I typed a quick reply.

Me: sure, who all is gonna be there?

Victor: my cousin Carlos and his girl, a few girls I don't know and Danny.

Me: ok see you at lunch

Victor sent me a thumbs up emoji in response and I stood up out of bed to get ready. About 10 minutes later I headed down the hallway to the kitchen to wait for Mamá to take me to my appointment. She sat at the counter drinking her tea and reading her book. She loved the days that I went to see Sandy. On those days she was off from work and Papá took Esme and Bryan to daycare and preschool while Mamá just brought me to my appointment and to school and then went home and had time to herself.

"Hi, mi amor. Listo?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm ready, vamos." I nodded.

I grabbed my backpack and we headed out the door together. Mamá was beautiful. She was a little chubby but not overweight and she had long black hair that she pulled back in a French braid most of the time. Her warm brown eyes never made you feel judged or inferior when their gaze rested on you. We hopped in the car and she turned the radio to one of the Spanish radio stations. Not for the music but because she liked to listen to the radio stars do their little talk shows. Sandy's office wasn't too far away, just a quick 10-15 minute drive.

"What's your plan for today, Javier?" Mamá asked.

"Victor wants me to come with him and hang out with a couple of friends of his. I was thinking I'd do that if that's okay." I replied.

"Sure, papi. You know I like to see you with friends. It beats what I was doing at your age." Mamá smiled.

"Why? What were you doing at my age?" I inquired.

"I'll tell you someday." She answered.

Mamá was always vague about her past. Anything about her life before she met Papá was a mystery to me. We got to Sandy's about 5 minutes to 9:30 so we had to wait a little bit.

"Tienes chicle?" I asked my mom.

She pulled gum out of her purse and gave me a piece.

"Did you brush your teeth this morning?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, Mamá. I just want something to chew." I sighed.

"Just checking." She muttered.

I popped the gum into my mouth and picked at a hangnail. Soon Sandy was done with her previous client and ushered me into her office.