Trevor’s friend is a life saver. Thirty minuets’ later I'm in a helicopter, coffee in hand flying over the ocean and swaying palm trees heading back to New York. Dawn begins to break over the horizon and the making the water glow as bright as the sun itself. Trevor’s friend introduces himself to me as Steven. He attempts small talk, asking about my life and doesn't say much else to me after that. The gold ring on his finger and the photo of 2 young boys taped to the ceiling of the cockpit tell me he’s married with kids. A few hours later, Steven lands the helicopter on one of the buildings landing pads in New York. The skyscrapers look darker then usual and rain clouds are moving in overhead. Steven turns off the helicopter before I open the door and hop out.
“Thank you Steven, I really appreciate you taking me on such short notice.”
He nods, “No worries, I’ll be here when you’re ready to go back.”
I smile before closing the plane door. I open the roof top door and head down the buildings stairs to the busy streets that I call home.
******
A number of minutes and flights of stairs later, I am standing in the heart of early morning traffic. The taxi horns seem louder and people see more rushed than usual.
I grab my phone from my backpack and check the time, its 8 am. My mom’s apartment isn’t far from the building. It shouldn’t take me long to get there. I head down the hectic streets trying my best not to bump into people.
I attempt to call my mom again but all I get is a dial tone. I pick up the pace until I pass the familiar shops and stores and finally reach the building. Opening the front doors, and greeting the doorman I start climbing up the stairs.
The building smells like its usual cigarettes and cheap perfume. I predicted most residents were either still sleeping or off to work because the hallways were peculiarly quiet. I continue down the narrow hallways. As each apartment number passes I get more and more nervous. I don’t know where my mom is but I’m going to assume she’s still at home.
Finally I reach her apartment. Fumbling in the backpack I reach in and find the spare key she had given me just in case.
I unlock the door and find whole place to be switched.
The furniture has been rearranged. The walls went from a warm brown to a light blue colour. It smells like vanilla and cinnamon instead of mint. Candles are lit in various corners of the house.
I step in and drop my bag on the floor
“Mom?! Are you in here?” I call through the apartment and close the door behind me.
A voice I don’t recognise calls from the kitchen, “I’m in here darling.”
