Prestigious Ways Too: College Years

Step 6: The Shoes

I waited at the bus station, watching the different people walk by, some in a hurry and some meandering along. Princess was in class doing a series of makeup tests since she wanted better grades than the ones she had. Dylan had gone out of his way to pick up my mother from her house and take her to the bus station since she was too terrified of driving by herself. So I sat and waited, and waited and waited. My mother was so fond of me, I almost felt bad for her. She looked at me in a light that didn't know if I could ever mimic. No matter how hard she didn't try, it was clear to every organism around her that she loved me the most. Katrina had been off at university for a long time, and Annabelle was finishing up her last year of high school, getting ready to move. Katrina had been living with Dad after uni, and Annabelle was planning on moving to Virginia after high school. My mother would be all alone. Her sisters sure, but she wanted a child to hold and to care for. My family was born with heavy maternal/paternal instincts, and I was always my mother's favorite, most likely since I was the only boy.

Visiting my father always an interesting experience. Since he was living in Oregon all my life, I only saw him on holidays. He paid the bills by working full-time and sending the money to our landlord electronically. My mother didn't have a job almost her entire life, only working a day or two every time she tried to get one. Her anxiety attacks became more frequent as we got older, and at 20 years old they were almost hourly. It was clear that she was a replica of what Jade would become, but I didn't want to believe so. Because of these reasons, my mother was weak and helpless. My father knew this, and since they both were raised on older customs, he expected me to be the man of the house.

I was to get a job as soon as I turned 13, and earn money in any way that I could. I was to keep my grades as straight A's, to only have a girlfriend after my 15th birthday, and to always care for my sisters. Although it was my mother's job, I was to do at least half of the housework daily. To complete my homework every night, to never stay out past 11:15 PM. To never talk back to my mother, or question her, but to also know when to stand up for myself. I was to do everything for her, to love and appreciate her. I was always left in charge. Katrina was 6 years older than I was, yet I was always left in charge. I was to be a leader and to mature quickly. I was to never have a temper, and constantly hold my tongue. Most importantly I was to be a gentleman, no exceptions. Anything less than those rules I was a disappointment. All that, and at 12 years old I was assigned to stalk a child or else a serial killer would disrupt the wonderful order that was my family. And it would be my fault and my fault only.

"Ethan???" I heard and was snapped out of my thoughts. "Mother?" I called and stood up, smoothing out my blazer. She turned and looked at me with wide eyes, a large smile on her face. Dylan walked off of the bus with 3 or 4 bags of luggage and her purse, along with her coat, scarf, and hat. "Mother!" I sighed and walked up to her, giving her a hug. "Oh mum, please put on your coat, it is so cold in New York. I believe it is negative ten degrees out as we speak!" I said and put her winter clothes on her, taking two of the bags. "Thanks." Dylan nodded and I smiled at him. "Oh I'm so happy to see you, Ethan! It's been too long!!" she squealed. "It's been about one month, mum." I chuckled, putting her bags into the trunk of my car. "Oh I know but I'm all the way in New Jersey! I miss London so much you know." she sighed and Dylan helped her into the backseat, where a blanket and two pillows were laid out for her. Dylan buckled her up and got in the passenger seat, slamming the door making her jump. "Sorry doll." he blushed. "Well, mum I wanted to make sure that we could see each other frequently. That's why I took you all to America. Now, how was the drive?" I asked and Dylan immediately cut in, scrolling through his unread texts from different girls. "Boring. It was boring. You know homeless people are allowed to ride the bus? That should not be a thing." he rolled his eyes. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my mother tilting her head 45 degrees, leaning back and clutching her pillow with her pupils slowly widening as she watched both of us and listened carefully. "Dylan..." I warned. "Yeah yeah I got it. They're homeless. Whatever. Yer ma was whinin tha whole time though." "I'm sorry..." "Mum it's fine. What was wrong?" "I just didn't like the scenery that's all love..." It was barely audible but I still heard before Dylan turned off the phone's screen and started talking. His voice was deeper than mine and he always talked louder since his entire family was...unable to control the volume one their voicebox.