Park and Ani

Tiny orange capsule

I've never been more relieved than I was when Parker let me go with no deep questions asked. Scratch that, I was even more relieved when I saw him pull off smiling and waving at me. "Who's that?" my mother questioned wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

"Parker. The guy I told you was watching me for a whole week." A gust of air blasted from her nose as her shoulders shook with her silent laughter. Again I was proven wrong when I found myself extremely relieved to see her in good spirits after the news she got today. Bumping me with her hip she ruffles my hair smile on her face.

"You ready to see him?"

I paused. Was I really ready to see my brother? It's no secret that I still love him, that won't ever change, but at the mention of him the scar my by eye throbbed as fear coursed through my body. Sensing my hesitation, she pulls me into a hug caressing my head trying to expel any trace of fear in my body. "You don't have to forgive him yet. I don't fully forgive him either, but we should at least offer some kind of support."

Nodding I clutch onto her, my rock. Taking a deep breath I step back shoving back any tears offering a small smile. "I'm so proud of you Ani." she smiles wiping my cheek of the one tear that escaped. Smiling again I move to grab our bags placing them in the trunk.

"Well, lets get this show on the road."

*******************************

I woke up to my mother shaking my shoulder telling me we're stopping for the night. Even with exhaustion in her face, she still glows with happiness from the news that he somehow conjured up a memory of us. Yawning I take in my surroundings noticing we're outside an old looking Motel. Grimacing slightly I hold back my irritation that we drove instead of flew to Arkansas this time. "Where are we exactly?" I ask another yawn forcing itself out of my body. Handing me my bag she begins walking to our room before answering my question.

"Right now we just got in Idaho."

I turn to her in disbelief. That would mean that we drove 11 hours already and that I was only awake for 3 of those 11 hours. "Mom that's insane, why didn't you wake me up?" Shrugging she unlocks the door to our room before sharing the same response as me. We both shudder at the old mattress and sheets, strange wet spot in the ceiling and 1950 looking television which I'm sure doesn't work.

Groaning I trudge over to the wooden desk chair. The only thing I feel confident doesn't have bed bugs. "Just for tonight Ani. We don't have enough to stay in a nice hotel every night we're here." Even though she's trying to make it seem better than it really is, I can see she's just as uncomfortable with staying here as I am.

Nodding I go over to my bag before pulling out the blanket and pillow that she thankfully packed for me before lying them on top of the bed. "There's no way I'm sleeping under those covers though."

"Agreed." she laughs out and for a moment I'm distracted from the rickety old motel room because my mom has never been this happy about a trip to Arkansas. A tiny pang hits me in the chest and I reprimand myself for being so selfish. Of course she'd be happy about hearing that after 4 years her son is finally able to recall anything about us.

I feel even worse that him remembering only makes me nervous and slightly scared. The throbbing in my head distracts me for a moment when I remember one crucial thing.

I haven't taken my pills today.

Immediately I spring up from the bed dropping down to my bag frantically looking for the small orange capsule. "Ani?" My mother questions slowly rising from the bed in concern.