Never Coming Home

Welcome To Parallax

Frank stood gawking at the towering, silver and slanted building. He was one of the many people who flocked over to Parallax the second that email was seen. Like Frank, most of the people here in Belleville are not the most financially stable. In Frank's special case, he's extremely in need of any money that he can scrap up. You see, his mother suffers from leukemia, and poor Frank must provide both healthcare and money for the family of two. That didn't include the cost of food and other expenses that life brings their way. Frank loves his mother with all his heart, so he believed that taking this job would substantially help with their current financial situation.

Frank's mother, Linda, was absolutely astounded when her son mentioned that he'd been asked to go in for an interview at Parallax's very own building. Everyone around Belleville knew that this new company accepted almost everyone and paid extremely well. When someone got called in for an interview, the whole town knew and celebrated. Parallax seemed like a blessing from god to the people of Belleville. Finally this poor town had something to strive towards. After hearing the news, Frank's mother jumped with joy and hugged her son as hard as her skinny arms would allow. Frank let out a strangled gasp, well aware that his mother wasn't actually hurting him, yet he wanted her to feel strong. Frank does that a lot, especially now that his mother is becoming weaker by the day.

"Mom!" He gasped. "You're crushing me!"

Linda laughed and released her grip on Frank's tiny waist. The boy had been losing quite a lot of weight due to a lack of money, but he wouldn't let his mom know that. As long as she was happy, medicated, and had a full belly, Frank was content.

"I'm sorry!" Linda smiled. "I'm just so proud of you!"

Frank wrapped an arm around his mother and squeezed her gently. If he tried to tell you, he wouldn't be able to describe the kind of adoration and love he feels for his mother. Part of Frank is avoiding the inevitable truth that, one day, his mother will die, whether it's from the cancer or old age. Everything must come to an end.

Pretty soon, Linda packed Frank in the car along with a large bag of snacks, a resume, and a pack of gum. Frank could feel his heart pounding in his chest throughout the whole ride. There were many questions floating around in his head, the main one being "Am I even good enough?"

The skinny boy's main concern was the fact that he had many, many tattoos. He hoped that the interviewers didn't mind. It's silly, really, because Frank got his tattoos when he was young. Back then, he'd promised himself that he would never get a normal job. That's why, no matter who you were, you could recognize Frank by the little misshapen black scorpion just under his left ear. He'd saved up for that tattoo for a year, and purchased it on his eighteenth birthday. Over time, Frank racked up quite the gallery on his skin. It was something Frank was both insecure and proud of.

Finally, Linda parked her old rusty minivan in front of the tall silver building. Frank took a deep breath, stepping out of the car and grabbing his resume. The boy turned back and leaned on the open window, smiling shyly at his mother.

"Well," he began. "Here goes nothing."

Linda grinned, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I love you, baby. Good luck!"

Frank quickly jumped back and spun on his heel, lightly jogging towards the building. He heard his mother yell "Wait, Frankie! Your snacks!", but Frank only sped up. He wanted his mother to have whatever food they could get their hands on whether he was starving or not.

Frank pushed open the shiny metal revolver doors and stepped his way into the lobby. Never had he felt so important, standing in a room like this. Suddenly, Frank heard a loud "Frankie!", and he jerked up, frightened.

Linda had followed Frank into the building, proudly presenting the baggie of shitty dollar store snacks to the boy.

"You forgot your snacks.." she said again, adjusting the pink wrap that sat just over where her hair should be.

Frank smiled softly, accepting defeat, and kissing his mother on the forehead.

"Thanks, ma." He said.

An old, important looking woman stepped up to the two just then, smiling as her makeup covered face cracked at where her wrinkles were.

"Hi," she said. "Are you two here for the interview?"

Linda smiled and stepped back. "No ma'am. I'm just here to give my son some good luck."

"Very well," the old woman said. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave, and if you could please take the food with you. There's no food allowed in the building. Thank you."

Linda raised her eyebrows at Frank as the woman walked briskly away.

"Well," she giggled. "I bet you'll love this place!"

Linda placed a wet kiss on Frank's cheek then scurried out the door, waving once more.

Frank laughed, wiping at his cheek.

"Well." He thought to himself. "Here goes nothing."