Human Bomb [ Might Be Teacher \ Student ]

21 Days

My mother blew out the last bit of smoke before dropping the cigarette to the ground, stomping on it. "Twenty- one days," she said, staring ahead.

I nodded, having no words in mind. What can you possibly say?

 She looked down to her boots. "It's cold for August," she commented, stating the fact for the seventh time today. I nodded. "Caleb doesn't remember him. It's sad that a son does not remember his father, even if he was a new-born when...." she trailed off, her voice becoming strangled at the end.

I nodded, looking at the golden haired boy. He was the most energetic seven years old boy I have ever seen.

"I don't remember his voice," she confessed to me, and when I turned to look at her, her brown eyes were glistening. "I don't remember his voice and it's killing me."

I wanted to offer comfort, but unlike Caleb and Mom, I was like Ryan and dad. Not good with people. We never knew how to offer comfort or what to say.

I started fiddling with my hands, instead. Letting out a deep breath I finally said what he asked me to. "When I went to visit him last time-"

"Two weeks ago?" I nodded.

"Yeah, he wanted me to say that he loves you," it pained me to utter these words for some odd reason, and I kept my eyes set on the grass. "And that he understands why you never came to visit."

"You did," she said, voice strangled once again.

"I did,"  I confirmed. "But I am different. Ryan and you are different, Ryan was a bit older-"

"Only a year, dear."

"He was older and I guess that one year made the diffrence, and he has a problem forgiving him." I took a deep breath. What I was about to say was something we didn't mention for as long as my father was in jail. "You- Dad hit you. And I guess it makes it much harder to forgive when it's you."

"I forgave him long ago," she said, her voice small. "I just didn't have the courage it took to visit him." I nodded. At the first few times I almost pissed myself. "Mackenzie, I don't know what to do."

A sob escaped her lips, and few tears escaped.

Should I hug her?

"What if he hits me again? I can take it, I really can. Just as long as you guys are safe," she said, wiping her tears and eyes glued to Caleb. "But I don't want to be able to take it, I  want to be able to call the police if I need to. I want to do what you and Ryan were able to do at eleven." I stayed silent, not correcting her. I was about to become ten. I never celebrated my tenth birthday, I realized.

"Ryan is coming back," I told her, and she finally turned to me. "I mean, he said he'll quit his job and the contract on his apartment is ending in two weeks. So he's coming back."

"That's good."

"Mommy, Max, I'm cold," my brother whined, and we turned to look at him. The family had a very clear two sides; mom and Caleb and me, Ryan and dad.

Ryan sometimes liked and sometimes hated the resmblance to dad, I liked it though, bacasue I felt like it's the only thing left between us.

Mom didn't look at the two of us much anymore.

"Wanna go home?" I asked, as I saw Mike and Tom- his best friends- walking over to their over-excited sisters. Hannah and Anna were best friends since the day they met at kindergarten and were excited to start highschool in hopes for 'cute boys', as I understood from their squeals. Honestly, almost each and every one in high- school was there at Junior- high.

 "Yes," he said, smile wide.

"Come on then," my mom said, standing up and taking his hand in hers.

"Bye Mrs. Hunter, Caleb, Max!" four voices called, and we waved goodbye to the group.

"Twenty-one days until Kurt is out of jail," mom muttered lowly, mostly to herself.

"And two days until I start senior year."

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u tell me. should it be teacher \ student?