College Boy

5

  Days went passing by actually so much faster than how I thought. I found a work also at a movie theater where I spent my evenings after working morning shifts in the ice cream shop.

Me, Nick and Tom definitely made the best team!

This morning I arrived at the shop earlier that usual, because Nick had woken me up with a text saying "EMERGENCY! Come here fast." I already knew that they have something in mind because the day before they kept glancing to each other and whisper when they though that I wasn't listening.

On the other hand, the fact that my mother made me breakfast again and left the house earlier than me got me a lot more worried, though. I tried to get it out of my head, while I was heading to the shop.

Once I entered, lots of colorful confetti flew into my face.

"What the heck?!" I shouted but that obviously was an awful idea because most of them now was in my mouth, so I had to cough. A lot!

I heard how Nick and Tom were laughing like crazy in the corner.

"Not funny guys." I said still coughing.

Once I looked at them, they both had tears in their eyes, and just like that my anger was all gone.

"Oh, please don't cry! We'll facetime, you guys." I laughed but my voice kind of cracked.

"You give the best hugs in this entire universe, seeing just your face won't be enough." My gay friend sniffed.

"And I will never find this good worker. You always know how to cheer me and everyone else up. This year that we all spent together, you two became like my own children." Tears ran down Tom's cheeks without stopping.

"I'll miss you so much." I whispered as I was hugging them both tightly.

"But facetime us everyday, though!" Nick said and right after, gasped for some air.

"You silly, how bout every week?" I laughed and finally let them both go.

"Alrighty, let's rock this day and make it unforgettable." Tom clapped his hands and we started our last day together.

It was almost dark when I finally left the ice cream shop after very long goodbyes.

Goodbyes suck!

All of a sudden, I was scared. Terrified almost. It was like a sudden wave of panic flowing through my whole body eating me from the inside.

What if there's not a place in this universe where I could be truly happy?

The fact that I haven't even heard from Linda this whole week wasn't really helping.

My own thoughts were nearly killing me.

Once I finally entered my house, I instantly felt a food's smell and there was even a quiet music from the TV. Surprisingly my mind eased up a little. My own mother was humming to the song. It was Ed Sheeran, I believe. That's new!

I took of my converses and kicked them away. Looked like they had been cut open, drowned and eaten by a dog.

When I was about to go to my room, I heard my mother's voice, calling me.

"Will you please join me, sweetheart?" Her voice was steady and kind.

I almost choked with my own saliva.

"Um, sure." I answered and started my way to the kitchen. After all, this was our last evening together for a long time. I don't want to believe that I won't see her anymore at all because no matter what, she's my mother but year is still such a long time. A lot can change in a year.

In the kitchen music was louder and I was right about Ed Sheeran. On the table were two plates and glasses with some dark red liquor. It made me confused. I was ready to start yelling about how she thinks that it's a good idea to get me wasted on our last day together.

"It's non alcoholic." My mother smiled, once she saw my concerned look.

"I quit drinking last week." She said and I finally looked at her. She was wearing a simple dress and a little bit of makeup. Her face was covered with a big and wide smile and she looked so beautiful.

My mother looked alive!

"Wow, that's so great, mom. Really!" I exclaimed and smiled as well. She cleared her throat and looked away.

Then it hit me that I just called her mom. To be honest, I can't remember the last time I did that.

"Are you hungry?" She asked and I nodded. Actually, I was starving and it smelled really delicious.

"Um, I made lasagna. I thought, since you're leaving, I should make something special. Do you remember when?" Her face was dreamy and memories hit me like a train.

"How we used to cook it every Wednesday. And , and how dad never wanted tomatoes but we both loved it. Of course, I remember." I whispered and felt how tears are burning my eyes.

Lasagna Wednesdays were my favorite days when I was a kid. That's the only time we all came together and sometimes actually had a great time!

"Half side is with tomatoes and half is not." She sniffed and wiped her tears away.

"I wish dad could be with us and experience how our daughter is grown into such a beautiful and strong young woman. He would be so proud of you." When we both sat down with our hot and steamy plates, she said and my heart ached.

This is my mom telling me this!

After all these years that she spent suffering and pretending like she hated me, she was finally showing her emotions, that she had been hiding.

She was finally a mom that I never really had. And I was leaving tomorrow.

We both started to eat in silence. Lasagna was almost as good as how I remember it.

"I also got a job. Can you believe, some lady was looking for lawyers for her firm and she thought that I'm perfect, even after all these years of sitting home. She said I have sharp thinking or something like that!" My mom's face lit up and I could see that she was really enjoying this moment.

I loved to see her like this.

"I am so proud of you. You're finally starting to live. For yourself!" I whispered to her.

"You leaving made me realise that I have to do something with my life again. I'm just so sorry that you had to leave for me to realise that. So so sorry! Sorry that I wasn't a friend and most importantly, a mother to you this whole time." seemed like her voice got stuck somewhere in her throat, because it was hard for her to talk.

"Right now, mom, you're all I ever wanted you to be." I said, and without much thinking, got up and hugged her.

***

My hot and calming bath got disturbed by my phone, which started to ring from my room. I groaned but got up. Once I saw the name on the display, I wanted to start to jump around.

"Good evening, my love." Linda's voice sounded like music to my ears.

"Just when I almost lost my mind by thinking of all the things that could go wrong." I laughed.

"Oh, there's no need to worry. Actually, this is exactly why I'm calling you now, to make sure that there's no way of you backing off. And trust me, all together we're gonna spend the best year of our lives!" Her words completely calmed me.

"I can't wait!" I exclaimed on the phone before I hung up.