From time to time, Mom wishes I never left home. This is yet have another phone conversation about my absence.
"I just saw you for Christmas. Remember?" I ask.
"You were home for two days," Mom says.
"I told you Tash got me a job at the restaurant, so I can make extra money. I had to come back," I reply.
"Oliver is your brother and he misses you," Mom says on the other end of the line.
"Oliver said that?" I ask.
"No but we talk about you and he wonders where you are," she explains.
"Tell him I'm at school. It's the truth," I say.
"You never get to see him," she adds.
"I know. I live hours away, what do you want me to do?" I ask annoyed that this is even an issue.
"Are you planning on being here for his birthday?" she asks.
"Of course, I wouldn't miss it," I answer.
"I would like my children to be close Amelia," Mom tells me.
"Then maybe you shouldn't have waited until I was a senior in high school to give me a sibling," I respond.
"That is not fair Amelia," she sounds hurt.
"I call and video chat you all. I don't know what you want from me. Do you want me at home or do you want me at school? I thought that decision was pretty obvious," I respond.
"I want you present in his life. That's all," she says.
"I wish I could be. Unfortunately, it's only when my schedule allows it. Look, Oliver will always be my brother and I will always be his sister. The distance is not ideal, but we do have a relationship."
"Will you be bringing Gabriel?" Mom asks.
"Why would I do that?" I respond.
"Excuse me for wanting to know who my daughter is seeing."
"You know. I showed you a picture," I remind her.
"I would like to meet him Amelia," she replies.
"Gabriel works on the weekends Mom."
"Can he switch a shift or ask for a day off?" she continues.
"Gabe doesn't take off days to go see his own family," I say.
"And you don't find that odd?" Mom questions.
"He has a good work ethic," I say.
"Well, do what you can to bring him. If anything, I'm more worried about you now that I have no ideas what this guy's priorities are," she tells me.
"I will think about asking him okay? That's the best I can do," I say.
YOU ARE READING
Flashcards On The Wall
RomanceA girl who doesn't let anyone in. A guy who lives every day for himself. An inexplicable attraction. Hi all! Some of the topics touched on in this story include LGBTQ, loss of loved ones/death, sexual assault, thoughts of self harm/suicide. Some o...
