Painting

Chapter 5

I sit on my couch and I open up my book. I try to read but my thoughts wonder about the guys. I remember yesterday, Victor said "You're not the only one who needed comfort". Why would he need comfort? What happened? Would it be appropriate if texted him? As I'm thinking, I hear my phone ringing. It's my mom, she wants to Facetime. I look in the mirror. I don't look terrible.

I remember when I was with Teddy, my hair used to be such a mess. One day, calls began to be more frequent, she would call me everyday. I think she suspected something was wrong. At the end of every call, she would ask me at least 6 times, if I was okay. Maybe I should have just told her. Maybe it would have been better for me.

I respond to the call and I see my mom with a great tan.

-Hi sweetie!

-Hi mom! How are you?

-I'm great, I'm telling you, your dad and I are having the time of our lives! Speaking of your dad, he wants to talk to you.

My dad gets in front of the camera, he has a lighter tan, but still a tan.

-Hi June! How are you?

-I'm great, thanks for asking. Where are you guys?

-We're in South Africa!

-Wow! So you're really making a trip around the world!

-Yes, we try to get at least one time on each continent. Hey, can I ask you a favor?

-Yes, anything.

-Can you tell your mom, she should wear more sunscreen?

-I'll try to, but you know mom.

-Yes, right, she wants her phone back. Bye Sweetie!

-Bye dad!

My mom gets back in front of the camera and she sits down.

-How are you? You look good.

-Yeah? Why?

- I don't know, you look happy and shiny.

-Shiny?

-Yes, shiny, I know it's weird.

-Well, my boyfriend and I broke up.

-Oh, you broke up with Teddy?

-Actually, he broke up with me...

-Good or bad thing?

-Both, but it's more good...

-Why?

-I met new people... I made new friends.

-June! Wow! I'm so happy for you! What are their names?

-Victor and Tyler.

-They're nice? They treat you right?

-Yes they do and they're funny too.

-That's so great! We'll talk later, okay? The expedition is about to start... We'll be back in... I don't know how many days. I'll come see you.

-It's okay, that's great for me. Have a nice trip, Mom! You should wear more sunscreen though...

-Did your dad told you to tell me that?

-Yes, he did! Bye Mom!

-Bye!

She hangs up and I get up. I go get my grocery bag and my wallet. I put my winter coat on. I head to the store, thinking about what my mom said and about Victor. Why would he need comfort? I walk down three blocks and I go in the grocery store. I buy a lot of fruits and the essentials. I stop in the chips section. I put a bag in my basket. So crinkly. I go to the cash register and I head out with my grocery bag. I notice a black truck following me. In the movies, it's never a good thing when you see a truck following you. Maybe they want to kidnap me or worst... It's slowing down and the driver lower his window. Victor gets his head out and says:

-Hey! You want a ride?

-What tells me you're not going to kidnap me?

I say that with a smile.

-You'll just have to trust us and come on it's cold.

Tyler says that while getting his head out of the car.

-Ok.

I open the back seat door and I sit down. Tyler looks at me.

-You're going home?

-Yes.

It's my chance to ask them about the environment.

-So you guys care about the planet?

Victor looks at me through his mirror and says:

-Yes, in my opinion, everyone should do their best to help reduce the greenhouse gas. We bought an electric car, because we could.

-That's good.

The sound system is playing some Beatles's songs. Real Love comes on. I think about my own playlist. That playlist I couldn't listen to, when Teddy was around. I ask myself, what is real love? Is real love, something that actually exists? Just a fantasy? Can love make you go as far as keeping someone in your apartment for a couple of days? Is it suppose to hurt? When does it end? Does it ever end? I look outside, at the buildings.

The Taj Mahal is a white marble palace, it was built by an emperor who's lost his wife. In her memory. Love can make you go as far as that.

So what is real love?