Color

five

My shoulder is still aching. My mother insists on taking me to the on campus medical center.

I've convinced her to let it steady. It will surely wear off by a weeks time. It must be all the walking we've been doing.

Today we visited the mathematics building. It was bland. Although one professor really stood out.

An old man, he was. The typical loss of hair, and an excessive grey, almost white beard.

He was kind, but authoritative. A perfect mixture for a great teacher. A sweet old man.

He had told me about the classes he teaches. We were ecstatic to find he had a prep hour at the time we were visiting.

But not all were as appreciated as Professor Maclan.

There was a wide range of math teachers. Some older, and bitter, few young, and irritated with their choice of occupation. I even met a sweet old lady who was too kind for her own good.

Her name was Helen. She did not give out her second name.

She taught calculus. I didn't intend on taking that course, but she has me thinking about it. She seems to handle her classes well. I might give it a shot.

We had left the math building a short while ago. We headed to a restaurant nearby. It's a seafood place, and my father read great reviews on it.

"You really liked that man." I look at my father quizzically. "The professor. You liked him?"

"Oh." I remember. "Yes. Yes I did. He wasn't too formal, nor too loose. He seems a fitting teacher."

My father smiles. "Good. I'm glad you like him. Perhaps you'll enroll into one of his classes in the fall." He takes a bite into his salad.

I wish my mother could have come. I've began to miss her.

The soft musical number preformed live hums softly in the background. "Lovely place, isn't it?" My father asks me.

"Yes. Quite fancy, though, isn't it?"

"A bit, yes. Nothing we can't handle." He offers me a sweet smile.

"I wish mom could've made it. I hope she feels better soon." I coo.

I push away my plate, as I'm done. That shrimp Alfredo was incredible. I wish I could have finished.

"I have missed her as well. It is quiet without her contradicting me." A fond smile crosses his face.

"How is she doing? I will have to visit her before I sleep."

"Her throat is so sore. Poor woman. I will have the taxi bring us to a pharmacy to pick up some antibiotics." He runs his palms over his knees. It's unnerving to see him so worried.

I nod. "Are you done? I would like to get back to the hotel at a reasonable hour."

"Yes, let's head out now." He wipes his mouth with his crisp white napkin.

△ △ △ △ △ △

"Oh my. She's that sick?" Jordan says over the phone.

"Yes. I am very worried for her." I sigh. "When I went to my parents hotel room, she was sickly looking. She was not herself. I'm not sure they will stay much longer. It must have been something she ate."

"Hows the college life?" She asks. "Anything exciting happening to my bland girl?"

I twist the bed sheets between my fingertips. "Good, I met a friend. I don't know. I guess you wouldn't call him a friend. He worked the desk at the aquarium. His name is Louis."

She gasps. "You guys didn't.. Like, get involved right? The government will have you taken away faster than he can touch you, Willow. Be smart!"

"Oh god, no! It was friendly. He was very nice to me and my family. He asked for my name is all. It was innocent. I promise."

"You had me so worried, Willow. Be careful. Innocence can look deceiving to those not involved." She reminds me.

"I know." I say my goodnight, and lock my phone.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but in some way, I wish my parents would leave. If they did leave early, it would be because of my mothers illness. And that's not a reason why I would want their absence.

△ △ △ △ △ △

"Are you sure you will be alright alone?" My father asks. He helps my mother into the car while I carry the luggage to the trunk of the taxi cab.

"You have your laptop and phone?" My mother croaks.

I shush her, and coo, "Don't worry about it mom. But yes, I do have both. I'll contact you both daily. I promise."

"We will miss you terribly. Almost three weeks without you!" My father becomes emotional.

"Oh quit your blubbering. I will be back sooner than you know." I laugh.

I walk around the car to my mothers side, where the door is open.

"We will miss you so much, Will. It will be so off putting to know you're not in distance."

My father opens his arms, and I gladly fall into them. He squeezes me tight, and rubs my back soothingly.

"Goodbye, love."

I kiss two fingers and wave them to my mother, smiling at her. She looks to be in so much pain. I frown.

"Goodbye. I love you both so much!" I shout, as my father gathers himself, and steps into the car.

"Goodbye, honey. We'll miss you!" My mother shouts. It sounds scratchy, not warm like it is per usual.

"We have left the money packed away in your luggage. Call us if you need anything, or if you want to come home. We will have something arranged." My father speaks solemnly.

"I've told you, father. I will be fine here. I will need time to adjust to the new environment. I have you on speed dial."

My father shuts the door to the cab, and I'm slightly saddened at their departure.

I wave as the car disappears into the distance with my parents leaving with it.

Almost three whole weeks of college to myself. What will I ever do?