Mater Mortis

Chapter 2: What? How?

"Honey? Honey!" a woman approached Lonardo perturbingly.
"H-huh? W-who are you?"
"Oh, dear, you've grown up really fast! W-why are you sleeping in front of a coffee shop?"
"Woah, woah, woah. Stop touching me, woman. Answer my question. Who are you?"
          "I suppose you are not telling me that just because I did not attend your birthday party."
          "What?! I don't even know you! Why would I ever invite you?!" Lonardo replied in angst—at least it's what was left from yesternight.
           "Son, I understand... you miss your father. I do, too. But... please don't throw your mother away just like that."
          "My mother? How... how did you find me?"
          "Well... I think your friends know you better than I do. They told me... that things heated up in the club—and you probably went for a coffee—or two," Carissa explained. "Well... Jericho is the only one I remember—your dearest—"
          "Enemy? Yeah, I suppose. I would not dare call that animal my friend—not after he talked shit about my father," Jericho explained furiously.

When Carissa, his mother, went to lean in for a hug, Lonardo, as a mist, was yet to be seen.

"I... I ran. I did not know what else to do. I... I was..."
"Terrified?"
"Yeah. I could say that... I mean, I had lots, lots of questions!"
"Hm," Julie somewhat understood.
"Anyway, Julie, I really don't want to talk about it now. But... it was kind of you to listen to some trash."
          "Ha, it's nothing, really. I'm used to it..."
          "Uh... do you mind if I go?" Jericho asked Julie chivalrously. "I've got lots to do at home..."
          "Oh. I see... Sure! Off you go, baby."
          "Don't worry about the bill—I've got it covered... So, I'll see you then?"

As the skies are constantly up there, so was Julie there for Lonardo. Julie gave off her most precious smile as Lonardo bid goodbye.

While Lonardo walked his way home, he saw a woman standing outside his apartment.

"Hey! Hey! What are you doing?!"
"Locking up your apartment, sir," Ms. Beckley, the landlady said in mockery. "Pay up, or I'll be forced to cast you out."
"Alright, alright! Uh... I, I... only have ten bucks. You see, I don't work..."
"Then fucking work! What the bloody fuck am I gonna do with ten goddamn bucks?!"

No place to stay, no work, no fucking money to at least enroll myself in an institution, no parents... guess I'm gonna sleep in these streets tonight—hoping someone would give me home.

Whilst having conversations, contemplations, and loathings with himself, a woman came up to him—offering him home. He barely got a choice, so he went.

"So you say you're my mother," Lonardo, at least, is trying to figure everything out.
"Uh-huh," Carissa nodded. "Come on now, stop with the questions. Enjoy your breakfast."
"But... I have a lot to ask."
"Get dressed. I'll show you something more interesting," Carissa neglected.