The Secrets of Smosh (Maricorn)

Chapter 23 David

It was Christmas Day. I went straight for Mari's present first. Inside, I found $3,000 dollars rolled up inside.

"I can pretty much guess that you are pissed right now. Don't be. There isn't a cent from my family in here. I earned it all myself. You're going on this trip with me. I love you so much! Merry Christmas!"
-Mari

I can't believe it. She would do anything to get her way. I smiled to myself. I don't think my grandparents would approve of the gift, but what they don't know won't kill them. I just need to convince them to get me the remaining $1000, shouldn't be that hard. I eagerly anticipated the incoming year of 2016.

April 2016
"Are you all packed?" my grandma pestered. "Yes," I replied. "Underwear, deodorant-" "Oh my god, I have everything mom," I answered. I paused. She looked at me compassionately, and then walked out to give me some space. I had reverted back to my old habits. This woman was not my mother, nor would she ever replace Ella, I meant my mom. I have to see her.

At the local correctional facility, I asked for Ella. An extremely young woman in an orange jumpsuit came out. She locked her eyes onto mine. She broke away from the officers grasp. "Oh Davy, is that really you? I've missed you so much!" She wrapped her arms around me and I silently cried into her shoulder. An officer came and tore us apart. "No touching," he ordered. Filled with emotion from seeing Ella, I stood up and faced the cop. "Fuck you. I haven't seen my mother in 13 years, who the hell do you think you are?" I told him off. Ella stood up, "what did you just say? You know?" She questioned me. "Yeah, that's why I had to come. I've missed you so much," I professed to her. "So I'm assuming you did the math and everything," she asked. I actually haven't, I didn't even think about it once to be honest. It completely spaced my mind. "You look a little lost Davy," she snickered. "I was 13 years old when I had you, I'll save you the trouble of figuring it out. That man I was protecting you from was your father, he had raped me when I was younger. I'm so sorry I haven't been there to watch you grow up," she started crying. "Ella, it's ok," I assured her. "It's not! It's not ok! I can't even tell you what possessed me to do that that day. Also one more thing, call me mom." These last words finally brought a smile to her complexion. I had her eyes.

Later that day nearing dusk, I went and picked up Mari and we drove to the airport. We met up with the 8 other kids who signed up to go. Matthew Sohinki, Anthony Padilla, Josh Ovenshire, Kalel Cullen, Melanie Moat, Wes Foster, Ian Hecox and Flitz. The last kid claimed he didn't have a last name, just to call him Flitz. Keep Portland wierd. (Look that up, I'm serious, do it.) So these are the people I'd be spending the next 3 weeks with. People I've never seen before or have seen them walk by in school. At least I have David. And Flitz.

The railing that surrounded our gate in the airport was really interesting. On every section of the clear railing, there was a little golden mold that conformed to the shape of a hand resting on it. If you put your hand on it, the whole railing clouded over. That's freaking cool. Mari was impressed with it too, I could it on her face.

You know those things that are like flat escalators? That make you look like the vampires from Twilight when you walk on them? Anthony and Ian got on those, squatted down and started rotating their arms, making train noises. I walked in embarrassment for them. Mari couldn't keep it together.

Once we were on the plane, Mari didn't look so hot. She looked super pale. When the plane was taking off, she ran to the bathroom. She didn't come back for a while. When she did, she looked even more frail than she had for the last few months. Her face had been sunken in over the weeks and overall, had gotten considerably paler looking. God I was getting worried, maybe we should've stayed home. I mean, she looks like she's on the verge of death. Like something is sucking the life out of her. She sat down and laid her head on my lap. I stroked her silky, black hair and she slowly fell asleep.