He goes on these tangents often. I know it’s best if I just nod in agreement and go along with whatever he wants me to do. It’s easier than dealing with an inevitable tantrum.
"Go again." Throwing his water bottle onto the ground, he gears up for my next pass down the field.
So, we do exactly that.
Over, and over, and over again.
We finished practice an hour ago, but we don’t stop until he’s had enough, throws a fit, and tosses his water bottle into the bleachers.
Collecting the ball and his face towel, he rushes off to the change rooms with me hot on his heels.
"What are you up to tonight?" I ask, trying to diffuse the situation as I prepare to rinse myself in the showers before heading home.
"Matty Maxwell is throwing that party at the farm, remember? His parents are out of town for his dad’s treatments," he replies. The Maxwells owned the only dairy farm in town, but Mr. Maxwell’s cancer is progressing rapidly, and he can no longer take care of the animals while undergoing his chemo treatment, meaning the farm is no longer functioning. "You wanna go?"
"Who’s going to be there?"
There’s only one name I want to hear.
"I think Bea and Cass will be there too," he finally says, after listing the entire student body.
"Sounds good. Mom finishes work at eight, so I’ll come past your place once she gets home." I try to seem casual about the fact that tonight might be the night I finally work up the courage to tell Cassandra Herring that I think she’s pretty, or whatever.
Yeah, let’s go with whatever.
"See you then."
Throwing his gym bag over his shoulder, he staunches out of the locker room with the party on his mind, seemingly forgetting all about his inability to catch a ball.
***
"Mom, can I take the car out tonight?" I ask the second she drags her heavy, blistered feet through the front door after her double shift at Katie’s Diner.
Sliding her shoes off one by one, she winces at the instant relief.
Her golden brown hair is in a tight bun at the nape of her neck, fly aways looking like a crown on top of her head. Her brown eyes look exhausted, bounded by dark circles, and her blue and white striped uniform is splashed with coffee and food stains.
"Sure, honey. Just don’t be too late."
Walking past, she gives me a kiss on the cheek before heading up to the shower and turning in for the night.
All my life, my mom is all I’ve ever known. My father abandoned her during pregnancy, so I never met him.
She’s played the role of both parents since day one, and there’s not a day where her hard work goes unnoticed by me.
It’s another reason I’ve set such high—almost unreachable—goals for myself. I need to give her back everything she’s given me; give her the life she deserves.
But, knowing her, she probably won’t accept a penny from me, even if I was as rich as Bill Gates.
She’s too stubborn. I’ll figure out a way, though. She didn’t raise a quitter.
Once I’m showered and ready, I pick up the keys off the counter and head out the door.
Arriving at the front of Austin’s house, I pull out my phone to text him.
Me: Out front.
Austin: k
