Page 13 of I Wish You All the Best

But I just don’t feel like talking. Not right now. Thomas probably thinks I’m some asshole. He takes me in, gets me into a new school the day after my parents kick me out, and here I am, ignoring him.

Maybe Hannah is right. Maybe I do need counseling. I just feel so … drained.

By the time we make it back to their house, Hannah is gone, her spot in the garage empty. “I’m going to work on some lesson plans. You can relax in the living room or do whatever. There’s food in the kitchen if you get hungry. Nothing’s off-limits, so don’t hesitate.” Thomas drops his keys in a bowl by the door.

I retrace my steps back into the living room and take the same seat on the couch as before, pulling out the laptop. A few seconds after booting it up, the notifications start going wild. It’s Mariam.

Mariam: Benji???? What’s up???

Mariam: Don’t go ignoring me kiddo, don’t tell me you got your phone taken away again???

Mariam: Helloooooooo?

Mariam: Is everything okay Benji?

Mariam: B E N J A M I N????

That’s Mariam for you.

Me: Hey

I figure out the time zones between North Carolina and California in my head; at three hours behind they’ll probably be getting out of bed by now. Mariam is a total night owl, which usually means they are up by ten at the earliest.

Mariam: How we doing today???

Me: Not good.

I consider lying to Mariam, no reason to make them worry. But they’d figure it out one way or the other. If not now, then the next time we FaceTime and they don’t recognize my new bedroom.

Mariam: Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?

Me: I came out to my mom and dad.

Mariam: Oh no…

Me: They kicked me out

Me: I’m with my sister now

Mariam: Fuck…

Mariam: The sister that your parents hate?

Me: The very one.

Mariam: Ben, I’m so sorry, I don’t even know what to say.

Mariam: So what’s the plan?

Me: I have no clue. I got enrolled in this other school, but other than that…

Me: Just trying to figure things out, get going again.

Mariam: Oh Ben… I feel so useless. I wish I knew what to say to you right now.

Me: It’s fine, there’s really nothing you can do.

Mariam: No, it’s not fine. I’m so… angry, sad.