The laugh that escapes me is louder than I intend it to be. Every little detail I share with him makes me feel lighter inside. Like there’s a stack of textbooks on my back, pinning me to the ground and he’s lifting them off me, one at a time.
Me
Okay…fine.
My mom used to be a firefighter
She injured her back on the job a year and a half ago and was granted long-term disability
But the pills she had to take for pain management became a problem. She got addicted to them, and she’s had a really hard time ever since. She’s just not herself anymore.
She doesn’t even want to take them anymore
Zayne
So if she’s not in rehab, where is she?
Me
Her sister is a drug rehabilitation counselor. She’s letting my mom stay with her in upstate New York.
This way, she can call us and visit more. I miss her a lot.
I used to be homeschooled before I moved here, you know.
Zayne
Really? What was that like?
Me
It was nice being with my dad, and I got ahead academically, but it got lonely. I was the outsider among everyone else my age, which sucked
Zayne
Is that why you moved?
Me
No. My dad had to go back to work when it was clear my mom couldn’t return to her career any time soon, and Boston had the best pay. He also works part-time as a food delivery driver to pay for Fallbrook, so I’ll still have an attractive college application.
Zayne
Wow.
That’s really nice of him.
I swallow the knot in my throat. Thinking about everything Dad does to keep this family thriving makes me emotional sometimes. But worse is the feeling of possibly letting him down.I wipe my eyes and scoot lower into my bed to pull the covers higher.
Me
Can I tell you a secret?
Zayne
I’m all ears.
Me
