I try hard not to hold my breath. I peek my head out from around the corner into the living room. My sister, Katie sits on the couch next to a strange woman. She looked familiar. She had similar facial features as my sister. Katie invites me in and to have a seat on the other part of the L shaped couch. I awkwardly walk in with my hands deep in my jacket pockets. I notice the noise of my bluejeans rubbing against each other every time I took a step. It sounded almost like a scraping noise. I took a seat on the edge of the couch cushion, ready to flee when I felt threatened. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Favain in the kitchen eating an apple. I felt like he was watching what was going on.
"Sweetheart, this is Mom," Katie says, breaking my thoughts.
I stopped. I thought my heart stopped beating as well. My mind went blank. I looked at my sister and my mother each in turn. I was speechless. This is *my* mom. The one who gave me life. The one who left me when I was sick. She came back, but why? Did she feel bad? Did she start having regret because she left me and my sister. The only children I knew of in the family.
"M-m-mom?" I stuttered.
She gives me a warm smile with misty eyes. Slowly she opens her arms open for a hug. I typically don't like physical contact with others, but she looked so upset I had to. It felt like the right thing to do. I got up and into her arms. She held me tight. I felt myself starting to tear up. I blink rapidly to try to rid of the liquid threatening to leave my eyes.
"I've missed you so much." She whispers in my ear.
Why did you leave me? Why did you leave Katie? What did we do to deserve your departure? I couldn't figure it out and I wasn't about to ruin a reunion with upsetting questions that don't need to be said out loud just yet.
"Mom is staying with us for the weekend. She wants to see how you have improved with your medicine. I told her all about your mentor at school and how you are doing well in life. Now's your chance to prove it to her." Katie announces.
I back up slowly and look at both of them. My hand twitches. I have to prove to her that my medicine helps me not to be as sick as I used to be. Can't she just see it? Why do I have to prove myself for something stupid like that?
"Okay," I lie. I honestly don't want her here if she doesn't believe my sister that I'm better. I'm not sick if I take my medicine.
I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up to see who it was. Favain, that silly goose. I smile at him. He smiles back, gesturing a reminder that my mom was still watching me. Right. I forgot about that. I look back at my mom with a smile.
"What were you looking at?" Asks my mom.
I chuckle. "Nothing.The ceiling I guess. I'm just tired. I had a long day at school today."
My mom chimes in with me. "I'm sure you did." She turns her attention back over to Katie. "So what are we having for dinner?"
Katie allows me to leave because she knew I was starting to get overwhelmingly uncomfortable. I rush to my room and close the door. I think I heaved a sigh of victory as well.