It's nearly midnight when I go to leave the park. My leather car seats are cold from sitting in the elements. It's a ten-minute drive back to my house from here. It's a five-minute drive for Lena. I wonder if she's home by now. Is she asleep already? I answer my own question as I drive past the school.
I pull over out of site just to watch for a minute. I watch her run her last lap and grab her things and get in her car. She backs out of the parking lot and drives away.
Why does she run so much? Why did she run immediately after leaving my house? Is she okay after talking about her childhood? She comes off as not caring about a thing. Not even caring if she has a friend or not. She could go and talk to anyone and they would probably accept her. She's kind and gets along with everyone she gets partnered with. Yet she never makes a move to not be alone.
The front porch lights are on when I pull up to the house. I get out and walk through the front door.
"I hope you had fun." Mum calls from her chair at the end of the upstairs hall.
"I did thank you for asking." I call back without wanting to deal with this tonight.
"Oh, your welcome." She stands up and starts walking towards me. "You remind me of your father so much I often forget that you're not him. It's a shame really, that he's not here to see you all grown up. You two loved each other more than anyone I've ever seen. Too bad he ran off and started another family without you in it."
"Really? This again? Why is it every time that I go out with friends you bring up the whole ordeal with dad. Yes, I loved him more than anyone else. Yes, I miss him and partially hate him for leaving but it isn't my fault. I think you just blame me because it's easier than seeing yourself as the problem."
"You know nothing!" She exclaims. "Your father couldn't handle the fact that I am the money maker in this family. He couldn't live with the fact that his son was weak. He couldn't stand to be standing idle in the corner while I got the attention. He was weak. We are stronger without him. Don't you see? We don't need him."
"You may not need him mum," I say stepping back from her towards my door, "but a son always needs his father."
I step inside my room.
She lets me go.