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Me: I’ll meet you at Dixie’s Thursday.
Dixie’s is this coffee slash bar place around campus. I really shouldn’t be around alcohol, but I can get a coffee or something. I’m not weak, I can control my drinking, unlike what everyone seems to think. The alcohol helped me. Yes, I became reckless with it, but I’m not an alcoholic, and I’m not an addict of any kind. But, fuck it, I don’t have the time to argue with them. The only thing my parents let me do is smoke weed, but only because Oliver said it would help me. I’m only allowed to smoke a certain strain, no off the street shit for me, and even that, I barely smoke anymore. Only when I’m having a bad night and can’t sleep, but that’s getting better.
My phone vibrates in my hand, scaring the shit out of me.
Cameron: Hell Yeah, about time bro.
Yeah, it’s about time. Jackson would want that for me. That’s what my shrink tells me, at least.
Instead of responding back, I call my mom. I haven’t spoken to her in a few days, and I know she worries but she tries to give me space.
The phone doesn’t even ring once before her smooth voice comes on the line. “Hey baby boy.”
I don’t correct her like I usually do, she’ll just tell me I’ll always be her baby.
“Hey, mom.” I smile. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, you can always come visit us and see for yourself, we’re only an hour away.” Mom tsks, I know I need to visit, but it’s hard. Jackson’s parents still live next door and a visit to my parents might mean I would run into them. I haven’t been able to look the Emmitt’s in the eye for a long time.
My smile fades. “I know, Ma. I will soon, promise.” We both know I won’t come, but we play this game every time.
She sighs. ”How are you, Cuba? How is the tutor?”
Bliss flashes in my mind. “I’m good and she’s great.”
“She?” Her voice hitches. “I thought we asked for a guy?”
“It’s fine, she has no idea who I am, and I can tell she can give two shits.”
“Language,” Mom snaps, but then her voice goes soft. “So, she’s a nice girl?”
That’s my mom’s way of asking if she is a loose girl. “Yes, she’s a very nice girl. Don’t worry, I’m nowhere on her radar.”
She seems to be happy about that and doesn’t ask any more questions. We talk for twenty minutes, before I tell her I’m going to bed.
One day I’m going to go home and face Jackson’s parents.
