“Did you have a nice couple of days with Michael?” a tired Maria asked her son after he walked into the apartment.
“Yea, I did.” he smiled at his mom, also a little tired. “You seem tired. Why don’t you rest?”
“I had planned to, but I decided to wait up for you when you didn’t answer your phone.”
Lucas checked his pocket. “Oh crap. Sorry…I didn’t have my charger and the battery died. Is everything okay?”
Maria nodded…then shook her head. Lucas frowned and sat down next to her, giving her a hug.
“What’s wrong, mamá?” he asked.
She sighed. “It’s your abuela. She’s had an accident and is having a hard time getting around.”
“What happened?”
“She fell, and broke some bones. She needs someone to take care of her.” Maria absently fanned herself with some pieces of mail.
“What about Tia Elena? Or Tio Juan?”
“No one seems to be able to contact Juan, and Elena can’t take off much more time from her work.”
“They’re asking you, aren’t they?”
She nodded. “What about your work? You have to work, mamá – you just started.”
“Mijo, they let me go.”
“How – ?”
She raises a hand to stop him. “Don’t worry about rent or bills. I’ve got settlement money from the divorce, and when we moved out David gave me enough to get by for a while. We’ll be alright.”
“When are we leaving?”
“Not we, mijo. Just me.”
“But – “
“No buts, mijo. You’re employed, and you have university coming up.”
“But mamá…”
“Mijo, please.” she said, giving him an exasperated look.
“Alright. So when do you leave?”
“In the morning.”
“Does Dave know?”
She sighed and shook her head. “Before you say anything, I want to tell you that we aren’t dating. I’m just not ready yet.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright, mijo. I just hope I didn’t hurt him too bad.”
“I think he’ll be alright, as long as you’re okay, mamá.”
She smiled at him. “Alright mijo. I’m going to get sleep. I have to get up early for my flight.”
“Nite.”
“Good night.” she said, and headed off to her bedroom. A short time later, he heard the click on her door being closed. Lucas got up and turned off lights before heading to his own room. Thus far he’d been putting off what Donovan wanted him to do. He figured he shouldn’t wait too much longer, but for now he just wanted to be alone. He closed his door, and sat down at his desk, browsing the net in the light of the desktop lamp until he started feeling tired. He was checking though email, when a message on Discord popped up.
HennyPenny: Are you even actually there anymore? 🙁
ImmaDrawNow: Ash! I’m so sorry – things have been crazy for a little while. How’s it going?
HennyPenny: Oh! Yay, you’re there! *hugs*!!
ImmaDrawNow: *hugs* So how’s it been?
Henny Penny: You go first. Summarize if you’re tired.
ImmaDrawNow: Got a boyfriend. Parents got divorced. Got a job super recently. Been spending a lot of time with bf.
HennyPenny: I knew about the bf and the parents. Grats on the job, and glad things are going great with the bf. Guess what?!
ImmaDrawNow: What?
HennyPenny: I’m coming back to your neck of the woods for school!!!!
ImmaDrawNow: I thought you wanted a good school :p Aren’t there any of those up in Canada?
HennyPenny: You wound me, Luca 🙁
ImmaDrawNow: You know I’d love to have you here, Ash.
HennyPenny: I just gotta figure out a place to stay. Do I dorm it, or rent a place? Hey! We could be roomies!! I could finally get you to play more games with me!!!
ImmaDrawNow: You still doing the gaming thing?
HennyPenny: Duh! I want to try and be a streamer, try to go big….you know it’s what I like to do.
ImmaDrawNow: I know. Why can’t you do that from there though, out of curiosity?
HennyPenny: My Aunt moved in with her brats – and believe me, they are BRATS!! I haven’t been able to game at all!! I hid all my stuff when they broke one of my controllers and destroyed a game! My aunt won’t replace it either!!
ImmaDrawNow: Holy hell. Yes, you need to get out of there soon.
HennyPenny: I can pack up and drive down whenever…I just need a place to stay. I can register for Uni when I get down there. Know anywhere I can stay?
ImmaDrawNow: I’d have to check. My mom’s going to Mexico for a while to take care of my abuela – she broke some bones, I guess. Anyway, she might let you stay here while I’m gone.
HennyPenny: That’d be great! Let me know?
ImmaDrawNow: Of course. I’ll try and catch her in the morning before she leaves.
HennyPenny: Now all that’s left is for me to get my gaming career going!
ImmaDrawNow: You have a one track mind, you know that?
HennyPenny: :p
ImmaDrawNow: I make no promises…but I might know someone willing to help out.
HennyPenny: Who?
ImmaDrawNow: My boss is an investor. It just so happens he recently asked if I knew any gamers. I can let him know about you
HennyPenny: I love you, you know that? So you’re gonna get a place with me once we can secure one. It’s settled. Bring your bf – he can live with us too.
ImmaDrawNow: One thing at a time, ok? He’s already rooming with his best friend anyway.
HennyPenny: Oh 🙁 Oh! Well, we’ll just get a bigger place 😉
ImmaDrawNow: What am I going to do about you?
HennyPenny: Nothin’. You wouldn’t anyway.
ImmaDrawNow: I thought reheads were supposed to be the crazy ones?
HennyPenny: Well…blondes have more fun 😉
ImmaDrawNow: Good night, Ash.
HennyPenny: Nite Luca! I’m gonna call by lunch tomorrow, ok? Earlier, if my cousisn start driving me batshit.
ImmaDrawNow: Fair. ttyl.
HennyPenny: Later
Lucas smiled as he turned off his monitor and got ready for bed. A conversation with Ash always made him feel better, and tonight was no exception. He flipped off the light, and climbed into bed, hoping he got some decent rest.