~*~

I plopped down into the prisoner-esque desk chair that sat in front of her desk, feeling remorse nipping at my insides. I’d never spoken to my mom like that before. I felt tired, more tired than I’d ever been in my whole life. I looked up to see tears in my mom’s eyes, making everything a thousand times worse.

“Mom, don’t cry,” I murmured hoarsely. She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue and shook her head violently.

“I’m not crying!”

I sighed. “Ok, you’re not crying. Look, I’m sorry alright. This whole week has been crap. I’m just...tired of everything. Everything changes, every single day. Holy crap. I was in a fight today, and got busted by my mom, the principal!” I laughed out loud. She looked surprised, then relieved. We both suddenly couldn’t stop laughing. Tears poured out of her eyes, and I couldn’t tell if she was still crying or just giggling so hard it made her eyes water. Whatever it was, it seemed to fix that awful pain that had been riding in my chest a few moments earlier. I

When I finally got a grip I asked, “So am I busted or what?”

She smiled, “No, Mr. Hunter, I guess I’ll let you off with a warning this time.” And winked.

I smiled a half-smirk-half-grimace that said I’m sorry in a thousand different ways. Her eyes crinkled at the corners in a way that said, “I’m sorry too.”

I knew what she meant, but doubt was still seeping in through the holes in my heart. I got up to go, but she said, “Wait, one more thing Nathan.” And I turned.