After i had eaten a quick breakfast i checked the camera to make sure my mom was home. She was passed out on the couch. But i needed to know she was okay.  I still wasn't really okay with leaving for New Mexico but i knew i had a job and i needed to help my now family.

          I rang the doorbell sliding my phone into my pocket. She answered a few minutes later a little groggy. "Baby, are you okay?" She asked holding onto the frame of the door. "Yea, i'm fine how are you?" I asked trying to come off like i didn't know a thing. "Oh i'm just tired, i didn't sleep well last night." She said opening the door for me to come in.

          "Can i make you some breakfast?" She asked. "No thank you, i already ate." I never remembered my mom cooking, ever. I always had cereal or sandwiches something easy i could fix myself. That was back when my mom at least went to the store. As we got older she didn't go because she didn't have too.

          "Let me at least make some coffee." She said. "That would be great." i said. I jiggled my foot trying to be patient and not just shouting out. 'i know what you did last night!!' She brought over two mugs of coffee. I added some milk and sugar and took a sip. I don't know why i was so surprised it tasted like coffee. Years of seeing the negative side of things i guess.

           "So why didn't you sleep well last night, is everything okay?" I asked. Her eyes grew wide. "No, i mean. Yes, i mean. I don't know." She hung her head. "I didn't relapse if that's what your'e thinking, but of course you are." She said. I held my hand up. "I've seen you high every day of my life. You look sleep deprived not high. That's why i'm asking if you are okay." I said.

           She let out a sigh of relief. "Good, well. Last night one of my male companions came over. But you know we talked about changing things and not having them over. So i told him to leave and he wouldn't go. So i called the cops. He broke my phone. He kicked me and then i tried to stop him before he did it again and he fell. His head hit the coffee table and he...he died." She said her voice trembling. 

          I reached out and placed my hand on top of hers. "Hey we can clean the carpet, we can get you another phone whatever. I just want to make sure you are okay." I said. "No, i'm not. I used to use drugs to escape the things i couldn't fix. Now i can't do anything. All i can do is sit there and relive the whole thing."  She said wiping her nose. "See that's your problem. You are looking at the bad things. You aren't looking at how to move on. Don't worry about what happened think of how to move on." I said. "I don't know how." She sighed.

          "Well you worry about work and your licence. Don't focus on what you can change and how to ignore it. Your whole life you used drugs so maybe you should keep seeing a therapist." I said. "You think?" She asked. "Yea go tell somebody what you tried to hide. Tell them what you did on accident they will help you work through it." I said. "You're right, i'm gonna make some calls." She said. "Good, so speaking of work. The new job i got needs me to do some training in New Mexico." I said. "Oh that's far." She said.

          "I know and if you aren't okay, i won't go just say the word." I said. "That's ridiculous. I'm the adult here. I know i haven't always acted like it but i can take care of myself. And you need to do what you need to do. I already told you i would start talking to somebody." She said. "Fine, but if you need me to come home you'll call me?" I asked. "Sure." "Okay good i'll get a friend to get you a new phone." I said.

          Once i got home i found Liam in his office. "Hey, um i need a phone for my mom." I said taking a seat across from him. He reached up on the shelf behind him. "What kind did she have?" He asked. "Iphone." He pulled one down and took it out of the box. "What happened to her old phone?" He asked. I told him about what had happened the night before.

          "Oh no! Is she okay?" He asked. "She seemed okay but you know it's hard to tell. I think she feels guilty about not being a great parent growing up. She knows were going to New Mexico. So maybe she's just putting on a brave face. And it would kill me if i knew she was lying and had a relapse." I said. "I know, but i guess at some point you just have to trust he." He said. I laughed bitterly. "I wished i could but my mom has been this way since i can remember! It's hard seeing her any other way. And i mean she seems okay but it's hard to tell."

          "I get that. What's her number?" He asked. I told him and he put it into the program he had running. "She has no itunes back up. But i got the phone turned on. Here ya go." He said handing it to me. "That was fast." I said. "yea it's the same thing the cell phone company would've done i just did it for them." He smiled. "Well thank you i'll drop this off and get home to make some lunch." I said. "I'm starving, sounds great." He said.

Once i had gotten back from mom's again i was digging in the fridge deciding what to cook when i heard the front door slam shut. I turned around to see Jake coming in. He quickly hid something behind his back. "Jake...what's that?" I asked. "N-nothing...i have to uh go..." He said. "Jake, why are you always trying to keep stuff from me? I thought you liked me." I said sighing. "No don't do that. I do it's just...ugh fine here." He walked up to me and handed me what he was hiding.

"You graduated from the academy?! Why didn't you tell us?? We would've gone!" I said. "I know, it's just everybody is so busy and i didn't want to be a bother." "Hey you're not a bother, we love you and want to support you."I said. "Thank you." He said. "Okay two things then. Can i put this on the mantel next to Ryder and Ethan's diplomas? And can i make you a celebratory meal?" I asked. "Sure." He said. I framed the photo and added it next to the others. "Okay now what can i cook you?" I asked.

"How about that delicious soup you made, some steaks, baked potatoes and salad?" He asked. "Can do." I said. "You want to throw the steaks on the grill for me?" I asked. "Sure thing just let me know when they're ready." He said walking out of the room.

Once the steaks were cooking and the baked potatoes where in the oven i started the soup. "Hey babe, need any help?" Ryder asked coming into the kitchen. "Oh yes. Can you put a plate and two bowls at each spot? Then add a cup and a fork and spoon. Then when you're done wash some lettuce and put it in each bowl?" I asked. "Sure thing!" He said getting to work. "What's with all the food?" He asked. "Jake graduated the academy." I said. "What? Why didn't he tell us?" He asked. "Because he thought he was doing a favor because were busy." I shrugged. "Well i hate that, i'm glad were at least celebrating." He said. "Me too." I nodded stirring the soup.