Blue Ticks

Nine: Heavy Truths

The kitchen light was already on when I quietly slipped through the back door the next morning. It was barely 6:30 a.m., but Mom was up, moving slowly around the stove on one of her better days. The smell of scrambled eggs and toast filled the small kitchen a rare, comforting sight that made my chest tighten with both love and guilt.

“Morning, sweetie,” Mom said, turning with a tired but warm smile. Her robe hung loosely on her thin frame, and the dark circles under her eyes were more pronounced than usual. “You came in pretty late last night. That party with Maya must have been a big one.”

I dropped my bag by the door and nodded, forcing a casual tone. “Yeah… the hockey team won their game, so everyone went a little crazy celebrating.”

She plated some eggs and toast, sliding the plate toward me across the worn countertop. “Sit. Eat breakfast for once. You’re always rushing out with just coffee these days, and I worry about you running on empty.”

“Mom, you don’t have to do this,” I protested softly, even as I pulled out a chair and sat down. “You should be resting.”

“I want to,” she interrupted gently, her voice soft but firm as she poured herself a cup of weak tea. “I may not be able to do much right now, but I can still make sure my daughter eats something proper before school. It’s the least I can do.”

I picked up the fork, the guilt settling heavy in my chest. The eggs were slightly overcooked around the edges, the way they always got when Mom’s hands trembled from fatigue but they tasted like home. Leo was still asleep in his room; I could hear his faint snoring carrying through the thin walls of our small house.

Mom sat across from me, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. She watched me eat for a quiet moment, the silence comfortable but loaded. Then she spoke.

“Lila… I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” She hesitated, her hazel-green eyes which are so similar to mine searching my face carefully. “The bills this month… they’re all paid. The electricity, the internet, even my last prescription refill. And we actually had money left for groceries this time.” She paused, her voice dropping. “Where is the money coming from, honey?”

My fork froze halfway to my mouth. The food suddenly felt like lead in my stomach.

I knew this conversation was coming eventually. I just didn’t expect it today, not after the late night and the whirlwind of emotions from the party.

“I’ve been… doing some extra work,” I said carefully, keeping my eyes fixed on my plate. “Photography jobs for the yearbook. Some freelance prints I’ve been selling online. Nothing major. Just enough to help out.”

Mom stayed quiet for a long moment. Too long. The clock on the wall ticked loudly in the silence.

“You’re only seventeen, Lila,” she said finally, her voice cracking with emotion. “You shouldn’t have to carry this house on your shoulders. I hate that you’re growing up so fast because of my health. If I could just get better and go back to work full time, you wouldn’t have to”

“Mom, stop.” I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. It felt thinner and more fragile than it used to. “We’re a team. You take care of Leo and me when you can. I help with the rest. That’s how it works. I don’t mind.”

She studied me, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Just promise me you’re not doing anything dangerous. Or illegal. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you because of me.”

The lie burned on my tongue like acid. “I promise.”

She didn’t look fully convinced, but she nodded anyway, squeezing my hand back. “Okay. Finish your breakfast. And maybe one day you’ll bring that boy home the one who keeps making you smile when you think I’m not looking.”

I nearly choked on my toast. “Mom!”

She let out a soft, tired laugh, the sound warming the kitchen despite the heavy conversation. “I may be sick, but I’m not blind, sweetheart. You’ve had that dreamy look in your eyes lately.”

I finished eating quickly, cheeks still burning, then stood up and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be home by dinner. Please rest today, okay? Don’t push yourself.”

“Love you, Lila.”

“Love you too.”

The conversation stayed with me the entire bike ride to school, the cold wind doing nothing to clear the weight in my chest. Mom’s worried eyes and gentle questions made my secrets feel even heavier than usual. Every lie I told her chipped away at something inside me.

By lunch, I was emotionally drained. Maya found me in the far corner of the cafeteria, practically glowing as she dropped into the seat across from me.

“Tyler asked me out on a proper date this weekend,” she announced excitedly, stealing a fry from my tray. “After that kiss at the party… I think I’m in serious trouble. He’s surprisingly sweet when he’s not being a loud jock.”

I smiled despite the heaviness inside me. “He seems really good for you. I’m happy for you, Maya.”

“He is.” She tilted her head, studying me. “You, on the other hand, look exhausted. Everything okay at home?”

“Same old stuff,” I said quietly, pushing my tray around. “Mom’s starting to ask questions about where the money is coming from. She noticed the bills are paid.”

Maya’s expression softened with genuine concern. “That sucks. What did you tell her?”

I shrugged. “Photography jobs and selling prints. She didn’t look convinced, but she let it go… for now.”

Maya nodded sympathetically. “Just be careful, okay? You’re already carrying so much. If you ever need to talk I mean really talk I’m here.”

Before I could respond, Kai appeared at the edge of our table. The memory of our intense kiss in the darkroom flashed between us the moment our eyes met. Heat rose to my cheeks.

“Hey,” he said, voice low, his attention focused only on me. “Can we talk later? After school maybe?”

I nodded, my pulse quickening at the intensity in his stormy eyes.

As he walked away, Maya whistled softly. “Yeah… you two are way past ‘just talking’ now. That tension is palpable.”

I didn’t deny it.

But every new request, every lie to Mom, and every moment I let myself get closer to Kai made me feel like the walls were closing in faster than I could handle.