Between the Asymptote

Summer vacation was coming to an end. The fun had started to narrow down for all the students who’ve had a blast in the two months where there were no homework and recitations to pass or to prepare for. Most have already come home, and most have braced themselves for the worst that could happen on being a college student. I had not gone to vacation during the summer break, since I reviewed the last notes I had and had to strategize my routine every day. “Hey Clyde! Give me a hand here!” Amir said in urgency, and yes that’s me. Clyde B. Grayson, an upcoming sophomore student in the small coastal town of Yorkfield, and Amir. Amir migrated with his family from India to America three years ago. We attend the same college, on the same level, and the same degree. You can say we’re friends, but friends are hard to name when you’re at the age of 20. I could say he’s a good friend though, only if you treat him right. “Clyde!” He said once more on a higher tone. “Yeah I’m coming” I replied as I plucked the earphones out of my ear and stood up from the stool where I was sitting on in the storage room. Amir and I worked part-time in a mini mart to save up for the opening and to have allowance for the class days. Not to mention we both had apartment rooms to pay by the end of the month. The shop wasn’t in luck for bulk customers. There were more flies coming in and out than the locals in town. We’d be lucky if we reached thirty customers a day, but that was far from reality at the moment. I came out of the door from the back of the store and found him carrying three boxes of canned soda. “How many times do I have to call you dude?” He said behind the box that rested on his face. He barely managed to speak with the weight of the boxes he carried that was completely disproportion to his height. I had to let out a little smile on my face. “Now you have time to smile at me” He said as he moved to the door where I came from, struggling to walk. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you the first time.” I answered. “You always never hear me the first time Clyde, never. Go and pick up the rest of the boxes” He said from behind the walls of the storage room. I came to the entrance of the store where the remaining boxes were and carried them inside. He had to sit down and breathe for a while. “We still got three years in college” He said, staring blankly on the pile of boxes that littered the floor. His exhaustion was felt in the room. Being far from his family was difficult for him and I felt it too. His parents had to work on a different city, and my mom was the only one I had left, and she too had to work far from where I was. “I feel you, but don’t let that thought drag you to give up” I said to put a little inspiration in his heart. His eyes moved to face me with a tiny spark of hope. He nodded in agreement. “You’re lucky your lowest grade is B” He answered smiling a bit. It then struck me that I had to check my grades for the last semester before the college library closed. I hurriedly checked the clock that hung on the wall. It ticked ten minutes after 5pm and the library would shut its doors when it hits 6. “Wait, where are you going?” He said as I grabbed my bag from under the counter. My shift would usually end at 7pm and I couldn’t afford to forget checking my grades again. “Hey Amir, can you do me a favor?” I said, removing the apron tied to my waist and neck. “Oh, your favors are often unpaid Clyde” “I have to go check my grades! Take two hours of my shift will you?” I said walking past the exit. “You better pick me up when my shift ends tonight Clyde!” He said as loud as he could through the glass door as I smiled walking to the parking lot where my dad’s pickup truck was parked. It was a red classic Ford that could easily pass for a farmer’s choice of transport. I pulled out the key from my pocket and drove to my college in a hurry. The drive there allowed me to take in the fresh breeze from the sea, and the serene environment that came naturally since I arrived in this place. I parked near the college doors and got to the library twenty minutes before it closed. I got on the nearest computer and logged on my credentials to view the grading report. “Nice!” I screamed in enthusiasm, almost forgetting it was a library. The librarian looked displeased at me as I smiled in apology. Getting the lowest grade at B+ for the final semester as a freshman was a great achievement for me. To perform well academically was the only thing I could possibly do at this point. I immediately sent the results to my mom’s email for her to check. As I went out of the library, I let out a scream. “Yes!” Nothing can get better than knowing you passed the freshman year. I went back inside the truck when my phone rang. “Congratulations! I’m so proud of you!” It was surely mom. “Thanks, it’s nice to hear from you” I answered, knowing it’s been a few days since the last time she called. “I’m really sorry, work had even got busier lately, you know how it is here” She worked as a nurse at a Medical Center in New Jersey. Her work required her to be present everyday for at least ten hours. She had the choice to refuse overtime, but she had to, for me to remain in the list of students. “I understand mom, definitely, don’t worry about me” “I’m glad. I just received your grading report, what would you want? A new phone maybe?” I laughed knowing she wasn’t kidding when she offered me something. I was also aware of the difficulties she had to face at work, and how to provide the funds for the semester. “I would rather you take care of yourself there, and my phone’s not outdated yet, so I’ll let your offer pass” I answered hearing her laugh on the other line. “I never expected you’d turn down such a wonderful offer” She continued. “I wasn’t saying it wasn’t a good offer, but it’s just that I didn’t want you to overwork. You know how many semesters I still have to take” “You’re always such a good kid, the reason why your dad and I didn’t thought of having another, I hope you don’t lose your character” She answered hearing her shut her car door. The sun was setting, and it was the end of her shift. The time for her to head home. “Why would I? Take care of yourself mom” “You too, don’t lose focus and keep your eyes on the prize, your dad would’ve wanted you to finish college” “I’ll do my best, as always. Stay safe there, I’ll get in touch with you soon” “Okay, that would be great. Drive carefully. I miss you” “I miss you too” “Bye, I love you”