Broken Tsunami
1038 Words
MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: Alone by Alan Walker.
A sauce caddy brought with the tacos offers a choice of salsa cruda, a thin puree of tomatillos, and an emulsion of red chilies. That was what I was having for dinner. Just me, with Max snoring the night away and mom searching for the right words to say and dad? Well, he was only having a break on Monday and that's probably the last I'll see him.
The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees, the moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon the cloud. The window was wide open giving me a clear view and would've been wondering if my life wasn't about to crumble.
“Is it true?” I finally asked, though my voice was hoarse, I knew she heard me.
She grabbed a chair beside me and sat “what's true?”
“You don't know much about Salem Academy?”
“Yes, Nami. I dunno much but my grandma used to have nightmares and strange feelings like you do and then my great-grandma took her to this school. These things rarely occur. Like my grandma and my sister, your aunt lacy had the same problems and then you” she sighed “you know I want the best for you”
“I highly doubt that-”
“Nami?-”
"Don't Nami me! What? You can't just take me to some stupid school and expect me to live there, for how long? Forever?!" I knew yelling wasn't gonna get me anywhere or even change her mind but still, I needed to get it all out. Sobs racked up my sore throat and I pushed my plate aside. I wasn't hungry anyway.
“I'm trying my best here baby-”
“Does dad know about this?”
She hesitated before replying. As simple as her answer sounded I knew it held bad memories with how scrunched up her face was.
◔
Mom didn't say anymore that night, she just did the dishes and kissed my tear-stained cheeks goodnight.
My always cool and cozy sheets left me uncomfortable throughout the torturing night with jumbled thoughts keeping me busy, the chirping crickets invading my privacy, though Max's snoring was the worst, I chose to keep up with his troubles until I leave. I was gonna miss 'em.
When I realized I wasn't gonna fall asleep anytime soon no matter how much I sobbed, I went over to my walk-in closet and brought out my photo album, scrapbook, and diary. The photo album only contained pictures of I and Max when he was three years old and only a few when he turned four–we didn't get along pretty well, reasonably enough–on his birthday.
I stared at his most embarrassing photo where he had cake rubbed all over his face, because he didn't want me to take a bite, he had forced himself to finish it. I muffled a painful chuckle as I swam in the memories, both good and bad. All of it.
In four days I'd no longer see Max.
No more troubles, no more max's tasteless taco, no more fake poop on my shoes–he was good at pranking–No more _you didn't come down early so I ate your breakfast_' and no more whatever he always does with my shorts that make them have eyes at the back.
How was I gonna leave with that? It was heart-wrenching, I felt like I would die and for a moment I thought I was really going to die.
◔
I didn't know I'd stayed awake long enough until I heard the c**k crow. It was 5 a.m already and unlike me, I didn't crawl back into the sheets to have a makeover sleep, instead I rushed into the bathroom. I had only four days to spend with max so I would've to make it memorable and he would have to skip school for it. He hates school anyway.
I settled for the first clothes my eyes docked on. A white and pink stripe knee-length gown and a blazer I got from allure last summer all for twenty bucks. It was cheap I guess.
“Hola everyone!!” I plunged onto the dining chair beside Max before giving him a morning kiss.
I Know.
I just pecked my Enemy!!.
His hazel eyes narrowed. “Uh...are you dying or something?”
I faked a pained face. Placing a hand on my chest. “You hurt me with you words, little brother. Is that what I get for being sweet?”
“I would've appreciated that if I didn't just eat your cereal...” His lips twitched. So much for a four-year-old. And my cereal? I was expecting that.
“Drop dead”
“After you my lady” He muffled a peal of laughter “you're dressed up already? Where to?”
“Come on, hurry up we're going out” I grabbed his bowl of cereal and surprisingly, he didn't complain.
“What about school?” I could practically head the anticipation that dripped from his tone.
“You're skipping and also tomorrow”
“And what makes you think I will go out with you?” I could see how hard he tried his best to hide his excitement and me wriggling my brow broke the last straw.
“Alright! alright! Does mom know?” He asked and when I nodded he stood up in enthusiasm.
Even if mom doesn't know, what was she gonna do? Nothing.
◔
We hit the Japanese diner down the street and ordered two bowls of miso soup—aunt lacy's husband is Japanese—though it tasted weird it was fun.
“Whatever this is, I'm never eating it” Max had complained twice before we left the place to Miami Beach, it wasn't in Miami but was just a name. Max wasn't good at swimming so he just played at the shore with other kids his age, after that we drop by at
allure, the Diy shop, and a grocery store, and then home. It was already 6 p.m and a long day. Max joined mom in the kitchen whilst I freshen up.
- Writer
