Chapter 2
667 Words
Henry B.
- Your turn to make the salad Henry. - My mother said, pulling the video game plug out of the switch.
Damn it. I was about to break the goal record!
- Mom! - I stare at her disappointed.
- Come on Henry, don't look at me like that. Today is your last day of vacation and you look the same as you did every other day of your vacation. Hanging onto a video game. Make your mother happy."
She walks back into the kitchen with a tea towel over her shoulder.
Sometimes I wish I had a sister. Because I wouldn't have to go into the kitchen for anything other than eating.
I stand up and wash my hands to prepare the salad.
- Are you anxious to get back to campus? - He stares at me while I rinse and dry my hands.
- No, Mom. They are going to put a boy in my room. And I was used to being alone and taking whoever I wanted there. - I tell him regretfully.
It was so nice to spend a year living alone in that room. I took so many girls there.
- This is no reason to be sad, Henry. You're going to make a new friend! - Try to show me the good side as always.
- Mom, he's just not my friend at that university yet. I know everybody there. So it makes no difference. - I break down the lettuce sauce.
This boy's name is Jerry. I've never seen him. If he's a nutcase? I'll move in the same day!
[...]
- No touching my cheeks, Mom, it will tarnish my reputation as an alpha male! - I complain softly as I say goodbye to her in front of the campus.
My mother treats me like a helpless child. But for a long, long time now I have known how to defend myself. I guess she's the only one who hasn't seen that I've grown up.
- Take care, sweetheart. - I smiled trying not to cry.
- Take care, Mom. Don't go back to him. Please don't go back to him. I don't want to see you suffer anymore. - I advise worried. While I was at home her ex-husband didn't show up. But I'm pretty sure that alcoholic will show up when he finds out I'm not there.
- Don't worry dear. He won't show up anymore. - Reassure me. - Do you want me to help you carry the bags? - Look at the two suitcases I brought.
- No. Don't worry. You can go back home, because it's a long way. - I hug you again. - I love you.
- I love you too, my baby. - She squeezes me.
After she gets in her car and drives away, I drag my bags into the big building on campus.
- Henry B. is back! - One of the boys from the team says excitedly as he sees me walking down the hall.
- Yes, in the flesh. - I smile and keep walking.
- Hey Henry, there's a Sarau today. - Christopher says at the bedroom door. He is the king of parties on campus. - See you there?
- Sure you will! - I nod. There'll be a bunch of freshmen eager to experience what it's like to be a college student. And I love to show the pleasurable side of not having parents around.
I go into my room and close the door. Unfortunately my big room will now have one more resident. And I will have to vacate half of it.
I start by dragging an armchair, then try my closet.
I had no idea how heavy it was! I give up. Then I drag it.
I have to move my shelf to one side.
Because that's where my trophies are.
So I have to unscrew everything.
That will take a while. I hope my roommate will be here soon.
- Writer
