So, Father died sometime yesterday or the day before. The authorities were not for sure when he died. Tobey called the Police the next day. He was placed in foster care, until they could reach Mother. Of course, Mother said yes. What mother would turn down her own kid? Well, I guess there would be some mothers. One always hears of deadbeat fathers, but never the single fathers, who are having to take care of the kids because they have a deadbeat mother, who can’t afford support, but have to have their hair done, and the new designer purse. The world is not in a good place. It churns my stomach to think of kids suffering from the stupidity of their parents. There should be a way for people to have their uterus or testes cut before they can reproduce. Like the Doctors administer a test or something, but does that go against ethics, and Freedom, and sound a bit Dystopian? Just because something sounds good, and sounds like it would help the people, does not mean it should have its place in legislature.

Dystopian literature is kind of a weakness of mine, and really gets the brain stimulated on what Freedom means, not just is a relationship with this person or this person the best. It isn’t about the relationship in my opinion, it is about being understood. If you have at least one person that understands you, then you can withstand the force of any number of enemies.  One should be free to choose, yet give every person the same ability. It is a self-centered, yet you have to think of the other, and make sure that they are free. It is one life’s great paradoxical mysterious. You have to look out for yourself, yet take care of your neighbor.

Monday felt off, but we had to go to school anyway. I wish I could help my mother take care of all things with the police, and social worker today, plus she has work tonight. This Tobey mess is just adding more stress on top of the stress she already has, but she is too much of a strong woman to say anything to anyone. She always stays silent, while cleaning, or tells us to eat something, like order a pizza. Tai takes this as time to order a pizza his own way with only pepperoni, bacon, and mushrooms. I feel a twinge in my heart when she gets like this, but what can I do? I’m just fifteen years old, and do not even know what to eat for a snack, or how my hair should be cut. I bet Alexander knows how to act and be comforting. I just stand there, and be cold, and distant. I can’t find the right words to express a comforting expression, or do something that would make her feel better. Maybe a hug. Whenever I ever felt down when I was little, my mother would hug me. It made me feel better. It was worth a shot, and I had to do something.

I went up to my mother and hugged her from behind. She turned around.

"Hey sweetie. " She brushed my hair with her hand. "Is something wrong? "

I shook my head, and buried my head into her bosom, trying to hide the tears swelling up in my eyes.

After a few seconds, I gulped, and said, " Nothing. I just wanted to hug you, and tell you that you are  the best mother, and that I love you." I smiled, and looked up at her.

"My sweet little Jeong. I love you too. You will always be my sweet little prince." She knelt down, and wiped the single tear from my eye, and hugged me, and we embraced each other for a minute. She kissed me on the cheek. "I have something for you." She dug through her purse, and pulled out a Barnes and Noble gift card. "It’s fifty dollars. You can have it for being so smart and getting into honors English, History and Spanish. "

"Thanks, but you didn’t have to do this." I said, and rubbed the card with my thumb.

"Yes, I did. You earned it. " She smiled, and pushed my hair from my eyes. " Now, run along, and I will call you for dinner. It’s almost ready. "

I smiled, and "ran along," to my room, and put the gift card in my wallet. I picked up my copy of Young Samurai, and began reading. I tear slipped down my cheek.

I texted my brother after dinner.

-Hey, I just wanted to say thank you, and I love you. You’re the best big brother. -

He texted me back pretty quickly.

-I love you so much little brother. You’re so smart, and the kindest person. Look after Mother for me, okay? Text me if you need help with anything around the house. -

-Okay. I will.  I’m going to bed. Good night. -

-Good night Xiao. -

That night I slept soundly, and managed to keep the covers on me, but I did toss and turn for about an hour, thinking. I wish my brain had an off button at night. It would make falling asleep so much better, and I’d sleep soundly every night. I would not have to worry about what I did when I was 9 at that the kids birthday party, or worrying about writing that paper, or if did my math correctly, or if I understand the difference between rehusar, and reusar. At least I can say that my brain works though. That’s something I have going for me, even if sometimes stops working when I need it to process words for speaking to people. I’ve seen other people get just as nervous, so it’s an epidemic plague upon individuals in society and not just a Jeong thing.

Next Chapter: Chapter 15