Run

Chapter Twenty-Seven

My arms ache. I woke Alex up at seven in the morning with my stuff ready, I wanted to get out and start drawing so I could make as much as possible. While it was slow the first couple hours, business was certainly picking up by ten o'clock and didn't stop until the sun set at around five. Alex could tell how tired I was and offered to carry my stuff. I did ten portraits, most of them tipped, and almost all of them were back to back. Alex and I went and looked at some shops after I finished drawing but honestly I've been so tired all day.

Collapsing on the bed, I groan as the mattress hugs me.

I made $116 today, paying him back $27 and leaving myself $19 to pay to ship my gift to my mother, I'm left with another $70 I can send to her.

I look over to the bags I got the other night, I'm really hoping she can enjoy Christmas with a gift even though I won't be there.

"Are you hungry?" Alex puts my backpack down and stands by the door.

I shrug, "Kind of, I mostly just want to call my mom."

His eyes flicker with the realization of what I'm about to tell my mom. He nods and pulls his jacket back on.

"I'll go get us something to eat," he hands me my backpack and heads out the door.

As the door shuts I start to dial my mom's number. I'm so afraid to hurt her.

I listen to that god awful ringing tone, praying she picks up. I don't want her to hear this over a message.

"Hello? Jules, is that you?" Her voice rings clear over the line.

"Yeah mom, it's me."

"Are you ok baby? I hadn't heard from you in the past few days and I was starting to worry again."

"I'm ok for the most part, I sent you some money, hopefully you'll get it in a few days."

"Oh honey," my mom's voice aches, "You didn't have to do that."

"I know I didn't, I wanted to. I want to make sure you're taken care of while I'm gone."

"Thank you honey, I'll keep my eyes out for it. Jen stopped by, she brought you more homework and left a booklet where she wrote the answers. She's starting to worry about you."

"I know, I'm trying to get home as fast as I can, it's just... Not easy."

"Honey are you sure you're ok? Did something happen? If you need me to I can come get you wherever you are."

"No mom, really it's ok. I need you to just trust me," I hear her sigh, and I know I still need to tell her I won't be home for Christmas, "Look mom, there's another reason I called. I'm really sorry, but I won't be home by Christmas."

I try not to cry as the silence spreads. I hear the bustle of movement on the other end of the line. It sounds like my mom was in the middle of a class.

"Are you safe? Are you promising to come home as soon as you can and that you'll be safe while gone?"

"Of course! I want to be home and I'm trying to get home as soon as possible, and I'm trying to be safe."

"Then you don't worry about Christmas. I'll miss you but I can get through it, just call me that morning, ok?"

"I can do that. Are you getting a tree and doing cookies? If you can I still want you to."

"I should be able to, I'm going to try," I smile at her words, even though both of us sound ready to cry.

"I'm sending you a present. No arguments. And when you get it you can't open it until Christmas morning, ok mom?"