Friendship And Family

CHAPTER 33. Pain

Mathias' POV

I poured in the needed quantity of milk and capped the white gallon, and then I picked up my spoon and began to stir the bowl of cereal.

"Why don't you ever wait for me to make you a proper breakfast?"

I chuckled. "Good morning, Mum."

She walked further into the kitchen in her draped, oversized shirt she called a pyjama. It wasn't so different from her daily outfits, and even though I loved how gorgeous she looked in her laid back clothes, I wish she'd give herself more attention.

She hugged me, resting her chin on my shoulder. "Good morning, sweetie," she replied, and then we pulled away and sat at the island, and I began having my breakfast.

"Don't you ever get tired of cereal?" She always looked for ways to care even when it wasn't necessary, but I didn't like her stressing on stuff I was capable of doing myself.

"It's quick, and I like it," I said, and put another full spoon in my mouth.

"No wonder you don't have any weight."

I laughed. "I think it's genetic, and I obviously got it from you."

She hit the back of my head. "You're making jokes now?"

"Ow..." I rubbed the part that wasn't hurting so much, and she rolled her eyes to say that I was exaggerating, making me laugh, a laughter that hit me with the realisation of the playful side of her that I'd missed so much. Ever since the incident, she had broken out of her shell and taken the role of 'boss lady'.

"Why don't you find a job?" I wanted her to just live and be happy, to have a life outside of her home because she had sacrificed too much of herself for Dad and I.

She sighed. "I won't have the time to take care of you if I got one."

I couldn't recall a time I laughed in the spaces of a few seconds while having a light conversation with her. It had always been about our survival from Dad, and consoling each other with words of hope, a role she mostly played with her immeasurable love for me.

"Mum, I'm old enough." I got up and walked to the sink.

"Not too old for me."

"C'mon, I'm graduating soon," I said while I rinsed the bowl and spoon under the running water, then put them away and turned around.

"Mum?" I called in a worried tone, and she laughed it out, wiping her tears with her palms.

"You're running late for school." She stood up, grabbed my school bag from the island and handed it to me.

I hung the bag on my shoulder, and gave her a hug.

"What?" She hugged me back with a soothing laughter.

"I'm not going anywhere," I told her.

"I know," she said, but I had to reassure her that.

"So, are you getting a job?" I asked.

"If I must get one, it would have to be a work from home so I don't miss your face."

I chuckled. She wasn't easy to convince.

"Okay, can't let you miss the bus." She released me and walked me out of the kitchen.

We met Dad standing in the living room, holding his car keys. I thought he'd already gone to work because he normally leaves early.

"Good morning, Dad."

His smile was brief. "Good morning, son. I'll drop you off at school," he offered, surprising Mum and I.