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Chapter 5---Two different Worlds
Back to: Chapter Four--Prom Next: Chapter 6--A New Relationship
My mother ignored me for a few hours but she was a very attention driven woman so eventually she went back to talking at me. Notice I said talking at me, not with me.

The next day after school I found her in our home gym working out vigorously on the treadmill.

"Hi, Mom," I ventured to say. "I saw you had your suitcase in the front hall."

Mom getting fit

"Yes," she replied, stopping the machine, getting down, and walking over to the ballet bar to stretch. "I'm going to the Blue Water Resort this weekend. The taxi will be here at 7. It's time I treat myself for a change."

I wanted to say it must be difficult to treat yourself when all you did was buy clothes, go to the spa, the club, and out to meals with friends, but I held my tongue. A weekend without my mother's nagging would be like a mini-vacation for me.

Later that night, after she left, I texted Leon.
"Mom went away for the weekend." I wrote, opening a can of Pepsi.

"Really? So what are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm going to have dinner, then dye my hair."
There was a sad emoji on the screen.

Leon texting me

"What?" I wrote impatiently.

"You don't have to keep dying your hair stupid colors," he replied. Then my cell phone rang.

"Hi Leon," I said.

"Laura, are you going to dye your hair again, really?" he asked.

"Yes," I said. "But this time, I am washing out the old color and dying it black. That's my natural color."

"Hmm. How come you suddenly decided this?"

"Well, I think it's time I stop trying to be something I'm not. A good friend mentioned that last time I spoke with him."

Leon chuckled softly.

"Yeah, you don't need costumes or silly hair, Laura. You're smart, I tell you that all the time. And kind. Be yourself. People will love the real you."

"Thanks, Leon. How are you doing?"

There was silence.

"Are you okay?" I demanded.

"I'm okay. My dad and Mum were talking about maybe going back to Jamaica if he loses his job at the garage. His boss says business isn't good enough to keep on an extra mechanic. So I have to get some more hours at the diner. I'm going to work tonight and tomorrow on the overnight shift so we can pay the rent this month."


Leon had to work hard at his part time job just to help his parents stay afloat

"I'm sorry, Leon. Can I do anything?"

"No, just don't worry about me. I'm used to hard work, mon. I've been working part time since I was fourteen." He quickly changed the subject. "Have you heard from University of Pleasantville about your application?"

"Yes, I just have to send in the tuition and I will be admitted for the Fall term in the School of Education!"

"Cool, you will be a wonderful teacher, Laura. Oh, there's Mum calling. I have to go eat dinner before I go to work. I will talk to you when I can text."

"Bye, Leon."

I hung up the phone. Would Leon have to move? What would I do without my best friend? Who would support me in my daily struggles vs. Mom? I looked around at my beautiful house, my possessions, my books. I was lucky to have a future as a teacher and not have to worry about earning a living.

Click Next: Chapter 6--A New Relationship to continue...

 
Back to: Chapter Four--Prom Next: Chapter 6--A New Relationship
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