I sit in my room waiting for my mother to leave for her meeting. She will be gone for a few weeks, and I am looking forward to having the house to myself. I need time to think, so much had happened in the past few months. I realized feelings that I had been burying for a while.

"Shuichi!" Shiori, yells up the stairs. "Yes mother?" I reply even though I know what she is going to say.

"I'm leaving now. Are you sure you won't mind being alone while I'm gone? I mean I am going to be gone for," I cut her off as I reach the bottom of the stairs and grab her bags.

"I'll be fine mother. It's only for a couple weeks. The house is stocked with food, and all the bills are paid. There is no need for you to worry mother."

Her eyes start to tear up and I know that it won't be long until she starts crying.

"I know Shuichi, its just that I have never left you alone before. Not this long anyway. Shuichi," her face now shows that she really doesn't want to leave me. "You know what, I'm canceling. Where's the phone?"

Just as she reaches the phone I grab her hand and stop her. "Mother, you are not canceling. You have been waiting for this all year. You are going. Don't worry, I'll be fine." As I speak I manage to guide her toward the front door.

I can see that she was becoming a little more at ease about leaving me alone. However there is still the slight look of reluctance.

I grab her bags and carry them out to the car for her. "Mother, you are going and you will not worry about me, okay?"

Shiori looks up at me and grimaces a little but finally gives in, "You're right Shuichi, I need to go and not worry." There is still a little reluctance in her voice but at least she is going.

"Goodbye Shuichi!" She yells out of the car window as she drives away. I wave goodbye and after she is out of sight I walk back into the house. I stand in the front room for a moment, then head back up to my room.

When I reach my room I walk to the foot of my bed and fall forward on it. The thought that I will be home alone for two and a half weeks finally sets in and I pull my shirt off.

After a few more moments I fall asleep. It was just so nice to have the house to myself.