Chapter 2…

It was December; the dreaded month that students were hoping would pass soon. The weather outside was unbearable and with the second term coming to an end, everything was hectic. Only two weeks till Christmas vacation was the bit of excitement that ran through some peoples minds. But none of that was out of the ordinary: the days of December turned out ugly at first but always ended with happiness.

That happiness was brought by Christmas. It was a Saturday afternoon and Darien and I found ourselves making the list of presents to give to our closest friends. Of course we would never tell each other what we were planning for ourselves. It became a ritual between us that no matter what the present was it had to hold a strong meaning towards it. It was something I dreaded because I wasn't good with presents.

Darien lay in a chair sinking into it, his head facing the ceiling. His eyes were glued to empty space and he was deep in thought.

"This whole business is too complicated. I know only what to give to Mina." I said looking up from my papers. "Should I get Lita a chef's apron? But I bet she already has tons of them. Then there is the question of Rei, I'm not sure what to give her at all. What do you think Darien?"

He merely shrugged at my question. "Are you okay? You haven't said a word since you got here. What's up?" I asked him putting everything else aside.

"Nothing!" He muttered in a low voice still staring at the ceiling. I wasn't aware that it ever was that interesting. I pulled my chair towards where he was sitting and sank into it like him and was now staring at the empty space that he was lost in.

"Hey, that square reflects the other one; I never knew that ceilings could be so geometric." I said in a distant voice. He turned to me and then ruffled my hair giving me a smile. "I feel down when you're down because the rest of the time you're always cheerful."

"Yeah?" He asked.

I stopped my self from asking what was wrong again: I knew he would get aggravated. So I decided to change the subject, "This Christmas, what are you planning for you mom?"

His head suddenly shot up, "How did you know that it was about her?"

I flinched at his sudden reaction. "I didn't, it was just a random question."

"Oh!" He said now resuming his position. Before I could ask he beat me to it by answering the question in my mind. "She's been so distant these past few months that it's like I don't even know her anymore."

"I guess even parents need a lot of space." I said still watching him.

"What do you know about parents at all, yours are barely ever around!" He muttered subtly. Hurt by his sentence I looked down. "Oh my god Sere, I didn't mean to say that…"

"Out loud?" I asked finishing for him in a low voice.

Taken aback he got up on his feet and went to gather his belongings, "I should go!" he said heading towards the door.

I sighed composing myself by getting up as well and putting the list away. I stopped when I felt his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry about today and what I just said." He said sincerely.

I gave him a half smile "Don't worry about it." He nodded then made his way to the door. Before he headed out the front door I yelled for him from the stairs. "Hey by the way I forgot to ask, you coming shopping tomorrow?"

He gave a shrug "I'll think about it and then call you." He said then closed the door behind him.


Home! He breathed. It wasn't the same sensation that he used to get when he was home. His mother had suddenly backed out on all the things that they had used to do together. Wasn't he the one that was supposed to do that? He was in high school and it was a hurt to his pride if his mother thought that he was too old to do the things they do together before he could. But that wasn't it; it wasn't as if he was a momma's boy. No, that wasn't it at all!

He came to her whenever he needed to talk and ask for advice. And she was this wise being that gave out a lesson every time he came. She was laid back staying a distance when he had friends over and giving him space to make decisions of his own. And that was what he liked about her. But her once carefree nature was gone and she was quiet. He wondered if it was okay for kids to say that they were worried for their parent. He imagined himself talking to Serena, drinking coke and he suddenly saying "I'm worried about mom, she doesn't get around much!" He chuckled at the thought. He entered the kitchen hoping that she was in there so that he could talk but was disappointed when he saw the maid, Nancy.

"Are you looking for your mother?" She asked smiling, looking up from her work.

"Yes, do you know where she is?" He asked patiently.

"She left a few hours ago saying that she had something important to do and has not yet retuned." She said while she went back to preparing food. "Would you like something to eat?"

"No, I ate already at Serena's but hold off dinner until mom gets back okay?" he requested before leaving the room.

"As you wish!" She answered and he entered into his room. 'I guess even parents need a lot of space.' the words echoed off in his mind. He sank into his chair by the computer. Maybe she was right; maybe his mom did need a lot of space.

'How much space do you need?' he thought to himself. She barely even talked to him in weeks. Well tonight he decided that he would insist her to have dinner together and then ask her what was wrong. This whole thing will be squared away today because he was frustrated with it. So he waited patiently and studied to pass time.

He excitedly got up and rushed downstairs when the clock turned seven o'clock. It was their normal hour for dinner every night and the dining room was all set up with food. Nancy looked up as Darien came in and gave him a smile.

"Go ahead and call mom!" He said taking a seat.

"Actually, she still hasn't returned." The maid replied serving him some food.

"Well has she called at least?" He asked worriedly.

"No, she hasn't." Came the reply

Darien was now really worried, 'where could she be for this long and why didn't she call to say when she'll be back?' he thought to himself. "Nancy, I'll wait till she comes home."

The maid only nodded. He went into the family room and turned on the T.V. He glanced at the clock after a while to what now read 9:15. He sighed wondering where she was and then turned back to the monitor. The noise from the television was distant to him as he was on the verge of his eyes beginning to close. He jumped as he heard a door slam hard. He eyed the watch sleepily; it was already 12:30.

He got up and went to the hall that leads to the front entrance. He saw a shadowy figure leaning against the door. As he came closer he saw that it was his mother, paler than a ghost and was panting to get her breathing straight. He studied her closely, this was the first time he realized the wrinkles underneath her eyes.

"Mom?" He asked surprised at her appearance. He inched closer toward her and reached out to grab a hold of her hand "What's wrong?"

She jerked away from him "Why are you still up?" She asked in cold voice.

"I was just…" He was about to reply but she cut him off.

"I don't have the patience to handle this…go to bed right now!" She yelled and went past him stumbling up the stairs; it almost looked like she would fall any second. He was still shocked at her reactions and was hurt as well.

"Sir, what should I do with dinner?" Nancy asked from behind him.

"Throw it out…do whatever…I don't give a damn!" He snapped at her then stomped up to his room and slammed the door shut.

At the darkest hour of night he woke to a soft hand stroking his hair. He knew that it was his mother and he wanted to get up and hug her and ask her what was wrong. But he did neither and stayed in his position turned around on his left. It's been a long time that she was ever that close to him and he didn't want to disturb it. He felt a warm tear fall on his cheek and he badly wanted to hug her. She kissed his right cheek and whispered the words "I love you!" to him thinking that he still was asleep. In a moments time she had left his room and he sat up, all the anger that he had towards her now suddenly slid away to the shadows of his dark room.

The next morning he woke up late and after the morning jog at 10 a.m. a bright idea hit him. He instantly picked up the phone. "Hey, Serena, you still have plans on going shopping today? Great! I'll meet you in about half an hour." He said excitedly and hung up the phone.

He went toward his mother's room to tell her that he would go out; he never went out without telling her where he would be. But before he could enter he heard another voice coming from her room.

"You should have never trusted him!" The smooth and even voice said to his mother.

"Aunt Lily?" He asked walking in on them; interrupting the two women.

"Well, how is my favorite nephew in the world doing?" She asked rushing to give him a hug.

"I'm the only nephew you have!" He stated after she let go of him. He wasn't fond of the way she was an alcoholic and she smelled like she had been drinking. A dedicated attorney that fought till the end for every one of her cases like herself turned to alcohol from the stress of her career.

She smirked and ruffled his hair. "That too."

Darien slowly bent to the right to get a better view of his mother. "Hey mom, I'm gonna go to the mall with Serena and then be over at hers until late."

His mom looked at him surprised that he was talking to her after last night. She only nodded and then looked away. "By the way, I have a favor to ask!" He said before leaving "Could you please let me borrow the family album, I need it for a project that I'm doing."

"I'll have it for you when you get back." She answered in a low voice not looking at him. Just as he was about to head out the door his aunt got in the way.

"Wait just a second there young man!" She said to him with a frown. He wondered what he did wrong. "How often do I come here?" She asked in a serious tone that she never used with him.

"Not often!" He said right away

"Then why are you leaving without asking me for anything?" She asked still being serious. He sighed relieved that he wasn't in trouble. "Here you go; you can use my credit card for anything that you two want to buy. But give it back to your mom once you're done k."

"Thanks aunty!" He yelled now leaving the room. Lily smiled at his teenage vivacity.

"He's grown a lot since the last time I saw him!" She said as she turned to her sister. "Think about him at least and the environment that he is growing in."

"Darien…" his mother whispered self consciously.

"Anyhow…" Lily continued after she had just made herself a drink from the small bar in the bedroom that was hardly ever used. "There still is time. Leave him Rose! Take Darien and leave him forever!"

"No…" Rose said in between sobs. "I can't leave him!" she now yelled. Her sister was taken back by surprise at her tone. "I know that he has hurt me but I love him too much. He is my world, my family… my everything. I could never live without him!"

Lily looked down while Rose was now filled with tears. "Foolish little sister!" She muttered in frustration taking another sip of her drink. "You could have been something but you became blind with his love. Love isn't as great as you think it is. After my divorce…you should have learned from it. I remember you're wedding day; how happy you were and how you left everything for this kind of life. Well what did you get from it? You remember my words to you on that day don't you?"

"You and your damn words…isn't that what you always wanted… for this day to come?" Rose said pounding her fists on the coffee table. "You told me that the effects of this marriage will die down in a year. But now that it has happened are you happy now?"

"Oh, Rose!" Lily got up to comfort her sister.

"After all that has happened, don't taunt me anymore okay…please don't!" She almost begged in the embrace of her sister. Lily set her down on a chair.

"It'll be okay!" She said in a soft voice.

"It hurts so much but I can't leave him." She said her eyes teary again.

"Shh… don't say anymore!" Her older sister ran a hand over her hair. "Here, try some of this." She offered her drink.

"But I don't…" Rose protested

"Just try it…it'll help you calm down." She said handing it to her. Rose took it from her and when she was gulping it down, it burned at her throat. She didn't care, Lily was right it did calm her down.

"What do I do…Lily, what do I do now?" She asked in a small voice.

Lily sighed watching her miserable baby sister. "Rose, I'm sorry! I didn't want you to go through any pain. I only wanted you to be happy; I thought that he wasn't the right guy for you. I didn't think anyone was. You were too full of life and talent that I wanted you to be something. I'm sorry to get on your back again after what you are going through. What I mean is that you should think about things now that it has come to this! And if you need me, I'm only a phone call away."

Lily got up and grabbed her purse. "I have to go and meet with a client." She stopped and turned around once more. "You're strong Rose, and I know that what ever happens, you'll get through it. Everything will turn out okay, you'll see!" And then after those words she was gone.

'Everything will turn out okay' the words rang in Rose's mind. She clenched her teeth: nothing will ever be okay! But why was this happening to her? Why? She tried in her right mind to be the good mother and wife. So why then was everything in pieces now when it once used to be a whole.

She got up and poured herself more alcohol. She was never a drinker but needed it to calm her down so that she was able to think. She remembered that Darien wanted the family albums. She took another sip of her drink then placed it down while she opened the lamp table drawer and took out the albums. She placed them on top of the coffee table in the bedroom while sitting down in the arm chair right next to it.

She picked up the drink once more and took another sip and suddenly had the urge to go through the album. The first picture was of her and her husband on their wedding day. Thoughts clouded her mind as she looked at the picture. She took another sip of her drink. Then there were other ones like the first time she held Darien as he was brought to her after his birth and her husband stood next to her. With every picture her mind was flooded with memories and the more they came the more she drank trying to calm down.


Darien was now at a new store and had finally decided on a beautiful notebook that was the first step to his plan. I stood next to him while he paid. The only thing that I bought was the present for Mina; a collection of movies that I knew she loved by her favorite actress. I blanked out not knowing what else to buy but Darien was anxious as ever, scanning from one store to the other.

"Uh… Darien." I said after we were out of there. "What exactly are you planning for your mom?"

"I just got the perfect idea of a gift for her this morning. But I'll need you to help of course so you could say that it is from you as well!" He said excitedly.

"As long as it is nothing crazy, I'm willing to help." I said as we were now inside the limo ready to be taken home.

"Actually it's nothing of the sort." He assured and then continued. "I was planning to make her a book about her self along with some poetry, side comments, and of course pictures."

"That's a great idea!" I said approving.

"I know, because I thought of it." He said swelling with pride and I frowned at his cockiness. "I know that you're big with poetry and stuff so could you help me out?"

"I guess I don't have a choice. After all it is my gift towards her as well right?" I asked lifting an eyebrow.

"Yeah, yeah!" He said leaning in on his seat. "All right, I don't have the pictures today so we'll only work on the writing portion of it." He said as he lay everything down and we got to work. After two hours he sat exhausted.

"Let's call it a day, okay?" He asked stretching

"Tired already huh?" I asked lazily; in a way glad and put my amount of work away.

"Thanks for all you're help!" He said giving me a hug before leaving.

"Don't mention it!" I replied and then retired for the day.


Through the ride back home he remembered that he had his Aunt's credit card and was now disappointed that he didn't think of really using it. And he knew that his mother would have wanted it back today. If he had been on his mischievous mood that card wouldn't have a penny left on it. After returning home he turned the card in his hands contemplating it while he was on his way to hand it over to his mother. Just as he turned the knob and opened the door to her bedroom he saw that the room was still dark and that she didn't have any lights on. He immediately went to the side of the bed and turned on a lamp.

A figure flinched at the light and he saw that she was half way sitting on the chair and the other half of her was on the floor. "Mom?" He asked surprised of the position that she was in. He studied her surrounding…there were pictures all over the place; all of them were of the family. Next to the pictures was a glass rolled on its side and a bottle next to that.

"Da…hic…Darien." She managed to say. It didn't take long for him to figure that she had been drinking.

"You were drinking?" He asked disgusted. She stumbled to get up and grab a hold of the bottle again but he took it out of her reach.

"Darien…give me the bottle back!" She said in a serious tone.

"No mom!" He said still enraged at her behavior "What the hell is going on with you. First you don't talk to me anymore and now you start drinking!"

"Give it back!" She repeated.

"You're not getting this back!" He said as he held his firm stubbornness. She now fought with him over it. He was surprised at her actions.

"Give me…" She said as she tried to get it from his grip "…the bottle! Damn it Darien!" She yelled and before she knew it, her hand went flying hard at his cheeks. At the same time the bottle dropped to the floor now becoming a million pieces. Time itself stopped at this moment.

She covered her mouth with her hand. Tears threatened to fall as he felt the stinging on his cheek. Everything was brought back to life as she tried to speak. "Darien…I"

Darien was brought back from his shock as he heard her voice. He stomped out of the room not letting her finish.

"…didn't mean it!" She now whispered to the silent room. A tear escaped her eyes until she dropped slowly to floor near the broken glass and wept uncontrollably.