13. Glass
Molly - March 27, 2036, 2:56 P.M.
The first thing I hear when I come home from school was my mom angrily yelling my name. I trembled as she stepped out of the kitchen into the front entrance.
"Molly, do you know what I heard from the principal over the phone an hour ago?" She asked, glaring dead straight at me.
"Yes…" I let out.
"Would you like to remind me of what happened?"
"I… I got into a fight with a classmate…"
Earlier today, I was sent to Principal Shohawk's office because during recess time I confronted Nicki after I saw him and his stupid gang bullying my best friend, Sasha.
"What were you thinking back there?" Mom shouted. "Are you aware of what could've happened back there?"
I could only whimpered, "I'm sorry, Mom…"
"You should know better by now! I am not going to tolerate such behavior!"
"But Mom, I swear I wasn't trying to fight. Me and my friend were being-"
"I don't care about how or why it started!" I shuddered when she interrupted me. "If I hear another report like that again, there will be punishments! Is that clear?"
I timidly nodded my head to show her that I understood. Then she ordered me to go to my room. I headed up the stairs and once in, I dropped my backpack on the floor and threw myself in my bed, burying my face into a pillow.
It's not fair. Mom never lets me speak nor does she ever hear me out on anything. And I mean NEVER. She always takes everything she hears or sees for granted. But that doesn't mean she gets the story right every time.
Nicki and his bunch were being really mean and hurtful towards Sasha. They wouldn't stop when I tried to protect her, and then Nicki tried to attack me. I tried not to fight back at him. I only told him to get lost and pushed him away a couple times, and the teachers must've have thought I was hitting him. That's the entire story.
But Mom doesn't know any of that nor does she even care. If she thought I got into trouble, then I got into trouble and there's nothing more to it. Why does she always have to be so strict on me? I know I mess up sometimes, but even the smallest mistake I make irks her a lot.
I sat up from my bed when I heard someone knocking on the front door. Mom answered it, and then I caught Uncle Sonic's voice greeting her as he came in the house.
"So how long will you be out for?" I heard Uncle Sonic ask.
"I'm hoping that it won't take to long. I'll try to come back as soon as possible." Mom told him.
"Uh-huh. I got it. See you later, then."
I heard the door close and Uncle Sonic's dashing footsteps coming up. He came into my room and greeted, "Hey there, Molly!"
"Hi, Uncle Sonic." I spoke back.
"It's been a while, don't you think?"
"I guess so…"
He sat down on my bed beside me. "What happened at school?" He questioned. "I heard you got into a fight today."
"I didn't mean to turn it into one, though…" I groaned. "Sasha was getting hurt by Nicky, and I just wanted to defend her."
"So, your friend was being picked on by some bullies? Is that why you fought back?"
"I didn't mean to, but Nicky kept trying to hit us. Does that still make me a bad person?"
"No, it doesn't make you bad. Actually, I find it admirable how you can stand up to people for yourself and for others. Not many kids your age have the courage to do that." Uncle Sonic wrapped his arm around me. "I'm just concerned about when and how you use your strength to deal with issues like that. Sometimes, it's not best to fight fire with fire, you know?"
"Didn't you use to fight bad guys a long time ago?" I asked.
"Of course, I did! I mean, I still do whenever I'm needed. But that stuff is nothing like times I faced bullying when I was your age." Uncle Sonic replied.
"Then what was it like? What did your bullies do to you?"
They kept pushing me around, trying to hurt me however they can."
"Did you fight back?"
"Sometimes I did, and it wasn't the best solution. So I'd usually let my mom - your grandmother - know what was going on so she could discuss about it with the parents of the kids who were harassing me. That was what put an end to all the bullying."
"That was all it took? Nothing else?"
"Yup, it was that simple. That's how you should handle your situation, too. I'm certain your mother would help you out on this."
I fidgeted my fingers glumly. Mom would've gotten furious at me even if I was the first to tell her about what happened at school today. I thought.
"Molly, is everything alright?" Uncle Sonic asked. "You're not feeling too down about all this, are you?"
I shook my head. "No, it's not that… Mom was incredibly mad when I came home…" I told him.
He sighed concerningly, "What happened now? Did she yell at you again?" This wasn't the first time I've had this talk with him.
I nodded and uttered, "She always does. She even threaten to punish me this time."
My uncle made a surprised expression on his face as if he was disturbed by what I said. He remained silent for a few seconds before calmly voicing, "Molly, you know your mother isn't the kind of person who would threaten or punish people you."
"But she sounded very serious when she said she will," I added. "I don't want to make her mad, and I'm scared of what might happen if I do end up crossing her again."
Uncle Sonic stood up from my bed and gazed at me solemnly. "I know how you feel whenever she shouts at you, but don't take everything your mother says too seriously," He began. "If she threatens you with anything, she doesn't mean it. She loves and cares about you a whole lot. She's just awfully concerned that something bad might happen to you. Don't let her words bother you too much, okay?"
"Uncle Sonic…"
"No Molly, I mean it. I don't want you to worry all the time. I'm sure she'll come to understand you after her conference with your school's principal is over. If it'll make you feel less anxious, I'll have a talk with her when she gets back. Is that alright?"
I thought about it for a moment. Even though I wasn't entirely sure about all the things he was telling me, I knew better than to doubt him. Uncle Sonic is an honest person, so he would never tell a lie about anything. So I simply answered, "Okay."
He gave me a hug and patted my back lightly. "That's good." He beamed. "Now, do you want to tell me something else that happened at school today? Did you learn anything new?"
Sonic - March 27, 2036, 4:00 P.M.
It's been an hour since Sonia left the house. Since there wasn't much to do I've been watching TV for the majority of time, occasionally checking up on Molly. I let her go outside in her backyard thirty minutes ago, where she usually plays on her swingset.
I hoped Molly wasn't reprimanded too badly for what happened today. She was only standing up for her friend, and it'd be pretty unfair and unreasonable if she received just as much punishment as the kids who were bullying her.
Yet, I wasn't too concerned about the school policies and how they might affect students. Instead, I was more worried about Sonia's relationship with Molly. As much as I hate to admit it, it's getting worse.
I know I've mentioned before that Sonia tends to ignore Molly and overlook her troubles, and I'm aware she also frequently gets frustrated at her. But I never would've thought that she would go as far as to threaten, let alone punish her own daughter. Though I'm sure she was only making an empty threat, it was nonetheless completely out of character for her to even consider doing something like that.
Sonia hasn't been the same since she started parenthood at a young age. I know she has to go through hardships as a single mother - and I would do anything to help her out whenever I can - but that doesn't mean she can take her stress and anger out on Molly.
I heard the front door open and then shut. "I'm home!" Sonia announced tiredly. I turned the TV off and got the off the couch as she entered the living room.
"Hey Sonia. Molly's out in the yard if you're wondering. How was the meeting?" I asked.
"It wasn't pleasant, I'll tell you that." She described. "The principal and Molly's teacher weren't necessarily angry at Molly, but they were worried about her behavior towards her classmates."
"So I take it that the case wasn't too serious?"
"Fortunately, no. Molly's not going to be disciplined by the faculty for what happened today. Anyways, thanks for looking after her while I was out."
"No problem." Before Sonia could dismiss me, I approached her and voiced, "Hey, before I leave, we need to talk."
Sonia turned to me. "Sure, what's up?"
"Well, uh… how are things between you and Molly?" I inquired, not knowing how to start the discussion.
She gave me a bemused look and replied, "What do you mean? Nothing's wrong between us."
"Sonia… Molly's been upset with the way you've been treating her lately, and I'm getting worried about what's been going on." I explained.
She sighed, shaking her head frustratingly. "Sonic, it's not a big deal. There's nothing to be concerned about." She let out.
"I don't think so. She keeps telling me that you're constantly yelling at her for a lot of stuff that goes on in and out of the house, and she also mentioned about how you even threatened to punish her for what happened at school today."
"Molly can be over-reactive sometimes. Everything is okay here."
"It's not okay, Sonia! Even if she is only overreacting, it's totally unlike you to say or do things like that to her!"
"Sonic, please… this isn't a major problem."
"It is major! We're talking about you daughter here!" I hate it when I have to raise my voice at her, but I can't stand it when she tries to downplay these kinds of issues. "It's not good to keep raging at Molly all the-"
"I know what I'm doing, Sonic!" Sonia snapped. "I can handle myself and my own kid just fine!"
We stood silent for a few seconds before Sonia broke eye contact with me, appearing crestfallen and uneasy. I could sense the apprehension she was experiencing just from hearing the tone of her breathing.
I took a short breath and calmed down as well. "Look, I'm not mad nor am I calling you a bad mother. I love you, sis, but you're not acting like yourself." I breathed. "You would never act harsh to someone close to you. If this keeps up, you're going to end up hurting Molly."
Sonia turned back to me anxiously. "I know what I'm doing." She repeated softly.
I put my hand on her shoulder. "All you're doing right now is frightening her, and that won't do any good. If you really want things to improve, you need to support her no matter what happens. She needs you a lot more than you think." I told her gently. "You're much better than this, Sonia. I know you are. And if anything happens, I'll be running right to you."
Sonia weakly uttered, "I… I won't let her down, Sonic."
I grinned at her for reassurance. "I've got to go now. See you soon."
Before I left, I peered out the backdoor to tell Molly that I was leaving. "Molly, your mother's home, so I'll be seeing you later!" I called.
Molly momentarily stopped swinging and waved at me. "Bye, Uncle Sonic!" The little red hedgehog smiled. I exited the house feeling high-spirited. It's refreshing to see someone in such a joyous mood after all that's been happening recently.
My phone sounded as I ran down the street. I pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID. It was Julie-Su, a longtime friend of mine. I immediately answered the call and greeted, "Hey, 'Su. What's up? Got any news for me?" She was one of the investigators at the Station Square Police Department searching for Sally and Manik.
"Hi Sonic. I think we're beginning to make some progress." Julie-Su informed. "I found something that might concern you and your missing family."
Finally! Now that a clue's been discovered, I might be able to track Sally and Manik down or at least get a lead of some sort!
"What is it? What did you find?" I anxiously asked.
"It's a backpack that might belong to your son. I need you here to confirm it."
"Alright, where are you right now? I'll come to you as soon as possible!"
This is the turning point. This is the part when things get better. Sooner or later, I'll be reunited with my family! I believed.
I was wrong.
