"Where did you say you're from?" the clerk asked.
"New Bark Town," I repeated.
"That's the town where...Professor Elm lives, right?"
"Quite right."
"You've come a long way to get here."
My mother spent my money again. Again, she hanged up before I got to say a word.
As is my way, I was venturing to observe Ecruteak's surrounding areas before even beating the Gym Leader. You know, for the training and all.
At first glance, Route 38 was like the typical route, with all its lush grasses and expectant Trainers. Still, there was a resolve in me that strengthened upon entering the route—that wasn't typical. The blood flowing through my veins quickened with the knowledge that I still had quite the ways to go. My raw, grim determination propelled me forward with growing commitment. Which is actually pretty weird, because I rarely feel committed to anything.
In truth, I felt that my newly made commitment to the world of Pokémon was made by a mere haste, on my end. My mother, out of the blue, had volunteered me for some kind of experiment, and I just...pretty much went with it. Now I don't know how to feel about that—is that good thing? Is my mother recovering from Kris and my father's death? Or does she simply want me out of the house, for her own twisted reasons? My thoughts arrived at the cocktail parties I've overheard from the phone, and my resolve hardened.
It's fine if my mother doesn't want me. Because all my Pokémon do, and some other people also do. I will find strength in their relationships, if I can't in my mother's.
I called my mother back to tell her that she won't be saving my money anymore. There was no way to keep the harshness out of my voice. It slipped into my voice much too naturally, and by the time I uttered the sentence it was too late.
On the other end there was a resonating silence. I caught my breath. I waited.
Then, quietly, she spoke.
"Okay, Lyra. I won't save your money anymore."
She didn't sound wounded. But for some reason, I felt wounded. I hanged up on the call feeling empty inside.
I shouldn't have gotten angry at my mother.
Author's Note
Chapter 13 is short enough. I figured that I didn't need to wait an entire week before posting this.
