Chapter 26: Not like each other

A new day had arrived since Sayori and Jason had their talk about Michael. Sayori had an idea of who can help with Michael. Yesterday she made some calls and ask everyone to gather up at the club tomorrow. When school ended, all four of them arrived at the club.

Monika: "So why did you call us all yesterday?"

Sayori: "There's someone I like you all to meet."

Natsuki: "Who?"

Sayori: "She's not here. We need to go to MC's house to meet her."

Natsuki: "Why his place again? You know he won't listen?"

Sayori: "I know, but …" Monika places her hand on Sayori's shoulder.

Monika: "Sayori, lead the way."

Natsuki: "Monika?"

Monika: "If you know a way to help Michael then I'll support your decision."

Sayori: "Thank you." She smiles.

Monika: (I wonder who's she talking about? It doesn't matter because this time I won't turn away from him.)

Yuri: "May I ask why we should talk with this friend of yours?"

Sayori: "She's going to tell us more about MC. I know MC didn't really tell us much, but I hope that my friend could."

Yuri: "I see. Very well, shall we go?"

Sayori: "Then follow me. Our stop is MC's house."

Yuri: (No matter what. I want to help Michael. You helped me many times before. Now it's my turn to return the favor.) She starts remembering the time he cheered her up after her and Natsuki had their fight and ran away crying and the times they spent together reading.

All four girls left the clubroom and headed towards Michael's house. None of them said a word during the walk, but wonder who Sayori's friend is? When they arrived, she rings the doorbell.

Monika: (Wonder if Michael is home or is with Sara?) The door unlocks.

Mom: "Hello Sayori it's been a long time since I last saw you."

Sayori: "Hi, Gabriella!" They both hug each other.

Mom: "My oh my, look at how much you've grown."

Monika: (No way? This is Sayori's friend? Wow she's so pretty up close.)

Natsuki: (Wait this is Michael's mom?)

Yuri: (Is this Michael's mother? She's beautiful.)

Mom: "So you three must be the Literature Club? Thank you so much for taking care of my son."

Monika: "Yes hello. I'm Monika the Club President. It's nice to meet you."

Natsuki: "My names Natsuki. Nice to meet you for once."

Mom: "Aw your all so cute. I just want to hug you all! Huh? Hello there what's your name?" She turns her silver eyes to Yuri and their eyes met.

Yuri: "P-please forgive my rudeness. M-my name is Y-Yuri. I-it's a pleasure to meet you." She bows.

Mom: "Same goes for you. Please come on in." She invites them in. "Michael isn't home right now."

Monika: "Do you know where he went?"

Mom: "Don't know, but if I had to guess he's most likely with Sara?"

Monika: "I see." (I knew it.)

Michael's mom offers everyone some snacks and drinks before sitting on the couch.

Mom: "I bet you're all here to listen to my side of the story?"

Monika: "Excuse me?"

Mom: "Sayori asked me not only yesterday, but a couple of days ago. I told her I couldn't talk the first time she called since I was at working, but I told her when I'm off we could talk. I didn't expect her to bring the rest of you here, but Sayori told me about how all four of you have been helping my son, so I don't really mind."

Monika: "I see. To be frank I wasn't expecting for you to be so open about it."

Mom: "Trust me it's a bit hard for me to say but I know it's necessary not only for my son but for me as well."

Monika: "I … S-"

Mom: "No need to apologize. I'm more than happy to help in any way I can. Though just thinking about it now." She looks down sadly. (I'm not sure I can.)

Monika: "…"

Sayori: "You know a lot about MC. MC only told us about how the both of you were abused and how Raphael got arrested. I wanted to ask what happened after?"

Mom: "Interesting question." She says as she ties her light brown hair into a ponytail.

Monika: "Please if it doesn't bother you? Could you please tell us more about your son? He only told us a couple of things about his life, but he's still unable to open up all the way. We want to help him, but we need to know more about your family. Please." Michael's mom takes a sip of her drink.

Mom: "Haven't looked back into my past in years. Just thinking about is reopening my old wounds."

Yuri: "P-please tell us."

Mom: "..." Natsuki looks to her side as Yuri pleads.

Yuri: "I, I want to know more about Michael and to help him. I don't want him to suffer anymore, so please." She gets on her hands and knees and bowed to her as everyone watches. "I know it's asking a lot. For you to tell us those awful memories, but I don't want to just sit here and watch a good man like him destroy himself. To drown himself in his own despair."

Mom: "..." She doesn't say a word. All she did was watch Yuri as she begs. "To see you all, do this for him. It fills me with joy to see you all show how much you care for my son."

Monika: "Then does that mean?"

Mom: "Yes, it's time for me to open up."

Sayori: "So you're going to tell us about you and your husband?"

Mom: "Ex-boyfriend"

Sayori: "Boyfriend?"

Natsuki: "Wait the both of you aren't married?"

Mom: "Oh no. He never proposed to me. Instead, he got me pregnant twice without ever putting a wedding ring on me."

Monika: "Wait both? What do you mean both?"

Mom: "I have two kids. Michael and Michelle."

Natsuki: "Wait who's Michelle?"

Sayori: "MC's sister."

Natsuki: "Wait he has a sister?"

Sayori: "Could we please not talk about her?"

Yuri: "Why is that?"

Sayori: "It's just …"

Mom: "That's a story for another day. Right now, we need to focus on Michael."

Yuri: "I understand, sorry."

Natsuki: "Fine"

Monika: "Well back on topic. Could you tell us about what happened to Michael after your Ex-boyfriend was arrest?"

Mom: "Yes of course, allow me to explain about what happened after Raphael was taken to prison. Michael's been finding himself."

Monika: "Finding himself?"

[Broken Sunday by Saliva]

Mom: "Since everyone compares him to his dad. Nobody ever wanted to get near him. When they look at him all they see is his dad. Mostly due to his golden eyes. He would always get into fights with people whose parents got divorced because of my Ex. Other times he would go to church alone during the night and pray that his misery could end or go there only to take out his anger against God and blame him for his misfortunes. As a mother seeing her child hurt like this all I could do is support him. Even when I'm hurting, I had to stay strong."

Sayori: "How did you manage it?"

Mom: "Hmm?"

Sayori: "How did you stay strong? After everything Mr. Conner did to you and MC. How are you this strong?"

Mom: "Because I have to be."

Sayori: "What?"

Mom: "I had to stay strong for the sake of my child. I always tell Michael that mothers are always strong. I had to put a smile on my face. If I don't then there's no telling what Michael would think or do. My only regret in life was not leaving him sooner and because of this my son had to suffer. If I left him at a home, then maybe he could've had a better life.

Back then I was more worried about myself. Raphael threatened me that if I ever leave him then he would kill me. If I did leave him then who will support me and my children? Those thoughts haunted me for years until someone called the cops on him.

When he was taken away, I felt a heavy burden was lifted off my shoulders, but with no help I had to work longer hours to support myself and my kids. Even with all my hard work I could never forgive myself. Whenever I see Michael, I see his dad. I remembered right after Raphael was taken away and I was crying Michael would try to cheer me up, but looking at his eyes I struck him. I didn't realize it until after I hit him, but he never blamed me for hurting him, but for me to do the same to someone who was just another victim. He never once hurt me nor has he ever held that grudge against me, but that doesn't excuse the fact that I hit my own child. Everything I do now, I do it for his sake.

Even when I felt despair, I had hope because of him. Michael would always offer to help support me and would always ask if he could just drop out of school. I always tell him no because I wanted him to find true happiness and to improve himself. I don't blame everyone hating my son. When I look at him, I see my Ex. However, I know he's nothing like him, but he always put the blame on himself."

Sayori: "Gabriella … I don't blame him."

Monika: "Neither do I."

Natsuki: "Same here."

Yuri: "I agree with everyone else."

Mom: "Thank you. Thank you all for your support."

Sayori: (And here I thought I was suffering, but MC is the one who's hurting the most.)

[Song Ends]

Mom: "It's not much but that's all I could say. There's nothing else I could do. I leave the rest to you. Thank you for caring for my boy. I'm grateful."

Monika: "I understand. Thank you for opening up to us."

Mom: "It's no problem. I feel a lot better now."

Natsuki: "So how are we going to help Michael?"

Yuri: "I don't know?"

Monika: "... I got a plan."

Natsuki: "Really?"

Yuri: "What is it?"

Monika: "We're going to all hang out together again and show Michael how much we care. We're going to open his heart and show him that there is hope for him and that he's nothing like his dad."

Sayori: "That would also mean we could help convince him to break up with Sara."

Monika: "That's the plan."

Natsuki: "When are we going to do it?"

Monika: "We're heading out tomorrow."

Natsuki: "Tomorrow? How are we going to get Michael to join us then? Sara keeps him away from us."

Monika: "You have a point."

Mom: "Don't worry girls. You can leave him to me."

Monika: "Are you sure?"

Mom: "He's my son. I'm sure he'll listen to me or at least think about."

Monika: "Then please do it. We're meeting up at twelve at the bus station again. I hope you're all ready to have some more fun in the snow again?"

Sayori: "I am!"

Natsuki: "Same here."

Yuri: "I'll support the best I can."

Monika: "Then it's settled. Thank you for your help."

Mom: "Anytime. You're all more than welcome to come over anytime."

Monika: "Thank you mam."

Mom: "No problem, but just call me Gabriella." She waves to them as they leave. All four girls left for home to prepare for tomorrow. Meanwhile after being left alone at home Michael's mom couldn't help but keep a huge smile on her face. "You made some great friends kiddo. I'm so happy for you. Well now it's time for me to let go of the past. If I don't than neither can you. After all mothers are strong."

End of Chapter 26