Runaway Mom

-Kohaku-

I:

She’s gone again. Surprise, surprise. Mom’s run off with another man again. I forget his name. Doesn’t matter. It won’t last long. For now, I have to take care of everything. Such a pain.

I crumbled up the note in my hand. It was all I could do to keep from screaming.

II:

My sister’s with Basho again. Better her than me. So, I am alone right now. I flopped back onto the couch. Not much to do now. I already did my homework last night. I should just go to sleep.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

I lifted my head. Clare stood at the window, looking in. She had that crazed smile on her face. I sighed and rolled my eyes. I got up and opened the window. She still grinned as I opened it.

“What?” I asked.

“Hiya!” Clare cheered.  I rolled my eyes.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“Let me in?” she asked. I threw back my head and groaned.

“Whatever,” I muttered.

“Sweet!” Clare said. Just as predicted, she crawled in through the window. I sighed and closed it behind her. So much for peace and quiet today.

III:

“Where’s your mom?” Clare asked.

“Gone,” I said.

“Why?” she asked. I sighed.

“She has another man,” I said.

“Oh? Why?” Clare asked. I gritted my teeth.

“She’s a selfish cow,” I said. I flopped back onto the couch. Clare stared at me, smiling. I wrinkled my nose.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she said. I sighed and puffed up my cheeks.

“Why am I here?” I asked. Clare held out her hands in a shrug.

“I live here,” she said.

“But why?” I asked.

“Because I want to,” Clare said. I threw back my head and groaned. She’s just like mom.

IV:

I looked up when I heard the door open. Oh, nee-san’s home.

“I’m home!” I heard her say. Haruko popped her head into the living room.

“Welcome home, Haruko-san!” she said.

“You’re still here?” my sister asked her.

“Uh-huh!” Clare said, nodding.

“Hm,” Haruko said.

“Mom’s gone again,” I said.

“Hm? Seriously?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“New boyfriend?”

“Yeah.”

“How long will she be gone?”

I shrugged and shook my head. “I don’t know.”

“Hum,” Haruko said. She walked back to her room.

V:

My phone rang.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Kohaku-chan?” mom asked. My face dropped.

“Where are you now?” I asked.

“Roppongi,” she said. Not far this time.

“Ah,” I said. “When are you coming home?”

“I don’t know.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I will send you money for the week.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I love you, girls.”

“Yes, yes.” I heard rustling and mumbling in the background.

“Nothing, babe,” mom said to the person on her end of the line. Figures, she’s with her man. What was I expecting?

“Can’t talk now,” mom said. “Bye.” I didn’t say a word as she hung up. I sneered as I looked at my phone. It’s just the same shit. The same shit. I laid down on my side and buried my face into the couch cushion. Such a pain.