I thought that they had turned back to normal.
“Eat Mikey.”
The meal didn’t taste how it should.
Mom got another call.
She looked scared.
“So many sales people.”
She looked sad.
“The hospital is going to have to see your dad.
We have to go.”
I said I would go with them.
“You have to go, we have to make money.”
“I’ve had time off, can’t I be with you.”
<
3:23
“I’ve had time off, can’t I be with you.”
864
“If you are going to make us money, you have
to stop.”
We sat down.
They looked at me again.
“The hospital needs to see your dad.”
I held her hand.
“I’ll leave, it’s alright. Mikey has had enough.”
I started to cry.
A man sat down next to me.
“I need people for my university studies, if you
sign up I can pay for you to go to university.
Think about it.”
3:23
I saw a message on my phone.
864
“You have less than me, I’m still happy to have
your parents to myself.”
I sent a text.
“I’ve had an accident.”
They called.
“Where are you? We’ll pick you up now.”
I heard Brian in the background, panicking.
“I’m okay, I’ll see you later.”
I looked at the man in front of me.
“I’ll join.”
<
Chapter 2
864
Before leaving, I left the gold necklace I’d scrimped and saved for my mom, and the watch
I’d gotten my dad, as a final gesture.
My room was tiny.
It was maybe 400 square feet at most, and all
my stuff could fit into one box.
I tossed it all in the dumpster.
I was done.
A week went by.
My parents must have realized I hadn’t been in touch.
They blew up my phone, but it was
disconnected.
That’s when thaw frooked out and wont book to
<
3:23
864
That’s when they freaked out and went back to
our old place.
But I wasn’t there.
I was drowning in math problems.
They found the broken necklace and the watch
they’d said was too expensive on the table.
Mom started screaming my name.
“Mikey! Mikey, where are you? We’re here for
New Year’s!”
Dad, who’d been supposedly weak as a kitten,
suddenly ran like an athlete into my room.
It was barely big enough for a twin bed.
He looked at Mom, eyes wide with panic.
“He’s gone! He ran away!”
<
Mom stared, totally in disbelief.
“No way. Mikey’s too responsible. He wouldn’t
do that. Maybe he’s out delivering pizzas?”
Then she saw my pizza delivery jacket lying
there and her legs just gave out.
“He’s only twenty–two! He gave us all his
money! How’s he going to survive?”
They both looked at the necklace and watch.
Mom picked up the necklace, tears streaming
down her face.
“This was his eighteenth birthday gift to me! I
thought I left it at Brian’s house. How did it get
here? Oh God…”
They both knew who to blame.
Dad hesitated.
