I’m finishing up my under graduate courses and happen to find myself living with a new couple. They are decent people and we mostly keep to ourselves. They are expecting a second child and this is where my recent dilemma begins. Unexpectedly I get a frantic call from my roommate Marc, he is all over the place and I do understand his request to me. He is with his son Maverick and just got told his wife has been rushed to the local hospital to give birth to their second child anytime now. Marc is desperate and asked if I can look after James, his first son, while he rushes to his wife’s side. But, I advise no I cannot. I am drowning in assignments and have a final exam I need to prepare for tomorrow. He is vivid with me. I apologize for this inconvenience, but I most be strict with my own tasks. In my mind, the should have gotten a babysitter or called their parents. Those are the people that can help with his predicament, not me.
He has just texted that him missing this important event is all my fault. But, I need to stand my ground. This situation has nothing to do with me.
I don’t know if this is the right thing anymore. I can barely see through my eyes. There’s such a desperation about this loss. I know that I have chosen to walk away from you, but I’m already mourning. We won’t ever be the same after this and it feels too much to bare. I try to hug you once more, but you softly push me away. A signal that it’s time to do as I’ve said. I’m so sorry.
“I think I just met the happiest person in the world,” I say with a huge smile on my face.
“No way, where at,” responses a slightly confused Derek.
His attention has officially shifted to hear my response.
“I swear this woman was dancing and smiling the whole time I was walking behind her!”
“I couldn’t help but pull out my phone to record her and post the wonderful moment.”
“Here,” I say as I wipe out the video to show Derek excitedly.
A video presents a older women in her 60’s skipping around and singing sweet tunes to herself. She’s swaying side to side capturing smiley faces all around her as they walk past her with completely surprised expressions.
“Man, that is humanity there,” Derek says to me also smiling now…
“Caterpillar brows,” someone coughed out loudly as she walked through the hallway.
This was her cue to put her earphones back on.
Yes, her eyebrows were definitely her most unique trait. The hairs sprouted in all directions and covered most of her face. You’d think that her light hazel eyes would be somewhat appreciated, but no. All anybody ever saw was her “hairy caterpillar brows.”
As we held hands, I turned to take a look at my mother, but strangely saw myself. I had a sway with every step and my hair is fizzy with new hair growth. I can sense a calmness that I wasn’t aware I could have. My talkative nature was suspended as we slowly walk to our cars. I couldn’t help, but smile that I was okay and safe with my mom. I knew the exact thoughts that flooded my head, which felt pretty weird to know what the other person is thinking because its you.
And from one moment to the next, I was saying goodbye with a hug and again I belonged to my body. But now I stayed there standing to really grasp my mother walking away to her car. I wish I could know how she was feeling now.
Rainy days are my favorite. I get to dress up in my comfiest clothes, A white turtle neck that goes up to my nose and my black trench coat that rides down to my knees. But what makes it the best time are my walks with my pet butterfly — Rosie. Not a single soul on the sidewalks, While my Rosie jumps from my fingers and flies all around me, Dodging all the heavy rain drops. Oh, how perfectly beautiful are my rainy days.
