Page 53 of The Breaking Pointe
“Aw, but, Cole, I just wanna know, please?A little hint? Did she come over?Did you go on a date?”she begs me, causing me to laugh more.
“No, no.Nothing crazy happened.”I chuckle.
The last thing I’m telling her is how I had sex with a woman in my living room. She’s insane if she thinks I’m giving any details about that.
She points at me. “You’re a bad liar, Cole. But if you say that nothing crazy happened? Then sure.”
I sigh, smiling as I shake my head.“Anyways, can you stop dropping things down the sink, please and thank you?”
She looks at the sink and then at me.
“It’s from cooking, I really swear it is—look, before you go, honey, we need to talk.”
Talk?Talks are for problems.Dear God, what now? “Talkaboutwhat?What’sup?”Iask,wipingmyhands
off on a dirty hand towel.
“It’s about me. And you and Steven.”
“Okay…”Ilaughnervously,draggingmywords.
Her face resorts to a more serious expression, followed by her arms hugging herself.
“Oh, this is that kind of conversation,” I say softly.She nods as her face fills with regret.
“Yeah. Um, Colton, I’m not doing okay, like—like health wise, if you will?”
My heart starts to beat harder.I don’t even want her to finish what I think she’s about to say. As a matter of fact, I know what she’s going to say. I want to be wrong, though. Just this once.
“Well, what is it? I can fix it,” I say, shrugging. “Oh…honey,I’mafraidthisisn’tonthelonglistofthings
you can fix,” she claims, placing her hand on my arm.“Let’s sit,” she insists, trying to pull me to the dining table.
My eyes close slowly as I grab her arm back.
“What do you mean? Can you just say it? I need you to say it.”
She sighs, looking into the living room then at me, placing a hand on my cheek.
“I mean that I’m dying, Cole.I went to the doctor a few weeks ago.”
What in the actual fuck? I can’t open my eyes now. I am stuck in time. I have to be.
Going against my will, I open my eyes, looking down at her, finally breathing. The front door swings open, and Steven makes his way inside, holding an envelope. His laughs fill the house immediately, letting us know that he’s excited. Rushing, even. At the same time, my mom is struggling not to cry right in front of me.
“Hey,Colton,dude,I’mgladyou’rehere.Igotsomething
to tell you guys!”he exclaims, closing the door.
He quickly shuffles over to us, taking the paper out ofthe envelope.But as he looks at both of us, he loses his excitement slowly.
“What’s wrong? Why do you both look like that?” he asks seriously.
I look at my mom and then at the floor, clearing my throat. “Uh, why don’t you tell us what you’re so excited about, Steve,” I say, forcing a smile on my face.
“Can you guys tell me?Please?You got all quiet when I came in.”
I look at my mom, her hand dropping from my face finally. “Your call,” I say to her. “Just tell him…”
