Chapter 10

Phoenix:

The thought of his body flying against the windscreen and blood splattering all over it still haunts me. If I had stopped the car as soon as I hit him, he would probably still be alive.

I'm not seeing the psychologist today, so it's the perfect day to visit my mother. I've told her about Somaya, and she cannot wait to see her. It's only been a few days since we met and I cannot stay away from her. She's like a drug, whenever I am around her the world seems perfect, and all my problems seem insignificant. I look for her phone number and I dial it. It rings for a few seconds before she picks up.

"Morning... I'm okay, I thought I'd go and see my mother today and I think you should come too... well I already told her about you and she can't wait to see you... yeah... 10 am...

After she hangs up the phone, I take a shower and get dressed. It's already 9:15 am and I do not want to be late. The glass of wine she was using last night is still on the floor where she left it yesterday. I pick it up and place it in the sink before heading out.

I drive to her house and park a few blocks away from the gate, afraid that I might get her in trouble with her father. I pull out my phone and send her a message:

Outside. Parked a few blocks away so he doesn't see me.

A few minutes later she leaves her house and walks down the street towards my car. Every time I see her, it feels like the first time. I get out of my car and walk to the passenger side to open the door and I give her a tight hug before she enters the car.

"What did he say?"

"I told him that I'm walking to the shops."

"And he just believed you?"

"I guess so."

I lean down to kiss her lightly on the forehead.

"He really doesn't like you for some reason."

"Yeah well, dads don't normally like guys who are interested in their daughters."

"No this is different, it's like seeing us together ticks him off, like we're doing something wrong."

My mother's house is an hour's drive from here. We stop at a red light and a few kids cycle in front of the car. I feel my stomach churn and I tense up as flashbacks of the boy on the bicycle resurface.

***

My mother is sitting outside on the veranda, wearing a big sunhat and sunglasses, a glass of champagne on the table beside her.

"She looks even younger in person," says Maya in awe.

We drive through the gate and she walks towards the car.

"Phoenix! Oh my love I am so happy to see you."

She takes off her glasses and pulls me into a tight hug.

"You need to get a haircut darling," she turns to face Maya "and you must be Somaya, such a pleasure to meet you, I'm Savannah."

They hug each other and we all walk into the house.

"Phoenix has told me so much about you Maya."

"Mom, can you not."

"Let me get you kids something to drink."

We sit on the couch silently while waiting for her.

"So, Maya, Phoenix tells me that you guys have been spending some time together."

"We have, and your son really is an amazing person ma'am."

"I tried to do my best with this one, tell me about your family Maya."

"Well my mom is currently not at home, she's being treated for depression."

I reach out for her hand.

"So it's just me and my father at home."

"I'm sorry about that love," she says empathetically. "Well, Phoenix and I are just a two-man family. I had him when I was really young, his father wanted nothing to do with us, so here we are."

Maya's phone beeps and she picks it up. She looks at the screen and her expression goes blank. She turns to look at me, and then at my mother. Her face looks pale, and for a second I'm worried that she might faint.

"Maya is everything alright?"

"Phoenix," is all she manages to say.