CHAPTER 9

I lay on my bed, replaying Jeremy's words in my mind. He had asked me out on a date, and the mixture of excitement and sadness overwhelmed me.

I couldn't bear the thought of Jeremy getting hurt because of my father's madness. If my mom were still alive, none of this would be happening.

As I dwelled on my mother, memories of the day she passed away came rushing back.

***

"Honey, I don't think you should go to this party," my dad had said, his reluctance to let her go evident.

"I have to, Dan. I've missed her birthday party more than four times now, and this is her thirtieth birthday. We haven't been on good terms lately. She's threatened to fire me more than twice already. This is the best way for me to make amends," my mom had explained.

"But it's not safe to drive in the rain," my dad had argued.

"I know, but I have to try," she had replied, determination in her voice.

My dad had let out a sigh as they walked over to the door.

She had turned around to give me a kiss on the forehead.

"I'll make sure to buy you a Kit Kat on my way back, okay? I love you so much," she had said.

Then, she had given my dad a quick kiss on the cheek and walked into the pouring rain.

Sometime after my mother had left, my dad had turned on the TV to watch the seven o'clock news.

The news we heard had shocked us both. There had been an accident on the road my mom had taken.

Then came the call that would shatter our lives.