My mother stayed with me till college ended and surprisingly, even attended my graduation. Our graduation was not that a grand one. It wasn't as much as i expected. One, because i knew no one else other than Anna, and two, this is just a goddamn town of WoodStock. I missed the farewell party because of again, MY MOTHER and her new hot-shot young flick, Chris, she dragged home. They partyed and returned home quite early and flushed out all that they had drunk in my newly hired party dress.

Seriously, FML. The new guy is staying at our home which is serously a pain in the spine. I gotta clean up all the mess he does. I gotta do his 'project works" and what not. Phew! I have possibly tried all ways to get his ass off the place. After unsuccessful attempts,  i decided to save money to go to California. IN the meantime, I and Anna set up a helping-service where we go from house to house to do all sorts of odd jobs. Of course, you can't really expect good standards of employment here in Lewiston, especially if you are of a middle-class family and there is an underemployed extra nuisance wiping his ass all over your place. 

One day, when i returned wearily from my daily helping service of mowing a lawn today, to my surprise I saw Chris doing the work i was doing all long. I raised my eyebrow and walked past him. He stopped me and caught my wrist. Ugh. My mom's boyfriend is hitting on me?!? 

I did an eye roll and wriggled my hands off his hold. He then spoke to me,

"Since the day i first came here, its you who is taking care of me and not your mom. Its to you who i truly belong. Be mine, forever.... please?"

"Whoa! whoa! whoa! C'mon? Are you kidding me?? You get along with my mom and now you try flirting with me? I rather run away from this place rather than servicing you for free. Actually, you gotta pay me for all the service, I did i because it was my home and i didn't want my mom to shout at me........ You think that i and mom always keep fighting?  Inspite of all the fghting and misunderstanding, never has she given up driling me to work now have i disobeyed her. So back off!!"

He caught me waist and with all his might pulled him closer to him. Chills ran down my spine as i resisted his touch. I have never been abused in such a way. He smelled through the rims of my neck. "You smell the way your mom smells" [Duh, same soap, grow up for god's sake kid!]

I grabbed myself away and pushed him aside and fell acoss the other side of the table , when my mom made a remarkable and timing entry. She pulled me up and hugged me close. This, i would wish to bet, the coziest place i would have ever been, until..................

FEW HOURS LATER:

"Mom im leaving for California. I cant deal with this shit. NOt anymore. Please arrange my tickets and lend me some money and you'll never hear from me EVER again. I am 20 and i know how to deal with my life. I guess you and dad are busy leading lives of your own interest and I am no where in your priorities. This is the least thing you  would wish to do, packing me off, but i am no ways going to change my decision. I need the things ready by next morning and im leaving, NO MATTER WHAT!!!"

I went up to my room and locked it behind me and spent the rest of the night crying. I called up Anna and told that I am leaving this place the next morning. She came by at 11:00 at night and hugged me tight.

" I so wish we could go together. Its a lovely place to be in.I still wonder what the point of travelling from the east to the west. OMG i really dont know what you are upto. PLease dear be careful of what u do there. What happens in California, must stay in California. And maybe if u feel hoome-sick dont hesitate to come back and spend time with your family. After all They are what you have"

i interrupted her farewell advice with a loud tone: "NOT A FAMILY! Bullshit i would say! Just take care Anna. I would stay in touch with you almost all the time. I dont want to be here any longer."

We hugged each other and recalled the memories that made us beautiful in Lewiston and bid them goodbye