"Hi Mama"

JUSTIN.

I sat on the edge of my building, looking down at the busy traffic making their way to their destination. The words of her father rang in my head repeatedly. "You're just a low life..."

To say it hurt was an understatement. It hurt like hell. I already felt s****y about myself, and then he had to go and say I was a low-life. The guy didn't even know me. I sighed and stood up, walking along the edge of the balcony. It looked so appealing to just jump off this thing; I mean no one would miss me. My mother was never home; my father didn't want me, Nilah's father refused to let her see me. I had no one...and it sucked.

Jumping off the ledge, I started making my way back to my own apartment, ready to just sleep my life away. As I passed Nilah's apartment, there was no noise. Just silence. It made me wonder what he had done to her after she left. I was terrified for her. Her father looked to be a strong man, and very demanding. I just wished he wasn't so in control all the time. Her father didn't know just how much I really need her.

Taking out my keychain, I found the one key that would fit into the key hole and unlocked the door. The cool air blasted me in the face, making a chill run down my spine. I felt my stomach growl, but I wasn't in the mood to eat. I decided I would just go to bed. It's not like I have anything else to do. Mom should be home soon, anyway. Maybe she had gone to the store. Let's hope.

---

The sun was shining through my window, making my eyelids burn. I slowly opened them, blinking a couple of times before I could see straight. I sighed, pulling the covers back and standing up. Opening my door, I walked across the hall to the bathroom, using it before walking into the kitchen.

By then, I could hear bacon sizzling, and a soft humming. I turned the corner, seeing the one person that I missed the most.

"Hi, mama."

She turned towards me, a tired smile rose on her face. "Hi, honey."  

I pulled a chair out from the dining table and sat down, rubbing a hand over my face.

My mother, Pattie Mallette, opened the cabinet and pulled out two plates. She threw on two pieces of bacon and two pancakes on both plates before walking toward me, setting one down in front of me.

"Thank you." I mumbled, grabbing a piece of the fatty bacon.

"You're welcome. So, how has your week been?" She asked me, cutting into one of her pancakes.

"It's, um..." I trailed off, chewing another piece off my bacon strip. "It's been okay."

She cleared her throat, looking up at me. "Just okay?"

I sighed, cutting into my own pancakes. "Yeah."

"Honey, what's going on? You've been sad lately."

"Well, there's new neighbors that just moved in, and I got to know her a little bit yesterday-"

My mother cut me off, a bright look on her face. "Her? So, you met a girl?"

I sighed, throwing my fork down. I leaned back in my chair. "Yes, but her father's a dick."

"Language. What's her name?"

"Nilah." I replied, picking up the second piece of bacon on my plate.

"That's a pretty name. Is she beautiful?" She asked, a excited look in her eyes.

I smiled, a mental picture of Nilah was built in my memory. "Yes, very beautiful."

She smiled, picking up her plate. She walked over to the sink, laying the plate carefully in the dish water.

"That's great, honey. I would love to meet her." She smiled at me, a hand on her hip.

I smiled, repeating her steps. "I think I'm just gonna hang up on the roof today."

She sighed, giving me a small smile. "That's all you ever do. Go out, make friends. What are Ryan and Chaz up to these days?"

"Oh, they decided to just stop talking to me. I have no one." I said in monotone.

She just looked up at me, a sad look in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"It's not your fault. Plus, I'm hoping Nilah comes out today."

She smiled and ran a hand through my hair. "Just be careful, Justin. Okay?"

I grinned, pecking her cheek. "I will Mama. I love you."

"Love you, too."

My mom may not be there all the time, but I still love her.

I walked out the door, hoping for a better day.