It's been a week since then and everything feels different somehow. I can't describe it, or put it to words. I'm no longer bullied sure, but now I have a new nickname..."Momma's Boy".
It started after mom came to my rescue and got Seth expelled from school. It's not a bad nickname, just embarrassing. It's better than being called "The Spick".
Speaking of my mom, I noticed she's been coming to pick me up later than usual. She'd always apologize for being late and say that she was dealing with a rough customer at the workshop. She'd never say more than that.
Until a few days later that is.
It was saturday and that meant mom's day off. We usually plan the whole day out. At 10:30 on that day, she'd make a really good breakfast. Pancakes, bacon, sausage links, etc. Then after breakfast, we'd talk about what sounded fun that day. Normally it would involve going on a car trip to my grandparents and visit for a few hours. They lived a bit out of the city to be precise. Then we'd go to a restaurant for dinner. Closing off that night with ice cream and a movie mom would rent on the tv.
But...that never happened. Mom got up early sure, but something was off. I felt it when I woke up.
As I entered the kitchen, mom sat at the table in her bathrobe drinking a cup of black coffee. She looked up at me and managed a smile.
"Sit down Doug," mom said, "I need to tell you something."
I sat down at the table. My heart was pounding in my chest. Why did I have the feeling it was going to be bad?
Just then the doorbell rang and mom got up to answer the door. There was brief talking before I heard the door close. I turned my head as mom entered the kitchen followed by...Seth?
"What the hell is HE doing here?" I said angrily.
Mom sighed and sat down across from me. She grabs my hand and squeezes it.
"I know this will come at a bit of a shock," she said softly looking at me, "but this is what I wanted to talk to you about."
I stared back at her blankly.
"What?" I replied dumbly.
"You see," she began to say. "I...I'm going on a trip with him."
I pulled my hand away from her as if it shocked me. It did though, my heart was racing in my chest.
"WHY!" I said loudly, "WHAT IS GOING ON?!"
"His father came to visit me at work," she said, "he told me how sorry his son behaved towards my son and how he'd like to make it up to me."
I looked at her with a disgusted look.
"He offered me a trip to the Dominican Republic," mom said, "the place where I grew up."
She looked excited as she told me that, then looked at Seth. Her expression immediately turned sour.
"But he wanted me to take his son with me," she said looking back at me, "I wanted to take you. But he insisted that take Seth instead."
"I know what you are going to say," she said holding up her hand, "why is he going with me?"
"Well that is because," mom stated, "his father thinks I can change him. I don't know why, but that's what he thinks."
I looked at Seth, my hate burning on my face.
"He knows how much I hate his son," she said spitefully, "but I'll try changing his attitude."
"Maybe," I thought.
"So why is he here now?" I asked again.
"He has something to say to you." mom said, "go on Seth."
I waited on bated breath.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"For what?" mom podded.
"I'm sorry for making fun of you and calling you racist slurs." he said flatly.
"And?" mom prodded again.
"I'm sorry for being a racist jerk to you and I promise to leave you alone for now on." he said.
"Good," mom said feigning a little smile on her face.
She looks at me again.
"And what do you say?" she said.
I didn't want to say it. I hate the guy. I knew it was fake. His apology wasn't sincere. But mom wanted me to be the bigger man.
"I...forgive you," I said through gritted teeth, "water under the bridge."
"Now was that so hard?" mom chuckled, "so that's what he wanted to say and what I wanted to say also."