It was the last thing I expected to see when my phone buzzed with a notification. I kept my focus on the road. A text could wait thirty seconds for me to park. I pulled into my spot. The letters "CEO" were painted to the asphalt in white, a sight I'd never get tired of seeing.
I started my own international trade business just five years ago when I was only 18. Everyone doubted that I would succeed, but here I am.
I twisted the keys and shut off the engine. I then reached over and grabbed my phone from the center console. It lit up in my hands. "Message from Mom" the notification read. I raised an eyebrow. Why would she be messaging me?
Five years ago around the holidays, I left the only home I'd ever known. It had started when my moms boyfriend had gotten too aggressive with her. I remember running to her room and kicking the locked door open. He advanced to me almost immediately, pushing me against the wall so hard the back of my head left a hole in the drywall. I remember punching him repeatedly across the face while my mother screamed and cried out for him.
He eventually broke away and pulled out a pistol from his waistband. I don't remember what he said but he grabbed his jacket and left the house.
My mother, Beth, yelled and screamed at me, tears running down her face. She was angry at me for making her boyfriend leave. My older sister, Lucy, even pitched in on the verbal assault. I immediately ran to my room and packed my things.
I loved Beth and Lucy and only wanted to protect them. I guess I never truly understood why she stayed with that asshole, but I knew I couldn't have lived any longer in that house.
I sighed, turned my phone screen off, and opened the car door. The confusion was unsettling. As I took the elevator up to the office, my mind continued to wonder why she would reach out.
The elevator chimed and the doors opened. I began my stroll to my office. As my colleagues passed I greeted them and smiled, occasionally shaking hands.
"Good morning Sir. I'm afraid there's a situation waiting in your office," said one of my secretaries.
"Ah the situation can wait till after the holidays," I replied, "we shut down at the end of the day".
The old woman shook her head with a grin. I had no idea what it could be. I stepped into my office and plopped down at my desk. I noticed the voicemail button was blinking red so I pressed it and started to take off my suit jacket.
A soft woman's voice began to play through the speaker.
"Hey sweetie! I tried to text you but maybe you changed your number. Your sister and I wanted to surprise you for the holidays but we couldn't afford to fly to the city to see you. Instead, we want to invite you over for the holidays," Beth's voice said.
The voicemail clicked off. I felt a warm feeling building in my chest. It had been so long since I've seen family. My life in the city was fast and at times... lonely.
I frowned and shook my head. I had just planned a trip to the beach. I was going to stay in a villa by myself and enjoy the change of pace.
To add, I did not want to go back to that house. I imagine her boyfriend is still there and just as drunk.
I paused to stare at the phone. With a sigh, I picked it up and pressed the redial button. The phone repeatedly played the dial tone until I heard a click and the rustling of a phone being put to an ear.
"Hello?" said Beth's voice.
"Hey mom," I replied.
"Oh my gosh. What a surprise! How are you, honey?".
"I'm great Mom. Look, I got your voicemail and I'm afraid I have some bad news".
"Oh...".
"Yeah. It looks like you and Lucy aren't going to be able to celebrate the holidays at home this year".
"... Why do you say that?".
"Well... Because... you and Lucy will be flying out to Mexico with me tonight...".
"OH! My god, are you serious?".
"Yes ma'am. I'll send a driver to collect you two. Do you have your passports?".
"Oh, no... We haven't had passports in years".
"I'll pull some strings. Don't worry about it".
"Oh. Okay sweetie. I guess we'll see you later?...".
"Of course!".
"Okay. Love you".
"... I love you too Mom".
I hung up the phone, a grin across my face. ...I missed them. My mom, sister, and I were extremely close. We used to call ourselves the three musketeers.
Beth gave birth to Lucy when she was only 14 years old. Then had me the next year. It wasn't uncommon in the area we grew up in. My earliest memories were from a one bedroom apartment in the city.
We all shared a small bed until I was 17. It was a hard life. In the winter, there was no heat. We would have to strip naked and squeeze together in that small bed for warmth at night. It seems like it was harsh but I enjoyed it. It was comfy and I really felt the love between the three of us be shared.
Then came Beth's boyfriend. He was a damn prick and would drink way too much. He had money... well... more money than we'd ever had. He was vile, but he took care of my mom. He moved us in with him on my 18th birthday. Two weeks later, I was on my own.
I shook off those memories of that asshole and grabbed my jacket. I swung it around and buttoned it. I turned to look in the mirror to make sure my tie was straight. I loved the man I have become and I'm excited to see my family.
I grabbed my bag and headed back for the elevator.
"I'm headed out ladies. You all can too. Happy holidays!" I exclaimed to the handful of older women who made up my secretary department. They smiled and began packing up their things.
I hastily headed home to begin packing my things. When I was finished, I decided to call the pilot. I notified him that I was about to be on my way and to be prepared to leave. As I hung up, someone buzzed my loft from the ground floor. It must be the driver, so I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.
I hopped in the backseat of the SUV as the driver held the door. He closed it and jogged to the drivers side door and hopped in himself.
"Airport sir?" He asked.
"Yes please," I replied.
I flipped my phone out of my pocket and texted my mom to see if she had been collected yet.
She responded quickly. The driver was on his way but traffic was terrible. They were going to be behind schedule.