Epilogue 1
EPILOGUE 1
Brandon
T he hallway to our apartment never felt as long as it did right now. It was like walking to our trial, where our mother would determine what would be the end of our summer. I didn’t regret anything. My mother worked hard and deserved the world. But I hated disappointing her, so I guess I did regret something. Brian’s silence next to me told me all I needed to know. There were no words required between us; at times, it took one look, and we communicated everything we needed to say.
He was pissed at me because I was the one that came up with the plan. Brian had had his doubts, but he went along with everything because that was what brothers did. Now we both were in deep shit with our mother.
Damn.
Brian pulled out his key and opened the door. We both swung our backpacks off our shoulders, the synchronicity between us a comfort before what awaited us in our living room.
We silently entered the living area, and there she was, with her back to us on the main sofa. Ma was sitting on Orlando’s lap, giggling. I don’t think I’d ever seen my mom giggling.
“What do you think they’ll say?” she asked him.
“I mean, this is what they wanted, right? So they should be cool about it. Now, come here and kiss me again.” Orlando’s large hand cupped my ma’s face, guiding it down to his—
“The fuck?” I mouthed to Brian.
Brian stood stock-still, a look of pure horror on his face. He shook his head and pointed toward the hallway. No need to tell me twice, I followed him as my mother giggled and Orlando’s groans grew louder.
We barricaded ourselves in my room and turned on the TV to bury the sounds from outside.
“The fuck was that?”
“I guess that’s what we wanted.” Brian shrugged and plopped onto my bed.
“Nah, that’s, nah, why couldn’t they get a room or something?” I said, disturbed, but deep down, I was glad for Ma. She deserved all the happiness in the world. And I had known since I saw Orlando looking at her like the sun shined from her behind that he would be good to her.
So, I guess I had been right all along.
“Man, wipe that smug look off your face. You know she knew we were there, right? They were messing with us.”
“For real?”
“Yeah, listen…” Brian brought down the TV.
From outside, I heard Mom’s voice.
“Did you see how fast they ran to the room?”
“Serves them right,” Orlando answered.
Damn, I thought my dude was on our side.
But whatever, they could get this one. We won the prize.
Our mother finally had her dreams come true.