Page 8 of Your Biggest Downfall
Ledger held up a plastic bag. It was fucking annoying how that man could truthfully never do any wrong.
“I’ve got to head to a party tonight, so I can’t stay,” I lied as I stood from the couch.
The party wasn’t until later, but between my mom’s hormonal rants that ended up in tears, the baby who was crying, and their perfect little family, I didn’t want to be here.
“No,” Mom cried, but she was breastfeeding, so she was trapped and couldn’t chase after me.
Ledger looked at me and lowered his voice. “She’s been looking forward to you coming to visit.”
“Has she?” I quipped. “It seems like she’s pretty content with her family here.”
“That’s not fair,” Ledger bit back, still keeping his voice down. “You’re a part of this family too, but with the Cup, I told her you’re are busy?—”
“I am,” I retorted. “That’s right. I am busy.”
Ledger grabbed me by the shoulder, lowering his head. “It’s sushi, Austin. For your mother.”
I shrugged and pulled away from him. “Sorry, Ma. I gotta run. It was nice seeing you.”
I walked over and gave her a kiss on her forehead.
“Did you want to hold your sister?” she asked.
I looked down at the little baby hungrily sucking on my mom’s boob. Kids weren’t my thing, if I was being honest. They looked breakable, and this one in particular was ruining my relationship with my mother.
That was far fetched. She wasn’t ruining anything. She was a baby with no say in where or to whom she was born, but our dynamic was changing, and I hated it. I hated feeling so out of control of my life that I clung to the few things I could manage.
“No can do. Sorry, I have a party since we don’t have early practice tomorrow.”
“It’s okay, baby. I’m glad you stopped by to say hi. Next time you should stay for sushi.”
“I will. I promise.” A promise I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep.
5
nova
After I had dropped off the coffee to Iris, I told her I was going to make some content and got the hell out of there. I had no desire to do any work after the shit show of the day I’d had. Instead, I commented on a few influencer posts, tagged a couple people in others, and called it a day. My mom came first.
I pulled up to my mom’s house on the other side of Chicago. Technically, she lived in the city because she used to be a city employee, but it was the outskirts by the suburbs. She lived in a small brick house that I grew up in. It was always just her and me. My dad had run out when I was a kid. Now, I shared an apartment downtown with Luna to be closer to work, but I promised I’d come visit her and Aunt Mae.
“Mami,” I called out.
My mom was half Puerto Rican, half German, and when she was healthy, she was absolutely stunning. Because of her stomach cancer, she looked a little more frail than usual.
I found her in the living room watching another episode ofJeopardyas she yelled at the TV. My Aunt Mae was in the kitchen setting up her IV bag. Aunt Mae was technically my mom’s half sister, but the two of them were like twins. Mae was anurse at a hospital, but since my mom got sick, she was her full-time caregiver.
“Hi, Mami,” I crooned as I scanned her to make sure she looked okay.
Her dark hair was cut to the same length as mine, right below her neck, and was as straight as mine. Her tanned skin had weathered with age, but her eyes were still bright green, which made me happy.
“Hi, mija,” my mom whispered as I dropped down on the old fabric couch next to her and gave her a hug.
“She looks good today, Mae,” I called out to the kitchen.
The house was small and outdated, yet it exuded a cozy charm that made it feel like home. The walls were adorned with faded floral wallpaper, and the furniture was a mismatched collection of vintage pieces that had clearly seen better days. The creaky wooden floors and the scent of freshly baked cookies lingering in the air added to the warm atmosphere.
Mae, my mom’s sister from her dad’s German side, emerged from the kitchen. Her long blonde hair, a striking contrast to our dark locks, cascaded down her back. We all shared the same vibrant green eyes, a familial trait that often drew comments on our resemblance despite our different backgrounds.
