Chapter 3 A WEIRD DAY

• I watch mom having her breakfast with me at the same table. She looks like she has a good appetite today, unlike some days, where she skips a meal. Mom has lost weight for the past few months. It was hard not to notice it. Her beautiful face sags a little bit, her eyes sunken, and dark marks encircle in there as well. She must have a lack of sleep working hard to make ends meet.
• "Angel? Finish your food," Mom commands when she catches me staring at her. "Is there a problem at school?" She asks as she puts down her fork.
• "No, no, mom, nothing wrong. The first day of school went smoothly."
• Should I ask her? I can't decide. The distinct interior of the Audi is still vivid in my mind. Yesterday was the first time I had ridden an expensive car. Although mom and I can't afford luxury cars or even cheap ones. I'm not ignorant of expensive brands and models, especially the one I rode yesterday; my favorite car, Audi A7 Sportback.
• "Mom?"
• "Hmm..?" She answered in a hum.
• "I asked the driver yesterday about the scholarship and the free ride. He told me to ask you instead."
• "What about it?"
• "It seems so strange to me, having a scholarship from an expensive school and having a free ride at the same time. I haven't seen other students who seem like they are from our class."
• "What class?"
• "I mean, students there are rich, not like us. But, don't get me wrong, some things don't feel right to me."
• "You are overthinking Angel. Let's be thankful for everything that we have. I only want the best for you, Angel, you know that, right?" Mom says as she reaches my hand.
• Her answer is not direct and satisfying to me. Yet, I chose to drop the issue. I cannot argue the truth that mom only wants the best for me. "I know, mom."
• Mom and I usually leave our apartment together. I go to school while my mom works as a company secretary in Reyes enterprises. When I stepped inside the elevator, I remember putting my book on my bedside table last night before I went to bed. "Mom, I left the book I am currently reading; you may go first."
• Mom sighs as I walk back to our unit. After retrieving my book, I drop by our neighbor Susan to check if Max has breakfast. My dog, Max, wags his tail seeing me enter Susan's door, which is not locked. I'm used to entering Susan's house without her permission as she allows me to do it.
• "Hi, boy, how are you? Have you had breakfast already?" I ask him like he is a human being who will answer in return. His little whine is the cutest every time I cuddle him; Max is like a child who wants candy; his coat is so fluffy, like a marshmallow, and soft to the touch.
• "Angel"
• "Hi, aunt Susan, Good morning," I greet her, glancing up. "I dropped by just to check this little pumpkin," I said, kissing Max's nose.
• "Good morning! Sorry, I was just in the comfort room."
• "It's okay; I won't be staying long."
• "Yeah, good thing you're here. Max seems to miss you already; he was so lazy when you left him this morning. I don't know, but there's something strange about him. And he hasn't had his breakfast yet."
• "No, Max, you need to have breaky now." I reach out for his food and feed him, but Max refuses. "Come on, boy, you can't go on hunger strike because I'm leaving you." I pat on Max's head and then cuddle him again.
• "Angel, you can't be late for school. Let me handle Max; I'll make sure he will have his breakfast," Susan said as she bent over and joined in cuddling Max.
• "Okay, Aunt Susan, please give him treats. I have to go."
• "Yeah, don't worry about Max. You have to go."
• My fluffy Max watches me leave as his tail keeps wagging.
• I was fast enough to catch mom waiting for a taxi; she's with her best friend Melanie, who works at the same company as a mom. "Have you told Angel?" Melanie asks mom. I eavesdrop on their conversation unintentionally.
• "No, I can't," Mom answered. Her voice was husky as if trying not to be heard by random people waiting for a taxi. But I stand behind mom when she answers Aunt Melanie.
• "What is it, mom?" I am supposed to keep it to myself, but I am reckless. So I voice out my question.
• Mom jolts as if she heard a monster talking at her back; she shifts in my direction, clutching her chest with a terror in her eyes. "Angel?"
• "Mom?"
• "Good morning, Angel," Aunt Melanie chime in.
• "Good morning, Aunt Melanie."
• "We were talking about your upcoming birthday; your mom has a surprise for you," Aunt Melanie said; she elbows mom. Mom jolts again; her face is more relaxed now.
• "Yeah, Angel, I thought I should give you a birthday party for you and your friends. It's been a while since we haven't had a big party for you. So let's do it this year."
• "But mom, my birthday is over a month from now. So isn't it too early to plan?"
• "No, the earlier we plan, the better."
• "I don't know; I only want to spend time with you. I don't expect special things for my birthday, even a party."
• Mom pinches my chin. "I wanna do this for you, Angel."
• "Yes, Angel, your mom's idea is great. We'll surely plan this well for you. But for now, we have to go; a taxi is waiting."
• I nod to aunt Melanie as she walks to the taxi.
• "Take care, Angel," Mom said; she patted my head before she left.
• This morning feels weird to me. I didn't seem to grasp what was wrong. But everything vanishes when an Audi 2016 parks in front of me. My savior. The car is pretty and alluring; its mere presence seems to entice me to grab the door and get in. But, instead, Dominic steps out of the car and pulls the passenger door open for me.
• "You don't have to do this, Dominic."
• "Just doing my job," he replies. His smile is gentle, like his personality. Dominic is such a gentleman.
• And again, the beautiful interior of the Audi occupied my head as yesterday. The cushion is soft beneath my back, the leather is smooth to my touch, and the smell of a good car feels ethereal.
• I let myself be taken away by my dream of having this car as my own. Everything might be weird at home, mom, and school but riding this car seems therapeutic. It makes me wonder if riding Maddox's car would feel the same way. I would have sat in his car yesterday if only I didn't decline his offer to give me a ride.