Letting go ( A change for the better)

“That’s the thing about this city, there is warmth in its cold. The warmth we couldn’t feel in Victoria,” said Rosie in a calm voice.

“Yup, who would’ve thought that such a cold place can be so

warm,” said William to his mom. 

“Mom, Dad called, said William in a low voice. He said he was sorry, he understands the pain that you’ve gone through. He said he feels very

lonely and that he wants to keep a family get together this Friday in his new

mini apartment” said William dryly.”

Mini apartment?”, Asked Rosie in surprise.

“Yup! Mini apartment, he got a new job recently and so he bought

a mini apartment” answered William.

 “Good for him, finally he moved on with his life and did

something, you see William everything happens for good,” said Rosie while

patting on Willliam’s back.

“So are we going? asked William with a serious tone.

“Let's see if I can clear my schedule, I have a meeting with a

publishers group this week,” said Rosie.

“Oh wow! So your book is publishing finally

ha?” Asked William with amazement.

“Yeah, you can say that,” answered Rosie casually.

“Well, that means that we are going to have a celebration soon!.

I am so happy that finally, your hard work is paying off mom,” said William

with a loving expression.

“Thanks, son! it's all because of you guys. You supported me and

pushed me to begin writing again otherwise, I was lost in my shifts and

part-time jobs” said Rosie in a peaceful tone.

“You deserve every one bit of success in life mom. You are my

inspiration,” said William with teary eyes 

“Aww, that means so much to me, sweetie! I love you so much,”

Said Rosie lovingly.

“Love you too mom,” said William.

“I need to get some sleep and you need to sleep early too,

tomorrow you have a big day, You are called for an interview from a top

university, right? Wouldn’t want to mess that up!” said Rosie

“ Yeah, mom” answered William.

“Good luck then son have a good night.”

“Good night mom,”.said William while having old thoughts and

flashbacks from last year…

“Sigh! Why does everything have to be so difficult and

complicated? why do I have to compromise, its not my fault that mom and dad are

getting a divorce or the fact that dad is alcoholic and addicted to drugs. I

don't have any control over it.. why do we have to suffer?” thought William

while walking down his street late at night.

I am going to miss everything about this place, my whole

childhood memories, my highschool everything belongs to this beautiful place, a

teardrop down his eye amidst all these chaotic thoughts coming in his head. As

he reaches home he sees his sister, Amanda, sitting on the front stairs, anyone

can see the grievance and loneliness on her face.

“Hey! Everything is going to be alright. We are going to get

through this,” said William with a shaky voice.

Amanda hugged her brother and burst into tears. William calmed

her down while feeling a storm of sadness, rage, and grievance inside him.

“Mom, why do we have to leave this place? We can think of this

through, I can take another part-time job, we can pay the rent and the bills

everything is going to be alright, even Amanda doesn’t want to leave this

place,” said William in a restless voice.

“William sweety! You already have 3 jobs and you have to study

for your finals how much can you bear, it's too much. Just focus on your

studies and I am going to talk to the landlord and see if I can solve the rent

issue, otherwise, we have to shift in with your grandparent’s house for the

time being,” said Rosie with a plain expression on her face.

“Mom but I don’t want to live in Vancouver,” said William

annoyingly.

“Son sometimes change is better for us, you will never know

what opportunities and best things are waiting for you in that city. You have

to take chances. Things don’t go always as planned William but always remember one thing in life: After every hardship comes ease and peace. Oh! I am getting late for my shift bye! Drop your sister at school for me. Thank you,” said Rosie and left the house.

“Amanda let's go, we are getting late, you know we have to walk from here!” Calls William.

“Dad stops it, it 7:30 AM!” Said William with rage after seeing his father drinking alcohol in the corner of the living room. “Didn’t your harm us enough? You lost your job. You became an addict, you cheated on mom with other women. Hold on to yourself before it gets too late” said William hopelessly.

Steve throws the alcohol bottle on William's head. William fells

to the ground. Amanda cries out loud when she sees her brother and calls the

ambulance with a trembling voice.

“William, are you okay honey? are you hurt? Willaim opens his

eyes and a sweet voice enters his ears. “Mom I am okay, it's nothing, it's just

a mere scratch,” answers William in a painful voice.

“William, it's not just a scratch!... I'm tired of your dad

hurting you guys,” said Rosie with a tired voice

 “Mom, he was drunk its not his fault, it.. it's just a

mistake, he was not in his right state,” said William with a broken voice.

“Until when do I have to deal with his mistakes and it's not

just a scratch! I am done now we are leaving him and this city this

WEEK..that's it I have decided,” said Rosie with rage.

“But mom please!” pleaded William.

“I said I have DECIDED!. Now let me check on the medicine and

the resignation letter,” said Rosie in a harsh tone.

“How could you hit your OWN son!.. You have to pull yourself

together. Ever since you lost your job you have gone crazy. It's been 2 years

almost please! put yourself together. I am tired of putting your pieces

together. I forgave you every single time you hurt me. You’re a mature

person, please take your responsibilities seriously. I’ve been trying my best

but I am tired of you, Steve. I am leaving you that’s it,” Said Rosie in a voice

full of emotions, heartbreak, and tiredness. 

Steve sits in the corner mumbling words in anger “ no one knows

my pain”.

“NO ONE KNOWS YOUR PAIN? HAVE YOU MET ME STEVE? I have forgiven

you over and over again, I try my best to take care of this house, all the

bills, groceries, kids, every single person. Not ONCE did I cry Infront of my

kids. When was the last time you saw me partying? Have you seen my heart? It's

DEAD STEVE, it's DEAD from inside because I started to live a robotic life

because of you. I am a person Steve, I have feelings too! It breaks my heart to

see Amanda crying in the night and William begging me not to leave this city

and trying his best because he has memories with this city, this town, these

people. He is Just 17! Steve and he is more responsible than you. Ahhhhh !!!,”

screams Rosie while crying and trembling down to the floor.

William heard all the conversion, standing on the stairs, his

face turned pale and all his happiness vanished. He was coming downstairs to

tell his mom that everything is going to be fine, that he talked to the

landlord and the landlord gave them few more months for the rent to pay, that

he got another job, that he didn’t have to leave his beloved city where he

grew, he played in this city, went school in this city, the city he loved the

most because it was connected with him, but after he heard everything suddenly

the air was heavier, nothing felt good. For the first time, he saw his mom

crying and screaming. He never thought that his mom was breaking from inside in

an attempt to keep them happy. She worked at three jobs and forgot that she

loved to write not babysit or assist part-time. After all these chaotic months

and weeks, this was the moment that made William’s mind clear and his heart at

peace. A voice echoed in his inner self “we are going to change our city

for the better” sometimes change is better no matter you like it or not! This

was the moment William thought to himself that we are the makers of our

destination, the path sure will be hard but it will be worth it.

“Want tea?” asks Amanda to William

William snaps out of his thoughts and answers; “yeah sure,

thanks.”

“How amazing and peaceful is this place right? I love it here,”

says Amanda in a peaceful and tranquil manner.

“Yeah,” affirms William

“What happened with your project in school?,” asked William.

“I got first place in it and the school offered me a scholarship

too,” answered Amanda.

“AMAZING! Go, sis! Didn’t I tell you that you are a super

scientist woman!.,” Happily said, William.

“ I know right who knew I were a super scientist woman,”

answered Amanda as they both laughed and fist-bumped each other.

William felt peace, satisfaction, success, love all these

elements at once and mumbled in his inner self “ what a change! ..I was afraid

of letting go of my old city, who would’ve thought that this change could bring

me so many good things at once! The biggest of them all is mental

peace. It was a change for the better and I love it”

He thought to himself; letting go of old memories can make space

for new ones. A new beginning… A new city to love…new memories to make!