Part 4:

Tonight! I will go out tonight, midnight to be exact. My mom will be sleeping soundly making my escape easy, and the rest of New York will be covered in lights, arguably the best way to see New York in all its glory. Plus, I’ll be able to watch it from below in a cab. This research trip is definitely something I’m looking forward to.

“Sorry about the burnt soup, Honey… I shouldn’t have-”

“It’s fine, mom.” I say as I finish the last of it. 

“Ar- Are you okay, Honey? It looks like something has been bothering you… Is it school? Are you being bullied? Is there-”

“I’m fine, mom.” I repeat, “It’s just- there’s a lot going through my mind is all, I’d tell you if it wasn’t so complicated.” I say.

“Then just tell it to me, Joseph. I’m your mother! Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.” she attempts to get through to me.

I push off the kitchen table, stand up from my chair and stretch. 

“I’ll find a way to get myself out of this, mom, so don’t worry. In the meantime, why don’t you go to bed? I’ll deal with the dishes tonight.” I say nonchalantly.

“I… okay then. But you better tell me everything tomorrow, you hear me!”

I chuckle to myself.

“Sure, mom.” I say, already gathering the dishes and placing them into the sink.

After a certain amount of time, mom begins to stand from her chair and make her way towards her room.

“Goodnight, Honey!” 

“‘Night, mom!”

Her door clicks close and her lights flicker off as I am now the only one standing in my apartment. Already half-way through the dishes, I decide to take a break and have another look out of the kitchen window. This view is not as nice as the view out of my room but it’ll do. This view overlooks the further backside of the parking lot out in front, and yes, we have a parking lot. The lot lacks light due to the lampposts being destroyed ever so often by an unknown party, so many sketchy deals can be carried here with ease. However, those deals are slowly being cut off here thanks to Ryan and his buddies.

Ryan is one of the residents in the aforementioned wear-and-tear block, or block one for short. He just recently turned eighteen and is planning on heading to college soon so he’s making the most of his moments here before he moves out. He has the same hairstyle as me with the only difference being the colour of his is brown compared to my jet-black.

He and his buddies at the late of night would just hang around the parking lot and possibly head over to the nearby basketball court for a game or two. And despite my description of him and his friends being the ragtag group of teenagers doing illegal things, I haven’t heard a word from anyone at all about them doing anything remotely bad. In fact, I don’t think one of them has ever raised a fist to anyone at all, it’s quite rare to see those types of groups nowadays.

I don’t hang out with Ryan and his buddies that often, however he always says that I’m welcome anytime to join them. As with Sam, Ryan has known me ever since I was only in the sandbox, he’s been in the block for as long as I have so at least I have company at home as well… 

Still… once he’s gone off the whole block will miss him, as will I.

Oh well, that’s enough reminiscing for one day. I better get those dishes done… 

And then I’ll head out.