The next day, I went to school, expecting it to be another normal day.

“Hey, Jiyuru,” someone called, making me jump.

I turned around, seeing Marcus coming towards me.

“U-um, hi, Marcus.”

I could feel the eyes of the kids now staring at us. Marcus glanced around, then said, “Hey, come with me for a sec?”

“Uh, sure?”

He led me to an empty hall, where he asked, “Got anything planned for the weekend?”

“Maybe just taking care of things around the house? And I meet a friend of mine for lunch everyday. Why do you ask?”

“Just thinking we should hang out or something. What do you say?”

Huh? You? With me?

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m being serious. So what time are you free on Saturday, and where do you want to go?”

“A-anytime before two or after four. And you can pick.”

“Alright then. Can I have your number?”

“...Sure.” I rattled off my number.

“Cool, cool. I’ll text you, yeah?”

After I nodded, he said, “Great. I’ll see you on Saturday.”

He walked away, and I went to my next class.

~.~

I met with Kailee as usual, then went home and took a shower.

Standing in front of the mirror, I fantasized again what I’d look like without these scars.

I couldn’t remember a day when I didn't have them.

But my imagination didn’t get very far before I brought myself back to reality.

You’re ugly.

“I know.”

You’re worthless.

“I know.”

You haven’t done enough to earn Father’s love.

“I know.”

So why are you still here? Either do something useful for once…or just go away.

Useful. What could be useful? 

“I could clean or cook something fancy?”

Sighing, I moved away from the mirror. Fancy or not, I had to have dinner on the table before my father came home.

I opened the fridge door to see what I had to work with.

No, no! Not leftovers! Father hates eating leftovers.

I anxiously glanced at the clock. If I ran like my life depended on it, I could get some quick groceries from the convenience store and make something easy.

Grabbing a hoodie and jumping into my shoes, I hurried out of the apartment building. The nearest store was a few blocks away. The ten minutes it took to make it there felt like hours. I grabbed a few essentials -- chicken and some vegetables. Full grocery shopping came later.

As I was hastily leaving the store, a woman called my name.

“Jiyuru? Oh my gosh, Jiyuru!”

I turned towards her, wondering who the lady was…and why her voice sounded familiar.

Immediately, I recognized her. The spitting image of my little sister, though older.

I’d seen her often, catching a glimpse of her through the windows whenever I walked Kailee home.

She was my mother.

“Um…yes?”

“It really is you! How are you doing?”

“Oh, I’m…good. But I have to get home.”

Her eyes carried a little look of pity. ”You still live with that man…you and Imo?”

That man? Father?

“Imoha left…Didn’t say where.” 

An emotion I couldn’t identify flashed across her face, then she gave a dry laugh. “I’m surprised you didn’t follow. After all, I bet he hits you.”

I pulled my sleeves down further, though they already hung past my wrists.

“Jiyuru,” she said sweetly, coming closer to me. “You don’t have to put up with him anymore. I-I was in your shoes, until the day he kicked me and your little sister out. I thought I had to please him, but when he made me leave, I realized what true freedom was. Uru, getting hit whenever he feels like it isn’t normal. He’s not normal. And you don’t have to put up with it anymore.” She took a deep breath. “Come with me tonight, and he’ll never touch you again.

“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I whipped around and tried to leave, but she grabbed my hand.

“You can go back, Jiyuru, but he’ll never love you. Because he’s not capable of love. But I love you. I don’t want to see you hurt, cowering for mercy at his feet. You can live a happy life with me and your sister.”

“A…happy life?”

“Yes!” she said excitedly, pressing my hand to her face. “Happiness isn’t something you work for, Jiyuru. Happiness is a basic human right, love. You’re entitled to it. I can give you it. I’m your mother, Jiyuru. I love you. I miss you. I made a mistake marrying your father, but I’ll never regret having my children. It tears me apart to see you trying to go back, but he wouldn’t miss you if you left. Come see your sister. Come live with us. Come…be happy.”

Happiness? She…my mother…can give me happiness?

It sounded too good to be true.

And I selfishly wanted it anyway.

“I…can go with you? And you won’t take it back?”

She smiled at me. “There’s my boy. Let’s go home. Your sister is waiting for us. And we can’t let these groceries go to waste. I’ll make us a wonderful dinner with them.”

No one’s made dinner for me in…eight years.

~.~

<Jiyuru’s Journal>

What a coincidence…Meeting my mother, then leaving to go with her? And all without my father knowing? Am I dreaming?  It still feels so unreal…and I’m already in the car with her. Imo hasn’t left my mind. Is he okay? That’s all I wonder about him. I hope he’s finding happiness. Hope one day we can both see each other happy…But it would be enough for me to see him alone happy. Not only my mother and Imoha, but also Marcus wants to hang out! Well, that’s what he said, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up. But if we do hang out…that might be a nice way to cap off a week that’s better than most have been.