Out

"Seriously? You're still in there?", Rick's mom didn't mind a little yelling at 6am. Her booming voice sends their cats under the couch, they know her moods.

"Mom. Please. I'm having a problem, I'll be out soon." Rick already knew calm reason does not impress his mom; she thinks reasoning is a sign of surrender. Weak people are reasonable, his mom would say, "and they never get what they want out of life."

Rick only wanted to be left alone. But, he has wondered what is it his mom wants out of life. He has no clue, as she never expresses any desires or vulnerabilities. Not since Rick's dad died in Iraq soon after he was born. His mom's life and future all changed in one day.

He wondered who his mom was before everything changed, and how very different having two parents would have been. Rick checked his savings acount balance on his phone. Not enough. First, last, and security deposit, then his life could truly change. Soon.

"Hurry up!", she shouted, louder. What will happen with her after he leaves?, Rick wondered, worried.

"I'll be out as soon as possible, mom."  And, he would be, with only a few more paydays to go.