New Beginnings:

I slowly stepped closer to her. Did I just hear right? Is she… calling out… to me? I stood inches away from her. “Momma?” I asked in slight worry. There was a silence between us. I kept watching her. The tears started up again. “Stanly…” she mumbled. “Stanly…” I leaned in close to her. “Yes mom!” I replied quickly. “What is it?” “Stanly…” she said again. Mom kept calling my name over and over again.

5/4/69

At long last, dad had enough. Charleston was tearing us to pieces. We had to get away and fast. But where could we go? Mom was pretty much a criminal in the states. Her past just wouldn’t let up on us. How could we even hope to live a normal life? The answer came in the paper.

Dad was looking for a way to help mom get mom out of the house. He found it in the paper. Tokyo-Zion Academy was advertising for new writers. It was all the way in Japan. Everything was just about set. Dad called overseas to Noiz and she agreed to interview mom. Dad then called to request a transfer from Charleston, South Carolina to Tokyo, Japan. Within days, we were on a plane to Japan.

I didn’t miss Charleston at all. Leaving it was the best present ever! My life got better afterwards. My grades went up again. I made friends. I found myself a job at the academy. I even found myself a girlfriend! But mom on the other hand, didn’t have it so well. Sure, she made friends. But well… (“My Wall” fills in the blanks.)

*Present*

My mom slowly returned to Earth. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. I was afraid at first. I thought she was going to hit me like she normally would. But instead, mom grabbed me and hugged me close to her. “Oh Stanly,” she whimpered. “I am so sorry for everything! Can you ever forgive me?” I couldn’t help but to smile at her. I lightly pet her on the head and murmured, “Of course I do!” Mom just cried on my chest.

*Sigh* What can I say? She’s made a little progress now. But we still have long way to go for restoration. I will be there for her and so will dad.

Phase One Complete