Paying for College - The Novel Read online

  ***

  Brothers, I still didn’t replace my cell phone. Of course, I wasn’t expecting any calls from anyone anyway, so why be in a hurry to replace it. I didn’t think the Michigan Lottery Commission was pounding on my door or calling me to hand me a check for a million dollars. But I don’t expect to win. I don’t even buy lottery tickets anyway.

  I returned to the dorm room.

  Drew started, “Dude, your mom’s been trying to reach you since morning.”

  “My mom?”

  “She called three times so far.”

  “Thanks.”

  The phone started ringing, and Drew left the room.

  “Hello.”

  “Jax, honey. I’m worried about you. I’ve been trying to reach you all day.”

  “Mom, everything’s fine.”

  “I tried to call you on your cell phone, but you didn’t answer.”

  “Sorry, mom. My phone was damaged.”

  “Damaged? How? What happened?”

  “Oh, nothing mom. I left it in my jean’s pocket and it went through the washing machine.”

  I didn’t feel good lying to my mom, but I couldn’t tell her the truth. Hey mom, guess what? I’m the town burglar. I was almost caught last week, but I swam across a cold river after midnight and foiled the apprehensive by the police. Now mom, because of me, everyone locks their doors at night.

  “Did you return it to the service center?”

  “Mom, the warranty doesn’t cover water damage.”

  “I just had these strange thoughts that you were in trouble.”

  “No mom. Everything’s fine. I’m almost finished my first semester of college. Final exams are next week.”

  “Are you sure everything’s fine? I can’t lose both -.”

  “Mom, everything’s fine. Don’t worry, I’ll get another phone. Okay.”

  “Are you coming home for Christmas?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll call in a week or two and let you know.”

  “Mom, I must go. I must study for my final exams.”

  “Jax. I worry about you.”

  “I worry about you too mom. Mom, I’ll call you later.”

  “I love you Jax.”

  “Love you mom.”

  Brothers, I didn’t think I would return home for Christmas. I know my mom needs me, but I just couldn’t return home for Christmas - the first Christmas without my father. I just couldn’t walk into the quiet house and pass the door to the empty spare bedroom where my dad spent his final days. Besides, I felt something big was charging at me.