Paint My Skies Black, I Never Wanna See The Sun Again

“Okay, so sweet talking the principal wasn’t as easy as I thought it was gonna be.” Rian said as they walked out of the building. Sunday still didn’t know what they were planning, so she was in class when they decided to go and speak to the head honcho of the school.

“Especially since it was a man!” Alex complained, “Definitely not easy.”

“Well, we still got it.” Zack said, keeping an eye on the positive.

The bell rang.

“Shit. What time is it?” Alex panicked. “If Sunny finds us – “

“Too late bro.” Jack said calmly as they spotted her coming out of the building they had just exited. “I got this one.”

“Hey guys.” She greeted them with a confused smile, “Why are you here...and how’d you get here?”

The rest of the guys shot him nervous looks. For all they knew, the answer Jack had up his sleeve had something to do with vaginas and whales.

“Well, we were bored, and so we walked over here to see how terrible you say this place is. Lemme tell you. Ts’not that bad.”

“Oh, well. You guys need a ride? Where’s Fly?”

“Yeah, we left him at your place. He’s catching up on some much needed beauty sleep.” He laughed at the inside joke.

As Sunday was preoccupied, unlocking the door to the car, Jack snuck a wink at the rest of the guys. They all sighed in relief that for once, he pulled through.

“VAGINA!” Jack suddenly yelled as he climbed into the passenger seat.

“What?” everyone asked, giving him weird looks.

“Uh, nothing. Just needed to get it out of my system.”

He didn’t need to explain any further. Whatever it was, Jack would always be Jack, and Jack was nothing without vaginas...or dicks.

The next morning I woke up to some noise in the kitchen. I got ready quickly and went downstairs. If it was one of the boys, who knew what state the house would be in, in a matter of minutes.

“Oh, hey mom.” I said.

“Hi sweetie.”

“I didn’t know you were still here. You’re usually gone already.”

“Yes, but I decided to clock in late and spend breakfast with you today.” Cue the smile.

“Um, okay.” I replied awkwardly as I took a seat at the island. My mother had never been the type for mother-daughter bonding; or any kind of bonding for that matter. Ever since my father had died when I was three, she had thrown herself into her work and never really resurfaced.

“So, you’re graduating soon.” She said, sitting next to me and stirring her tea.

“ Yeah. It’s kinda surreal.” I looked at her. She had tears in her eyes.

“My baby.” She said softly. I could hear the tears in her voice as well, “All grown up. Pretty soon you’ll move out and it’ll just be me.”

I gave her a hug. There was no need for words at that point. She just needed me to reassure her that I’d still be there.

“Oh, look at me, all blubbering.” She said after releasing me from the hug. She composed herself and once more became businesswoman Parker, as she usually was.

“Just promise me one thing, love; Try to make time to see me every now and then kay?”

“I promise.”

She sighed in happiness.

“Is there anything you’d like for breakfast?” she asked.

I shook my head, “No thanks, I’ll make my own,” I knew that her idea of breakfast was tea and maybe yogurt – non-fat yogurt.

I went to the pantry and grabbed myself some cereal. I poured some in a bowl along with the milk and sat down again.

“Goo’mornin’.” said a voice from behind.

I looked up to see Jack in a Spiderman shirt and shorts. I was glad that of all mornings, today was the one he remembered to put on shorts.

“Well good morning, young man.” My mom replied, acting all formal again.

I swallowed the mouthful of cereal I had, “Mom, this is Jack. Jack, this is my mom.”

“Goo’mornin’.” He repeated again.

“So why’re you up so early Jacky?” I asked.

“I heard food.”

“You can’t hear food.”

“I can. It’s my superpower, but shhh. Don’t tell the guys.” He groggily brought a lanky finger to his lips. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Of course. I’ll be right back. Gotta grab my book bag.” I dashed back up the stairs and quitly tipoed past the boys’ rooms and got my bag. I was afraid of leaving Jack alone with my mother for too long. Normally, it would be awkward, but he was still half asleep and the possibility of him spurting ‘Jack’ nonsense got even greater.

I rushed down the stairs and got a snippet of their current conversation.

“Today is Wednesday.” He observed the paper my mom put on the counter.

“Why, yes it is; the middle of the week. I like Wednesdays. Do you like them?” my mom asked.

“Yes, I do.” I sighed, thinking that was the end if his sentence, but I should have known better, and he continued, “Because it’s the middle day of the week, do you know what they call it?”

“Wednesday?” she was confused at this point.

“Yes, do you know what they call it?”

“What do they call it?”

“Hump day.” Jack said grinning like a child.

“And that’s enough of that.” I swooped in, took Jack by the arm and helped him get to his feet, “Here you go, Jack.” I handed him a cereal bar, “You can eat that. Just, go back to bed. Get some sleep.”

“Mmm. Food.” He began unwrapping it and I pushed him in the general direction of his room.

After he was halfway up the stairs I turned back to a thoughtful looking mom.

“Sorry about that, mom. He’s just really sleepy.

“Hmm. Hump day.” She mused.

“Yeah,” I shuffled my feet awkwardly on the floor, “that’s just Jack’s sense of humour. He’s weird.”

She smiled, “I’m going to tell my friends about that.”

“Hump day?” I asked, astounded.

“Why yes! We’ll have a few drinks as well as a few laughs. I’ll see you later honey.” She gave me a kiss on the forehead and flitted out the front door.

“Oy vey. Mothers. They never cease to surprise you.”