Make Me Better

I was sitting in my room, with my back facing Frank. He was sitting on my bed watching cartoons, while I sat on the floor and looked down at the tiny picture frame. I had been staring at it for a while. I didn't know why but it I just wanted to see my mom. The picture didn't do her any justice. It was an old picture. One of her and I on my 5th birthday. She had her arms wrapped around my small body, as we both smiled up at the camera.

"Oli?" Frank said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I set the frame back on the floor and stood, I walked over to my bed.

"Yeah?"

"You ok?" I got onto my bed and laid there, trying to put my feelings into words.

"It's my mom. I guess I miss her. I just want to know that she's ok, I want to see how she's doing. I'm still mad at her but I still want to know if everything is going well for her. I know I could just call her, but I want to see her. Is that crazy?" I asked slowly.

"No, not at all. I know you're mad but it would be good to go see her. She's in New York, right?" Frank asked softly. I was glad that he didn't think it was a bad idea.

"I was mean to her, what if she doesn't want to see me?"

"You had a right to be upset, Olive. She'll be happy to see you."

"You really think so?'

He nodded, "Yeah, I do." I nodded and wrapped my arms around his waist. Frank draped an arm over my shoulders. We laid there quietly and watched tv, that was until I knew my dad would be home soon. Yeah, I know. I should just tell him but I couldn't do it. Frank kissed me goodbye and I walked back into my room, about 20 minutes later my dad came home. He called out to me, something about pizza.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed myself a slice of pizza. We sat in the living room. I was tempted to tell my dad about how I wanted to see mom. I had enough of trying to beat around the bush, he just wasn't catching on.

"I want to see mom." I mumbled. I made sure not to look at him. I glued my eyes to the tv screen. He didn't say anything and it was making me nervous, was he mad?

"Oh, ok." That was it? I looked over at him, he didn't seem bothered at all.

"You don't mind?" I asked quietly.

He shook his head, "She's your mother, Olive. I can't be mad at you wanting to see your mother."

"Oh, good. I just wanted to run it by you." I nodded, " The thing is I want to actually see her."

"In New York?" I nodded.

"I can drive there, it isn't far. Is that ok?" I asked. He stayed silent as he thought.

"I guess so. It isn't like you will be missing school. Are you going alone? I would feel better if someone went with you." I sighed in relief. He was actually going to let me go.

"Can Frank come with me?"

"Yeah, why not?" He smiled. I bet he wouldn't want Frank to go with me if he knew that Frank was my boyfriend. I decided now wasn't the time to tell him. I smiled and finished my pizza.

"You should call her."

"I erased her number."

He laughed, "So did I." I sighed and walked into my room. Maybe I wrote it somewhere else. Bingo! It was in one of my notebooks.

"When can I go?" I asked my dad as he took another slice of pizza.

"Probably tomorrow, I don't want to be alone for Thanksgiving." He laughed. I nodded and walked back into the room. I sat on my bed and stared down at the number. I spent a good ten minutes debating if I should actually call her.

When I finally did, I hung up before anyone could answer. I finally grew some balls and dialed again. This time I wouldn't chicken out.

'Hello'

"Mom?" I asked softly. It was quiet on the other end for a while. I coughed awkwardly and waited for her to say something.

"Olive, honey. Is something wrong? Why are you calling me?" That made me feel bad.

"Nothing is wrong. I just.... Just... I want to see you, is that ok?" I stuttered. It was quiet again.

'Yes! That would be great. You're on vacation, right?' I nodded even though she couldn't't see me.

"Yeah." She gave me her address and said she loved me. I couldn't say it back so I told her I would see her tomorrow. I felt a bit relieved. I then called Frank. He didn't hesitate with his answer, which was yes.

The next morning I walked out front to Frank's car. My dad followed

"You have the directions, right?" He asked me. I nodded. He handed me some money even though I tried to tell him it wouldn't be necessary.

"Well, you keep my girl safe, Frank." My dad chuckled.

Frank smiled, "Will do, sir." My dad gave me a hug and kissed my forehead before heading over to his car. He drove off to work. I got into Frank's car and kissed his cheek quickly.

"You sure you want to tag along?" I asked.

Frank nodded "Yeah. " I smiled as he laced his right hand with my left. I thought I would have been nervous during the car ride but Frank was being really good at distracting me. Before I knew it we were in New York. Frank and I weren't too great with directions, so we went and got ourselves lost. After some bickering and countless turns we finally found my mom's new house.

I got out the car and walked over to the door. I took my time, I dropped my hand and looked at the house. It was big. Much bigger than our house back in Jersey. She also lived in a nice neighborhood. I called Frank over, maybe if he went with me, I would calm my nerves.

"It'll be fine." He squeezed my hand reassuringly and pressed a kiss on my temple. I nodded and let myself knock on the door. It took a while for someone to answer the door but when they did I thought I was going to fain from being so nervous.

"Olive, hi." My mom smiled.