I froze in place when I heard that voice, it was one of the few times I heard it. It was the voice of Mr. Thopson, Robert. My grumpy neighbor, remember?

I quickly clean my clothes with my hands to shake off any dirt that I had on me and went on the porch of his house.

He coldly looked at me and signaled me to sit down on the chair next to him. I quietly did and waited for him to continue, he didn't like formalities and greeting so I waited for him.

He continued after drinking from his cup, maybe he had a little whiskey in there. After 2 sips he said while looking at his front yard "What did you do to make your mom so mad? Did you fight with someone you moron?"

I smiled and said "No Robert, I did not. The problem with my mother is because I gamble a sizable sum of money that was supposed to be for my college funds. I stood my ground and asked her my money, telling her that I would pursue my dreams, and that I didn't need that money, that I would use it more wisely while chasing my dream!"

Robert reached out with his hand and knocked hard on my head and told me "You are so stupid, little kid! Not only you gambled all of your money your mother take so much effort to gather, you did it before even talked to her about your future dreams. Only doing it at the moment. Do you have any idea how she just felt right now you stupid brat? She must feel like shit, like if all her effort was for nothing but a laugh. If I was her I would hit you so hard you would beg to attend college as earliest as possible! Now go to apologize to your mother and have a real talk with her! If you don't, don't bother to come back!"

After that he stood up and turned off the light of their porch, making me sit on the darkness all for myself.

Why was I still sitting there like a dumb kid like he said I was? Because I was actually like that. I wasn't considered enough to my OWN mother! How the hell can I keep behaving like that?

I was just too focused on doing the necessary for my dream that didn't even considered the feeling of those closest around me.

Shit, I need to fix this, not tomorrow, not on the weekend, right fucking now!

I stood up and began running to my house like I had my butt on fire.

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Rachael's POV

Robert is getting happier and happier the days pass! Oh, it was like this on the good old days! With Jr, all 3 together on the breakfast table...

This kid David is such a cute little fella! He mostly listens but when he adds something in the conversation is always important. Like a twist of the topic or a good joke about current events. Is always interesting to have such a young kid around! It revitalizes the house! Even my plants are happier I swear!

Robert started to keep the volume of his T.V. down to listen to our conversation, as he was part of it. He will always be my curious little man!

The things were going really well. Too well, until one weekend the thing between the mother of the kid and the kid were awkward. I told Robert to not mess with their business but he didn't listen. He always thinks about "the right thing to do". He was always like that, even on the military. That was one of the reasons I married him.

He called the kid while breaking his dry season of alcohol. Just to gather enough courage to mess around another private affair. He was scared that would happen again what happened with Jr. I will pray that will not, and that David will take his advice with his good heart as I know he has.

I know a good way to reward his courage! I will make his favorite dinner! Steak with french fries! I know we can't eat so much of this stuff at our age but he deserves it!

__________________

I quickly arrived in front of my mother bedroom. And knocked on the door, she let me in and I sit on her bed while she was stitching one of her clothes but hid it quickly to ask me "Why did you come here so late honey? And why didn't you bath yet? You reek!"

I looked at her and said "Mom, I know that you did so much effort to gather that much money for my college fund. I didn't thank you for that... Thanks, mom, you are the best!" I said while hugging her, after a while, I separated from her and continued "But mom, I knew from a year ago what I want to do when I grow up, I want to play football. I don't want to college because I know pretty well what I want to do. Is not that your effort is in vain, just that I want a different thing, and I promise you that I will follow my dream all my life, also our money is gonna increase, not decrease I promise!"

She stayed quiet for a little while and took out the pants that she was stitching and continued doing that while she said "I really don't know how to respond to that. What mother is prepared to hear that his 6-year-old son already know what he wants to do the rest of his life? You are really something else, like your father. You don't behave like you are supposed to behave! You are supposed to be a kid and enjoy your childhood while not worrying about money and other grown-up stuff that you always talk about.....I don't know what really changed you, maybe after your father accident you felt the need to step out and be the man of the house, BUT IS NOT NECESSARY DEALING! I will always be with you and protect you and this family! Sorry for not giving you what deserve in life, but I will do my best for you to triumph in life!"

After that, she started crying, as well as me. I hugged her with all my strength and stayed with her for about 30 minutes shading tears together.

After that, I said "You are the best mother in the whole world! I'm really happy with my life, I only need a little money to train better and have more money so you don't have to work so much! Your excessive working is hurting your health mom and you know it! I don't need to step as a man because you are both father and mother for me! I only started acting strangely because I know I have to be determined enough to follow my dream mom, my vocabulary comes from the books and from the people around me. Like you and the Thompsons. I really like the life that you are giving me Mom, don't cry!"

He hugged a little more and she said "Okay darling, I understand. I'm glad we have this talk. Now go to take a shower and after that go to bed. We both need to wake up earlier in the morning. Also, I will try to work a little less to don't fatigued my body."

I smiled and nodded and went to do my night activities, finally, I was at peace with my mother. I'm so stupid at times, I need to thank Robert properly next time I see him. He's really like a grandpa with me.

With all those thoughts I closed my eyes and finished my day.