Page 16 of Heartstring

6

MIK

NOW

I should have knownit wasn’t a good idea to go out for a walk when the sky was a dark shade of gray. Thunder rumbles above the clouds, and the occasional lightning is an ominous threat of a good soaking. I need to find somewhere to shelter before the rain starts since I can’t risk going back home.

Because I’m lost.

Fuck. My. Life.

I turn another corner and find myself on yet another street that looks the same as all the other streets I’ve walked. At least I’ve not been recognized yet.

Since Kay started school, I’ve found myself at home alone with nothing to do. Well, not nothing. The guys have been sending music samples for me to look over, but Kay is still butting heads with me, and I can’t get in the right mood to create anything.

So I’ve been taking walks to decompress and think. And the less I’ve been recognized, the bolder I’ve become. I could be a mile away from home or ten. I don’t know.

My phone rings as the first drop of rain lands on my head.

“Fuck.”

I pick up the phone without even looking at who’s calling.

“Shit.” Another raindrop followed by a few more.

“Mikael Nilsson, is that how you pick up the phone to your mother?”

Double fuck.

“Mom. Hi. Sorry, that wasn’t about you. Can I call you another time? I’m out, and it’s raining.”

“You’re out on your own? In the rain?”

Yeah, I’m as shocked as she is, but here we are.

“Yes, Mom. I went for a walk, so I need to get back home.”

“Mik, darling, I need to talk to you about something important. Will you call me when you get home?”

I stop. The rain gets heavier, but now I’m hot all over.

“What’s wrong, Mom?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I just want to talk about something.”

“Tell me what it is.”

She lets out a shaky laugh. “Sweetheart, I’m okay. I can hear the panic in your voice. This has nothing to do with my health. I’m good, and you know it. This is something else, just some paperwork stuff.”

I resume my walk. There’s a park ahead and a church on the other side. Churches are normally open, right? Maybe I can wait out the rain there or call a cab.

“Okay, if you promise you’re okay.”

“I promise, honey. Now get yourself somewhere. I don’t want to hear you got sick because you got soaked. I really hate that you and Kay are so far away from here. I feel so helpless.”

I sigh. “I know, Mom. We’ve been over this. Look, I need to go. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Okay. Love you, sweetie.”