The day I found my mother going through the boxes in my closet was the day I knew I had to move out. At nineteen, I knew it was time and it had been time for a while, but I had been hoping to save a little more money before I made the transition. My credit card had been stolen and I had been defrauded out of several thousand dollars. Several thousand dollars the bank couldn’t seem to get for me. Every time I called or stopped by, no one could find the bank manager and no one could give me a straight answer.
I knew my mother was looking for anything and everything that would keep me here, but I also knew she was looking for money. I had been forbidden to get a bank account growing up because my mom was always short on cash and taking everything I had. Now I was legally an adult, there was no way she could keep me from getting a bank account and I knew she was looking for my wallet or even the possibility of a little cash. My wallet that never left my side and my cash never left my wallet.
My mom stopped suddenly, sensing I was standing in the doorway. When she finally turned to face me I could see the wild look in her eyes. The look that only meant my grandfather was back. Back and we would have to run again. For the last time.
Standing Room Only 