Just Breathe Again - Mia Villano Page 0,11

to get busy. Jeannie could weave herself in and out of the busy freeway like a NASCAR driver to get to where she needed to be. Lydia stared out the dirty car window and Jeannie looked at her again to see if she could see any sign of something serious. She wasn’t wearing makeup and her eyes looked extremely tired and dark underneath. She had no idea what she could be looking for, but a mom can sense things. At least she used to be able to. Every time one of her children were sick, Jeannie felt something inside telling her things weren’t right. She wasn’t feeling much of anything in the past couple of years.

“Lydia, do you want to talk to me about something? Remember you can tell me anything. You know this, don’t you?” asked Jeannie, as she tried to look at her daughter and drive.

Lydia faced out the half open window with her eyes closed. The cool, morning air felt soothing on her face.

Squeezing the spot between her eyes with her fingers, she spoke up. “I’m fine, Mom. My migraines are acting up again, and I’m just tired.” Jeannie noticed her fingernail polish was chipped and that wasn’t like her girl. Lydia prided herself in having perfect nails all the time. Even now in their current financial situation, Lydia would make sure they were painted and filed perfectly.

“Join the club, sweetie. I’m exhausted like I haven’t slept for a week. You look worn out. Are you eating? You have exams next week, don’t you?”

Listening to his rap music Michael yelled with his earphones in his ears. “Hey Lydia, I ate your macaroni and cheese this morning for breakfast.”

“Michael, take those out of your ears. You’re screaming,” said Jeannie, once again taking her eyes off the road.

Lydia kept her eyes shut so the pain wouldn’t go through her head again. “That’s alright, buddy.” Lydia loved her brother, and whatever he did, she didn’t care.

“Lydia, remember I work tonight so you have to get Michael fed and ready for bed. Please help him with his homework, and Michael, listen to your sister. Do you have track practice?” asked Jeannie.

“Lydia? Did you hear me?” her mom asked.

“Yes, Mom. I can hear you fine. No, Coach Barnes cancelled track tonight.” Lydia lied. She didn’t have the strength to practice. She no longer had the strength to run after school or do much of anything. Walking had become a struggle let alone sprinting around the track. Last year, the migraines didn’t do this to her. She worked through them and still showed up for track practice breaking records. This time, the headaches were worse and the dizziness was becoming unbearable. Coach Barnes should be calling her mom any day to tell her she had missed several practices.

“Please answer me when I’m talking. You need to get sleep and not be on your phone with Steven all evening. The phone may need to stay with me at night,” she said. Jeannie had kept their phones on because Vince had put them on such a great plan, she didn’t want to lose the deal they had. Of all her bills, the cell phone was one she made sure was paid every month.

“Mom, stop. I’m not a baby anymore.”

Pulling the worn out Jeep up to the parent drop off, Jeannie saw Steven patiently waiting for Lydia by the front door. Watching her daughter smile a bit, Jeannie had hoped the day looked better for Lydia since she saw Steven. They had been best buddies since they were both in diapers, and they remained best friends. Steven’s parents built a house down the road and Steven and Lydia became inseparable. He joined in as one of the girls when Lydia had slumber parties, even during the facials and nail painting. When they were young most of their days were spent outside. This was when Lydia was full of color, mosquito bites, and smiles. They would play make believe games in the summer until the sun went down. They were so young and full of innocence. Jeannie remembers the sound of their laughter and screaming when they were together. When Lydia had to move out of their neighborhood, saying goodbye was heartbreaking, but Jeannie was thankful they stayed at their school together.

Steven hurriedly walked up to the Jeep, opened the door, and pulled his best friend into a hug. He had been on vacation for the past two weeks and Lydia pressed a kiss to his cheek.