"Have you not decided your choice yet Mio? And where you get that big bruise from? I rub your head with alcohol to make swelling go down it like you hit by massive truck!" Mimi whines starting at the purple bruise that rested on the side of her grandson's head. The first thing Milo did when he got home was contemplate on the project.
Mimi came in a few hours ago, she had a massive fit about the bruise, but like always Milo didnt tell her the real reason. He always made an excuse up, "As I fell off the steps, you know how clumsy I am Mimi." He did tell her about the project which she thought was exciting. She was suggesting decor items before he could even suggest a topic. Oppression and Homophobia maybe? However Blm and Alm we're good ones too.
"Milo! Why you no listening? I ask you a question!"
Playing with his egg-fried rice he snaps his head up looking into his grandmother's soft brown eyes. "I don't know what I'm going to choose Mimi. I mean it's like I can relate to most of them, but how do I word my essay without sounding like a complete jerk or racist myself?"
Mimi places her finger on her chin. This is something she does when she's thinking, she reopens her eyes looking in her grandson's, "You don't need to sound racist cause you're not. This project does not make you racist, because you stand up for your freedom and rights as an Asian-American born into this country. You deserve an equal amount of equality just like the rest."
Milo smiles sadly telling his grandmother, "I know, but some people won't think the same, and then I im left with shame for thinking I can ever stand up for what's right and wrong."
Mimi narrows her eyes, "Shame! You no have shame for trying to do right, whether or not you feel like back is against the wall you stand up tall. Hope is what drives foward you and bring people together. Shame is what breaks them apart and glue your mouth shut. You should not ever be afraid to express the wrongdoings especially if you are the target of that resentment. You has lots to learn, but I feel you know you just afraid to take a stand. Maybe it is a school project but even as something as little as that is worth a million of words for other people."
Milo buries his head in his head, it's been forever since he got scolded like that by his grandmother. She sounded just like his teacher. "I'm sorry," Milo says the tears stinging his cheeks as he tries to wipe them away.
"Why you cry for? You no have to cry? Your mother was just like you, but your mother was different too. She had courage, and you have courage to you just have to find it," Mimi leans forward to kiss Milo on the head. Warm lips brushing against his skulls make his tears turn into sniffles.
Milo sinks into her warm embrace. What would he do without her? Sometimes he'd cry himself to sleep just thinking about what he would do if she were to leave him? He'll be all alone. "You think about what I said and go take your bath and save egg-fried rice for tomorrow it is delicacy don't waste it," Mimi tells her grandson releasing him from her embrace.
Milo wipes the rest of his tears, saying good night to his grandmother. He heads up the stairs. "Hey! Put egg-fried rice in a container." Mimi yells out.
...
Mimi walks into her grandson's room. She always love to watch over him while he was sleeping. When Milo was younger, he always slept beside her. The joy didn't start sleeping on his own until he reached twelve. Mimi takes a seat in the rocking chair that is laid beside his bedside.
The pain in her leg was suffocating. Her case of shingles was worsening day after day. She couldn't afford the medicine with the mortgage for this house, she could barely pay that. There were other bills too, like water, gas, and electricity. It was also hard to keep up with all of them working only two minimum wage jobs.
Mimi sighs fixing her glasses holding the mail that came in that morning. It was nothing but more bills, and a big red envelope. One thing about the color red it was never a good sign at least that's what Mimi believed.
She peeps at her grandson one last time, before getting the room. Her room lay just a few steps down, by the bathroom in the hallway. She enters her bedroom,
turning on a lamp before crawling in her bed.
The soft fabric cradled her aching legs in warmth. "Now let's see what I got here," Mimi says as she picks up the big envelope. Tearing the opening, she removes the contents that resided on the inside.
On the front was a picture of her house, with the caption at the bottom saying:
"This is a call for repossession we have received an email from debt collectors stating that you owe the state more than thirty thousand dollars. If YOU DO NOT PAY BY THE 25TH ON JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR HOUSE!"
Mimi's hands were shaking, as her tears stain the paper. "Oh good gracious! What I gonna do?"
....
The next day Milo woke up to the sound of her grandmother's voice. She was talking on the phone, getting up out of his bed he peeked through the halls. Before walking out to the staircase, he sat on top, listening to the conversation. Mimi whoever she was on the phone with had her agitated.
To the point where Milo heard her cuss a few times, and she rarely ever said curse words. "You not understand what the hell I saying? I telling you I had more time than just a damn three months to get money in. I have been paying on house for more than twenty-five years and now you say you repossess me if you no get full payment."
Wait repossess? The house is getting repossessed. Milo thinks feeling the fear build up in his heart. Could these people take their house? No that couldn't be! He stands up trying to tiptoe down the stairs. Trying to make as little sound as possible. He didn't want Mimi to hear him eavesdropping little did he know she already knew.
The phone slams on the coffee table making it shake a little. Mimi didn't want Milo to hear the poor baby didn't need to hear that. On the other hand, Milo wanted to hear, and as he watches his grandmother pour her a cup of coffee as if she wasn't just frantic a moment ago he couldn't help but question what he had heard.
"The house...is it being repossessed?"
...
"Has anyone thought about how you're going to prepare for your project? Has anyone picked a topic?" Mr. Fisher asks the entire class, and all Milo could think about was the conversation earlier with his Mimi.
How she brushed off his question as if he had not heard her conversation. How she was smiling telling him not to worry about anything? However in his eyes and looking at hers he knew she was stressed. Milo could only treasure that she can take his check however she refused telling him he needed the money more than she does.
"Milo?"
Milo's eyes snap up at the sound of his name being called. Mr. Fisher peers at him over his glasses. Milo pauses on biting his fingernails. "Sir?" He says quietly. He always hated being called on by teachers.
Like twenty-one other kids in this classroom, but he chooses me?
"Can you answer the question on the board for me?" Mr. Fisher asks Milo putting out his left hand which held a red marker. Milo tried to calm his nerves. It was just one simple question. Then he could get to his seat and others could pretend he's invisible again.
The question on the board read, What is Family? Milo raises an eyebrow this question was so simple a two-year-old can answer it. Why is it that his teacher wants him to answer something so simple?
Standing up, the young male walks forward grabbing the marker out of the older man's hand. Pulling the cap off of the marker he writes the definition of family. After he's done he turns towards his teacher. Who in return gives him a small smile.
However, the smile was one of doubt or not approved but satisfied. Milo was confused that was the definition of family anyone you're related to so why did his teacher look so disappointed?
"D-did I get something wrong?" Milo questions playing with the cap of the marker twisting it.
"Yeah, Your whole existence!"
A random voice throws slanders at Milo as some of the other students giggle. Milo's eyes narrow as he looks at his feet. Biting his bottom lip he turns to go back to his seat, but the teacher stops him. "Milo, you did good, that is the definition of family, but sometimes family is more than your mother or your sister sometimes family could be a friend." Milo looks at his teacher nodding his head slightly.
"And whoever said that his existence didn't matter I would require you to look at your existence for a second if your existence revolves around trampling over others for your amusement then I suggest you fix yourself this instant. Otherwise, you'll be looking towards a miserable life," His teacher says as the rest of the class stays quiet. Milo returns to his seat, feeling someone kick the back of his chair while whispering. "Don't think you're too special cause you got to teach all on your nuts. Hell? Are you probably sucking his? That's probably why he protects you?"
Milo cringes, he wanted to turn around to tell the guy it wasn't true, but instead, he kept his mouth shut. Besides, it was better to pretend to ignore anyway although he loved the fact, someone he stood up for him, he also hated that someone was his teacher.
......
"What's sup Milo how's Mimi?" Milo feels a warm embrace wraps around his torso. "Aliyah?" Milo says almost questioning as the woman bomb rushes him at the entrance. "Yea?" She questions as she lets go of Milo. "No, it's nothing," Milo tells her causing Aliyah to look at him observing him. Milo shifts uncomfortable under her gaze. Alice Carter and Milo both worked at Twink bar. Both as bartenders the job paid well for Milo and it could help him help his grandmother with the payment. He was off today but he needed to speak with Mr.Trent about overtime.
"Milo!" Alice yells his name now standing behind the bar as she pours him a glass of orange juice. "Huh?" Milo looks up at her. "Alright twink what's wrong with you? You've been in a daze since you got here," Alice says coming around the bar, to one of the stools, and sitting down. "Ah, no it's nothing," Milo tells her taking the drink she hands him. "Then why you here twink it's a school night? I mean you work some school nights, but not tonight. You and Mimi have a fallout?" Her questioning hits him like needles, but Milo couldn't tell her or ask her for help it's too much money for Alice to loan, or even if she did have a little money to give, Milo knew she needed it for her son.
"Uh, I just wanted to drop by and say hi and maybe speak with Mr. Trent. Is he in?" Milo issues as Alice side-eyes him and lets out an exaggerated sigh, "Uhh! Milo, you already know you suck ass at lying so why are you trying to lie to me?" Milo couldn't help but laugh at her exaggeration, she was an extra person almost like a child herself as she waves her hands in frustration. "Sorry," Milo tells her. Alice had a way of always frightening his moods honestly she was a true friend. He wishes she went to school with him but she graduated when she was eighteen. Milo was still in the ninth grade.
Alice was also confusing and Mr.Trent had a habit of teasing her always saying she goes from a white girl to a black girl in a minute, but honestly, Milo had no idea what that meant all he knew is that Alice didn't like the joke. "What does it mean to act black or white the hell are you talking about Trent?" Alice would question him after his constant teasing. "So you going to tell me what's going on or do I have to call Mimi?" Alice tells Milo ruining her hands through her straight black hair. "Well, it's complicated Al," Milo says playing with his drink.
"What problem isn't complicated?" Alice tells him. "I know, but it's more of an if we don't have some thousands of dollars by a certain time then we're going to be the homeless type of problem." Alice's eyes widen then they soften as she gets up walking behind the counter and pulls out her purse. Milo takes notice and immediately declines her efforts to give him something, "Dont worry Alice we don't need it, besides you need that money more than we do. you have your bill plus, your child there's no way I can see myself taking out of that baby's mouth not would Mimi approve."
As if everything Milo said went over her head Aliyah was still determined as she removes a thousand from the purse. She slides the money on the counter telling Milo, "I believe in helping people Milo. Whether or not I need the money or not isn't important right now, besides me and you are like siblings, and Mimi has done a lot for me. Who am I to turn my back on those that cared about me when I was at my downfall? It just wouldn't sit right with me. My heart ain't like that we as people are built to be helped and help others as we grow you should take the blessings your given and run with it."
"What if this is a blessing you can't afford to give?" Milo tells her still refusing the money as he places it back in her hand clutching her's tight. "I recall you telling me money has been tight and your child's schooling and medical bills are piling. You're a single mother Alice in a lower class society and already struggle enough, just like me and Mimi, so please keep your money," Milo softly smile it was true he could've used it, and he wondered if Mimi would be mad at him for refusing to take it, but knowing Mimi, this is probably how she would've reacted to.
Alice stares at the hot in front of her before reaching to smack his head slightly. Milo wines grabbing the side of his head before hearing Alice chuckle. Her eyes illuminated under the bright lights, "You're so stubborn im telling you it's alright but you constantly refuse. Milo just take the damn money, besides my sugar daddy will cover my child's expenses as well as mines."
Milo's eyes widen! Sugar what?!
"Wait, Sugar daddy!" It took Milo a minute to process what she had said? "Alice what-" "Now don't you jump to judgments too quickly, it's not so much as selling myself well kind of but it pays the bills at least until I finish college love." Milo shakes his head, "It's not-" "It is. You were about to say something like Why are you selling yourself or Are you out of your mind I've heard it all before," Alice cuts him off once more.
She presses the money back in his hand, "Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Even if it means swallowing your pride. The world ain't never kind to anyone Milo, I'm sure you of all people know that. No matter the color or your background or how you look. This world always finds a way to put you down." Milo clinches the money succumbing to the urge to accept the blessing.
"I have to disagree a little although it's true that the world is indeed cruel there's always light like you that sheds its glow for the darkness when it comes to people like me. So for that, I say Thank you. I'm sorry I judge you too quickly. It's hypocritical on my part coming from me a person who doesn't want to be judged at all but goes through it every single day," Milo says placing his head in his hand.
Alice laughs, "Your right about that Twink, but seriously when are you gonna find a boyfriend?" Milo looks up at her his eyes narrowing. "Liyah I'm straight. I don't want a boyfriend," Milo lets out. Alice scans him making him a little uncomfortable.
"Lies," She says blankly causing Milo to pout. "Assuming someone's sexuality is not cool Li. I'm straight and I can't ever see myself being attracted to a man. Although I'm not scared to admit that a man is attractive, that's only because I don't follow the toxic stereotype that a typical man follows."
"So are you a bottom or a top?" Milo lets out a sigh of frustration. "A bottom," Alice says to herself as Milo, can't withstand the topic of his sexuality any longer. "You remind me of these guys at school always assuming my sexuality and you all are jerks for that," Milo tells her as she laughs. He lets out a huff standing up grabbing his coat it was getting late he still had a report to write and also a project to brainstorm on.
"Wait! Don't gay panic oops I'm sorry don't leave Twink! Woah....Owww!" Milo lets out a laugh about leaving the shop with the money in his pocket. Hearing the crash of cups as Alice busts her ass was funny, and their boss busts through the back doors. "Why the hell are you on the floor, and you breaking my damn cups you know how much those cost? And what the hell are you- Oh hey Milo." Trent screams at Alice who rolls her eyes mimicking his yells, before noticing Milo.
"Hi, Mr.Trent, and bye Mr.Trent," Milo says exiting the store he would talk to him at a later date. "Wait Milo tell Mimi I said hi! LET ME KNOW HOW THIS ALL PLAYS OUT ALSO TELL MIMI TO GIVE ME A CALL! ALSO-" "Shut the hell up and get off the floor clean this mess the hell is going on?" Alice glares at the man before her, "I really don't like you."
.....
"It's so cold" Milo walks into the house. The sound of the door closing is enough I alert the older woman who was at her coffee table going through her bills and phone numbers. She didn't go to work today she took off to try and get some help from some of the family, but more or less Milo's father. However, the conversation didn't go so well with the male yelling at her telling her that the brat was no longer his problem and that she was the one who wanted to keep the child in the first place. Now she has to deal with the problems that came from that decision, and Mimi being the woman she is could only tell the man, that he should be a shame the years she has spent trying to get him I have a relationship with his son and yet he constantly refused he shall regret in the future. However, the man only laughed ending the call.
Sighing, the older woman shakily removes her glasses. "Are you there Milo, Why you so late?" "Mimi I have something to give you well it's actually from Liyah. She wanted you to have it said it could help with the money we owe," Milo the was of cash, and his grandmother's eyes widen. "Milo, why you take money from Li, don't she have child she need this money," Mimi eyes the cash refusing to take it causing Milo to place it down on the table as he sits across from his grandmother. "Mimi, believe me when I say I tried to refuse her offer but she convince me to take it as a blessing. I was also thinking of taking overtime to help reach our goal. I-" "Absolutely not Mio!" Mimi tells her grandson crossing her arms across her chest as one of her eyebrows raises.
Milo sighs, " Mimi your health is already in danger, sure I might be graduating next year, and school is important, but your health and this house, are more important than some school. I don't want you to struggle alone, please Mimi let me help you. Let me take care of you we can even take the money I've saved up for college and add to the thousand." Milo was on the verge of tears which a few of them slip out. Mimi sighs, "Honestly, you act just like your mother. So stubborn I tell her to do one thing she do another. Never once wanna listen to me, always wanna listen to her morals. I tell you to go to school cause I see potential in you, and you tell me you wanna stay and try to help me with house as if I haven't taken care of house for years."
"That's not it Mimi it's just I want to be the one to help you the future is miles away. I can always chase after it, but right now time is limited and we have to catch and try to cut off its wings before it flies away. Now I intend to start working overtime even if you disapprove cause I can't bear to lose you or this house. It holds too many memories of you, me, and Mom. I can't afford to lose that," Milo proclaims his eyes burning from the tears. Mimi clutches her grandson's cheeks rubbing the tears as they pool, realizing she hadn't been thinking about how this situation affected her grandson.
Mimi could slap herself she has been insensitive and the stress was getting to her in more ways than one, "I'm sorry Mio. I understand now." Milo's eyes close as he feels the pressure of his grandmother's warm forehead against his own. "It's gonna be okay from now on, we gonna figure this out don't cry we just gotta be strong from this point on." When you have nothing left sometimes having hope and the strength to stand back up through your troubles is more than enough to continue.