Chapter 24: Nate

I toss the car key onto the coffee table, not realizing Mom was fast asleep on the sofa.

Frighteningly, she jumps up from her sleep to turn on the light.

"I thought the party ended at midnight," she says as she sees that it's me.

"I decide to leave early," I respond.

Mom approaches me and stretches to touch my face.

"I know you miss your old friends, as well as your girlfriend," she says sadly.

I nod and say, "It's okay, Mom."

"Get back to sleep. You look weary."

She nods, and I wrap a hand around her shoulder, helping her upstairs.

As we're at her bedroom door, she says, "Thanks Hun, you're a great son."

I kiss her on the forehead. She goes into her room, and I go to mine.

I strip down to my black boxers. Not feeling sleepy. I grab my laptop from the study desk and lay in bed. I video call my girlfriend Jenna.

Immediately, she answers.

"Hey babe." She sits in the centre of her bed. She crosses her legs. She is adorned in a short blue satin nightgown that accentuates her curly shoulde