Part 13

Jackson and Mark were wearing nothing but towels around their waists. They stood embarrassed as they were greeted by Jackson's parents...and Mark's mother. Mark quickly got off of Jackson's back and adjusted his towel. He glared at his mother in disgust.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Mark said with a hateful tone.

"I'm here to take you home, of course! Didn't you miss me?" Mark's mom replied.

"Please, why would I miss you? You pretty much abandoned me when I was younger. You expect me to 'miss' you?"

"Don't bring that up here, young man."

"Just leave." Mark ran up to Jackson's room and slammed the door. He didn't care if Jackson and his parents didn't know his background story. He just wanted to get away from his so called mother. Jackson ran after him and entered his room to find Mark sitting in the bed, head crouched between his legs.

"Mark...what's wrong? Why are you being like that to your mom?"

"Hah, 'mom' you say. When I was younger, my mom abandoned me in some run down orphanage. The reason? She was 'busy.' The most bullshit I've heard in my fucking life. You may think she's some damn angel now that she's come back for me. The only reason why she came back for me was because my father left all of his money to me after he passed away. If I leave now and run from home, I have nowhere else to go. I'm...stuck," Mark chocked out as tears started to pour out.

"Shhh...it's okay, it's okay...I'm here," Jackson comforted Mark while stroking him in an embrace.

Downstairs, Jackson's parents and Mark's mom stood awkwardly.

"I'm sorry about my ignorant son. When he's in a better mood, please send him home," Mark's mom said calmly.

"Sure thing," Jackson's father replied. The two parents walked up to Jackson's room. They softly knocked on the door. Jackson opened it.

"Mark, are you alright?" Jackson's mom started as she sat down on the bed next to a teary-eyed Mark putting an arm around him.

"Honestly, no..."

"Well what's wrong?"

Mark told them everything about his past. Jackson's parents showed much sympathy towards him as he began to cry again. When Mark finished his story, Jackson's parents looked at each other with worried eyes.

"We'll be back," Jackson's father said. The two parents walked out of the room to have a private conversation. After 10 long minutes, they both reentered the room.

"Okay...well, how about you stay with us permanantly. We'll give your mother the inheritance money that your father left you. That way, you won't have to live with her anymore. Would you like that?" Jackson's father asked.

"I...um....you really don't have to do that. I really would like to stay here, but isn't it too much trouble for you? $500,000 is a lot," Mark replied.

"Don't worry about it...just take care of yourself. We'll update you on the situation. For now just go to sleep and get some rest."

*******4 days later*******

It was a warm Saturday morning. The family was in the living room eating a well cooked meal.

"So Mark," Jackson's mother began, "We were thinking of giving your mom the money today."

"H-how did you get the money so quickly?!" Mark stuttered.

"We have a lot of connections. Trust me. Anyway, you should come with us. I think it's a good idea."

"Okay..."

After breakfast, they got prepared to leave the house. The drive to Mark's house seemed long and nerve racking. Within 10 minutes, they arrived. Jackson's father knocked on the door. His mother opened it.

"Oh, hello. You are finally back."

"Good morning, Mrs.Tuan. We are here for something important," Jackson's father said as he handed her a thick envelope. "This is the amount of money that should cover your late husband's inheritance. We'll take care of your son from now on."

"Yes! Thank you! Please take this load of crap of my shoulders!" Mark's mother yelled as she pointed at a teary-eyed Mark. She slammed the door in their faces. Mark ran as fast as he could across the street. In the process, he is hit by a truck.