In Darkness

He woke up. It was raining, and his phone was ringing. He closed his eyes.1

#Let him sleep. Give him time.#
"How much longer? Let me see him!"
(I'm sorry. We tried all we could.)2

His arms ached. His back was sore, and his mouth was dry.3

"It's not his fault!"
# I'm not blaming him! #
"Yes you are! How dare you hit him?!"4

The caller was persistent. Another voicemail. Where was his glasses?
'Hey, I'm not here right now. Leave me a message, and I'll return your call ASAP'5

"I'm sorry!"
'I don't need your apology!'
# Please leave now. You're upsetting him.#6

"It has been a week. I know you're angry. It was a mistake. I realize that now. I know it's too much to ask for, but let me see you. I don't deserve your forgiveness. It was an accident. I didn't think Zack-" He deleted the message.7

He heard footsteps. His mother walked in, and the sound of water accompanied her. He feigned sleep. He kept his eyes closed, but he knew she had set a glass of water on his desk. She was standing next to him when she began to cry. She was choking, and he could imagine her pressing her hands tightly against her mouth. She closed the door not too gently.8

He opened his eyes. He saw nothing, but he knew where the water was. The rain was falling harder. He imagined he saw a flash of lightning.9

'Zack! Hang on!'
"He's bleeding! Oh my god! Where's your phone? Call 911!"10

He pressed the hand that was not in bandage against his cheek. It still throbbed. His mother was angry, but he forgave her. Suddenly, sick of his self-pity, he flung the glass away. It shattered. He smiled bitterly.11