The following pieces are based on a fun group writing exercise we did using the same first line ” The last time I saw my mother was fifteen years ago” and passing our papers around  in a circle, writing one line at a time, but continuing our own individual stories. If you pay close attention, you can piece together each story.

The last time I saw my mother was fifteen years ago. We were driving down the highway and the rain was coming down in sheets – I could barely see the road before my eyes. I opened the door and told her to come in so she wouldn’t be out in the pouring rain. I was surrounded by the very restraint I sought to escape.

Cabesa told me one day, “Stay away from Brook Avenue, someone got shot today.”

“No, we’re only a couple of miles away!”

She took her bags and left and that was the last time I saw her. She has never contacted me since. Try as you might to emulate your hero or role model, you can and should still only be yourself.

***

The last time I saw my mother was fifteen years ago. I was just thirteen years old when I ran away. I had just moved to Boston and was unfamiliar with the roads. And there we sat at the kitchen table, staring not at her, but instead at the walls behind her.

“It’s so good to see you again after so long. I thought you would never find your way back.”

I said, “Really? Who was it and how many times did they get shot?”

To this day, I still can’t get into a car.

The moral of this story is that sometimes you have to do what you believe is right and should not be made to look a fool by anyone.

***

The last time I saw my mother was fifteen years ago. I left to wander the world because I felt so trapped being in the same place for so long. The South Bronx was tough, it didn’t offer a lot to people in the ’80s, then you had crack invade it. We were alone on the road or so I thought- why would anyone be out on a night like that?

“He hit me again, ” she said, tears streaming down her eyes.

“Didn’t I tell you he would?” I asked, outraged that she would even come to me now.

“I just need your help!” Was all she could say.

“What did  you do this time? I feel like everytime you get into a stint, I have to come and bail you out. “

My mother always told me to stay away from drugs, but instead I sold them and haven’t seen her since. I miss her very much. Do not drive during a hurricane.

***

The last time I saw my mother was fifteen years ago. She came to my house with all her bags and stood there on the porch with tears in her eyes. The same cabin I grew up in, on the countryside, back when there was still wilderness to explore. there were a lot of kids on our block, growing up here was fun.

“Pull over!” She yelled.

“I’ve taken you in time and time again, only to look like a fool when you went back. I’m sorry, but you will always go back to him and I can’t watch this happen…again.”

I sometimes wonder what would happen the day they are no longer around to be there for me, because everytime I try to look out for myself, it’s always one step forward, two steps back. Mom’s are always right; they try to steer us away from trouble, but sometimes we’re too dumb to notice.