40. Determination

--- You....

--- Hey, August.

Augustus and his mother, Polly Evans, met face to face. Again, for the second time. The atmosphere in the store instantly became tense. A little pressure started to come from August, which caused everyone to start sweating.

--- What are you doing here.

--- I bought a house, decided to move, the views...

--- I asked why, not how.

--- Don't interrupt your mother.

Augustus ' face went instantly dark, and his fists clenched.

--- I don't have a mother. - Augustus said in a very angry voice.

--- Then who am I ?

--- Nobody. - after these words, the atmosphere in the store became even more heated.

--- You're nothing to me.

--- If I'm nobody, why are you talking to me ? - it seems that after these words, a brilliant idea appeared in August's brain.

" The whole tense atmosphere disappeared in an instant. The pressure that Augustus was exuding disappeared, his expression returned to normal, and his fists unclenched.

--- Sadie, 2 chocolate doughnuts and 2 vanilla ones. - August turned away from Polly and ordered Sadie. She snapped out of her trance instantly.

--- They'll be ready in a moment.

The store went quiet. All I could hear was Lars wrapping the doughnuts in a bag. Only the rustling sound of the bag brought the entire store out of its silence.

--- Your order. That'll be $ 15.

--- I'll pay for it. - Polly went to the cash register and took out her wallet. The bill was almost in Sadie's hands when August quickly shoved the $ 20 into Sadie's hand.

--- Thank you, keep the change. - he took the bag and turned to Stephen

--- Let's go to the arcade and get to eat donuts. - he left the store and headed for the arcade.

Stephen recovered quickly and caught up with August at a brisk pace.

--- August, can you talk to her ?

--- With whom ?

--- With your mother.

Augustus stopped. Stephen thought he had angered him, but when he turned around, August's face was filled with pure indignation.

--- Stephen, I never had a mother. - his answer shocked Stephen, and he turned to see Polly following them.

--- Then who is it ? - Stephen reached into August's arm and pointed a finger directly at Polly.

--- Steven - Stephen turned and saw the strange expression on Augustus ' face.

--- There's no one there.

--- How ? Here it is !

--- Stephen, you're scaring me. It seems that hunger and fatigue led to hallucinations. You need to eat and rest quickly.

Augustus took Stephen's hand and walked quickly into the arcade.

Stephen looked back and saw that Polly was still following them.

You probably already guessed about the brilliant idea of August.

At Polly's words, a light bulb went on in August's brain. He realized that if Polly was nothing to August, why was he wasting his time and paying attention to him ?

" I have a new life. I'm a blank slate. Why do I need the problems of my past ? That's right, there's no need. So just ignore it. "

They quickly reached the arcade. A lot of people were at this time, the arcade was just filled with them. But they were still able to find a place to sit.

August and Stephen ate their doughnuts slowly. Stephen noticed that because there were so many people, Polly had lost them.

--- I think she's lost us.

--- Who are you talking about ?

--- About your mother.

--- Stephen. - August put down the doughnut and put his hands on Stephen's shoulders.

--- You need to rest. Let's go find some fighting game machine.

Somehow they made their way through the crowd and found themselves near the slot machines. They were all almost occupied, and there was only one empty one in the corner.

--- There, look. There's just one left for us.

They quickly threw in the money and began to choose the fighters. They were quickly hailed.

--- Hey, you ! Kids !

They turned around and noticed that a teenager was approaching them. He looked like a bully.

--- Get lost. Now it's my machine gun.

--- Why would that be ? We paid.

--- I'm not interested, get the fuck out of here.

--- Otherwise, what ?

--- Otherwise....

--- You ! How dare you ! - a woman's voice interrupted them abruptly. It was Polly, of course.

--- Eh ?

--- Aren't you ashamed ? Take away someone else's.

--- Do you give a fuck ?

--- How dare you talk to adults like that ?

Their argument attracted more and more people. Some started filming, others pointed, but no one came up.

--- I can and I do. We have freedom of speech here.

--- That doesn't give you the right to swear. How do your parents raise you ?

--- What do you care ?

--- I want to look into the eyes of such irresponsible people.

" Hypocrite " - a quick thought flashed through August's mind

--- You ! You're finished !

The teenager started to raise his hand. Everyone started moaning, pointing, shouting for someone to stop him, but no one came out.

The hand was moving closer to Polly's face. She closed her eyes, waiting for the pain, but nothing happened. She opened her eyes and saw...

" August "

Augustus had his back to her and was holding the teenager's hand.

--- You ! Let me go ! - the teenager tried to get out of August's arms, but could not move even a millimeter. His hand felt like it was in a vice.

--- Let me go ! It's none of your business !

--- Just the same, this is my business. Because.... you're interrupting my game.

Augustus squeezed the teenager's hand even harder. His face showed how much it hurt.

" Who is he ?! Where did he get such power from?! "

--- Get lost. - Augustus let go of his hand.

--- I'll give you 5 seconds. Then I'll break your bones. 1.2.3.4...

As soon as the score went down, the teenager ran out of the arcade, his heels flashing.

--- I'm sorry, Stephen.

--- Hm ?

--- I don't think we're going to play today. The whole mood has soured. Till tomorrow.

Augustus quickly left the arcade and headed home. He was almost out of the arcade when he heard Polly's voice.

--- August ! You can ignore me ! You can be angry ! You can hate it ! But I promise ! I will return your trust ! We'll be a family again ! I swear !

August didn't even stop. He was still walking slowly home. Yes, home. But a thought flashed through his mind. He didn't even notice it flashed through his mind.

" Try. Let's see how long you'll last "

As it appeared, instantly, so this thought disappeared. We can hate our past, we can be angry with our past. But even with time, we come to one fact. Sometimes, you need to be humble. We can't change anything, we can only move forward.