“Things have changed quite a bit in the last few years. People have changed as well. It is becoming harder and harder to determine the true nature of friends and acquaintances.”
“Surely there are some people one can trust, or hang out with.” I offered my opinion, rather reluctantly.
“Used to be. Even youngsters today are having the same kind of problems that I am having.”
“I find that hard to believe. I mean, forget about the normal hangouts. What about the college? There must be a ton of smart intelligent youngsters one can associate with. Even some adults like you.” I was basically shooting in the dark. I felt odd talking about the youngsters like that; as if I was from a totally different generation.
“Well, the normal hangouts no longer exist because of two main problems that seem to be plaguing the young people of today: drugs and gangs. The college scene requires more energy than it is worth. Students there are temporary; they have nothing long term to offer.”
“But, what I remember from a few years back, there must be plenty of people one can hang out with.”
“Son, I am not talking about sex here. There are plenty of guys willing to go to bed with you…well, with us, me and your sister that is. We are talking about something deeper, something that doesn’t make you feel cheap and tawdry.”
Well, that is not how far I wanted the conversation to go. Since it had gone that far, I had no choice but to carry it further.
“So, Cris is also going through the same things as you are. But she is a beautiful girl. She shouldn’t have any problems.”
“Sadly, she does. We both are in the same boat. Only, she is not as bad now as she used to be.”
“What do you mean? What has changed for her? Maybe the same can change for you.”
She was quiet. She didn’t want to answer me even though I could sense the words just stuck on her tongue.
I prodded further: “What has changed for her, mom? How are things different for her? Why is she not as bad as she used to be? Whatever the reason, it can also benefit you.”
She deliberated for a while, then said: “She is happier, or rather more content, now. She doesn’t seem to be as moody or as volatile as she was before. She has found a placebo for her so called ailment, and this placebo is helping her just like the real medicine would.”
“Okay, now you are talking in riddles, mom. You need to make some sense.”
“I don’t want to put words to things that are better left alone, son. She has found a solution to her dilemma. It doesn’t matter if the solution is somewhat unorthodox. What matters is that she has accepted the solution as her only recourse under the circumstances. As long as she is fine with it, no one should care, or know for that matter.”
“But you know, mom. Doesn’t that make a difference?”
“Well, I am her sister-in-arms, so it makes no difference that I know. I just hope she is more secretive where others are concerned.”
“But you approve of it, or rather, you don’t disapprove of it.” I was starting to get a hint about what my mother was talking about and I felt a chill run down my spine.