Ambition Cliff

His mother’s death was a mere formality for Nick, who felt he lost his mother the day his father left. Nick, in spite of a small insurance inheritance, convinced everyone that they didn't have the funds for a traditional funeral, arranged for a simple viewing at St. John’s Chapel before cremation. The plain truth was that a hardened Nick was anxious to move past this depressing segment of his life.

Excepting an emotional, embrace with his sister Ann; Nick was purposely detached throughout the somber ceremonies. After a quick lunch, Ann, her step mother and Nick returned to the trailer to sort through their mother’s belongings. While most of the tattered goods and clothing were set aside to be donated, the siblings took some photos. Ann would only take a fake topaz bracelet she remembered giving for Mother’s Day. Nick kept a cheap, tarnished locket she had worn, replacing the picture of Ann and him with his mother in better times.

When it was time to say goodbye, Nick promised her he would visit soon and tried to give the urn that held his mother’s ashes to her. He didn't want the urn, but when Margaret explained she couldn't take it as her husband did not believe in cremation, he relented. Ann left and before the door slammed shut a sense of loneliness enveloped the young man. This is it, he thought as he walked into the small kitchen, Just me, nobody else in the damn world.

He picked up the free, weekly newspaper and perused the classified section for a job, searching for the ad he had seen a few days ago. Circling a large advertisement seeking men twenty five years and older, he got up and went to the trailer park’s office to make a call. Nick, whose hair had lost its brassy look, settling into dirty blonde, felt a surge of pride that he was taking control of his destiny.

It took Nick only a few days to tie up the loose ends of his life in depressing Westwick. He could have left earlier but the paperwork on the small insurance policy his mother had taken longer than expected. Christine, unbeknownst to her children had continued to pay the small premium on a forty thousand dollar life insurance policy. Both children were equal beneficiaries but Ann wanted Nick to have it all and after an argument she was able to get Margaret to agree to sign over her half to Nick. The last several years of frugality taught Nick to be conservative and he banked the money rather than spend it on a new set of wheels like most other teenagers would. Nick had big plans for his future and hoped to put this unexpected gift from his mother to good use.

The day after depositing the insurance funds, Nick woke early, drank the remains of a milk carton, grabbed his duffel bag and left the trailer. He climbed into his mothers beat up Ford Focus and turned the ignition. After two attempts the engine begrudgingly turned over and Nick glanced up for a last look at the trailer. Staring at it for a moment he suddenly jumped out of the car, ran into the trailer and swept the urn off the kitchen counter. Nick placed the urn, sideways in the glove compartment and drove off, never once looking back.