I Belong To Them

Dreadful Humans?

     Dinner was a drag. I never thought I'd say this, but I felt like a third wheel around two thirty-something-year-old women. The night just went on and on, and they moved from subject to subject. I tuned out most of what was being said because, believe it or not, I do not like to be apart of a conversation that I'm not actually apart of.

               I faked a yawn while my mom was saying how Gucci strides with Louboutin and yata, yata, yata.

               Roxanne laughed, obviously noticing me feign tiredness. "Maybe we took too much out of Chrystal's precious time." She peered her ever shining eyes at me. " The upcoming week will keep you busier than ever. Not to say that you would be overexerting yourself; the twins wouldn't allow it." She chuckled then continued on what she was laying down, amusement written all over her beautiful face, "Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if the teachers never gave you homework, the boys can be very convincing. You will be loathed by most."

               "Roxanne," my mother said her voice as a warning.

               "Well, I have to give her some information. What was your plan? Thrust her into this life without warning and let her deal on her own? When the time comes to tell her everything, she'll either haul ass or be in denial. Hell, maybe both." Roxanne looked into my mother's eye urgency blazing through them. "Diamond, you have to tell her. How do you think Damien and Drake will feel? They have this pent up energy, this stored need and longing, just waiting upon her arrival; yet here she is, and she doesn't even know who they are, let alone what she means to them.' (I just love the way people talk about me as if I'm not in the room. Not)

               'And when your departure finally comes, that is when she is going to need to lean them the most. But they won't be there. They will be licking their wounds, after the rejection they will surely receive, for she knows no better. She was never told. Drake doesn't hope for much in the first place. Years and years they spent. Year upon year of waiting for your other half. You of all people should understand.You're trying to protect her, I get it. But time has run out for that. She has come of age. God knows how secrets destroy. The time has come, Diamond." Roxanne's voice cracked toward the end, and a sad smile replaced the bright one she previously had. She raised the flowing white blouse that she was sporting about four or five inches, revealing a long, thin scar. It was faint, yet visible and attention demanding nonetheless. "The longer they are kept in, the more they grow. The more they grow, the more destruction will be made, once it finally explodes and is out."

               With tears threatening to spill out, mom reached over, and pulled Roxanne into a tight hug. They held onto each other for a considerable amount of time.

               Finally mom moved back a little, and she said, "I'm so, so sorry. Had I been there, I would have healed you perfectly. You wouldn't have had to go to those dreadful humans, that cannot help heal without leaving a mark."

               I couldn't deem which situation was more peculiar. The fact my mother said "human" as if she weren't one, or that they were still embraced in each other's arm. Talk about a long hug, yeesh. Wacko adults.

               After a few minutes passed, Roxanne finally pulled back and stated with conviction, "You have tell her. All of it. No holding back."

               I don't know whether to be bothered or laugh. They kept saying "she" and "her" as if I wasn't right across from them. I decided on neither since I was really confused. Being confused is not fun. Being confused and trying to complete another task is self destructing. At least for me it is anyway.

               No offense toward Roxanne, but I think she might have gone a little overboard by saying I will be loathed. I know she probably thinks her boys are great and all, but most girls my age would much rather be at a party on a Saturday than babysitting.

               The "no homework" comment threw me off completely. I don't even know where that came from. Like what, I tell the teachers that I'm not able to do my homework because I was babysitting?

               Yeah, right, sure. That might be totally normal in New York, my mental sarcasm causes me to roll my eyes.

               I don't even know what Roxanne was hinting when you started talking about secrets. I do know that learning secrets was not how I planned to enjoy my last few days of summer.

               The last few days until my birthday, I smiled. I wonder -because basically that's all I've been doing lately- how did Roxanne get that scar? And what was the jibble-jabble my mom was saying about "healing" and "humans"?

               Damn, these women are wack. It's either that, or they are on the good stuff. Maybe that's the secret my mom's been keeping. Maybe... maybe... you know what? I don't even care anymore. My brain is working slowly tonight, and I feel a slight pinch of a headache. A yawn escaped from me, but this time, I wasn't faking it. I'm tired.

               Roxanne gave me a smile. "Now I'm no genius, but I do know the symptoms of fatigue."

               Mom was already on her feet, ready to say her goodbyes. She leaned toward Roxanne, and the two hugged once more. They spoke in hushed voices, and I just knew that they were talking about me. Adulthood must be a sad and petty life if all those two got to talk about was boring old me. Mom walked passed, telling me it's time to go.

               Before we finally took our leave, my mom looked over her shoulder to say, " See you tomorrow, Roxanne?"

               "For brunch. Don't be late, or else I'm going drag your ass up here. The twins will be here a little later than that. They aren't allowed on the fourth floor of course, but as I said, I can only keep them away for so long. Ooh, Crystal dear, is the bedroom to your liking? I tried to go for the color that goes with everything, so you can make arrangements without having to completely redesign. I could have done black, but I live with a vampire for goodness sake, and that's overboard."

               Wait, Roxanne decorated my room? Then she must be...

               "You're Mrs.Sutton? I gasped.

               She smiled at me brightly. "Why Yes, I am the missus of the senior Suttons."

               I'm starting to think this woman just talks in riddles.

               "But why does he live downstairs and you live up here?" I slapped my hand over my mouth, when I realized I actually didn't just think the question. I asked the question. " I am so sor-"

               "No,no darling. That's why I said the senior Suttons. Gosh, did you not tell her a single thing, Diamond?" Roxanne clasped my hands into her warm ones. "How about you come over for breakfast tomorrow, and we can have a well needed confabulation. How does that sound?"

              "Okay," I said. I'm curious,, and judging from the casserole, I can tell that Roxanne was a good cook.

               "Let's say at seven. I have brunch with the boys tomorrow, and Diamond too. We have to have the time to talk it all out before they get here. We do not want them coming in while you are still here. They will take in your scent no matter how much chemicals I spray in here. Hell, they probably will fight over the chair you sat on. Let's have you sit on two chairs tomorrow. I won't want those two fighting in my living room. This is the third dining table I have bought this year, and I really don't feel like ordering another couch set." Roxanne chuckled, "So it's a date, darling? Tomorrow morning at seven."

***

               I bundled myself under the duvet, thinking about the last few hours. Mom and I entered the apartment about thirty minutes ago. I sought out the comfort of my own space, because I really didn't want to have a heart to heart with my mom about her "secrets." I really want to know just what the hell is going on. I just really don't want the headache that is likely to come after. I snuggle deeper into my pillows and let the darkness of sleep overcome me.