Episode 16
908 Words
"Louella, the news I'm hearing..."
"It's a fallacy mom. I tripped and he happened to catch me just in time. Whoever took that picture must be a good photographer because it looked like we were doing something"
"If you say so, then I believe you. These people just come up with stories they know everyone will be interested in hearing." Finally,someone understands me
"Exactly my point"
"He seems like a nice person though."
"There you go again" I groan
"What? I was just saying." she chuckles " Maybe,you could end up taking this friendship to the next level"
"Next level? We aren't even friends mom! There's no need for you to start getting weird ideas about us okay?" I sigh.
"What? You should make friends Louella"
"Are we seriously discussing this again?" I can see her staring at me through the phone
"Yes we are. Everyone needs a friend. You might not deem it necessary but you'll surely need one someday."
"You and dad are enough for me"
"Louella" She chuckles "We aren't always going to be there. And you'll need someone to share your joy, pain, troubles with"
"Mom, I..."
"No Louella, you have to face the truth. You're being too hard on yourself. Deep down you're concealing your feelings , deceiving yourself that you're fine, that you don't need anyone's help, that you can handle everything. But, that's not even possible. No matter how strong you feel you are, you'll need someone at some point in your life." She sighs "I might not be your biological mother but I definitely can see all the sorrow behind your beautiful smiles the world is fond of"
She's right! I know she's right. I just don't want to accept that she is.
"You're scared Louella! Scared of betrayal! But, you should also know that there are true friends in this world"
"Mom, I...,I've heard all that you said"
"Promise me, that you'll open up to people and not shut yourself down" She sighs
"Okay, fine! I promise "The words feel like poison.
"Good" she sighs "Do you remember Daniel Hayden? Ambrose's friend who relocated to France?''
"Of course I do"
''Well, he's back"
"Really!"
"hmm! And he invited us to a dinner party. Don't say no."
I really want to give an excuse and not go but mom will probably kill me for not attending dad's friend's party!
"Okay, I'll be there" I sigh in defeat
"Great!"
...
Placing a tray of cookies on the table, I scan their faces. I've never seen Queen this pale. I sit between them, wrapping my hands around their shoulders and drawing them closer to me.
" Can someone tell me why my angels look so sad this afternoon? Hmm?"
"Sis, is it possible for Dad to kill mom one day?" Steph raises her head to look at me and I shudder.
"Goodness! Why would you say something like that Steph?" I almost yell.
"It's just that, Queen's dad killed her mom and now my bestie doesn't have a mom. Could I share mom with her? Could she become my sister too?"
At this point, I'm speechless. Steph looks at me expectantly.
"Q-Queen, is this true?'' I whisper. She doesn't respond for sometime. Then, she nods slowly.
"Oh. My. God. I'm so sorry about that Queen" I hug her tighter as she sobs. The poor girl had to go through this?
"Kaven says dad is the reason for mom's death. Dad left us all alone and went somewhere f-far, far away. Is Kaven right? Is my dad cruel?"
I don't even know how to answer this question. Images of flash through my mind like a video being replayed and I feel my heart pounding against my chest. Deep breath Louella! Inhale! Exhale!
"Queen, I wouldn't have an answer to that. I just know that no dad would wish hell for his child . Okay?" I assure her and she nods.
"But Kaven says dad chose money over us. Does dad hate us?" She sounds so broken and she doesn't even look any better. Why on earth will Kaven tell an eight year old such things about her own father? She must be going through a lot already and now he had to tell her this to make her hate her father?
People have fathers and hate them while some of us don't even have. If only I had my dad alive...
"Ambrose is your dad" My head reminds me and I sigh.
'Your dad doesn't hate you Queen. He might have done things, terrible things but he doesn't hate you." We stay silent until the familiar sound of my ring tone has me reaching for my phone.
Unknown number !
"Louella, I'm so sorry for disturbing you. I'm three hours away from home and I'm stuck in traffic. Could you allow Queen be with you? I don't know how long I'm going to take and Kaven's not back from New York" She blurts out, almost out of breath.
"Britney?"
"Yes, it's Britney. I'm sorry for any convenience...''
"Oh it's okay, really! I enjoy having her around. She can stay for the night if you want" I shrug
"Thank you so much Louella, you're a lifetime saver!" She sighs in relief
"How did you get my contact?" I ask before the line goes dead.
Seriously?
"Alright girls! Anyone ready for some ice cream?" That's all it takes to bring smiles on their faces again
- Writer
