Rosie's Obsession

Chapter 28 — Mum's love

We ripped apart from each other as Mum's footsteps drew closer.

“Oh hi there, you two,” Mum said, stopping at the living room door.

She stood in a pair of flip-flops and a robe, with a towel around her neck, hair damp from her shower.

“Hi mum,” I replied, waving awkwardly.

“Hey, baby,” Mum greeted warmly.

“Hi Denise,” Henry said, walking towards her. “When did you get back?”

“A few hours ago… I heard shouting from my room. What's going on?” she asked, glancing from Henry to me worriedly.

“We… had a simple misunderstanding.” Henry replied.

“Simple, I'm sure the whole neighborhood heard your shouting.” She scoffed lightly, plopping on the cushion. “It's almost like you two fight every day.”

“I assure you… we don't.”

“Hmm… Henry?”

“Yes, Denise.”

“Can you be a darling and give me a massage please?” Mum asked, with a pout.

Henry chuckled softly.

“Of course, Denise.”

“That reminds me.” Mum said, sitting up. “I'll be going on a business trip tomorrow.”

I stepped closer, already knowing where the whole thing was going.

“Since you're calling a family meeting, I'm guessing you're going to be gone for a while,” I mocked.

“Don't take that tone with me, young lady,” Mum warned, eyes hard.

I scoffed, turning away.

“Why bother? I mean, you're never around. A few more months won't kill anyone… not like your presence is missed anyway.”

“Rosie—” Henry chastised.

“No.” Mum raised a hand, stopping Henry. “Let her speak.”

“Do whatever you want, Mum. I don't care.”

“Seems to me like you do care, Rosie. But I've told you countless times that it's my job—”

“It's not your job, Mum. And you know that. You're never around, even when you're working or not—”

Her expression tightened slightly.

“I feel like you're accusing me of something.”

“I'm not actually…” I trailed off, pausing for a moment. “I’m only asking what exactly are you running away from?”

Silence.

She pulled her gaze away from mine to the floor.

“You think you know everything now, huh?” Mum started bitterly. “You think you're all grown up, and you understand the adults now?”

“I'm right aren't I—”

“You don't get to act all smartass with me,” she cut in sharply. “I feed you, I put clothes on your back, I shelter you, I pay for your bloody school fees. It is my job that pays for your f*****g lifestyle. It is my job that ensures that you have the best.”

“Denise—”

“Don't denise me Henry!” She yelled, slapping his hand away. “She doesn't get to talk to her mother like that.”

I scoffed, deciding to go to my bedroom instead.

“If you walk out on me, Rosie,” Mum cut in, voice low and dangerous, causing me to stop in my tracks. “Understand that you're leaving this house, and I'm cutting you off of everything you have.”

I gritted my teeth, fingers fisting by my side, but one thing I didn't do, was walk out on her.

I knew Mum enough to know she meant it.

“As I was saying, I'll be going on a business trip for three months. Do with that information as you wish…. Now you may leave.”

And so I did.

I could briefly hear Henry talking to her or trying to pacify her.

The last thing I was able to pick up before my door slammed shut were my mother's painful sobs as she broke down in tears.

I pressed my back against the bedroom door, squeezing my eyes shut as mum’s muffled sobs echoed faintly through the hallway.

Was what I said wrong?

No.

Did I feel remorseful about it?

Not really.

Did I feel awful about making mum cry?

I absolutely did.

But if I had the chance, would I take back those words?

No.

******

“So… what do you think about clubbing tonight?” Lena asked, voice slightly muffled over the phone.

I rolled over on the bed facing the ceiling.

“I'm not really in the mood for that, Lena.”

“What's wrong, babe?” She asked, softly.

“Nothing…”

“Hmm…” she hummed. “Let me guess, you had a fight with your mum?”

I exhaled heavily, turning back on my belly. “Sort of.”

“What was it about?”

“She's going on a business trip. Again. That's like what? The fifth time in one month.”

“Maybe she and my dad are running a race to see who gets to win worst parent of the year.” She snickered.

“It's not funny, Lena.” I groaned, sitting up.

“Guess what's not funny… maybe they're having an affair.” she muttered, dryly.

“Trust me, I've thought of that and come to the conclusion that that isn't the case.”

“And why's that?”

My mind drifted to Henry…

Then to my dad.

“I just know,” I replied, quietly.

We went silent for a moment, neither interrupting the other's train of thought.

“She's still hung up on your dad, huh?” Lena asked, after a while.

“I honestly don't know why,” I groaned in annoyance. “She just doesn't want to come to terms with the fact that he left her.”

“What do you know… I guess it's love.” Lena countered.

“It isn't.” I shot back.

“And how do you know that?”

“Because… love doesn't make someone this miserable, Lena.”

“Everyone has their own definition of love, Rosie.”

I exhaled heavily, rubbing my palm over my face.

“I guess you're right.” I murmured.

And so, silence settled between us again.

A comfortable one though.

“That reminds me…” Lena cut in.

I could hear shuffling from the other end.

Then—

“What exactly is going on between you and Professor Henry?”

Crap.