That Sort of Girl

The Storm is Over

My knee stopped jiggling and I grinned. Elaine wasn't a mistake and neither was Susan. They were surprises, yes, but good ones.

Elaine even met Raffy when she turned 12, though Susan hasn't been so lucky with Joshua. He doesn't want to see her, the asshole. But Elaine and her father are communicating now. Raffy is still in the U.S. He's divorced from the first wife and is now married to an American named Meredith. He promised Elaine that he will be here middle of next year.

The incident with Matteo made us three stronger. We became closer and open to each other now. Susan and Elaine were more than half-sisters, they became best of friends as well.

One night, they decided to sleep by my side. So we huddled up, the three of us, on my bed. Susan stayed on my left and Elaine on my right. We were having a pajama party, drinking hot cocoa, and watching old films in our DVD player. We watched two films and called it a night.

While lying down I heard Susan say, "You're still the best mother a child like me could ever have. I may not have met my father but I'm sure, he will be sorry."

"I'm proud of you, Susan," I said. "I'm also proud of you, Elaine. Remember, sweethearts, Mom is always here for you."

I kissed each one of them on the forehead.

"Don't worry," Elaine said. "I'll still pray that you'll find true happiness with the right man."

"I don't think that will happen. I promised myself not to fall in love again. I'm getting old for that."

"Don't say that, Mom," replied Susan. "You'll fall in love again, I'm sure. Remember the saying 'Life begins at 40'?"