family bonds

Chapter 2 part 2

Handing over the ID cards to her mother Jess watched as Belinda's complexion turned a ghostly white. Then yellow. Then green. Then she passed out.

“This is not good,” Jess thought as multiple scenarios played over within her head. She'd never seen that happen before no matter how drunk she was or what she'd been told.

10 minutes passed before she re-awoke, sitting up on the sofa with a look of horror on her face.

“Would you like a drink mum?” her mum remained whiter than a ghost and silent as the grave. Her eyes fixed upon the cards laid out on the coffee table.

Jess walked over into the kitchen and towards the fridge looking for something refreshing to give her mum. Hopefully that would pluck her from her state of shock.

To her surprise an ice cold can of cola sat in the back of the fridge, hastily her hand reached in to grab it as Jess doubted very much her mum would appreciate a glass of water at this current time.

Kneeling down opposite the one woman she should love more than anything in this world Jess could feel a change in the way she saw her mum. Where there normally was a feeling of anger, resentment and loathing was replaced by nothing but pity she almost felt sorry for her mum after seeing her in this state.

“Mum what's wrong?” Jess asked, hoping to get an answer that would at least make sense of Belinda's strange behaviour and give some clue about the cards that carried the mystery person's photo.

“She's back” a look of terror crossed her face as she began rushing round the living room tidying up weeks worth of empty takeaway boxes, beer and cider cans. Belinda kept repeating herself ‘she's back’ over and over again

“Mum! Stop!” She demanded, placing a hand on each shoulder bringing her mother to a halt. Looking her straight in the eyes Jess continued;

‘Who is coming? Who's back?!’

“My…” she stammered as if the words were too much for her to bear, forcing the words from her mouth in one quick blurt,

‘It's my mother” she slumped down onto the sofa again and began to sob.

Unsure as to whether her mum was being truthful or had just cracked under pressure Jess sat beside her hundreds of questions built up inside her head, she wanted, no, needed answers. And she needed them now.

‘I thought grandma was dead?’ She stated “plus that woman in the photo is too young to be your mother and plus she looks younger than you!’

Belinda glared at Jess for her comment but she knew it was true. The woman in the photo did look much younger than her, she was beautiful with long white blonde hair striking black eyes and a body to die for.

Belinda looked at Jess, sorrow filled her eyes, as she placed her hand on her daughter's lap Jess knew something was wrong.

“Listen Jess, there's a lot about me and your Father we never got to tell you and I think it's time that…'' the revelation was interrupted by 3 loud slow raps at the door.

KNOCK... KNOCK… KNOCK...

One after the other echoed through their house. Her mum turned a ghostly white again. It was her there was no other explanation. Jess knew by her mother's face it was her grandma. But how did she even know how to find us? Maybe she would be able to explain it without freezing like her mum did Jess thought to herself as she made her way to the door. It was time for some answers.