Chameleon Games

Chapter 4-2

The smell of fresh coffee and bacon permeated the house. Sounds of running water and doors opening and closing from upstairs made Chelsea smile. Her mother was up. Soon her footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs.

Elizabeth appeared in the kitchen. “It smells awfully good around here. Who can sleep through the smell of cooking bacon?”

“That’s how you used to get me up on school mornings when I was being lazy. Remember?”

Her mother laughed. “That’s so true.”

“There’s a cup of coffee for you at the table. Breakfast will be ready shortly.” Chelsea tested the heat in the second fry pan and poured four rounds of pancake batter into the hot avocado oil. She turned to see her mother sitting at the table, studying her.

“You’re up early this morning,” Elizabeth said. “This is nice, having breakfast together. And having someone else make it.”

Chelsea flipped the pancakes, and while they finished, she took the bacon to the table. She glanced at her mother nervously. “I had an early night last night, and I wanted to catch you before your first client arrives.”

Elizabeth had a home-based hairdressing business. She’d turned the garage of the home into a salon. On summer days, she opened the garage door and let the warmth of the sun in, along with the view of the lake across the street.

“That won’t be for a couple of hours. My first client cancelled.”

Adding the finished pancakes to the previous pile kept warm in the oven, Chelsea took the tray to the table and sat down. They served their plates and Chelsea poured syrup from the ceramic jug in front of her, then passed it to her mother. One bite and she licked her lips. “Oh yum…real Canadian maple syrup. There’s nothing like it.”

The two chatted while they ate, keeping the conversation light. When they finished, Chelsea cleared the table and returned with two filled coffee cups. Her nerves were back, but it was time. “I saw Dr. Sauvé yesterday.”

Elizabeth’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? Are you resuming sessions with her?”

“Not on a weekly basis. I’ll be talking with her on the phone and checking in once a month.” Chelsea hesitated. “I want to tell you that I’ve appreciated being able to stay here with you. I know it’s been hard on you these past few months. I haven’t exactly been the ideal daughter.”

Her mother was silent for a moment. “No, but you have a lot to deal with. I’m trying to be understanding and put myself in your shoes.”

“I appreciate you saying that. Look, as I told the doctor, I’ve made some bad choices, and I’ve come to realize some changes are in order. Mom, I’m ready to go out on my own and take responsibility for my life.”

Elizabeth looked frightened. “How does Dr. Sauvé feel about that?”

“She supports my decision. The night before last I met with Chaz Rhyder. He’s going to lease me his cottage on Emerald Lake.”

“Emerald Lake? But you’ll be all alone out there.”

“Yes, Mom, and that’s exactly what I need. Arne took away my youth and my identity. I don’t know who I am anymore. That’s why I haven’t been able to read my journals. That strong, unafraid, ready-for-anything girl that I was disappeared. I knew reading about myself back then would make me feel like more of a victim. Being independent is the only way for me to reconnect with who I really am.”

“I guess that makes some sense. But I just got you back into my life, and I don’t want to lose you again.”

Chelsea reached out to her mother and squeezed her arm. “You aren’t going to lose me. I’m close enough for you to visit.”

“I suppose that’s true. What’ll you do with yourself all day?”

“Take online college courses, read, hike, and canoe. And do some renos that Chaz will pay for. Lots of things. It’s time, Mom.”

“And what about the lifestyle you’ve been living?”

“I need to remove myself from people who make me feel like a victim in order to stop acting like one. That’s what this change is about.”

Elizabeth didn’t look too convinced. “Maybe. But when people realize who you are, they’re always going to see you as a victim.”

“That may be true. But once I feel strong enough, it won’t matter what they think. Dr. Sauvé said if you’re troubled with my decision to call her. I’m sure she can help you understand this better than I can.”

“If this is what you want, of course you should do it. I have to accept that you aren’t the teenager who disappeared twenty years ago but a grown woman.”

Chelsea shook her head. “It’s hard to believe that I just turned forty.”

“When are you moving in?”

“This weekend. The cottage is furnished, so there’s not much I need to supply. Chaz is coming by tonight to drop off the keys. Tomorrow I’ll go shopping for the extras I need and some groceries. Would you like to follow me out on Saturday and help me settle in?”

Elizabeth visibly relaxed and smiled for the first time since Chelsea had opened the conversation. “I’d love to.”