I couldn’t speak. I literally didn’t know what to say. Back when I was younger I used to pray mom would come back. I imagined she would appear in this fancy car and tell us she was going to move us in with her and her new husband. She’d help us pack and hold my hand as the plane took off and let me choose whichever room I wanted. I dreamed she’d take me shopping and we would do mother and daughter activities together but none of that happened. Instead Liam and I grew up with barely any word from Julia and little to no support. The truth was, we had made it this far without her and we could make it on our own going forward.
“So are you moving back?” I finally asked.
“Oh god no.” Julia gave a light giggle at the suggestion and shook her head. “I have a business in Las Vegas and Terry doesn’t want to move.”
“Okay.” I frowned trying to work out what exactly Julia was planning on changing.
“I mean I will be in town more and maybe you can come visit us if you’d like.” Julia added quickly. “I’m sure you’ll love Las Vegas. It’s got so much going on.”
I gave a small nod knowing full well I’d never visit Las Vegas or at least not because of her.
“Oh, one more thing.” Julia straightened, pulling her purse to her. “So your grandmother left a will. There wasn’t much on it but she left something for you and Liam.” 1
I frowned in confusion at this, watching as Julia pulled a manila envelope from the depth of her expensive looking purse and slid it across the table to me. For a moment the envelope sat between us, a seemingly innocent piece of paper and yet I knew it was loaded with hidden meanings and problems. I contemplated telling Julia just to keep it but I knew it wasn’t that simple. Whatever was waiting for me in that envelope wouldn’t just go away by denying its existence. No, instead it would just prolong whatever was going to happen.
“I need to use the bathroom.” I suddenly said, pushing out of my seat.
I didn’t wait for a reaction from my mother nor did I wait for one as I scurried to the women’s bathroom and locked myself in one of the stalls.
What was going on? Why was a grandmother I don’t even remember leaving me money and why was my mother personally handing me the will? Why didn’t she just post it? Why was she here?
The pressure of the unknown was building in my chest and pressing down onto my lungs like a cold weight. Why did I agree to this meeting? I should have just told Julia to go away but despite being able to show my mother the coolness of my displeasure in her being back in my life, I couldn’t actually say it. I couldn’t confront her head–on like I desperately wanted to. Liam usually dealt with these kinds of things. He wasn’t afraid of confrontation and certainly had never shied away from
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Chapter 39
telling our mother his thoughts on her parenting skills.
What I wouldn’t give to have him here right now.
Knowing I couldn’t hide out in the bathroom forever, I forced myself to leave, glancing in the mirror briefly to mentally pep myself up before slipping back into the bustling diner and walking back towards the booth.
I spotted the shock of midnight black hair almost immediately, my stomach dropping as I walked towards the sound of my mother’s flirtatious laughter, my eyes glued to the second occupant of the booth. I felt like everything was moving in slow motion as each step I took revealed more and more of the second occupant. His honey brown skin glowed under the lights before disappearing under the collar of a black shirt and thick wool trench coat. Eyes like black diamond were trained on my mother and while that perfect smile with perfect white teeth suggested humour and friendliness, his eyes were predatory.
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Chapter Comments
Stephanie T–H
I really do not like how this character is written she needs to find her voice eventually
Haylee Bug
Why did you leave the busy street!? You just left all the witnesses behind!
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VI Be Seeing
