Chapter 35
The silence was unbearably uncomfortable as I stared at my estranged mother who was now sat opposite me at the kitchen table, her manicured hands curled around a mug of tea which I barely remember making. Kyle had made himself scarce like I wanted to, no doubt wanting to avoid the awkwardness. I hadn’t really explained to anyone my relationship with my absent mother but Kyle knew enough that her appearance on our doorstep was not a welcome one and I wanted to do everything I could to make her go away.
“How have you been?” Julia asked, finally bringing an end to the staring contest.
“Fine.” I replied quietly. “How come you’re not in Vegas?”
“Can’t I come and see my daughter?” She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at me before quickly changing the subject. “Your boyfriend seems nice.”
“Kyle’s not my boyfriend.” I muttered, looking down at my can of soda as I dug my thumb nail into the side of it. “He’s a friend.”
“Oh. I guess I wouldn’t know since you never call or write.” She answered innocently but the passive aggressive bite was there. Of course it was my fault that our relationship was estranged.
I didn’t say anything despite wanting to point out that she never left a number or an address to contact her on. We were even added to her Facebook page.
If Liam was here he would be grilling Julia or passive aggressively hinting at her to leave. He wouldn’t want to know why she was back or where she had been and he wouldn’t have been afraid to make that clear to our mother. We had been doing well without her. I could only assume there was something she was after or some trouble she was hiding from. Maybe her and the latest husband were getting divorce? Honestly, I didn’t want to know and I didn’t care.
“Is Liam out with friends or at work?” Julia finally spoke again.
It occured to me that Julia had no idea Liam was in the army and was currently posted thousands of miles away. Perhaps if she had stayed in touch or been around like a real mother should be she would know what Liam did to support us and keep a roof over our heads. Or better still, he wouldn’t have had to join the army to make sure a good income came in and there was a roof over our heads.
“He’s actually in Afghanistan.” I answered. “He joined the army when he was eighteen.”
I could tell this news didn’t please my mother by the way her eyes darkened and her brows knitted together. I wasn’t naive to think it was because she was worried for Liam’s welfare though. If it wasn’t about Julia then it wasn’t worth her acknowledging.
“Well,” She leaned back, her eyebrows almost hitting her hairline. “That makes things difficult.”
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Chapter 35
“Why?” I frowned.
“Because I wanted to talk to both of you.” Julia replied vaguely. “Your grandmother passed away a
month ago.”
I sat in stunned silence. I never really knew my grandparents on either side of the family. I didn’t even really remember what my dad looked like let alone if I ever met the people who raised him. I knew that I had met Julia’s parents at one time or another but they loved all the way in Florida and I hadn’t really heard from them since I was five. I suspected that they weren’t aware their daughter had abandoned her children to chase some professional poker player all the way to Las Vegas. I wouldn’t be surprised if my mother had made sure that her parents didn’t know the truth because the idea of her looking bad in anyone’s eyes was a travesty.
“Oh.” I muttered. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I thought you’d like to know.” Julia replied simply.
“A phone call would have sufficed.” I pointed out.
“I know but I wanted to see you.” Julia tilted her head as she leaned across the table and gripped my hand. “You’re my daughter and you’ve just turned eighteen, this is an important moment in your
life.”
I wasn’t buying it.
Before either of us could talk again, the front door opened and I tensed as I heard the familiar stamp of Aiden’s boots on the hardwood floor. I quickly snatched my hand away as Aiden rounded the corner, coming to a halt when he saw me and then my mother sat there.
Chapter Comments
Lina Simentales
Aiden is so freaking irritating. You like her bit are being stupid about it…
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