Sold?What?No, that can’t be right?
Felicity couldn’t believe what she’d heard.That couldn’t be right.But when she went to ask her for clarification, her mouth opened, but no words came out.There was a distinct disconnect between her mind and her vocal cords.
“You look pale.Why don’t you sit down?”The woman wore a concerned expression as she gestured to the red couch.
Maybe she was right.Felicity’s legs did feel a bit rubbery, and her head felt as though it were spinning.Without saying anything, she moved to the chair because the couch was buried with pink and blue blankets, children’s books, and toys.
“I’ll get you a glass of water.”The woman’s words sounded as though they were being spoken through a long tunnel.“Come on, Amelia.”
While they were out of the room, Felicity’s gaze moved about the spacious room.Tears rushed to her eyes, blurring her vision.Her mother had sold the house?Her childhood home?No.That couldn’t be right.
She swiped at the tears.She would never again race up the staircase and go to her bedroom, where she’d grown from a tomboy to an awkward teenager.
Her mother wouldn’t have done this without talking to her.Something was wrong.Nothing was making sense.
“Here you go.”The woman had a concerned look on her face as she handed her a tall glass of cold water.
Felicity really didn’t want the drink, but after the woman went to the effort, she couldn’t refuse it.“Thank you, uh…”
“Nora.And you’re welcome.I’m sorry this is such a shock.I’m surprised your mother didn’t mention it to you.”
After taking a sip, Felicity asked, “When did she sell you the house?”
“A few months ago.”Nora sat down on the couch.“I’m so sorry you had to learn about it this way.It must be such a shock to you.I can’t even imagine.”
Felicity wondered if this was what it felt like to have an out of body experience.Because right now she was stumbling over her words as she spoke to the woman.She set aside the glass of water before getting to her feet, but all the while, her mind felt totally detached from her body.None of this could be happening.
She looked over at the two little kids.She was freaking them out.It was the last thing she meant to do.
Before she had a total meltdown, she said, “I’m sorry to intrude.I should go.”She moved to the door and then hesitated.She turned back to the woman.“I…uh, I don’t know where to go.Do you know where my mother moved to?”
It killed her that she had to ask a total stranger where her own mother lived.She knew there was a distance between them, but she had no idea that there was a gaping chasm between herself and her mother.It felt as though her entire past had been tossed away like yesterday’s garbage.
Nora informed her that her mother had moved to an apartment.After being given directions to the Evergreen Apartments, Felicity thanked her and stepped onto the porch.Her rideshare was long gone, so she would be walking the three blocks to her mother’s apartment building.
Felicity pulled a white knit cap from her coat pocket and pulled it over her head.Normally, she didn’t wear it, because when she took it off, her hair was all fly-away, but with the snow coming down and the falling temperature, she didn’t care about appearances.
She grabbed her suitcase and set off.All the while she tried to come to terms with the fact that her mother had moved.Moved.And she hadn’t told her.Where did this leave their relationship?
While she’d been inside, the flurries had turned to a snow shower.Felicity kept her head down as she dragged her suitcase behind her.Lugging a suitcase along an uneven sidewalk was a lot harder than one might think.
More than once, she was jerked to a stop.Pain shot through her shoulder.She ignored it.All she wanted to do now was get to her mother’s place and what?She wasn’t sure what came next.
She paused and looked back.The wheels of her suitcase were once more stuck on the uneven surface of the sidewalk block.With a sigh, she yanked the suitcase up and onto the sidewalk block.And then she continued walking.There were some slick spots here and there, but she managed to avoid them.
Even though it was the middle of the afternoon, there weren’t many people out and about.They were probably either at work or inside, curled up in front of a fireplace like her family used to do on cold winter days.Oh, how she missed those days.
Her thoughts returned to her immediate problem—her mother.Things between them were so much worse than she’d imagined.It was the only logical reason her mother would make such a bold move without discussing it with her.
Well, they were going to talk now.It was time they cleared the air once and for all.With determination, she picked up her pace.
She was still trying to make sense of what she’d learned.Why would her mother suddenly sell the house?Was she having financial difficulties?
Lost in her thoughts, she trudged onward.She put her foot down and it kept going.Using her one free arm, she flailed it around until she regained her balance.
Slowing her pace a bit, she continued onward.With her head down, she avoided getting snowflakes in her face.Her suitcase rumbled along behind her as she crossed an intersection.
“Felicity?”The familiar male voice had her lifting her head.
