“It hasn’t beenthatlong. And you’re here, so you clearly haven’t died.”
“But Icouldhave. How long would it have taken you to find my body?”
Jesus. She’s good. I’ll give her that. She knows exactly where to hit me for maximum effect. Her words hit like a sharp knife to the heart. I don’t want anything to happen to her and I’d for sure blame myself if I walked into her house and found her lifeless body. That guilt would most definitely eat me alive. That still doesn’t explain how she got here, though. Or how she got to the doctor to get a neck brace, for that matter. None of this is making any sense.
“How did you get here, Mom?” I ask again, purposely ignoring her last question.
She lets out an exaggerated huff and shifts to her other leg. “I just had to see you, dear. Don’t you see how much I love you? I’m willing to put my life at risk, to see my own daughter, even though I’m not convinced she’d do the same for me.”
And the hits keep coming. “I’m sorry,” I give in with a sigh. “Why don’t we get dinner soon? I’ve been a bit busy lately, but I’ll make some time.”
“How generous of you to makea sliverof time for your own mother.”
My hands ball into fist and my throat suddenly feels tight at the implications she’s tossing in my face. How can I make this stop?
How dare you accuse me of not making time for you. Of not caring about you.
The words are on the tip of my tongue. But I can't find the courage to let them out.
“Sorry, Mom. You tell me when you want to get together, and I’ll make it happen.”
She eyes me warily but eventually nods in agreement. Okay, that wasn’t terrible, I suppose. I always feel like I’m walking on eggshells with her, but I believe she misses me. It has to be lonely living in that house all alone.
“How about this weekend?” she asks.
Well, fuck. I was hoping she’d at least give me more time to plan.
“Sure. That sounds good, Mom.” Although, this weekend means I’ll have to adjust my work schedule, but I'll figure it out. Giving her what she wants is the path of least resistance.
“Okay. You’ll have to pick me up though, because I really shouldn’t be driving, as you know.” Of course she shouldn’t. “And make sure you wear something–presentable. I don’t know whatthisis, but it’s not it.” She follows her request by swiping her hand up and down my body from my messy hair down to my bare feet. If she only knew how I got this way.
“Fine. I’ll pick you up and we can get dinner.” She nods and turns on her heels, walking away. Love you too, mom.
34
Ryker
Was I listening through the door?
Yes. Do I have regrets? Not really.
It took everything I had not to rip through the bedroom door and stand behind her for moral support. It’s evident now that Christine is still gaslighting and manipulating her after all these years. Like a good girl, she tried to stand up for herself, but I could hear her voice crack in defeat, when her fucking mother pushed back.
It makes me want to show her just how amazing and precious she is, so she knows and believes that she doesn't have to put up with that treatment, especially from someone that’s supposed to love her.
I can’t believe she showed up here in a neck brace. If I wasn’t sure before but I am now, she has no clue why her mom and I ended. At least not the whole story. I still regret leaving like I did, but I was angry and I let my emotions get the best of me.
Once I’m sure Christine is gone, I pull on my shirt and head for my girl, feeling the need to wrap my arms around her, but when I get to her, she wrapsherarms aroundme, instead.
“Sorry about that.” Her shoulders slump as her body collapses into me.
“I’ve got you, baby.” She can lean into me all she needs and I’ll support her every time.
“She’s just lonely. I’m going to pick her up this weekend and we’re going to dinner. That should hopefully tide her over for a little bit.”
The fact that she feels she even needs to apologize for her mother, pisses me the fuck off. “Don’t apologize for her.” I’m treading a fine line and I know it. Christine is manipulative and narcissistic, but she’s still her mother and I know if I push too hard, she’ll push back twofold. “I know how she is. I’ve always known and you’ve done nothing wrong.”
She looks up at me with those big emerald eyes, wide and pleading. “I need a favor.” I already know what she’s going to ask. And now I see why her previous employer was so willing to fire her. “I’m scheduled at the club all weekend. Would you help get me out of one of the shifts, so I can do this thing with Mom? Please?”
