A Hunger to Share ( Book One )

chapter 10

Cate Blanchett, Australian actress, as Grace

                  *

Ada

"I don't know when was the last time I saw you smiling." Her Mom said from behind her as Ada put the glass of blood in the microwave.

She should seriously consider buying one for her room to avoid these awkward encounters.

"I'm not smiling." She stopped smiling.

"Has something happened?"

Ada gave her a sidelong look that should have shut her up, but she just ignored it ,and continued looking at her expectantly.

She cursed the slow microavawe, and looked away. "Nothing that concerns you."

Her mother put a gentle hand on her arm, but she shrugged it off. "Don't."

They hadn't talked to eachother since the night of the party.

She sighed from behind Ada. "I miss you. I miss my daughter."

"And I miss my Mom. Tell her to give me a call when she stops being on the asshole's side."

"Don't call him that."

Ada turned around. "Fine, how about monster then? Or Cruel patriarch? Soulless basterd fits him perfectly."

Her mother pinched her lips, putting her coffee mug on the kitchen counter. "He's just trying to do what's best for us."

"He's abusing us, and I'm tired of repeating this conversation." The damn microwave finaly beeped. Ripping it open, Ada grabbed her glass of blood, and made to leave the kitchen.

"Whoever it is that makes you smile like this again, I'm happy you have them." She said, stroaking Ada's hair affectionately.

Ada couldn't remember the last time she had let her Mother touch her like this. "Thank you but I don't want to talk about it."

She kept smiling, her blue eyes crinkling at the edges. "I'm just happy that you're happy."

And she really was. Ada could see it. She had always been there for her, regardless of how shitty, and probably sometimes unfairly Ada treated her, protecting her from her Father's wrath whenever she made him lose his temper, which was quiet often.

Not that she always succeeded, but she still made the effort, and that was something.

"I know I let you down." Ada said in a low voice. "You, and Nora both. And I'm not asking for forgiveness. I just wish you would see that you deserve so much better than him."

Her mother stared at her in awe, and opened her mouth to say somethhing, but she had already stormed out of the kitchen.

On the way back to her room, she saw Nora and Ben, laughing together, about to make out. "Don't stop on my account." Ada said as she passed them.

They froze, looks of shame, and guilt shadowing their faces.

"Ada about what happened..." Ben started. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. We shouldn't have even considered it. I'm guilty, and I know it, but I never meant to hurt you. I just...hope you can forgive me some day."

Ada turned around, sipping her warm blood. "That was a nice apology Ben. Didn't know you had it in you."

He offered her a little hopeful smile.

"I might forgive you some day, but that day is definitely not today."

"Fair enough."

Nora yanked on his arm. "Let's go."

Ada took another casual sip. "You know, you were pretty mediocre. I wonder how Nora puts up with you. She must have really low expectations. But it's no surprise. She likes to settle for less."

Ben went red all over.

Nora looked murderous, her red lips an angry slash. "You've made you point."

Ada smiled sweetly at them. "That's all I've ever wanted."

Nora yanked on his arm again.

"Oh and Benny? Where's my bra?"

He went even more scarlet. "What?"

"The green lacy bra you owe me. The one you destroyed.   Where is it? Don't tell me Nora forgot to tell you because that would be unfortunate."

"She told me. I just...didn't think you were serious."

Ada gave him a hard look. "I was dead serious. You better find one by tonight, the same color, the same everything, or  I'll have to make that pizza."

Ben gaulped loudly.

"You wouldn't." Nora hissed, clutching ben's arm protectively.

"Don't try me big sis. You know I'm the one who inherited Father's ruthlessness."

Ben looked ashen. "Please don't chop me up. I'll get it. I promise."

Ada patted his cheek. "Now, there's a good boy."

"We'll get your stupid bra." Nora said in a low, dangerous voice.

It wasn't stupid. It was a gift and it meant a lot to Ada. "I know you will."

"You're repulsive."

"Like father, like daughter." Ada turned on her heels, a satisfied smile on her lips.

Once inside, she curled up with a hardcover copy of Edgar Allen Poe's poems. Books never let her down, even when people did, specially when people did.