The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Forty One

It had been a few days since the break up and it wasn't getting better for either of the women. Toni had the added stress of Tommy demanding they go home to Cheryl multiple times a day and once she had calmed him down she'd slip in the bathroom herself to cry. The redhead had stuck to her word and not reached out to Toni since her last message. She hoped next week when she went back to work things would become more normal for her again, her days would be filled with something more than sitting around at home and crying. She knew she'd never completely get over the redhead but she hoped at least it would get easier. Thankfully the swelling on her hand had gone down now and it wasn't as painful so she assumed that she was wrong about breaking it. Her brothers had taken Tommy to school the rest of the week for her which she was grateful for but starting Monday she would get her life together again. As for right now it was Saturday morning and she was laid in bed next to her sleeping son, the last few days had been extremely painful for him and he couldn't understand why they couldn't just go back home to Cheryl.

The banging on the door pulled Cheryl from her drunken nap on the couch. She cursed as she navigated through the dark room, every curtain in the house was shut, she didn't want to see the sun rise and setting when she felt like her world had stopped. She fumbled with the keys and unlocked the door revealing Veronica. The redhead just pulled the door open and moved back to the couch getting into the position she was in before without even saying a word. 'Okay this is bad' the brunette thought to herself as she closed the door behind her. She took a seat on the spare couch and took a look at her best friend, her face was drawn in so she knew she hadn't been eating. 'What do you want V?' Cheryl mumbled not even bothering to look up. 'I came to check in, you didn't text me back' Veronica shrugged 'Cheryl it smells like an old mans bar in here, how much have you drank?'. She looked around at the empty bottles of maple rum scattered on the floor and coffee table. 'Veronica I'm fine, you've done your duty by checking in now will you please leave' the redhead reached out for the open bottle next to her taking a long sip. Veronicas eyebrows furrowed 'okay, no' she said snatching the bottle from the redheads hand 'I'm not gonna sit here while you self destruct'. 'Veronica just leave me alone' Cheryls voice cracking as she tried not to cry.

Veronica didn't know what to do, she couldn't leave her friend in this state 'I'm gonna run you a bath okay? And then we're going to go out for coffee' she moved passed Cheryl and up the stairs not giving the redhead a chance to argue. Veronica had never seen Cheryls house so messy, in fact she'd never seen her best friend in such a mess. She walked into Cheryls bedroom and through to the bathroom running a hot bubble bath for her friend. When it was full she went back downstairs pulling the tipsy redhead from the couch and leading her upstairs. Cheryl didn't even have it in her to argue. 'Okay get undressed and relax in the bath I'm going to clean up the mess downstairs okay?' Veronica shut the bathroom door behind her leaving Cheryl alone. She started in the lounge opening the curtains and windows letting some light and fresh air in before picking up all of the trash. She quickly vacuumed and took care of any dirty pots noticing the now dying roses on the kitchen island. She decided to tackle the redheads bedroom next, making the bed and clearing the floor before moving to her closet and choosing her an outfit for the day.

When she was satisfied that Cheryls home was tidier than it had been when she arrived she knocked on the bathroom door. 'Are you almost done Cheryl?' Veronica asked. 'Cheryl?' she raised her voice but there was still no answer. She slowly pushed open the door seeing Cheryl in the middle of the bathtub, her arms wrapped around her legs as she cried into her knees. 'Oh Cheryl' Veronica frowned as she made her way to kneel at the side of the bathtub as she pulled her the redhead against her. 'It's really over V, I don't know how to move on' she sobbed. Veronica just held her as she let out her tears. When the cries were less audible Veronica pulled back a little. 'Let's get you feeling a little more normal' the brunette sighed as she undid Cheryls bun allowing her hair to fall down her back. Veronica moved to the cabinet to find Cheryls shampoo before moving back and reaching for the shower connected to the tub. She ran the water over her fingers until it got to a warm enough temperature. 'I'm going to wash your hair okay?'. Cheryl just nodded as the water from the shower head ran down her face mixing with her tears. Veronica was as carefully as she could be, she could tell by the tangles that the redhead probably hadn't brushed her hair since this whole fall out with Toni. 'Okay all done, get out and brush your teeth, I'll wait for you in the bedroom okay?'. Again Cheryl just nodded causing Veronica to sigh.

This time though Cheryl did listen and she was soon coming out of the bathroom wearing her robe and a towel wrapped around her head. 'There she is' Veronica gave her a small smile 'come on sit down, I'll get your hair dried'. Cheryl complied taking a seat at her vanity but not once looking up at her reflection. She heard Veronica apologise every now and again as she dragged the brush through her hair but she didn't even flinch. The pair stayed in silence the whole time until Veronica was finished. 'Right, get dressed we're going for coffee' Veronica said clasping her hands together. 'I'm sorry V, I'm not up for it' Cheryl mumbled still looking down at her hands. 'Come on Cheryl, you need to get out of this house, one hour tops I promise' Veronica negotiated. 'Fine' Cheryl huffed moving to the clothes the brunette had pulled out for her and letting her robe fall as she pulled on her outfit. 'Okay are you doing your hair and make up or no?' Veronica questioned knowing the answer already. 'No' Cheryl said, her face was bare, the bags under her eyes were dark, her cheekbones were showing more than usual and her hair was down but fuzzy and untamed. 'Okay then, let's go' Veronica took a hold of Cheryls hand and pulled her down the stairs grabbing the redheads keys and locking the door on the way out.

Veronica had gotten their coffee from a drive thru coffee shop not wanting to trigger the redhead with Pops or even risk running into Toni. If the couple was really over she didn't want to put her friend through anymore stress. They drove a little longer pulling in at the park. It was large and Veronica knew Cheryl needed the fresh air. 'Okay come on let's take a walk' the brunette said getting out of the car, again leaving the redhead no time to object. The area of the park they was walking through was pretty quiet, it was away from the play areas and picnic benches. 'How are you feeling now?' Veronica asked as they walked together, their arms linked, the weather was getting a little colder now. 'I'm feeling a little more distracted' Cheryl lied, Toni was still whizzing around her mind 'thank you for today V, you're a good friend'. 'You don't need to thank me Cheryl, we're soul sisters' she smiled squeezing the redheads arm. 'Let's get out of here, we'll go for a drive or something yeah?' the brunette smiled hopefully causing the redhead to nod.

Just as they reached the gate the redhead heard her name being called by a child, the voice she recognised immediately. She froze in her spot not daring to turn around. 'Shit, Cheryl I didn't know they'd be here I'm so sorry'. Before she had time to reply she felt a small body wrap around her legs, his chest rising and falling hard due to how fast he had just ran to her. 'Thomas get here now!' his mother yelled marching after him. 'Toni' the redhead thought to herself, she still hadn't dared to turn around even though the little boy was still wrapped around her legs. It wasn't until she heard Tommy tell his mother no and she felt his arms wrap around her tighter that she held her breath and turned around. She didn't dare to look up at Toni who was standing around ten feet away from her, instead she concentrated on Tommy. She peeled him from her legs and slowly knelt down in front of him. Toni allowed it, she knew her son at least deserved a goodbye.

Veronica took a few steps back giving the redhead and the little boy some space and Cheryl reached for his shoulders. She took a deep breath in trying to even her voice before she started to speak. 'Tommy, I'm so sorry that you are stuck in the middle of all of this sweetheart but no matter what I love you okay? Nothing will ever change that and even though your mommy and I aren't together anymore doesn't mean I don't care about you anymore' she dared to lift her eyes for a split second at Toni before looking back down at Tommy, the look on his little face broke her heart. 'But I miss you, I want to come home'. Cheryl couldn't stop the tears falling, this was harder than she imagined. 'And I miss you, so much but I made a terrible mistake. This isn't your moms fault okay? So I want you to promise me you'll look after her okay?'. He nodded as the tears welled up in his eyes 'I promise'. 'You're a good boy Thomas' she whispered as she pulled him in for a tight hug. 'I love you Cheryl' he cried against her. 'And I love you' she said as she pulled away 'goodbye sweetheart'. Cheryl stood up and turned around towards the gate hearing Tommy scream for her to come back as she quickly wiped her own tears without looking back.