TURN BACK THE TIME, BABE. BOOK 2. KINGS WILL BE CROWNED (ENGLISH VERSION)

OPEN THE FLOODGATES

- What did it happen to your stockings? Tell me what went wrong -Mary urged me.

Despite my pitiful state and not wanting to see anybody, I tried to pull myself together the best that I could. I couldn't believe they were there. Being witness of my inner devastation. The fear showed to my eyes seeing them so near, with their confused faces.

- What are you doing here? Freddie, today it's your birthday. I thought you went to Grosvenor to dance.

- It's already midnight, my birthday was yesterday -he just said serious, folding his lips in his mechanic gesture.

- Forget about birthdays. The minute I saw you disappeared from John's house I knew you came to that flakey's place.

- How did you know his address?

- I saw in the paper he gave you and I memorized it. Why? You told me you wouldn't do it. Did he hurt you?

- He didn't do me anything, Mary. Calm down. I got a food poisoning.

- What about your stockings?

I didn't notice about my pitiful look. I put on my stockings in such a hurry that it looked wrecked on my legs, filled with awful runs and holes.

- I fell down the stairs and they must got caught on something. Really, don't worry about me.

Freddie stared at us quietly, not uttering a word. I suppose Mary would catch him up about the situation that myself, compulsive liar, had made up. I couldn't imagine that Freddie would end up knowing that sham I had made up for Mary and I didn't like he knew it.

I remembered each and every of our conversations. I had it word by word written up in my parallel diary to Fooling's reports. I remembered having told him that stormy night in Ridge Farm, our faces lit up by the candles, that all the year round there wasn't anybody else. I was saving myself for him.

How could I get carried away by my own and foolish infatuation in this mission? I must measure my words, my gestures, my actions. Now Mary would have told him I had a stalker boyfriend and Freddie would call me into question once again. Supporting everything in lies to get out of troubles was saving me from some of them and pushing me into another ones.

- Come on, come home with us. You are trembling.

- I got a home, thanks. I can manage myself.

- No way, don't you think, Freddie? You're coming with us now. You can tell what you like but you aren't well. Why did you accept that invitation? Are you in love with him?

When she asked me that I couldn't help looking at Freddie again, who was, strangely, in the background.

- Of course not.

- Then? That runaway in the middle of the dinner just to see him?

- Elideth is used to do these kind of things, Mary -Freddie said at last with half bitter smile-. Running away. It's what she does best.

- Well, it's enough. We aren't judging her right now. She has her face swollen from crying.

- I can see it perfectly -Freddie said with the same unmoved face.

- Well, that's it. No more argues. Eli, you're staying with us tonight.

- There's no need...

- I'm not consulting you.

I was absolutely defeated. I needed to cry and cry till I became dehydrated but in complete loneliness. The last thing I wanted was Freddie and Mary to carry me at the moment. A real wreck.