In The Unlikely Event [updates begin may 3]

29 | nocturnal conversations

life update: hey, frens. im just going to get into this. for the past 6-7 months, i've been in a depressive state. like many of us this year, my mental health went to shit and i just didn't know how to get back to where i previously was. i recently just graduated high school so because this past school year was my senior year in high school, i really had to give my all to my education to make sure i got into a good school. what that meant was bc i was already so drained mentally, everything i had left to give went to school and unfortunately, my personal extracurricular activities went to the back. i'm in a better place now, not completely out of the woods but writing this chapter was the most enjoyable thing i've done in a while. i should have the next update out by monday because im feel like this chapter has gotten me in a good grove. 

p.s. this isn't meant to be an excuse but an explanation. 

previously on itue: 

after going shopping for materials to make addy's prom dress, tammy and addy stopped at a store to buy some candy. they got into a racist altercation with the store owner.  

vote, comment and share if you enjoyed this chapter (or even if you didn't) and follow me on twitter and instagram (minnietheailen) for sneak peeks and just random thoughts that i have.

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The double knock on my door could barely be heard over the music blasting through my AirPods, but I pulled them out just as Aunt Yvonne poked her head into my room.

"Hey."

"Hi."

Waiting by the door, I saw the conflicting emotions of concern and sadness flicker dancing on her face, and I paused Adele singing to wave her in.

Gingerly making her way into the room through the parts for the cribs, the plastic drop cloth and half-empty paint cans, she settled on the edge of my bed.

The silence stretched between us until she spoke up. "I just wanted to check in on you. See how you're doing and make sure the fumes in here aren't making you go crazy." Her lips tipped up in a small smile at her attempted joke.

The silence materialized between us again.

Her eyes travelled around the room, taking in the newly painted coral walls before finally settling back on my face.

"Are you really not going to tell your mom about the incident that happened at the store?"

I spun around in my seat to face my laptop and avoid her searching eyes. "Aunt Yvonne, she warned me. She knew the extent of Marlene's connection in this stifling town, and she warned me about the possibility of retaliation. I chose not to listen. That's on me. Telling her just--it's just rubbing salt to the wound."

"Addy, baby, this is your mom. She's not--can you turn around, please? This is your mom," she reiterated once I was facing her. "She's not looking to pull out the 'I-told-you-so card.' She's your mom, and all she's trying to do is protect you for as long as she can." She cupped my face in her hands. "Besides, I remember you saying something about always defending yourself. This is just the evil witch fighting--you need to find your footing and fight harder. Okay?"

Blinking back stray tears, I nodded into her hands. "Okay."

She wiped away the lone tear that stained my cheeks, flashed a grin and pulled back. Finally taking note of her dress and the makeup on her face, I asked, "Are you going out?"

She looked down, seemingly remembering the off-the-shoulder green dress she was wearing. "Oh, yeah. Today's date night with your uncle."

I cracked a small smile and leaned back into my seat. "Ah, that explains the Aaliyah."