TIFFIN 2

67

Hope you are all enjoying reading this. I'm doing my best to push though this damn cold I have to update 💗💗🤒
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The following days leading from our successful court date, my parents and I spent as much time as we could together.

It was like they still saw me as the small child they lost, taking me out to dinners and movies as much as possible. 

I had the time of my life. We all couldn't stop gushing over how lucky we'd been to find each other when we did.

Emma went over how things were when she was a kid. 

"Leather crop-tops and pants were the thing." She said. "I'm so glad they are having a comeback now." 

Archie, on the other hand, explained how a father needed to take his daughter out and teach her how to shoot BB-guns and Paintball weapons. 

"There's nothing wrong with learning about self- defense." He shrugged. 

When we went on outings, I did my best to not make Hero feel excluded. I knew how our close-knit family made him feel, but there were many times Archie insisted he come. 

I had a feeling deep within me that even though he approved of my boyfriend, he still wanted to know Hero on a deeper level. 

I, however, took pity on him. I made up an excuse saying that he'd caught a cold for awhile. I just didn't know how Hero was planning to avoid them at Jo's wedding that was fast approaching. 

One night, He sat me down, explaining his end of things. 

"I want to be like everyone else." He'd said. "I want to join my girlfriend on dinners with her family and discuss how my life used to be, but I just can't. We both know how my life is. The last thing I want is to taint their life with mine." 

One afternoon while Emma and I were out at the movies, I thought I had gone blind. By chance, I spotted Dorinda strolling the theatre halls, admiring the movie posters. 

She wasn't with her mother. Now was my chance. 

Without another thought, I hurried to her.

When I tapped on her shoulder, she became hostile and defensive, holding out her purse at arms length. 

What was going on?

I held up both my hands. 

"Dorinda... it's me... Kristina." 

When she recognized my face, she let out a tight breath. 

"Oh... I thought you were.... someone else..." 

What?

I shook my head, trying to ignore what was so weird about that sentence. 

"Can I talk to you?" I begged. 

After a minute of pondering over this, Dorinda gave in. I quickly turned back to Emma. 

"Mom, I'll meet you at the car." 

She smiled. "Sure. Isn't that-?"

I leaned in closely, realizing that Dorinda still looked to be on her guard. 

"Yeah. Hero's mother. She's had a lot happen to her. I just need to speak to her alone."

Like the angel she was, she tied her jacket around herself, already heading down the hall. 

"Of course. Text me when you're ready."

When Dorinda and I were left alone, I clicked the heels of my flats awkwardly.

"Shall we go to the arcade for some privacy?" 

Without a reply, Dorinda led the way back to the main lobby. When we reached the arcade, it was utterly empty, though we could hear the beeps and music coming from the machines. 

"Can I help you?" She began, trying to start the conversation. 

I usually would have glared at her audacity to command me, but I just couldn't hate her right now. She didn't sound as malicious. Her response had fell flat, like she hadn't been sure what to say.

Now that I surveyed her appearance, she looked just as beautiful, though her skin was pale and discolored. 

"Let's not pretend you were at the hospital," I replied, "are you... doing fine?"

Dorinda scoffed, folding her arms. 

"Of course I'm okay."

I shook my head not buying into this response. 

"I don't believe that. You really expect me to believe you were bed ridden because you were sick or something." 

Dorinda tightened her purse. 

"No. Just like my doctor told you; I'm getting older, no matter how much I hate it. I have severe anxiety. It's caught up with me."

I had to take a moment to turn away from her. That wasn't it. I knew it wasn't. Things had seemed so final that day. 

I swiveled back around, pinning her with a steely stare. 

"Why were you so scared? Out everyone- including your son and mother- you asked me to be by your side despite everyone else wanting me gone. Why?" 

A moment of silence passed before Dorinda had answered. She searched my eyes warily. She now looked far younger, like she was a naive and timid teenager. 

"I feel alone," she whispered shakily, the words barely coming out, "my husband is so distant. My son loathes me, even more so now. My mother... is well, my mother. You are the only one I can turn to. You're the only one that is the most compassionate. I feel like no one else understands how life is for me." 

At any other time, would have rolled my eyes at this response. It wasn't a secret her family had money. In this moment, though, I felt like I related to her.

Without warning, I took ahold of her hands. 

"Dorinda, you're not alone. I know we never properly got off on the right foot, but I can't stand to see you like this. And Hero doesn't loathe you. He thinks about you more than you know." 

Yes, he thought about how screwed up his family dynamic was, but I knew deep down, he wanted a close relationship with his parents.

Dorinda looked like she wanted to lunge forward and give me a hug but she refrained. 

"You are a sweet girl. Why are you so nice to me? Lord knows I don't deserve it." 

I shrugged.

"I'm not going to pretend that I haven't had my fair share of thoughts, but I also know we all deserve a better life. You do too. Look.... my best friend is getting married to Hero's friend. You should come."

Dorinda gasped. "You want me to come?" 

I nodded. "I really do. Just... try not to tell Diedre. Hero is going through some issues."

For the first time ever, Dorinda enveloped me in a genuine hug.

What do you all think?

What's up with Dorinda 😬

Love you all.

🙋‍♂️