Old Money Madness

5. Mother of Meltdowns

"Miss?"

"What Daisy?" I was taking a blow from my cigarette and washing the taste away with more vodka on the balcony. Stacks of paper with scribbles for my possible novel were all around me.

"It's currently two in the afternoon."

"Make your point."

"The wake is at three. Miss you will need another bath and time to pick out a good outfit-"

"Hush. This is what I'll be dressed in." I gestured to the silk button up shirt and my faded baggy jeans. "Perhaps I'll put on shoes, it is a wake after all." I gleaned while writing down possible names for some book characters.

"Miss, is there anyway I could convince you of wearing a dress?"

"Not likely." I lifted up one of the pieces of paper. "Do you like Callum or Niles better?"

"For what?"

"Character names of course."

"Bath time Miss." Daisy shook her head and pushed open the glass doors that led back into the house.

I left my mess of papers on the ground and down the rest of my vodka. My cigarette was done a while ago and the useless stub hung from my chapped lips.

The bath was already drawn. I stripped from my clothes and sunk into the bath with the stub and bottle in hand. To my dismay, while I sat in the cozy bath, sadness echoed from my insides. Salty tears ran down my tired cheeks.

Hanging on the peach-painted walls was a huge ass portrait of my mother and father. When my eyes meant their fake ones, that stupid dam that allowed me to hide my emotions got a crack in it. With one intake of air, I lost control.

I threw the bottle at the painting, shattering it everywhere and tearing the painting. My pruned hands clawed at my face and knotted hair.

"Why! Mother, Father! Why did you leave me here all alone?" I screamed while my breath suffocated on my tears. "I don't want to be alone. Please, don't leave me!"

Daisy rushed into the bathroom and pulled me from the tub. She wrapped me in a fluffy towel and rocked me back and forth in her lap like a frightened child. I pressed my face into her neck and tightly wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Hush little baby. You're safe, mommy's got you." Daisy whispered while rubbing circles on my back. She pressed a kiss to my damp forehead. "You're not alone River. I love you honey and always will."

"Why Daisy? Who took them from me? Why do I miss them? Why am I alone all over again? Why am I in pain?" I cried harder.

"Honey, I don't know. Take some deep breaths."

"Can you sing for me Daisy, like mom used to?" I mumbled.

"Of course. London Bridge is falling down. Falling down-."

"Falling down."

"London Bridge is falling down. My fair lady."

"Thank you, Daisy. I love you."

"I know honey. I know." She whispered against my forehead and place more kisses. "You are a brave woman, you'll get through this."

"I'm heartless, I wasn't supposed to care what happened?" I wiped the tears from my red eyes.

"Even the devil gets heartbroken, look what happened after Lilith."

"I didn't shag anyone, I'm just sad." I laughed quietly.

"Don't be crude Miss. What I mean is, I think knowing your parents' wake is today put everything into perspective."

"Thanks, Daisy. Can I sit with you here for a little longer?"