Unexpected

Part XXXVI: Demolished

The sounds of creaking floorboards and loud whispers outside of the door pull me from sleep. I blink a few times, clearing my vision, and squint against the sunlight seeping in through the curtain. My eyes feel enlarged and heavy, sensitive from hours of crying. I look around the room, taking a couple of seconds to remember where I am.

I'm home.

The whispers stop and my mom opens the bedroom door a small crack. She peeks inside, smiling at me softly when she realizes that I'm awake. My dad hovers in the hallway, not wanting to intrude, but wanting to see me to ensure that I'm okay.

"I wasn't sure if you were awake yet," she says.

I nod. "I am now," I sigh, rolling over and pulling the blankets up to my chin. Mom enters the room and stands at the foot of the bed. She motions to the empty space beside me. "May I?" she asks.

I nod again. She crawls into the bed, laying down beside me. She takes me into her arms, holding me like she did the last time I was in this situation. The last time I had been heartbroken, lied to, and abandoned.

"You know, I was thinking..." she starts.

"Mom," I groan.

"No, listen to me Kristine."

I bite the insides of my cheeks and take a deep breath, preparing myself for what is about to come out of her mouth. I try to remain calm, not wanting to get worked up more than I already am.

"I'm sorry that I've pushed you the way I did. I should've listened to you when you said you weren't ready to be in another relationship after Alex. I hope I didn't push you into this, setting you up to be hurt once again-" Her voice cracks.

I look up at her and see tears forming in the corner of her eyes.

"Oh mom! No!" I reassure her. "I mean, yes you were a complete pain in the ass and crossed the line once or twice, but I wouldn't have gone this far with Elliot if I didn't feel I was ready. I put myself in this situation, mom. It wasn't you."

"I just hate seeing you this way, baby." She holds me tightly. "I just want you to be happy, I want what is best for you."

"I know you do, mom, I know." I snuggle against her and she holds me in a comfortable silence. I feel like a child, safely enclosed in my mother's arms, and nothing in the world can hurt me here.

My dad knocks softly on the door, pushing it the rest of the way open.

"Good morning." He smiles at me. "You have a visitor," he says.

I furrow my brow.

My stomach flutters and my chest tightens, thinking for a brief moment that it could be Elliot here to apologize, here to bring me home. Anna steps into the room and sits down at the foot of the bed, placing her hand on my leg. I glance back up at my mom.

"Who all have you told?" I say through clenched teeth.

We were having a good moment, dammit.

"Only Anna, I promise. I thought it would be nice to have some company other than me and your father."

Tears sting in my eyes and my anger subsides. "Thank you, mom." She kisses my forehead, crawls out of my bed and exits the room, leaving me and Anna alone. She rubs my leg, not meeting my eyes.

"We don't have to talk about it, but we can if you want to," she says quietly.

I sit up in bed and shake my head. "I'm not ready," I mutter.

"And that's just fine,." Anna assures me, looking up at me with a soft smile. "Get up and get dressed though. I have something that I think will help." There's a flicker of excitement in her eyes.