Mitchell was confused when she first saw the photo. Angie's hands were shaking as she explained who the people where. "How are they related to all these?" Lin looked sad. "That's what we're going to find out". Angie said sternly. Only Mitchell noticed how her fist clenched around the photo. "You three seem like you have a lot to think about", she collected the book, "I'll read it first".
Angie practically stormed out of the room. She was confused, sad and angry. It was expected when you just discovered that your mom was connected to magic and rampaging monsters. "Is she gonna be okay?" Mitchell asked Lin. They were neighbors so they walked home together. Lin would rather die than ask her brother for a ride. "Why do you care so much?" Lin raised her eyebrows.
"She's my friend", Mitchell shrugged, "and if you haven't noticed. She had only Felicity by her side".
"You've never treated me like that".
"You're too obsessed with yourself to notice". Mitchell chuckled. "Whatever" Lin put a hand on her shoulder, "you can tell me anything". "I know, Lin". Mitchell gave her a fake smile. Some things are meant to be secrets. She thought. Lin waved her off.
"Mama!" Mitchell said closing the door, "I'm home!" "Why the hell you yelling?!" Tatiana Roscoe yelled from the kitchen, "I just put that little devil to bed. So help me she makes a sound, I will smack your ass". "The little devil you're talking about is your daughter", Mitchell sassed, "her name is Lashana". "Is that sass I heard?" Tatiana made an appearance.
Mitchell took her mom's features; curly hair, chocolate brown skin and black eyes. "No, mama" Mitchell averted her eyes. "I didn't hear you". Tatiana glared at her. "I said I'm sorry!" She shouted. "You better be", she spat, "you look like your bastard father". "And yet you had three kids for him". Mitchell whispered. "I made dinner, you interested? René just lost her dinner privilege for the night for back talking".
"You can't do that. She's still a kid".
"I can. I'm the mother here. Again, you interested?"
"Yeah. I'll serve myself". "I never said I was gonna serve you". Tatiana scoffed and left the room. Mitchell walked into the kitchen and plated the Mac and cheese. She went upstairs and knocked on René's room. "René? You asleep?" She asked. "Barely" René replied before opening the door. Mitchell sighed and said, "mama up in your business again?" "When has she ever not been? I was on my own... tired from school work and she came lecturing me about doing the dishes!" "Tell me all about it". Mitchell closed the door.
Angie knew she was wrong to have stormed off but her emotions were flying everywhere. No family was perfect but she always felt like hers was the least challenged. "Anybody home?" She asked dropping her bag on the couch. "Honey", Nolan hugged her, "how was school?" "Peachy" she shrugged. Nolan could tell that Angie was being cold but she wrote it off. "I haven't grabbed the mail all day", Nolan sighed, "I've been trying to get things ready for your Dad's surprise party".
Angie's eyes widened. She totally forgot that today was her Dad's birthday. "Don't tell me you forgot?" Nolan scolded. "He's barely here". Angie shrugged and went to the mailbox. She took them to the kitchen counter. She hummed at the smell of sweets. Her eyes found a brown envelope from Mr. Hayford. "Mr. Hayford? The lawyer?" She mumbled.
She knew she shouldn't but she opened it anyways. She glared at the paper like she wanted lasers from her eyes to burn it up. "Angie, did you..." Nolan stopped herself when she saw Angie's face. She was filled with rage. "Honey, why did..." "What is this?!" Angie shouted. "Young lady! Do not use that tone with me!" Nolan was taken aback, "those mails are private". "A divorce?!" Angie showed her the papers, "that's why he's never home, isn't it?"
"We had a talk. He said we would work things out. I never thought..."
"So you knew? You knew all along that it wasn't about work? He was avoiding us".
"Honey, it's not like..." "Don't call me that! Do I even know you anymore?! How many more secrets do you have?!" Angie had switched her questions from the divorce to the magic. Nolan had no idea of this though. Angie groaned and stalked out. "Where are you going?" Nolan asked. "Out!" Was the answer she shot back. "Sis? You just came?" Dave was at the door. Angie ignored him and ran off.
She took solace in Tom's Tanks. She covered her face in her hands. She wanted to cry but she couldn't. Everything was falling apart slowly and the only thing she could blame was the magic. "Back so soon". The food runner made her raise her head. "You again?" She gave a weak smile. "Issues?" He asked.
"Yeah. I really need a drink. Like a 'drink'"
"Oh. I get it", he lowered his voice, "if I get caught, you're gonna owe me". "Deal". She nodded. Angie pulled out her ringing phone. She silenced the device and fondled with it. "One drink", the food runner came back fast, "and it's just five dollars extra". "We never got your name". Angie said removing the money from her purse. "It's Zeke". He smiled.
"Short for Ezekiel. I like it. Thanks again".
"Don't sweat it. I know how tough relationships can be".
"Relationships? Oh no! I'm not here because of that", she chuckled dryly, "it's more of family". "I am so sorry. I just thought that you and that girl, Mitchell were having things rough". "Mitchell?" Angie was extremely confused. Zeke noticed this and mumbled, "I guess it's one sided". He smiled at her and walked away. Angie shook her head and sipped the drink. It burned her throat. She squeezed her eyes but took it in. She needed this.
Mitchell stroked her sister's hair as she slept. "Are we gonna be okay?" René asked sleepily. "Yeah. We're gonna be just fine", she stood up carefully, "goodnight, René". René snuggled into her teddy bear and smiled. Mitchell crept out of the room and closed the door. She heard sniffing from downstairs. "Mama? You okay?" She asked. "Yeah. I'm good", Tatiana wiped her face, "is she asleep?" "Yes. She thinks you hate her though".
"I know. I'm trying. It's hard, Avery ".
"You're strong. We'll be fine".
"You are so precious", Tatiana kissed her head, "you're the rock of this house". "I know", Mitchell smiled but it quickly fell, "why are you all dressed up". "I got a call to come in early for work". Tatiana said in a small voice. "You said you were gonna quit!" Mitchell was angry. "The money is not enough! The bills are piling up".
"It would be if you cut down on the drinks".
"I'm going through a lot! I made bad choices and it's overwhelming".
"You made it three times. No normal person does that!" Smack! Mitchell held her face. Her cheek stung. "I'm so sorry". Tatiana wanted to hold her hand but Mitchell snatched it away. "Just go". She whispered. Tatiana apologized again before she left the house. Mitchell slumped on the couch. She could feel it getting worse. Magic was still at the back of her mind. That was another stress on it's own.
YOU ARE READING
A Game Of Secrets
Paranormal"Angie, don't move". Mitchell warned with horror on her face. Angie was shaken up already. She heard a growl and out of sheer curiosity, she turned around. She gasped and almost tumbled backwards. She wasn't focused on the bloody ten horned hideous...
