Malevolence

Chapter 17:

Please read the Writer's note before continuing to read this chapter.

Evelyn:

I step out of the shower and walk toward the closet to pick out what clothes I am going wear today.

As I take out two shirts, my phone rings. I throw the 2 shirts on the bed and I check to see that my mother is phoning me.

"Hi mom." I answer on the third ring.

"Evelyn, my sweet child! You finally answered your phone!" My mother beams.

Why doesn't she sound angry? Usually when I don't answer my mother's calls or texts, she is angry at me and demands why I haven't spoken to her.

I shake the thought off and answer my mother. "I know. I am sorry about that." I apologize.

"Why haven't you answered when I tried to phone you?"

I lean back and sit on the bed, sighing. "I needed a break." I admit.

"A break? What do you mean you needed a break? You are on leave from work, so what break?"

Argh! My mother's reminding me I have to work in 2 weeks time.

I quietly sigh. "A break from everything. Just from the world. I needed to be alone."

"Alone with Ransom you mean?" My mother corrects me.

I groan. "Not you too, mom." I close my eyes and lean my upper body down so that my head is hanging inches from the floor.

"Not me what? What are you talking about?" My mother asks, genuinely sounding curious.

I inhale before I begin. "Lydia and my – well, Lydia is usually the one who thinks my life revolves around Ransom, and only Ransom." I explain, but my voice is lower so I am not sure if my mother heard me correctly.

There is a brief pause and then my mother sighs. "Doesn't your life though? I mean, you are constantly with that man. Goodness! It's like if you are both separated, you don't know what to do with your lives."

"WHAT?" I shriek, sitting back up.

Guess she did hear me, but why did she just say agree with Lydia?

"Honey, Lydia may have a point. You usually don't answer any of your calls nor do you visit anyone else when you are with Ransom. Take now as an example. You are back to dating Ransom and suddenly, your friends and family don't seem to matter to you."

Dammit! She has a point. She has a freaking point!

"That's not true." I lie. "I text you or Lydia sometimes, when I get a chance." I say, but even I know that is not the whole truth.

"Oh really? Because the last time I saw you was 3 weeks ago, before you got back together with Ransom. I mean, do you still chat to your father?" My mother asks in disbelief.

My father...that – no I cannot say it. I just can't.

I groan and bend my head back down again. "Please don't bring up dad."

"Why not?"

I make a feeble noise, shaking my head. "I really don't want to talk about it over the phone." I mumble.

"Then how about you and I meet up for breakfast? You know, since you claim you chat to me even when you are with Ransom."

Did she have to go there?

"We can meet up now, if you are available. I am free right now." My mother suggests.

I shrug my shoulders, knowing my mother cannot see me.