Olivia's Strange Week

Epilogue

"I don't want to let you go, honey."

"Mooooom," I complain. My lungs are squeezed out of their air as my mom hugs me with the strength of a lion. Her face is too uncomfortably pressed against mine, our cheeks squished together.

After saving her from Belinda's control

"Don't 'mooom' me, Olivia," she tells me. "I haven't seen you in months, I've got to compensate!"

"You've compensated plenty in the last week, Mrs. Simmons," Emily says, next to us. Today she wears fancy jeans and boots, coupled with a red shirt that fits her shape perfectly. We bought those clothes on a shopping trip a few days ago. Trying to see what best fit her was a whole experience.

It's strange to see her carrying my mom's luggage with her normal body, it looks twice her weight, at least.

"Oh come on, you," one of my mom's arms traps Emily as well, pulling her into an awkward, three-way hug. "Thank you for taking such good care of my little girl. I've never seen her so happy."

"Mom!" I scold her. "You're making me sound like a sad loser!"

"Sorry, sorry!" she apologizes, finally breaking the hug and letting my lungs take air. "I'm just so glad you finally found someone."

"Mom! You're doing it again!"

Emily laughs, one hand held over her mouth.

"Come on, honey. What kind of mother would I be if I didn't embarrass you in front of your girlfriend?"

"One I liked!" I say, Emily's laugh infecting me.

My mom just shrugs, "I'll have to live with your hate, then." I roll my eyes, groaning. The hiss of wheels against asphalt mark the stop of a bus. It is grey in color, and there are no passengers inside. My mom turns towards the opening door. "Seems you'll finally get rid of me, honey."

"Bye mom," I tell her, hugging her for one last, short time. "Love you."

"Love you too, honey."

Emily hands her the luggage. "Goodbye, Mrs. Simmons. Have a nice trip."

"Just call me Jessica, dear," my mom tells her, taking hold of her very heavy luggage and almost falling down due to its weight. Emily and I rush to help her, but she shakes her head, "I'm alright," she gasps, dragging herself onto the bus. "Goodbye girls, love you both!"

"Goodbye!" we say, almost in unison.

The door closes, and the bus starts again.

Before I can let out a sigh of relief one of the windows opens. "Olivia!" she yells, the bus already moving, "If you ever need bigger bras, call me and I'll send you some!"

"Mom!" I yell at her, blushing.

"I have some nice lingerie!" she has to poke her head out of the window and raise her voice further to be heard as the vehicle moves away. "Emily will love it!"

"God, mom! Just send me a message!" I shout, my hands cupped around my mouth. Thank god this place is empty.

In the distance, I can see my mom about to shout an answer back, but Emily beats her to it. "Goodbye, Jessica!" she calls out, waving her hand.

I follow her example. "Goodbye, mom!"

Thankfully, my mother takes the message, and waves back at us before putting her head back inside the vehicle.

We remain silent as the grey bus turns around a corner and disappears from view, taking my mom back home.

"Finally!" I groan, letting my shoulders drop.