The Shackles of My Mother

Chapter 3

It's past four in the afternoon when Lexi begins shuffling around the kitchen, opening and closing the cupboards, the fridge. "I don't have enough food to feed you all. How about we go out for dinner instead?"

The first part is said in jest, but the second arises a knot of agreement, a few suggestions, only one really acknowledged. "Hunters Inn?" Nods accompany Eric's proposal, and Lexi moves over to stand beside me.

The proclamation reminds me of what I still need to discuss with Lexi; money, work, and I need to find out whether staying here has an expiry date. And if so, where the hell I'm going to go. But for now, with company, I push the thought out of my head and vow to make the most of this afternoon.

"Great." She says, leaning her hip on the table, "Shall we say about 5, then? We can meet there, I don't think it'll be too busy on a Wednesday."

After everyone's left, I grab a small bag which has been tucked inside by case, and then my purse, putting it over my shoulder. It only takes Lexi ten minutes to get ready and redressed. She comes out of her room clad in the same jeans but instead a pale blue shirt and a leather jacket. Her pale makeup has been remade, and the shoes she pulls on are a creamy brown color with a small wedge heel.

"How do I look?" She asks, walking into the front room and plopping down on the couch beside me with a sigh. Her blonde hair is pulled into a tight bun on the top of her head, the type that very few could pull off; Lexi could, with her structured face and large, round eyes.

"Pretty." I grin. "Am I under-dressed for this place? I don't think I've ever been there before."

"It's only been open for about a year. But no, you're not. You know I never miss a chance to dress up. I'm the one who's overdressed, but I'm rocking it so it's all good."

I grin at her, leaning my head back on the sofa. I feel as if this is the first time we've truly had time to be alone, to talk about anything. I open my mouth to say just that, but as if reading my mind, Lexi rests her hand on my knee and says gently, "We'll talk tonight, I promise."

The relief I have at knowing Lexi understands me just that little bit more than anyone else, is like a breath being expelled inside of me, making me feel more secure. But the worry still lingers there, with the fear that somehow this can't work out and I'll be sent away, with nowhere to go but back there. "Okay." I whisper.

"Did you sleep okay?" Lexi asks, leaning against the arm of the sofa so that she's facing me.

I nod, picking at the end of my camisole. "Mm hmm." I mumble, offering a trifling smile. "Great."

"Good." Obviously sensing my fleeting and underlining anxiety, she says, "Seriously, don't worry about anything. Just enjoy the evening and we'll talk everything over later. We'll figure it out."

I smile, the first genuine thing I've shown in a while. "Thank you."

Lexi's phone rings from her pocket, signalling a text, and pulling it out she studies it for a second. "The others are ready. You want to head out now?" With a nod, she links her arm with mine and we head to the front door.

We both turn suddenly with the sound of a door closing in the apartment. Seth walks into the front room in a fresh pair of jeans, a black shirt which reveals his long, tanned arms. His dark hair is still a little damp from his shower, tucked behind his ears, the curls brushing his chin. Carrying a small notebook and pen, he pauses in his step as he spots us standing in the open doorway.

His frame is slender and tall, to which I've only just grasped the full extent of now that I am standing.

"Hey," Lexi greets. "nice to see you not looking so gross." Seth grins from the entryway. "I'm serious about that shower, you know. I'm investing in it." She tugs on my arm a little. "We're going out for dinner, we'll see you later."