Till death do us part

Chapter 36: She didn't reply - Age 33

Cora's POV

It's been a year since Rose finally started taking medication for the problem resulting in memory loss. I was so happy she finally got the right treatment.

Over the months, as time got by, I could see a positive change in Rose. She seemed happier. She seemed more positive. She didn't forget as much as before. Overall, she was just doing much better. It made our lives so much easier.

Because she was remembering much more, I was able to leave her alone much more and for a much longer time. I was more confident that she was going to be ok. She would just stay at home, doing some chores at the house, until I got home with Hope.

However, I couldn't help but check up on her regularly. I was looking at my phone, for what seemed like the billionth time.

"Hey," Andrea turned her chair towards me, to give me her full attention. "She's fine," She showed me a small smile. "You shouldn't worry so much."

I let out a deep breath. "I know," I sighed deeply. "I can't help it," I looked back at my phone. "And she's not replying!"

She chuckled a bit. "She's a grown woman, she can handle herself."

"I know," I put my phone on my desk and looked back at her. "I know I should trust her," I sighed again. "I'm just worried about her. I've been taking care of her for so long now... It's hard not to."

She slowly nodded. "Of course," She smiled a bit more. "It's an adjustment for you, it's normal that it takes time."

I slowly nodded.

"You know, I think it's cute," She smiled, making me smile too. "Just be careful that your concerns don't overpower her."

I sighed but nodded. "I'll try."

"Good."

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Rose's POV

I parked the car near the school. I checked the time and smiled, I was right on time. I quickly got out of the car and walked to the school. I waited by the gate, just like the other parents did. I smiled at a few, who smiled at me too.

Then the school bell rang and my eyes went straight to the gate. I was waiting eagerly to see Hope appear. The end of the school is like a fight with other parents to get your child first. It could get crazy.

Finally, I saw Hope. I waved at her. She smiled a bit but looked down when she was walking to me. 

"Hey princess," I smiled at her but noticed she rushed past me. I watched her go straight to the car. I hurried to catch up to her. "You're in a rush."

She got into the car and sat at the back.

I got into the car too and looked at her. "So how was your day?"

She shrugged. "It was ok."

"Just ok?"

"Yes, mom," She looked outside the window, even though we weren't driving. "Can we go now?"

"Uhm, sure..." I turned back around and started the car. I frowned as I thought about Hope's behavior. Something was wrong, I could feel it...

We arrived home. I parked the car and looked back at Hope and saw she jumped out of the car immediately.

"Hope," I rushed after her as she was rushing into the house. "Hope!" I raised my voice a bit.

Hope stopped walking and stood there, her back facing me.

I gulped as I felt guilty for raising my voice like that. I slowly walked to her. When I was near her, I put my hand on her shoulder. "What's going on?"

She didn't reply. She just shrugged.

"Hope," I walked around her so I could face her. "Please talk to me," I knelt to be on her eye level. "Did something happen at school?"

She looked at me then. "I have homework." She rushed past me and went upstairs, probably to her room.

I got back up and watched her leave. I sighed deeply but decided to let it be for now. I figured she needed some time for herself. She knew where to find me, if she wanted to talk.

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Cora's POV

I entered the house and smiled when I smelled the amazing food Rose was making for us. I got rid of my shoes and jacket, and walked to the kitchen.

"Mmm," I said as I entered the kitchen. "It smells amazing here!"

Rose giggled a bit and turned around to look at me. "Hey, Cora," She walked to me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and kissed me. "How was your day?"

I smiled at her and wrapped my arms around her waist. "It was good," I leaned in and kissed her again. "I missed you though."

She smiled. "I missed you too," She pecked my lips again. "I'm happy you're home."

I smiled more until I looked around. "Where's Hope?" Suddenly I got worried. Did she forget Hope again?

As if she could read my mind she said: "I didn't forget her, Cora," She gave me a look. "She's upstairs."

"Oh," I slowly nodded. Then I frowned. "Why is she upstairs?"

She looked down then. "Something's wrong," She sighed deeply. "She barely talked to me when I got her from school. She ignores me, she avoids me..." She looked at me then. "It's like she doesn't want to be near me."

"I'm sure it has nothing to do with you," I kissed her again. "I'll go talk to her, ok?"

She slowly nodded.

I let go of her and walked upstairs. When I arrived at Hope's bedroom, I noticed the door was closed. She never closed the door... I gulped and knocked on the door. "Muffin," I said before opening the door. "It's me."

She was seated on the ground, doing her homework that way. When the door opened, she looked up, and saw me. She immediately got up, ran to me, and hugged me tightly.

I welcomed her hug but couldn't help to wonder what was wrong. "Hey," I patted her back. "Is everything alright?"

She slowly shook her head.

I gulped and pulled her away a bit so I could look at her. "Come," I walked us to her bed and sat us down on it. I looked at her. "Is it something at home or school?"

She looked down. She seemed to take a while before saying very quietly: "School."

I nodded slowly. I wondered why she was so distant with Rose then... "What happened?"

She kept looking down. "It's mom," She paused for a long time. "She forgets things."

I frowned then. What does Rose have to do with school? "She's getting better, muffin," I tried my best to keep calm, even though I had so many questions. "But what does your mom have to do with school?"

She gulped. "People laugh," She then looked at me, tears were in her eyes. "Kids at school laugh because of mom."

I raised my eyebrows. "Kids at school laugh at you because your mom forgets things?"

She slowly nodded and started crying.

I immediately pulled her in for a hug, trying to calm her down that way, while I tried coming up with a way to explain this to Rose...