One Way Trip To Happiness?

Chapter 4

After mom shut the door, I lay on my bed in shock, my mother was having a baby with her boss, who didn't even want it.

It took a while to sink in, I didn't think my mom would be so careless, she was a quiet woman, even after my father left she didn't make to much fuss. She always kept to herself and had a good reputation. She made small talk with everyone and always smiled, even if she was bothered about something. She was strong but knew how to keep the peace.

Little did I know she was at work getting it on with her boss. Mom looked young for her age, she could have found someone else, I wouldn't have minded, but this guy was married.

I sighed and fiddled with a strand of my lifeless hair, listening to the sound of the clock tick I shut my eyes and realised how stressed I'd been for most of my life.

Today I could finally breathe, let go of all those tiresome worries and just float into nothingness, then, for the first time in forever I drifted peacefully into sleep, even though the situation I was in wasn't a very good one.

***

Ping.

Ping.

My eyes fluttered open, I immediately scrunched my face up and groaned at the bright sunlight flooding in through my curtains.

Ping.

I strained my ears, what is that annoying little noise?

Ping.

"Nngh."

I mumbled getting out of my bed to locate and destroy the noise that dared destroy my slumber.

Ping.

It was coming from the window? I opened the curtains just enough so I could peep out at the garden below.

To my absolute shock stood a familiar woman, so familiar yet I couldn't put a name to her face, she stood with a small girl, waving like a mad person.

Me, in my half asleep state, dreamily waved back.

Then it hit me like a bucket of ice water.

Holy crap! It's Raquel!

I ninja'd my way down the stairs as fast as my legs could carry me and into the kitchen, empty.

My heart was beating fast in my chest.

If Raquel is here then that means.....

"Mom?" I called out.

No answer.

I opened the front door in my PJ's and saw mom excitedly talking with Raquel and the little girl in the garden.

I awkwardly stepped out and approached them.

In a wobbly croaky voice I spoke up "Uhm, Raquel....Hi..."

"Oh Mei!" Raquel cried as she gives me a bone crushing bear hug.

I hug her back, she smells like mints and sweet perfume.

"I have missed you so much." Raquel said releasing me from her grip "You have no idea how much I wanted to visit but how much these 3 years how flown by!"

"Come in Raquel and you can update us!" Mom said hurdling us all inside.

Mom makes some coffee and we all sat down.

"I suppose I should start of but introducing this lil' devil." Raquel said playfully poking the small girl.

"Your daughter?" I said sipping my coffee.