Because of Her | a wenclair story.

part 8; a mother's woe.

"Holy... I'm your girlfriend, huh." All the other words seemed to be mute to her, and the words your girlfriend sweet on her lips. I loved it, too, but the concern about other matters surpassed my liking. "But, Thing! You weren't supposed to expose me like that."

Her skin was warm under my skin as I contracted her from my hold; a small whine sounded of protest. "You haven't eaten. Why?"

"Her mother's a bitch."

"Thing! She's still my mother..."

"No, he's right, she's a bitch. What did she say to you? She will never see the light of day again if she makes you skip another meal."

"Wednesday," her tone was firm and the warmth of her hand blanketed mine. "She didn't make me do anything, just lost my appetite."

"Because of her!" Thing seemed angrier than I.

I stood then, bringing her to her feet as well. The moon was missing that night, the stillness of the black poured through our window and threatened to darken the light of the bulbs. Thing stood alert as well. I watched Enid, her weary features, her chapped lips. She took care of herself well enough to hide them when needed, but I saw her.

"Let's go eat something."

The orange glow of the lanterns illuminated the path we walked on, Enid had a loose grip on my hand and I held hers tight. Thing took to riding on my shoulder.

"Why didn't you feel like you could tell me?" I murmured my thoughts aloud and the hush of the night carried them. No one was around. A ghost-quiet broke to the sound of our footsteps. I felt Enid look at me, but merely for the briefest moment.

"I just, you know, I didn't want to worry you." She paused, "Thing just spies on me."

"I'm glad he did," the large doors to the diner creaked as we pushed it open, and the gust of air was warm with the scent of spices. Being almost empty, we had the dining room to ourselves and I guided Enid to sit. "But please, don't hide such things from me anymore."

I bought her the finest meals I thought she'd like, a bit of each that was being served; I'd have to ask mother to renew my allowance.

With the tray in my head, I turned back; Enid sat where I had guided and Thing sat atop the table, with her, tapping his fingers in disappointment, I assumed. He cared a lot, I noticed, about her. My heart smiled, melting at the way the glow of the lanterns kissed her skin, at the way she'd scowled playfully at Thing, she then met my gaze and I was pushed further into my rosy trance.

"Your mother," I began, setting the tray in front of her. Her eyes glistened and she didn't seem to pay mind to my words, immediately beginning to eat. "She's still trying to get you to go to the fur-only school?"

"Yeah," she gulped down the bite of the steak she took. "I'm still too weak of a wolf for her apparently. She won't leave me alone."

Thing and I looked at one another.

"I could strangle her to death."

"Thing, no." I sighed and she chuckled, shrugging slightly. "Enid, this is your home. I won't let your mother take you away from here."

"I really hope so," she had her fork in her mouth, her gaze meeting mine. "I just wanna be good enough for her at some point, you know?"

I rested my hand on hers, intertwining our fingers together. "You are good enough, Enid, you are. She chooses not to see it."

At this, she smiled and gripped tighter on my hand. "I really like you, Wednesday." The words tugged at my heartstrings, "honestly, you're what got me through most of the holidays actually. I spent most other days with Yoko."

My chest swelled, a feeling of despair overtaking it. I won't let anything happen to her.

"You're safe here. With me."