Sinbound

(35) Vanessa

"Polly," Alex says.

"Make it quick, I'm taking Michael to Blackpool for the day," Polly states.

Alex was slightly taken aback by the annoyance in her aunts tone.

It had been like that recently, whenever Alex wanted to spend time with Polly, or talk to her, it had to be quick because she needed to go to Michael.

She completely understood that he was Pollys son, and they wanted to spend time together. But did that really mean Polly couldn't even spare half an hour to talk to anybody else.

"You know what, Pol, never mind, go have fun with Michael," Alex responds.

"What is it Alex?" Polly asks.

"Don't worry about it," Alex replies, "just let me know when you have any amount of free time."

Although Alex spoke monotonously, Polly could sense the attitude seeping from her niece, and raises a quizzical eyebrow at her, "I told you I have some now."

"But you don't, do you, Pol?" Alex shrugs.

She knew even if they spoke, Pollys mind would be on Michael. Whether he'd enjoy himself. Where she should take him next. When she'd next be seeing him.

Alex supposed she'd have to get used to it... the only sense of a maternal figure she had, now had quite literally no time for her.

"What does that mean?" Polly queries.

"Even if we did have a conversation, your mind would still be on Michael," Alex states.

"You said you had no problem with Michael finding me," Polly replies.

"I don't have a problem with Michael," Alex says.

"Then what is your problem exactly?" Polly asks.

"You do realise this is the longest conversation we've had in a fortnight?" Alex replies.

"He's my son, Lexi, I want to spend time with him," Polly states.

"Of course you do, that is understandable, but that doesn't mean you have to stop spending time with everybody else," Alex says.

"So you're jealous? Is that it?" Polly asks, "I'm not your mother, Alex."

Alex stares at her aunt for a minute, trying to process if she'd actually said that. They'd never fully acknowledge it. But Alex thought Polly knew she was her mum, even if it wasn't biologically, and Alex thought Polly thought of her as a daughter.

"You're right," Alex says, "but I would never have fucking said that to you."

"Lex," Polly sighs, as she watches her niece storm out of the house.

"That was a low blow, Pol," Arthur states, as Tommy follows his sister out of the betting den.

"Lex," Tommy says.

"You here to build on it? Say I'm not your sister either?" Alex replies.

"No," Tommy states, "where are you going?"

"Don't follow me," Alex says.

"You can't say that and then expect me not to follow you," Tommy responds.

"I expect you to listen me," Alex replies, "I need some space."

"You can't push everyone away in situations like this," Tommy sighs.

"I'm not pushing anyone away," Alex states.

"Yes you are, I'm here, right here, Lex," Tommy says, "I don't care if you don't want to talk to me, I don't care if you can't stop talking. I don't care what you need to do to feel okay, but I am right here."