stories from the city; damon albarn

73-

Home.

Home for Chloe wasn't her LA mansion, or her London townhouse, or particularly any of the places she had lived. Except for her childhood home and estate. The Erlich Estate was her sanctuary and while she rarely had time to visit these days, she adored it every time. She felt like a kid again.

Only now there were cellphones in the hands of the people who occasionally would crowd outside the gates to the property. This is what she'd imagined Graceland was like for the Presley family. Except now the home was open to the public- something Maxis and Maeve would never do.

Nor would the family. Well, maybe except for Kendal.

But over the bright and blisterly holidays- Chloe had decided to snatch her youngest daughter up for a trip back home. Besides, Thea's grandfather was home- as well as her aunt. And Damon was there somewhere in the mix.

Besides, Chloe loved to hear the English side of her daughter prosper. She had particularly developed a rather thick Scottish accent, despite her Father being the only Scot she really knew, and barely visiting Scotland either.

Either way, as Chloe unpacked her belongings into her old childhood bedroom, she looked around at how virtually nothing had changed since she moved out. Her old cameras, photos, books, posters. Hell, even her clothes were still there. Everything she didn't take. Sometimes her parents house felt as if she was preserving a memory.

And seconds later, in poked Thea.

Cellphone tucked into her Levis.

"Hello sweets, doesn't it look old?" She asks, patting the spot on the bed next to her "Don't answer that." She adds as Thea sits down

She shrugs "I like your room. And that Maxis didn't change it."

Maxis hated being called a grandfather. Said it made him feel old.

"I'm glad we're doing this, I'm sorry you didn't get to come to New York. You know Damon and I would've loved for you to come. But it's important for you to have an education, and to see your father."

"Della and May went."

Chloe sighs, patting her daughter's head "They're adults. It's different. But I'm glad we're together now, and in the homeland too."

"LA is my home."

"So is England"

"Should I be counting Scotland then?"

Chloe frowns "Thea, I'm sorry you didn't get to come. It wasn't up to me."

"So it's Dad's fault?"

"No, Ew- Your dad had the right decision. It isn't good for us to uproot you all the time to join us for events on a whim."

"Then plan better! I had to find out through Rolling Stone. That you and Damon were finally public. You could've called."

"We've dated for over a year, what difference does it make? Honestly?"

Thea groans, before slamming her head down into the soft sheets spread across her mother's old bed. "You and Damon have dated longer than that."

Chloe wrinkles her nose "Where have you gathered that?"

She's silent.

"Thea"

"What?"

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm saying. Did Della or May say anything? Someone at school?" Her tone harshens