How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 159: A mother's love

I feel my hairs stand when I hear Martha pick up the call, just from hearing that horrible woman's voice. I stole her number from my dad's phone. Nora did ask for her mother after all. I wanna help Nora.

I know this isn't my place, but I feel like I gotta do something to help Nora and to help Austin.

Austin called me and he called my dad and I had to do another drug test because Austin assumed I took some of the pills as well. But I didn't. I'll help Nora.

"This- this is Samuel." I say unsure.

She stays silent.

"I wanted to- uhm- well, Nora isn't- I thought maybe you two could talk it out." I stutter.

"How is Nora?" Martha asks me instantly. "How is she?"

"She's okay. Physically." I answer.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asks me.

"Well, a drug withdrawal isn't easy." I say.

"I wouldn't know how it feels, but I'm sure you can relate!" She says. "What did you do to my poor baby? This is all your fault! You junkie-"

I let out a sigh and listen to her sobs. "Either you stop insulting me or I hang up!"

"No wait!" She blurts out.

I can't believe I'm really doing that.

"Can we go for a coffee and talk?" I ask.

"Now? Yes!" She says. "Is Nora gonna be there?"

"Obviously not." I answer. "I wanna talk to you first."

"Will you tell me everything?" She asks.

"I'll text you the address." I say and hang up.

_____

Yes. It was indeed necessary to meet up at a coffeeshop that has rainbows painted all over the windows.

I sit down by one of the tables and wait, my leg bouncing up and down uncontrollably. I have my hands wrapped around the cup of tea to warm up.

Five minutes later I can see her appear outside the café, inspecting it with a scrunched up face.

She reluctantly walks in and hurries over as soon as she spots me.

"How is Nora?" She asks instantly.

I'm freaking scared of this woman, but I feel like I gotta do something. Maybe if Nora has her mom's support she can get through this.

"As I said, she's alright, but she's going through withdrawal and she's not willing to do it and Austin has to lock her in the flat." I explain.

Martha already has tears in her eyes and takes out a tissue.

"Why did you pull her into this?" She asks me desperately.

"I didn't!" I exclaim angrily.

"Yes, you did!" She says.

"Stop blaming me!" I demand. "Can you even look in the mirror?"

"I always did what was right for Nora. She left me no other option." She dares to say.

"You kicked her out! You took away her home and let her fend on her own with no place to sleep. Because she's gay. A fact that she can't change." I say.

She glares at me. "I gave her an option."

"What was the option then?" I ask.

The server is standing next to our table, looking very uncomfortable. "Just let me know when you know what to order." She says and then quickly leaves.