𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑙𝑦

10

Celeste is heavily based off my memories with my grandma, except the chess. Everything else is a memory with her. Love you grandma!

•Celesto's POV•

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>

         I sigh and lay back. " Can't I talk to him tomorrow?" I ask Celeste. She sighs. " Fine, but just this time." She says. I smile widely. " Can we read?" I ask her. She nods and I help her stand up. " Can I read to you again?" I ask Celeste. " You know I fall asleep when I read on my own." Celeste tells me. I smile and help her sit down in her recliner.

          " Can we read Sky the Unwanted Kitten?" I ask Celeste. " Again?" She asks. " You love that book, you can't hide your joy from me." I reply. She smiles and pats a seat next to hers for me to sit on. We turn out all the lights and light a few scented candles. The natural lighting from the sun provides dim lighting in the room to accompany the candles. 

              Reading with Celeste is such a freeing feeling. Such a warm atmosphere where I can speak how I want; I can laugh and have fun without the slightest bit of worry filling the air. It's such a shame how nervous I am around Damien. Though we talk and get along well- it's still scary at times. 

              He's quite intimidating no matter how much he may love me. He gets drowned out by anger while I get drowned out by my negative thoughts. But, I love him too much to let those small details worry me. 

                Though- I'd say the scariest thing about him is his love. He shows affection for me, and says it often- but does he really love me? I mean, half the time he's just horny. He also keeps secrets from me, and sometimes he treats me like an object. I'm sure he just has a funny way of loving; don't we all? We all do, right? Right? 

              " Celesto, you've spaced out again." Celeste tells me. " Sorry, just thinking." I tell her. She gives me a soft smile and stands up. " I'll be back, I'm going to make us some tea." She says. " No, you stay here. I'll make it." I tell her. She smiles and sits back down. " Thank you dear." Celeste conveys. " Oh, it's no problem ma'am."  I joke. 

                " How many times have I told you not to call me ma'am! It makes me feel like an old lady! Now get your behind in the kitchen and go make some tea!" Celeste retorts. I raise my hands surrendering and jog off to the kitchen. I swiftly prepare the tea and return to the library. " Reading time!" I exclaim.

            We read the book front to back. I read slowly and clearly so Celeste can have the best listening experience. " Thank you Celesto. For spending time with me. My own son doesn't spend time with me, and we live in the same house. My husband left me. No one cares about this old lady. I cherish my times with you." Celeste expresses. My eyes tear up.

            " You're gonna make me cry." I tell Celeste before giving her a big hug. " I'll come once- no twice- three times a week. We'll read whatever book you want, play chess, play a board game- cook, whatever!" I tell her. She smiles widely. " I'd like that dear." She replies.

              " After I talk with Damien I'm gonna slap the shit out of him and drag him by his ear to spend time with you." I tell Celeste. " You're a fiesty little guy." Celeste tells me. " I am not little!" I retort. " Yes you are dear." " Am not!" Come on dear, let's go cook." She tells me. I roll my eyes and help her up.

               " Can we please make chicken nuggets?" I ask Celeste. She nods excitedly. We walk over to the kitchen and run to the freezer; I tear the chicken nuggets bag open and pour it onto the pan. I jump excitedly while cooking. " Can you make some lemonade?" I ask Celeste. She nods.

               I assist her in making the lemonade; rolling and slicing the lemons for her. She uses the tool to juice them, and then works her magic. Finally, our meal is done and we sit down on the couch to eat. " Can we watch total drama island?" Celeste asks. " The first ones only, not the new ones." She continues. I nod and turn it on.

               We finish eating and lay back on the couch. I take our dishes to the sink and go back to sitting. We both get sucked into the show. Both our yawns fill the air. My eyelids go heavy. The world slowly fades. Falling asleep is much different from passing out, yet still has it's similarities. I can hear Celeste snoring through my dreams. She wakes me up at around 2:00 am and tells me to go in the guest bedroom. I get up groggily and walk into the bedroom.  After, I fly into the bed and snore away.

              Celeste turns the tv on for me to listen to in my sleep and walks out the room. I hug the pillow and fade away into my dreams. " You bitch! Why the fuck did I even buy you! All you do is scream and cry all day. You're such a fucking baby. I hate you." Damien yells.

             " w-what?" I say. " You heard me, now go! I gave you back to your mother. You're nothing but useless!" He continues. He harshly shoves me out the front door and slams the door. I sit on the concrete and sob. " d-damien. please let me back in. i'll be good, i promise." I beg. No response. " Please Damien!" I beg. My mother comes up the stairs with a whip in her hand.

               " D-DAMIEN!" I yell. My mother slaps me and I pass out on the concrete. When I wake Celeste is hugging me. " Nightmares?" She asks. I nod through the tears I didn't even know I let out. " Those were memories honey. From the last name. Damien didn't mean any of those words he uttered. I promise you dear." She says. I sob into her shoulder. 

              " what if that happens again?" I mumble. " It won't dear. Damien loves you too much for that." She tells me. I nod slowly. We sit in silence for a few minutes. Celeste fulfills the gap my mother left behind. She's actually caring and supportive. I just wish I had always had her as a mother. I'd go through this torture a million times to get this outcome though.

                " How about I walk you back? It's about time now." She says. I look at the clock. 6:00 am. I nod. I don't know why I nodded. Facing him is the last thing I want to do right now. This could go horribly wrong. I could end up knocked out on the concrete again. I could die; by the hands of my mother.

              Celeste grabs my hand and drags me along with her. The walk goes by fast; too fast. Before I know it, we're at Damien's bedroom door. " I'll leave now." She whispers to me. I nod and watch as she walks away. She waves and gives me a thumbs up before exiting the quarters. I deeply inhale and turn the knob.

               Damien looks up from the bed and runs up to me and hugs me. He sobs into my shoulder and squeezes me so tight my ribs practically crack. He looks so soft when he's crying. " I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad. I'll explain everything. I'll never keep a secret from you again. I love you so much." He says through sobs. 

               I hug him back and cry into his shoulder. I thought my eyes had dried out from how much I've been crying; the joy of being back with Damien brought the tears out though.

             " promise?" I ask. " I promise angel, promise." He replies. I pull out of the hug and give him a kiss. He smiles and kisses me back. Then, I slap him. The smile turns to a frown as he rubs his cheek.  " Keeping secrets from me about me! And not spending time with your mother. Your sweet, sweet mother has been lonely. And what has he son been doing, not spending time with her!" I say before smacking him repeatedly. He backs away and I just keep hitting him.

              He catches my hands and I lift my leg and kick him in the balls. He has the audacity to catch my hands!? " That's so you can't fix your problems with sex." I say before kicking him again harder. He grabs his balls and falls to the floor. I step over him and go to sit on the bed. I pick up Cheez it and lay back. 

               Damien gets up off the floor in pain. " I..I deserved that." He says out of breath. " Yeah you did, bitch." I retort. I might've let something out of me I usually contain. Who wouldn't! He needs to pay for his crimes. I'd beat him up more if I didn't love him. He's just lucky. I might not be the strongest, but I can throw a mean punch. " Can I explain now?" Damien asks. " Celeste already explained to me." I say. 

" I have...one more thing to explain." 

Word count before edit: 1283

Word count after: 1621