TLWM: The Hate Experience

\XV/ Leeches

     The Terry bullshit had to sit on a shelf. I couldn't question Raven about anything while she was worrying about her mother's health. Belinda was in the hospital, and beyond that, Raven wasn't getting much of an update. So I told her to go. 

     Standing by the door, slipping on her gloves, she kissed me for the 10th time in the last minute. "I love you."

"Love you too," I said.

"Please, promise me you and Ace will show up on Christmas Eve."

There was hesitation behind my dim smile 'cause I still didn't like the idea of it. But I promised her anyway. "I'll see you in four days."

"Thank you," she said hugging me. "Ace!?"

Clueless, he came running in and gave the abundance of love she asked for before her plane ride. He was so used to Mommy jumping on planes that he didn't even cry anymore during their goodbyes. Whenever Daddy left though, he still would flip out. Last month I had to go to L.A. for a few days and it was hard to leave him screaming like that.

"I'll call you both when I get there."

"Okay," Ace said. "Mommy, can I have your sam-man then?"

"My what?"

"I'll tell you later," I said giving her one last hug. "Don't overthink so much."

"Love you, mi alma."

~*~

Monday, December 21st. It just signified a day closer to December 24th and I still wasn't ready to go meet Raven's family. From a distance, they had been so cold towards me. I couldn't imagine the wind chill sitting there in their presence.

While Ace was in school, Raven called the house to tell me her mom was back home. It was a false alarm. There was no heart attack. But my heart still wouldn't let me bring up the Terry stuff, not over the phone while she was in her parent's home.

"Is she okay though?" I asked with the phone between ear and shoulder. I was in the kitchen, scooping mint chocolate chip ice cream in my bowl.

"Yes, she's feeling better. She was really happy to hear you're coming."

My eyes went rolling without notice.

"She's sending Val out to buy you gifts to put under the tree."

"Please don't."

"Stop," she giggled. "My mother likes you, you know that. It was my dad's fault with the whole Thanksgiving thing but he's happy to meet you too."

"I doubt it."

"How did the playdate go? Jax's dad is cool, right? I forget his name."

"I didn't meet him."

"What do you mean you didn't meet him?"

"His sister showed up instead."

"Oh, okay. Was she nice?"

"You're telling me you didn't know either that his sister is Miss Wizzo?"

"Oh shoot. Yes, I did. So she showed up? What did you two talk about? Was it awkward?"

"A little at first but it was fine."

"Good. Remember there's no after-school program this week."

"I know, Mommy. I'm taking the drive and picking him up myself."

"Will someone be with you?"