60 Days

Equanimity

As soon as the car turned towards prospect eve, Alina's heart started beating fast. It was not the excitement of meeting her grandparents but the nervousness of starting a new life. Turning meant, turning away from San Francisco, away from her old life, and moving towards her new one.

When her mom caught her dad cheating red-handed, she never thought that she would have to move to Sausalito. She was positive that her mom would somehow find a reason to stay. She was positive that whatever this was would just be revealed as a silly misunderstanding.

After all, it was her mom and dad she was talking about. They stuck with each other through the thick and thin of life. My dad wouldn't do this, was her initial reaction. He loved her mom very much. She was his high school crush turned girlfriend, turned wife. How can he?

She thought and thought, all the while protesting and battling with her parents over moving and whatnot.

Now look at me, she thought, leaving the dream city of San Francisco and here in Sausalito in front of a ...

Ohh ...

Her mouth fell wide open. She was standing in front of a very modern, posh-looking, huge house with her bag on her shoulder, gawking at the beautiful building.

"They did some renovations I guess," Her mom said while dialing a number on her phone.

"Some?" Alina asked, still in shock. Her grandparent's house used to be this ancient and a bit sad-looking house as far as she remembered. The only priceless and beautiful thing in that house used to be her Gramma.

She climbed the stairs towards the front small garden and was peeking around. "Li-Li!" Came the voice.

Alina smiled and ran towards her Gramps who was standing at the door of the no-more ancient house, "Gramps!" She cheered.

She used to love this place. The beaches, people, ancient-looking houses, and especially the weather. Then she grew up and well, San Francisco's loud, hustle-bustle overpowered Sausalito's warmth and silence. She stopped coming, Sausalito became this old, and small town where she never wanted to go.

"Move aside, you are not the only one waiting here." Her Gramma's voice came from behind Gramps and he was dragged aside. Alina giggled like a little child and hugged her Gramma still standing in the well-lit hallway.

"I am so glad that you'll stay here." Gramma sighed, eyes closed and tightly hugging Alina.

Alina wanted to say she was glad too, but couldn't. Even with this new renovation and all, this was still Sausalito. She was scared for her future, life, and her dreams. She was feeling lonely with her best friend and boyfriend in San Francisco, and most of all, she was heartbroken. Whatever her dad did was wrong, but how can she not feel heartbroken seeing her family like this?

Gramma took Alina's hand and guided her inside, "I am so excited." She beamed.

They went from the well-lit hallway to the living room and sat on the sofa. The house looked new from the inside too, Alina thought. The house had a combination of white plus wood-colored paint and furniture. Everything was looking quite expensive and beautiful. This was not the same house she used to play in, Alina was still in her thoughts when her mom and Gramps entered and her Gramma started, "Ash, my baby!"

Gramma hugged her mom while again pushing Gramps aside, Gramps with bags in both hands chuckled and moved towards the sofa. "She always does this," he said while sitting beside Alina.

They talked a little, her Gramma showed them both, their rooms, and Alina was very surprised to get a room by herself. She thought she'd have to share a bed with her mom but, guess not.

Her Gramps stayed with her while she unpacked. They chatted and laughed, after a while he had some work so he left Alina with her packing.

Thoughts started running through her mind, should I call someone, she thought, Tom? Anna? Dad? It was hard to decide. As soon as her dad's face popped into her mind her heart felt heavy. Her eyes got blurry. It was getting hard to breathe.

Staying alone is a bad idea right now, she thought. She decided to get something to eat and escaped the loneliness of her room. Her room was just in front of her mom's room, she tried knocking. No reply. Her mom must be downstairs she thought and started to make her way towards the stairs through the hallway.

My life is destroyed!

She ignored the thought.

It's all dad's fault.

Ignored again.

She started to go down the staircase when she heard whispers coming from downstairs. She moved silently, one step after another, the whispers turned into voices, "So you are thinking about getting a divorce?" And she stopped.

"Mom, there is nothing to think about anymore." It was her mom's voice. Alina couldn't keep her mind at peace now, her perfect little life was falling apart.

"Have you told Nick?" Gramps asked. Dad would never let Mom go, right? Alina asked herself.

"He knows and even if he doesn't, the official notice from my lawyer would make it clear to him." Her mom declared. Tears started running down Alina's face, she slowly sat on the step and listened.

"Are you sure..." Her Gramma never got to finish as her mom announced.

"It's final, mom. I don't need any more discussion over this. I am going to file for divorce and look for a house in Sausalito."

Her mom's voice broke, but she continued, "This is not the first time Mom, not even the second. I was a fool to believe that he would change. I am not going to accept that cheater in my life again. I deserve better, right?" Alina was sure that her mom was crying, she could hear it in her voice. It was breaking her heart.

Alina decided to leave and stood up. There was no point in sitting here, she thought rubbing off the tears that fall down her cheeks.

"What about Alina?" Gramma asked.

With a tear-stained face and heavy heart, Alina made her way downstairs and towards the living room sofa. No one forced me to come here, I decided to stick with Mom, and that's what going to do till the end.

"I still haven't told her..."

"Mom, you don't need to," Alina replied.

Everyone looked at her, shocked. Alina looked at her mom, "I told you; I'll stick with you through everything and support you. So, that is what I am gonna do." A sob escaped her lips. "It'll be hard, but we'll survive this. "

A single drop of tear fell from her left eye, she still stood up strong in front of a crying, beautiful woman, who did everything for her.

Life gives you chances to show love randomly, although unfair, but this is my chance to show the love I have for her.

»»————- ★ ————-««

The first chapter (the beginning) is supposed to be like a teaser. I just wanted to tease the currently non-existent audience with a bit of mystery.

Tell me if it was a fail or a pass.

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Thanks for reading.

Love, Missy𓆩*𓆪.