Just A Game

15. Truth or Lie

Kurt's familiar truck pulled up beside the sidewalk I stood on. The passenger window rolled down and there my best friend was, with a sympathetic smile on her face.

"Come here" She waved me over. I sucked in a huge breath as she opened the car door, jumping out and running towards me. We both clashed into a huge hug, compressing ourselves so tight.

"Drea" I started knowing I wouldn't be able to finish. Drea cooed as I broke into hysterics.

"Let's go" She pulled my hand.

I gave Kurt a nod when I got in his truck. He too gave me the silly sympathetic smile Drea did. My father wasn't dead yet but it sure reminded me of my Grandma's death when everyone would say "I'm so sorry for your loss" I just hope... I have the slightest hope that my dad will make it. He will not die because of some silly fight immature punks decided to have with him.

He's going to make it.

***

"Wow, I'd love to stay and chat but Drea and I have a test for history to study" I stood up from mom's posse of women sitting on couches. They were all dressed in sundresses with fancy jewelry and uptight hairstyles. It was all too creepy for me. To make it worse, my mom made me dress similar to them. Did she get me into a dress? No but she did have me wear my hair in an up-do. I just wanted to go in my room and grieve until my dad gets well. My mom sure is hiding how broken she is. I never understood how she did it. After her mom died, I definitely knew she was torn to pieces. Grandma Dorthy had been mom's best friend and mother at the same time while she grew up, well that's what I gathered from stories. They told each other literally everything. Mainly mom of course. So when she passed, how was my mom capable of hiding how fed up or disappointed she was? And she's doing the same with dad even though he hasn't passed yet... But what will happen if he does? Is she going to break down her wall for good? Or will she just go on like nothing is wrong?

"Effy, I thought you promised me you'll stay for the whole afternoon" Mom walked in an apron around her waist. She slid her hands over it to wipe off the flour she was baking

cupcakes with. The look on her face was unreadable. I couldn't tell if she was mad at me or not.

"Yeah, but really. Drea here just reminded me of our history quiz Mr.Mcconaughey is giving out tomorrow" I stated, grabbing a hold of my best friend's hand. Glancing at her to give her a wink so she would play along. Mom glared at me but quickly covered it remembering we had company.

"It's nice to see you have such a dedicated daughter" One of the ladies said. I recognized her as one of the teachers at a preschool my mom and I would visit before Grandma died. Grandma gave me the idea to read to them and they absolutely loved it. I used to go there every weekend but things changed. This lady was just one of the women I caught at the corner peering at me.

"And the company she hangs with. All I have to say is congratulations, Theresa. You did well raising her with your husband" I truly felt my heart stop beating at the mention of my father. The frown on my mom's face told me she had the same reaction. But guess what? She quickly pushed it aside. Not a shocker.