Rhenna

EIGHTY-TWO

Slight recap: Johny and Conn broke into Jae's apartment for clues. And they came across Elin's moms adress.

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                 Johny aka Blondie

Johny wasn't sure what to think when Conn pulled into the drive of a small blue house with a wrap around garden. From what Elin said about his mum, at the tree lot, he was expecting something a little more run down. "So this is it?" He asked Conn.

"That's what it says on the maps".

What now?  It felt weird just showing up out of the blue. What if she's not even home? The driveway was empty.

"Come on". Conn nudged him in the arm, than climbed out of the truck. Johny followed his lead.

"Do you think she's home?"

"Only one way to find out". Conn wrapped his knuckles on the front door.

The sound of a dog barking filled the silence. A head of white fur peeked out at them from the small window door.

"Looks like someone's home". Conn chuckled.

The barking came to a abrupt stop when a voice intervened from somewhere inside. The head of fur disappeared and the door rattled open. A middle aged women poked her head out. "Can I help you?"

Is this her? Johny wondered. She had the same black hair as Elin, her jawline was petite, and her eyes were a dark brown. The resemblance was defiantly there. He decided.

Conn spoke up first. "Ms. Ascan. I'm Conn Pros. I'm not sure if you remember me from the dinner..."

Her eyes widened. "Oh, yes. The young man who was with El".

"Yes".

"We have some questions for you". Johny blurted.

Ms. Ascan turned her gaze on him.

"I'm a friend of Elin's". He clarified before she could ask.

A content smile lifted her lips. "Are you really?"

"Yeah".

This seemed to make her happy. With a shimmer in her dark eyes she pushed the door open and waved them in.

The house was tidy inside, with light wood floors and biege blue walls. It smelled like coconuts.

"It's a little small, but it's home". Ms. Ascan said while she led them into a living room. Conn and Johny took the big sofa while she settled into a rocker.

"It's a really nice place". Johny complemented.

Her smile grew. "First nice place I've ever lived in".

Johny anxiously tapped his foot as his eyes roamed the decorative walls. The situation felt ackward, and he didn't know where to start.

Thankfully Conn did. "So Ms. Ascan...when was the last time you and Elin talked?"

She thought about it before answering. "Some weeks ago. I payed him a visit at Mr. Ventis' apartment".

Conn nodded. "How'd that go?"

Her eyebrows dipped. "He wasn't happy to see me".

"He doesn't like you". Johny intervened. It was a question, but it came out more of a statement.

"He has every right not too". She answered quetly.

Johny shared a quick look with Conn, before scooting to the edge of his cushion. "Why?"

She lowered her head. "I was a horrible parent figure".

"When did Elin and Mr. Ventis first meet?" Conn asked, redirecting the conversation.

Ms. Ascan tapped her head and narrowed her eyes. She stayed that way until something seemed to click. "Elin was always coming and going–because of school. But sometime during his freshman year the hours turned into days. Eventually he stopped coming home. I lost contact for two years". She paused to take a breath. "But than this man showed up, informing me that Elin was staying with him".

"Jae Ventis?" Johny probed.

"Yes". She hooked her fingers together and continued. "He gave me money if I promised not to intervene".

"He gave you money?" Conn said.

"Did you take it?"

Johny had never seen a more guilty expression when Ms. Ascan nodded. "I was in a bad place. Money and drugs. That's all that mattered. So I did as the man asked."

"Something must have changed". Conn inputted. "He invited you to that dinner".

She slowly nodded. "A few months after we struck that deal Mr. Ventis got in touch with me".

"Why?"

"Dunno. He told me Elin needed a mum". Her lips curled at the ends. "But I knew Elin didn't want to see me".

"There relationship.."Conn began, "Have you ever noticed anything weird about it?"

An expression–similair to regret passed her features. "I was trying to piece my life together after I OD'd. So I missed the beginning of their relationship. But I'm not blind and I'm not stupid. That man, though his intentions might have been good in the beginning, has been nothing but bad for Elin".

"Have you ever seen him hurt Elin, or touch–"

"No". She shook her head.

"If you knew something was wrong than why didn't you report it?" Johny clenched out.

If something like this were going on with Johny his mother would never sit back and let it play on. Mother's are supposed to put their children's needs before themselves. Aren't they?

She averted her gaze to the floor. "It's not that simple".

"Why? Because he paid you!"

The volume behind Johny's words made her flinch and bow her head. "Jae Ventis is a powerful man".

While Johny was on the verge of loosing his temper, Conn remained passively calm, and it showed when he spoke next. "You never contacted the authorities about it, right?"

She nodded.

"But you have done something, right?"

There was a really long pause. The only sound bieng the occasional scratch of a dog trying to get past a door.

And than. "I haven't been a part of Elin's life for a very very long time. You could even say I'm unfit to be his mother. And to be honest I was glad when he never came home that first week".

Johny dug his nails into the sofa and narrowed his eyes. How can someone, a mother, be glad their son ran away?

He was about to scrutinise the women, but Conn spoke up first. "Keep going".

"When I started to change for the better I was relieved that Elin had a stable place to live." She chuckled, and it came out cold. "I know mother's have a sixth sense when it comes to their children's well bieng. It's absurd, because I haven't the slightest clue who Elin is. But I felt such a worry when I got a glimpse into Elin's life with Mr. Ventis." She ran her fingers through her hair and puffed out a breath. "He's as unhappy with that man as he was when he lived with me".

"I thought by leaving it alone I'd be respecting some invisible boundary between Elin and I".

"That's stupid". Johny gritted.

She silently bobbed her head. "I've realised that."

"Than do something about it!"

"I have".

"What have you done?" Conn asked.

Ms. Ascan met the eyes of both young men. "I was all Elin had growing up. But I failed him. He doesn't need help from a unqualified mother". She took in a deep breath. "So I contacted his father".

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😱😱

Elin has a dad?