Lies

Chapter 8:

I pulled in next to my parents car at the local mission and cut the engine. Colton was looking straight ahead, almost looking inside of the mission was determined eyes. He loved to do this most of all. Harper and Ryan sat in the back, engaged in a conversation I couldn't necessarily follow. Nolan was again in the back with his eyes closed, napping as he usually did.

I got out and pulled open the door for the twins. They were both jumping up and down in their car seats, finally noticing where we were. I unlocked Harper while Colton unlocked Ryan. I climbed into the back where Nolan was. I unlocked him and grabbed his diaper bag. I gave him to Colton where he remained sleeping.

"I'm so excited! I get to see Will again!" I heard Ryan say as I closed the door of the van. Will was one of the regulars of the mission center and would talk endlessly with Ryan if he could. He was at least forty-four and lost his job just last year. It was hard for him because he couldn't find work anywhere. Also, He liked the company of the mission and the people that worked there. Ryan often called Will his best friend.

I smiled and followed my family into the mission's main room which housed a main eating area and a kitchen. The walls were a baby blue color which was a contrast to the white walls and white appliances of the kitchen. We walked into the back where Lucy Seastrong, the mission director, was talking to my mother. She waved at us when we walked in. Lucy was a short lady with brown curly hair. She always wore business suits even when it was time to hand out food for the homeless. She was sweet but stern when needed. I thought she was perfect for the job she was in.

"Welcome, Carter family!" Lucy announced with her southern drawl. She was originally from Austin, Texas but moved when she came across this amazing job opportunity. She walked out from behind her desk, leaving my mother behind. She came up to me and gave me a hug as she always did when we came in.

"It's nice to see you, Lucy." I replied, smiling.

"Of course. You guys too. So glad I got to meet your mother. She is wonderful!" Lucy beamed, looking at my mother. My mother waved her hand as if dismissing her. She walked over to us.

"Anything I can do to help. Right, Iris?" My mother said, smiling as well. I nodded and watched as Lucy hugged the twins. She got down near their height and started to talk to them.

"You didn't tell me you have been here before." My mother stated, watching Lucy and the twins as well. I shrugged my shoulders and looked at my mother who looked worn out, something that usually didn't happen. My mother was strong and on top of things. She wasn't perfect but she strived to be and today was not one of those days. I put my hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"Mom, what's going on?" I asked her, my own stomach lurching. I hated seeing my mom like this. Was it because of the cancer? Or my father?

"Nothing." She stated with a straight face. But there was something there. Something that wasn't adding up and something that she wasn't telling me. I could see it in her face and the way she was carrying herself. Something wasn't right. But what?

"Mom." I said, sternly. Her eyes teared up and my heart plummeted. She reached around me to give me a hug and set her head on my shoulder. Her breathing was uneven and I could hear her soft, silent intakes of breaths.

"Your father..." She started but not getting to end the sentence. She let go of me and looked at Lucy who was leading the way of her office. My mother quickly wiped her eyes and followed Lucy out of the office.

Colton was behind me, looking at my mother as she tried to compose herself. He then came up by me. "Is your mom ok?"

I shook my head, curiosity eating it's way inside of me. What was my mother going to say and What about my father? It couldn't have been good by the looks of her. Was my father changing into someone I didn't know or more importantly my own mother which was his own wife didn't know? Was I right all along? That something about him was off all of a sudden? But what was it?