The One...

Chapter 2.

LENORA (2020)
Holloway Street, Newhaven

'Were you friends?'

My head turned in the direction of the sound.

'¿Lo siento que?' 'Were you friends?' Vanessa looked at me through the mirror as she got ready to go to Susie's. 'Who? Me and– Susie?' I stressed the name in question. 'Sí– yes we are. She was like a hermana to me throughout school. We met in Elementary school, we've been friends since then.' I gave her a little background on our friendship.

'And you and Kody?' she questioned. My heart cracked at the question. Were we friends? Were we more than friends? Why was it so complicated?

'No.' I blurted, looking away. 'You're lying.' Vanessa accused me, pointing at my nose as I scrunched it. 'I– I'm not lying, Nessa. Kody and I— we are not friends, end of discussion.' I announced, standing up.

'I don't believe you, but sure. Let's go. I'm hungry.' She walked ahead of me.

I pulled up in front of Susie's house. 'Hey there, stranger.' Susie shouted out from the porch before I could even turn the engine off. 'Hey there.' I smiled awkwardly at her, putting my head out of the window. 'She's like a golden retriever.' Vanessa announced and I snorted, laughing. 'She is– She is.' I smiled. I got out of my car and walked over to Susie.

'Are you ready to see my house?.' She sang, clapping her hands. Something bright shone on her fingers that caught my attention. 'Wait a second.' I grabbed her hand. 'You're engaged.' I announced it to the world. 'Yes I am.' She squealed. 'You didn't have the ring on your fingers in the office this morning. Who is it? When did it happen? Why didn't you call me? Oh my god. Congratulations. I'm so fucking happy for you.' I said as she steered me into the house, distracted to even see where I was going.

'I'll tell you everything. Just take a seat.' Susie held me by my elbows and led me to the couch.

I took a seat, Vanessa at another edge of the couch. 'So I'm engaged but that's not the best part.' Susie smiled shyly. 'Who's the lucky guy? Come on, don't keep me waiting.' I clapped my hands.

'Why don't you guess?' She shimmied in front of me. 'Is it someone mama knows?' Vanessa chimed in. 'Very well.' Susie smiled widely. 'One our friends?' I raised an eyebrow. She went into deep thoughts. 'Um– I'd say.' She tilted her head doubtfully.

'Jason and you were like siblings. So not him. You're not Aaron's type– No offence.' I sighed. 'I'm drawing a blank.' I huffed. 'You aren't Dakota's wife.' I scratched my head.

'Susie? Honey? Do you have a guest over? I saw a car parked outside? A really expensive one–' I heard a thick accent from the door steps. Footsteps approached us and my blood turned ice cold at the sight of the boy in front of me. I sprung up to my feet. 'Tell me you are not engaged to him.' I pointed my finger at the 28 year old. My eyes bugged out of my head. 'Is that your fiance Aunt Susie?' Vanessa peeked from behind me. I quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her.

'Lenora?' He called out in confusion. He was just as shocked to see me as I was to see him. 'Babe, what are you doing here?' Susie turned him towards herself. 'I forgot my jacket here last night, but that can— What?' He turned back to me.

'When did you get back in town?' He asked. 'Theo, I–' 'And is that child yours?' He looked shockingly curious about Vanessa. 'Yes?' 'Hola! Soy Vanessa.' She smiled, stepping in front of me.

'Theo, this is Vanessa Birkins-Thomas. My daughter.' 'How old is she?' Theo looked like he had seen a ghost. '10 next month.' Vanessa smiled. When Theo started calculating back years. 'Senior year in college?' he asked, raising an eyebrow. 'Is that why you stopped talking to us?' He asked. 'Theo that's not–'