Devotion

4

TW: Religion mentioned

Imogen POV

Party by Beyoncé played in my right ear as I pushed the cart around the local Whole Foods.

I'm here to find a dessert to bring to a dinner party that my mom's friend is hosting. It's not a dinner party; it's a little get-together with some of her church friends.

My mother didn't ask me to bring anything, but I feel like it's just common courtesy. I wouldn't want to show up to someone else's dinner party and not bring anything.

I was now in the bakery area. All the desserts were either Christmas or winter holiday-themed. I decided to settle for a chocolate cake that had Santa on it in red and white icing.

As I continued to stroll around, I suddenly remembered that Tanner asked to hang out today. I obviously couldn't because I had a dinner party.

I pulled my phone out of my purse and texted him.

Tanner 🫣🤸🏽‍♀️

I

Hey. Sorry to tell you on such short notice, but I can't hang out today.

I have to attend something with Mom.

T

It's perfectly fine. I have something else planned today, too.

I wasn't thinking about the days when I asked you.

I apologize

I

Don't worry about it. I'd love to try to hang out soon.

T

Me too.

Imogen 🌟 hearted this message

End of messages

I shut my phone off and put it back in my purse. When I was done shopping, I walked up to the checkout and placed my groceries on the conveyor belt.

The cashier and I have a little greeting before they start scanning and bagging up the items.

"Your total is $23.71. If you would like to donate to the local high school, select yes on the kiosk and select an amount." They say it in a monotone tone, as if it were being rehearsed.

I check the price on the kiosk and place my card inside. It's not like I don't care about the children in the school, but I just don't trust that my money is going to make it.

I finish paying, place my bags inside the cart, and leave. I walk to my car, take the groceries, and place them inside my car.

I take the cart to the cart holder and get into my car. I start it and start heading home.

It's currently 3 and I need to be at my mom's around 6:30, so I'll have plenty of time.

TIME SKIP

I rolled over in my bed and realized that it was 5:00. I jumped out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom.

"I can't believe I slept so long," I thought to myself as I rummaged in my closet looking for something to wear.

I decided to put on a white off-the-shoulder sweater with a black miniskirt. I slide on black stockings and pair them with black leather boots.

I sit at my sanity. I put on my favorite lipgloss, and I put on mascara. Satisfied with my simple look. I grab my purse, throwing my phone, lip gloss, and car keys in.

I turn off my bedroom light as I leave.

"Cosmo, I'm leaving. I'm going to see your favorite grandma. Don't miss me too much," I saw as I kissed his head.

I fill his food and water bowl so he won't starve while I'm gone. Before I leave, I make sure I lock my doors and turn my porch light on.

I walk down the stairs and walk to my car. As soon as I get in, I turn the car on and turn on the AC.

"It's freezing. I should have gotten much coat," I say to myself as I pull out of the complex and head to my mom's house.

I turn it on my playlist and sing songs to the top of my lungs. I smiled to myself because the highway is paved with snow, making it a lot easier to drive.

Living in Missouri I feel like there is snow all the time. We have more snow than we do sun, but I've lived here my entire life. I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else.

After driving for about 30 minutes, I pull in front of my mom's house. In the driveway sits a pink Volkswagen Convertible Beetle beside a white Lexus. It belongs to my sister, Serenity.

I turn the car off and leap with excitement as I run to the door. I cover the ring camera so I can give them a surprise. I ring the door and wait.

"I'm coming," a muffled voice says.

Then the door swings open, and Mom is wearing a black dress paired with pearls and heels.

"Imogen, my baby. I'm so happy to see you." She grabs my face, kissing me on the cheek and pulling me inside.

"I'm so happy to see you too, Mommy," I say as I walk into the kitchen. Serenity is leaning on the kitchen counter. She was wearing something very similar to mine. She has on a white shirt with a leather fur jacket, paired with a black mini skirt and boots.

"Not us matching," I say with a fake attitude. Serenity laughs at me and hugs me.

"I'm so happy to see you. You're my favorite sibling."

"Seren, sweetie, I'm your only sibling," I tell her as I put out the hug.

She mumbles something and rolls her eyes. Then Mom appears again and tells us it's time to go. We both race to the car, so I get in the front.

We both run out the door, and I get in the passenger seat before Serenity can. Mom then comes out of the house and locks her door.

"Mom, tell Imogen that I get to be in the front," Serenity says with a hint of irritation in her voice.

Mom rolls her eyes, tells Serenity that she doesn't have time for this, and makes her get in the back seat. She does as she's told and playfully rolls her eyes.

That's exactly how our childhood was. We'd run to the passenger seat, and the one who didn't make it in time got angry and complained to mom.

Mom pulled out of her driveway and started heading down the main road. We all talked and sang songs on the way to the dinner party. Mom informed us that her friend's name was Carol Bennett, and she has two kids. From what we were told, she's a very nice woman.

We arrive at the house, and we all get out, following our mom to the door. She knocks on the door, and an older woman answers.

"Grace, I'm happy you showed up and brought your beautiful daughters. Come on in." She steps out of the way and allows us to come into her home.

"Free to look around; my kids are around here somewhere. Your mom and I are going to be in the kitchen," Carol says as she and my mom walk away.

"Imogen, I'm going to step outside and call someone." Serenity tells me, and before I can't respond, she's gone.

I walk around the living room and stop when I see picture frames. When looking at the pictures, I see a very familiar-looking face.

"Who is that?" I say to myself. I stare at the kid and realize that it's-

"Imogen? What are you doing here?"

To be continued

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I wonder who's talking to Imogen? 🤔

Please vote 🙏🏽

****Please note that I wrote this fairly quickly and didn't read over it.****
If you see mistakes, tell me