She was the girl I use to bully. That was until she captured my heart.
Still relevantly new in a relationship, I can't keep my hands off of her. My Red was addicting. Forever addicting.
Now, we're in college with a imperial distance between us.
No...
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Silently, my mother interlocks her fingers as though organizing her thoughts. I could tell that she was nervous, but I wanted to talk about everything. From my mother's relationship with Vince and Vaughn to her animosity toward me, and what actions I should take going forward.
I don't know what triggered me to have this conversation now. Perhaps it was triggered by Red when I heard her talking to her mother. Although I am still not sure what caused her to leave the hospital so quickly, I knew that her conversation with her mother had to do with secrets.
Never before have I seen my daughter look so frustrated, to the point where she gave in to her tears and resolved never to speak to her parents again or give them even the slightest insight into her life.
Whatever happened was serious and soon I was going to figure it out. Right now, I was giving her the space she silently required, despite my wanting to do nothing but lay beside her until she felt better.
She needed time to get her thoughts together.
"Genevieve looked upset," my mother says lowly. "Is everything alright?" she asks, staring at me with a genuine look of concern.
"She is experiencing problems with her own family."
She nods, a low 'hmm' following. "And what about you? How's school going?"
Immediately, I caught on to what she was doing. Avoiding the inevitable. This conversation is long overdue. I need my answers.
"School is going just fine," I say, leaning back against the couch. "Were you aware that your ex-husband is going out of his way to be present in my life?"
"No," she frowns. "But Vaughn does care for you. Adrian and Jules."
"I never thought I'd see you defend the man who caused you a lot of pain."
"I'm not defending him. I'm stating the truth, Mercer." she sighs. "Despite what happened between Vaughn and I, he's always cared for all three of you because you were mine."
I couldn't control the scoff.
Exhaling, mom reaches under the coffee table and a clear bottle displaying brown liquid comes into view. My lips curl in irritation at the sight.
"You're still drinking?" My words come out more aggressive than I intended them too.
"I have been trying to improve myself," she says, sounding almost ashamed. "I'm trying to be better for you, Adrian, and Jules. I want to fix what I've broken."
It was hard to believe in her words when the memories of her harsh, cruel words continue to haunt me.
"It's a tonic drink." She swishes it around before placing it on the table. "It's a burden but it helps in some areas. I've been seeking help with my problems and your fath–Vince has been helping me." she ends. However, I didn't miss the small lift of her lips when she mentioned my biological father.
