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𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘻𝘦𝘳𝘰 : 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘮'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘬𝘪𝘥
Avalia turned on the stove and grabbed a frying pan. She sprinkled avocado oil onto the pan and waited for a few minutes for it to heat up. The chef that usually worked was on vacation, so Avalia had to cook for herself. Her mom was supposed to be home that morning, but she was running late.
"Good morning, Miss Baker," the maid, Mrs. Brown said while coming into the kitchen with a broom. She smiled at the teenager, who was starting to put the egg mixture in the pan.
"Good morning! Would you like some eggs?" Avalia asked. Mrs. Brown looked up from cleaning the floor and smiled.
"If it's okay with you, then gladly!" 10 minutes later, Mrs. Brown sat with the teenager and ate eggs with sausage. Avalia was proud of her cooking. It wasn't as good as Chef Winters, but it was pretty decent. Mrs. Brown seemed to enjoy it as well.
"This is delightful!" Mrs. Brown exclaimed, taking a sip of orange juice. Avalia grinned.
"I tried my best. Not super used to cooking, but I really like it!" A loud, booming series of knocks came from their front door. Avalia's bodyguards opened the door. Avalia peeked over to see what was happening. The police whispered to the bodyguards, who nodded hesitantly. The two officers walked to the kitchen and stood near the elevator to the second floor.
"Yes, officer?" Avalia questioned. Her palms started sweating and she felt her face heating up. This wasn't a good sign.
"We came to tell you that your mom has been arrested. She's currently in the county jail, and will be taken to trial eventually." Avalia froze as Mrs. Brown's smile dropped.
"Although these people are probably lovely, we need a family member to take care of you. City laws," the other officer explained.
"What did she do?" Avalia asked.
"We can't say that."
"You have the wrong person. My mom wouldn't do anything-"
"Your mom's gone, kid. Okay? You're not gonna see her for awhile. Do you have a father?" The police officer snapped.
"No, he left me. Like the bitch he is," Avalia groaned, whispering the last part to herself.
"I'll find someone, sir," Mrs. Brown offered. "I will check Ms. Baker's emergency calls. Maybe a relative will be in there."
"Thank you so much ma'am. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Avalia Baker." The two policemen were followed out by her bodyguards , who slammed the front door. Avalia felt the tears stream down her face as soon as the door shut. Mrs. Brown came in for a hug while Avalia sobbed for minutes, giving her a pounding headache.
——
Before Avalia was sent off to New York with her aunt she didn't know very well, she had a chance to visit her mom. She really didn't want to, but Mrs. Brown believed it would be better for her to see her mother one last time. She finally got to the room where prisoners were talking to visitors. She found her mom and sucked in a breath. She needed to remind herself that she was still her mother, and cursing her out and calling her a terrible mom was unacceptable. She sat down across from her mom.
"Lia?" Her mom called out, still calling her by Avalia's childhood nickname.
"Yes, it's obviously me. Why are you here?" Her mom sighed heavily.
"It's a long story-"
"Just say it. Murder? Stealing? Jay-walking?"
"DUI," her mom blurted out. Avalia pushed herself back into the seat, biting her nails.
"Can't believe I'm saying this, but what were you thinking?" Avalia exclaimed.
"I wasn't! I wasn't thinking," her mom admitted.
"You have a child, a job, a reputation. You threw it away for what? Shots? You know what, I'm done. Fuck you," Avalia muttered, getting up from the chair.
"Wait, Lia. Baby, please!" But Avalia tuned it out. As she walked away with the policeman, the cries got quieter, until it was silent.
