Finding Her Joy

Hate Me

"Mia, finally!" Char exclaimed as I walked in the door. She threw her arms around me and held me close.

A sigh of relief escaped my mouth, "Hi, baby. Sorry it took so long. Some things came up."

"It's fine. It gave me extra time to tidy up. I'd hate for you to think I live like a slob." She chuckled.

I let out a small laugh, "I'm sure the only thing you had to do was a few dishes and making your bed." I kissed her cheek, "You're more tidy than you think. Any chance we can lie down now? I'm absolutely exhausted."

"You're sweet, but yes, we can go take a nap or something before it's time to eat again." Her smile was warm and inviting as she led me up the stairs to her bed.

I crawled in, but she didn't follow. She kept looking around the room for things and taking stuff back and forth, putting it away.

"Baby, please come lie down with me," I begged, "We've not got much time left together, and I want to make the most of it."

She smiled, "You may only have a day left before you need to leave, but you'll be back before you know it." She came over and planted a kiss on my forehead, saying, "We've got all the time in the world."

"Not as much as you think," I said under my breath. I didn't think she'd heard it, but she sat down next to me and placed a hand on my knee.

"What do you mean? Is everything alright? You are coming back, aren't you?" I felt a single tear burning in my eye. It didn't stay there long, and instead fell slowly down my cheek. "Amelia, what's wrong?"

I wiped my face and took in a deep breath. As I let it out, I said, "Nothing, Sweetheart. My head just hurts." I grabbed her hand and pulled her softly, "Just lie with me."

She knew something was wrong, but she also knew better than to try and push me on it. "Anything you want," she said lovingly.

Charlotte climbed in next to me, and I turned over to rest my head on her chest. I just wanted her to hold me in that moment, and without me saying anything to her, that's what she did.

I had my arms around her waist, and she had one around me while the other played with my hair. I felt her planting light kisses on the top of my head every few minutes. I relaxed under her touch, and soon we were both asleep.

We woke up an hour or so later because my phone kept going off. Someone was blowing it up with calls and messages. Before it registered in my head for who it could be, Char had already grabbed my phone to hand it to me.

"I think someone really needs to -" she looked at the screen. Her face soured, "Why is Roger calling you?" I went to grab my phone, but she turned it away from me. She started to scroll through the messages on the lockscreen. "Why is he saying how glad he is glad you've finally come around? Mia, you aren't doing his bidding again, are you?"

I couldn't look at her. I knew she was going to be furious or upset with me. I kept my eyes away as I got out of bed, grabbing my phone before heading down the stairs. My mouth was dry from fear, so I went to get some water.

Charlotte followed me.

"Mia, tell me this is just some joke." We were standing across from each other at the kitchen island. I took a sip of water and kept quiet. "Amelia Roberts, answer me now!" She raised her voice at me.

I had to say something, but I couldn't get the words out. I couldn't tell her the truth. She would never let me leave to protect her, and she wouldn't understand why I felt so strongly that this is what I had to do. I would rather her hate me for leaving than get hurt because I'd stayed.