Redemption

Chapter 14: Ms. Carpenter

Summary: Amber finna fuck up a bitch named Christina Carpenter. (Tara and her hybristophilia being a thing. Thanks, AlwaysHIGH_heheheh for making me aware of the word in the first place). 

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The truck sits in stillness, its engine off, while Amber remains vigilant, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Across the mini parking lot, in the heart of the park, she spots Tara and Sam sitting on a weathered bench, their postures tense as they wait for their mother. The idea that Christina Carpenter, the woman who had neglected and mistreated them for years, actually wants to talk is shocking. Yet, here they are, waiting for her as if they owe her the courtesy. 

Amber's blood simmers with a familiar anger. She's hated Christina for as long as she can remember. Even at ten years old, when she first met her, Amber saw the woman for what she was: an alcoholic, a neglectful mother who treated her daughters like burdens rather than blessings. Watching the toll that Christina's neglect took on Tara and Sam over the years only fueled Amber's hatred. Now, to see them waiting anxiously for this woman—it only deepens her resentment. 

Inside the truck with Amber, Quinn sits in the passenger seat, her usually carefree demeanor replaced by a seriousness that matches the situation. In the back seat, Liv is equally tense, her eyes flicking between Tara and Sam and the park entrance. Everyone knows what Christina is capable of, even if it's just more emotional manipulation. None of them trust her, and none of them are willing to let Tara and Sam face her alone. 

Nearby, Kirby's SUV is parked parallel to the park, where Chad, Mindy, Kirby, and Jill sit, ready to intervene if anything goes wrong. It feels like a stakeout, a coordinated effort to ensure that the Carpenter sisters aren't left vulnerable to their mother's venom. Each of them is poised for action, a tight-knit group bound by the shared trauma of survival and the fierce loyalty that's grown out of it. 

Amber's fingers drum restlessly against the steering wheel as she keeps her gaze locked on Tara. She knows how much this meeting weighs on Tara, and how deeply her sister's pain cuts her. And Sam, always the protector, is barely holding it together. Amber clenches her jaw, her thoughts swirling with memories of Christina's harsh words and cold indifference. It's a stark contrast to the warmth and love she feels for Tara, a love that has only grown stronger over the years. 

The park is quiet, the usual sounds of children playing and people chatting absent, as if the air itself is holding its breath in anticipation. Amber's grip on the steering wheel tightens, a surge of protectiveness rising within her. If Christina dares to hurt Tara or Sam again, Amber knows she won't be able to hold back. She glances at Quinn, who catches her eye and nods subtly, understanding exactly what Amber is thinking. 

This isn't just a meeting; it's a test of Christina's intentions and Amber's self-control. But as much as she hates Christina, Amber knows that this is Tara and Sam's battle to fight. She's here to support them, to protect them if necessary, but she won't take away their agency. Still, the tension in her chest doesn't ease as she watches the sisters across the lot, waiting for the moment when Christina Carpenter finally shows her face. 

But now, all they can do is wait, the tension thick in the air as the minutes drag on. Amber's fingers drum impatiently against the steering wheel, a quiet, rhythmic tapping that betrays the storm brewing within her. The thought of Christina Carpenter—the woman who had caused so much pain and heartache for Tara and Sam—only fuels the simmering anger in her chest. Amber tries to focus on the plan, reminding herself that she's here to protect the Carpenter sisters, not to cause a scene. But the reality is, if Christina says or does anything to hurt Tara or Sam, Amber knows she won't be able to control herself.