Chapter 24: Welcome to the Family

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Sandra answered the door to Marla's townhouse and looked at Chloe. She stared at her silently until Chloe spoke.

"I know she probably doesn't want to see me, but I need to talk to her," Chloe said. "Please," she added, trying to hold back tears.

After a brief pause, Sandra opened the door and stepped aside. Chloe walked to Marla's door and raised her hand to knock, but she paused. She wasn't even sure what she was going to say to her. Chloe had practiced this conversation for a long time, yet she felt like she couldn't do it. Part of her wanted to turn around. Thankfully, Marla took the decision out of her hands. Marla opened her bedroom and looked at Chloe with bloodshot eyes. She didn't speak. Instead, Marla walked back to her desk, leaving the door open. Chloe followed her inside and shut it.

Marla looked rough. Her hair appeared unkempt, and she didn't change her clothes. Chloe guessed she hadn't slept.

"Marla, I'm sorry," Chloe said.

"Are you?"

"I didn't do this to hurt you. As I said, I wanted you to stop hurting us."

"I told you I would. Besides, I have to play nice because they put me on probation. It would have been more, but they thought I was kind of a victim in all this. The whole thing was my idea," Marla replied, laughing bitterly.

"Bledsoe still took advantage of his position."

"Don't pretend to sympathize. I know you thought I deserved worse."

"No, Marla. I'm not pretending. Please talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing is wrong, except my sister betrayed and humiliated me."

Chloe looked around the room as if searching for answers on the walls. She felt helpless. A scream threatened to escape her lips, but she held it in check. "What happened to you? You didn't use to be like this," Chloe cried.

"Be like what, Chloe?"

"Angry and bitter. You used to be so full of happiness and life. I miss those days. Please, let me help you!"

"You took a few psych classes, and now you want to psychoanalyze me?" Marla scoffed. "Go ahead, Chloe. Tell me what you think is wrong," Marla said, folding her arms and eyeing Chloe sternly.

"Was it your dad? Did he do something to you?"

Chloe knew this was the wrong thing to ask the second the question ended. Marla's eyes flared, and she stood up. "Dad!? Now, you want to talk about that? You only care when it affects you! Where was this concern before!?"

"Marla, calm down," Chloe said, backing away.

"Nobody cared or did anything when it mattered! Mom certainly didn't!"

"Marla..."

"She stood by and let him beat me!" Marla cried. "Then, she kept sending me to his house every other weekend because the courts gave him joint custody. She knew what she was sending me to!"

"I'm so sorry, Marla, but I didn't know."

"When you came along, Mom saw you as her second chance to get it right because she gave up on me," Marla said, sitting on the bed and burying her face in her hands. "All I wanted was for her to love me."

Chloe rushed to her side and wrapped her arms around her. As she did, Marla leaned into her and released everything she pent up inside.

"I can't speak for Mom, but I love you, Marla. Please believe me," Chloe said.

Marla sobbed while Chloe held her. She didn't know how much time passed before Marla spoke because she didn't look at the clock. Chloe was content to stay there as long as was needed. Eventually, Marla broke the silence, and Chloe strained to listen. "Chloe, I'm sorry," she whispered. "Forgive me."

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