A/N: TRIGGER WARNING — Mention of barely disguised homophobia, child abuse, underage drinking, sexual exploitation, slight suicidal ideation
Additional Note: For this chapter, <><><> will indicate the beginning/end of a flashback
Additional Additional Note: This might be a tough read y'all. Be warned!
***
The pair had remained on the couch after the departure of Saint's uncle.
The TV had long since gone into sleep mode, the lively cartoon placed under a raincheck for another day now that the night had turned in a different direction.
Two hours had passed just like this.
Saint with his head on Cerise's chest as her fingers ran through his dark strands, and his eyes failed to focus on anything other than the bright box on his center table.
He only lifted himself from the position when his mother called him. And even then his state of mind wasn't any different than when he first heard the news.
The call had connected but any words, including a greeting, could not come out.
"Tu vas bien?" Nathalie calmly asked him.
[Are you okay?]
"Ça va," he said, "Ça va aller? Bon sang, j'aurais déjà dû être sur la route..."
[I'm fine — Are you all right? Damn, I should have been on the road already]
"Je vais bien. Tu n'as pas à t'inquiéter pour moi, il est trop tard pour conduire," she insisted, "Felix va dormir ici pendant quelques heures avant de devoir partir pour l'aéroport."
[I'm alright. You don't have to worry about me, it's too late to be driving — Felix will be sleeping here for a few hours before he has to leave for the airport]
Saint rubbed his forehead as he felt a headache coming on.
"...Je vaise appeler la pépinière dans la matinée," his mother added.
[I'm going to call the nursery in the morning]
Nathalie worked part-time at a small plant nursery in Hillside, a perfect low-stress job for her that gave her something routine to do as well as helped her meet new friends.
She never missed a day since she started working there unless she was sick. So, if she was calling then...
"Tu vas..."
[You're going...]
Saint found it difficult to say much, his mind spinning. But there was no question in his tone, and he didn't think he sounded upset. But the call went silent regardless until a sigh was heard.
"Saint, mon fils," she said tenderly, "Je prie pour toi depuis le jour où j'ai su que tu étais dans mon ventre."
[My son — I've prayed for you since the day I knew you were in my belly]
He could picture the smile on her face, tinged with strong emotion as her voice wavered through the phone.
"Et je m'en veux pour ce qui t'est arrivé plus que je n'en ai jamais voulu à Oskar."
[And I blame myself for what happened to you more than I ever blamed Oskar]
"Ma—"
"Écoute."
[Listen]
He frowned, her words not sitting right with him one bit.
"Et ce jour-là... quand j'ai découvert à quel point tu souffrais..." Nathalie shakily continued.
YOU ARE READING
Please, with a Cherry on top? | 18+
Romance"Tell me you don't want that," his darkened eyes clashed with her dazed ones, "Say it, and we'll stop right now. Tell me, and I'll go." Silence hung in the air, the distant hum of passing cars and crickets fading into the night. "Cause I have every...
