Gentle Breath of Heaven

Chapter Three (conti.)

Francis drove at top speed in an attempt to make it to her mother's on time. After leaving the strangers home Francis took the metro to her own home. In a hurry she tried to cover up her escapades from last night with a quick shower and light make-up. She hoped no one would notice how hungover she felt as she quickly ran out the home.

Driving to silence she remembered the call she had received earlier in the day. She checked the call on her phone, and wasn't too surprised to see that the missed call was from Kendra. Francis had completely ditched her last night, and was sure Kendra was worried. 

Francis cringed at the thought of last night. Could she have been more unprofessional? After last night her boss was probably glad she was gone. I mean after being demoted they were probably going to fire her anyways. 

Francis checked the voice message left on her phone. "What happened to you last night? And what is this I hear about you quiting? I hope this is just an office rumor because you would have told me if it was true, right? Obviously we need to talk, so call me!"

"Shoot!", Francis mumbled to herself. If her mother wasn't going to kill her, then Kendra surely would. Kendra had worked her butt off to get Francis a job at the magazine. Francis was lucky to be twenty-five and be a published journalist in the fashion industry, and Kendra was to thank for that luck. She was sure that when she told her, Kendra would be angry that her efforts had gone to waste.

But there was no time to worry about Kendra, first she had to face her mother. It didn't help to see her older sister audi in the driveway. Now she would have to face the ridicule of being compared to her perfect sister.

Claire, Francis's older sister, was the stereotypical role model sibling. A stay at home mom, by twenty four she was married to a lawyer and twenty five birthed a beautiful baby girl. After Claire had Natalia, her mother's praising of Claire became constant. It was the reason that the last time she had seen her mother was two months ago. Francis could only take so much of mother's constant complaint's for marriage, and grandchildren. 

Francis opened the unlocked door her mother announcing her entrance. "I have not seen you in two months, then you show up late! You could have called Fran." Mrs Bernard was upset, but Francis was not surprised by her mother's dramatic outburst. She was a known drama queen within the Family. Not only was the screaming making Francis's headache worse, but it was not necessary. 

"Sorry, some things came up at work." Francis felt the lie slither right through her teeth. She took a seat in the kitchen where she found her mother cooking. The smell which rose from the pots and pans made Francis forget about all her problems for the time being.

+ + +

"Auntie Fran!" Natalia sang as she ran into Francis arms. Claire waddled in behind her with her round pregnant stomach. It looked like would deliver any moment now. 

"Franny, When did you get here?" Claire's nickname made her cringe. She was the only one that called her Franny, and by the time she had the heart to tell her how much she didn't like being called "Franny" it had already stuck. 

"Not that long ago, where were you?" 

"I was trying to get Natalia to take a nap." she looked at Natalia who was bouncing of the walls in Mom's living room. Francis could only imagine how unsuccessful that was. 

"Smells good Mom," Claire said as she took a seat next to me. "It's almost done." Mom furiously chopped onions on the cutting board. 

"So, how's life?" Claire smiled looking extremely interested. At the question the fact that she quit came to mind. But she knew she couldn't tell Claire that especially with mom standing around. Even though Francis wanted to tell Claire everything she could only manage to say , "fine". At her answer Claire looked disappointed, "That's great".

"How's Gerald?" Francis asked trying to change the top from herself. "fine." she frowned. Francis was taken aback by her reaction. Usually Claire couldn't shut her mouth about how great Gerald is. The fact that she was frowning at his name obviously let Francis know that something was wrong. Knowing how intruding mom could be in their personal lives. Francis made a note to call Claire sometime during the week. They obviously needed to talk. 

"Dinners done" Mrs. Bernard turned off the stove top, and quickly moved the pot to the center of the dining room table. Natalia anxiously took a seat at the table grinning at each and every item of food mom laid down on the table. Once they all sat down Mom said a quick prayer, and Francis quickly devoured her meal. 

"I was talking Ms. Hudson from my yoga class, you remember her don't you?" Mom asked as she politely sliced her pork. Francis nodded even though she knew she'd never heard of the women in her life.

"She was telling me about her son who is around the same age as you. He sounds like a really well rounded guy and I -" Francis interjected before her mother could plot any further. 

" You know I hate it when you set me up with your friends son's." Mom started to sniffle and lowered her head to hide her face. Francis felt she was a fool to think that her mother would end it their. 

"Really Mom I-"

"No" she interjected. 

"I just want to see you happy." she sniffled.

"Mom, I am happy" Francis said, she would have said anything to stop her mother from making a scene.

"I'll meet him if it makes you happy," I mumbled. Hearing those words Mom popped up happier then ever. Francis knew she had just been played for a fool, but anything was better then watching mom put on a front of tears.

"I have to tell Jen" She squealed. If only she knew how bad Francis wanted to throw her marinara sauce at her at that moment.

++

Mrs. Bernard made sure Francis took home left-overs. “I can only imagine what you are eating in that apartment of yours.” She said handing Francis tower of Tupperware. Claire waddled over to my side. “I’ll walk you to the car.”

I objected, “Really Claire, I’m fine walking myself to my car.” 

Claire blew me off, and continued to walk with me to the car. She was tight lipped and I was curious as to why, but I decided to leave it alone. 

“Don’t forget about friday! Where something Sassy,” Mom shouted. I cringed in the doorway at mother use of the word sassy. Claire laughed amused at the whole situation, “I’ll be back mom!” she called before she shut the door behind her. 

Claire silently waddled beside me to the curb where my car sat anticipating my arrival. “I’m thinking about divorcing Gerald.” Francis felt a sudden whip lash in her neck. As Claire’s words distracted her from getting inside the car. 

“A divorice? Claire What’s going on?” 

“Gerald is having an affair,” Francis could hear her voice tremble. I quickly sat Claire down in the drivers seat. 

“Gosh,” she laughed to herself as she wiped her nose. I sat beside her as I let her cry for a few minutes.”How long?” 

“I’ve known for a year, but it’s probably been longer. One of his clients; Fran She’s been in my house, met my child!”

Francis couldn’t believe it. She always thought Claire’s life was picture perfect, but now she saw that Claire’s life was just as flawed as her own. “I can’t believe it,” I mumbled shocked. “Gerald’s mad about you.” 

Claire snorted, “For the longest I couldn’t even accept it.” 

Now we both sat in the car staring off into space. “Claire I quit my job,” I blurted. “You what!” she shouted grabbing her stomach.

“Someone else got my spot in the magazine, I'm not sure what I'm going to do now but I know I don’t belong their.” Claire laughed hysterically, “what?” I asked her. I couldn’t find the humor in anything I just said.

“Our lives are so fucked up,” She laughed looking off into space. I joined in laughing beside her. Even though we laughed I felt like I was crying.