The Lost Girl (Complete)

Chapter Eight - The Sorenson Spy

Although the question made Celestia feel embarrassingly awkward, she still smiled, "Clothes have never really been a big priority." Plucking at the thin material of her green top, she sighed, "Mum could never hold down a job and government payments only go so far."

Uncle seemed to stiffen at that, "What about your wages? You've been working for four years, surely..."

That sort of hurt but Celestia was determined not to show anyone her shame, "We had bills."

Owen's eyes grew wintery, "I don't mean to linger over painful memories but what caused your mother's death?"

Images flashed, her mother lying cold and half-naked in a pool of her own vomit while Celestia frantically tried to find a pulse. She had screamed, finding the needle and throwing it at the wall before dialling 911 and beginning CPR. It had been useless, Marie was too long gone and the paramedics had only been able to offer condolences as they wheeled the black bag away.

"...sorry," She heard Sang whisper as that awful day faded.

Eyes dry, she glanced around in a mild daze as those around the table expressed their sympathies whilst also trying to hide the disgust and judgement.

Uncle's arm felt warm around her shoulders and she leaned gratefully against his side as she realised that he must have explained everything that she had revealed about her mother.

"She was a good person most of the time," She mused, looking once again at her aunt. "I remember her making pancakes and dropping me off at school when I was in kindergarten but then something happened and she just..." She shook her head. "I tried to get her help but most of the time no one cared, even at school and I gave up. I made sure that we had food and that the power stayed on," Until the last bill, she added silently, "but that was all I could do." Hell, she'd even tried to report her own mother to child services to see if that would work but the day of the social worker's visit had been one of the few times that Marie had been sober. It had gone very well...for Marie, but Celestia had ended up with a bruised cheek as soon as the exasperated lady had left, muttering about people wasting her time with bogus calls.

"Oh, honey, you don't need to explain anything. I'm glad that you have some good memories of your mother," Sean assured, his smile warm and gentle.

Sang bit her lip, "What about my father? I know that he left us all behind but surely Marie had some contact with him?"

Well...

Celestia felt her face drain of any colour she had left as her eyes locked with green ones, "Ummm...well...you haven't checked up on him either?"

Nathan shook his head, "Nope. Left that fucker behind at the same time. He was a selfish bastard."

"Nathan!" North admonished. "Language!"

That had nearly all of them gaping, "Who are you and what have you done with Mr Fuck Is My Favourite Word?" Luke queried, his mouth wobbling suspiciously.

"I thought we were meant to watch our swearing around young ladies? Isn't that what you've all been saying since I was sixteen?"

"Well, yeah," Silas chuckled, "But you've never taken any notice. Even our daughters are picking up some interesting expressions courtesy of you and Gabe."

The man actually growled at that, "They'd better not be fucking swearing!"

Celestia couldn't help it, she giggled uncontrollably. If they knew the full extent of what she'd been exposed to, none of them would worry about a few harmless words.

"So," Sang interrupted loudly, rolling her eyes. "Our father?"

The giggles cut out abruptly as tension threaded through Celestia once more. "Sang...I..." She rubbed her nose, trying to find the words. "I feel like all I'm going to do is bring bad news," She whispered before looking around at them all once more. "He did try to help for a little when Mum first started using but there was an accident, a drunk driver forced him off the road one night on his way home and..." She felt utterly terrible as Sang braced herself. "He died. About nine years ago now."