Forbidden

Chapter Twenty Nine

Olivia drove in front of Nick the entire way to her father’s house, having suddenly taken an interest in biting her nails. Nick had picked up a friend he had met at the gym to assist with moving the heavier objects. Olivia had decided that her days of being a pushover when it came to her money hungry mother had officially come to an end. How was Liz going to take the news? It didn’t matter, Olivia decided. Olivia was entitled to retrieve her belongings because they were from her father. She wondered if Liz had rifled through her belongings; maybe even finding her father’s mother’s wedding ring in the night stand. Olivia’s heart skipped a beat at the thought of Liz even so much as looking at it and she pressed harder on the gas pedal.

            The sun was blaring down on an already tense situation, making emotions run higher than they needed to be; at least for Olivia. She didn’t want to fight with her mother, she didn’t want to argue, she simply wanted to get her belongings out and go.

            As they rounded the corner and the beautiful southern plantation home that her father had worked so hard for was in Olivia’s sight, she lightly raised her foot from the gas pedal and applied pressure to the brakes. She hadn’t even pulled into the driveway fully before putting the car in park and walking towards Nick.

“What do you think is goin’ on?” she asked him.

            He scratched his head while staring at the house.

“I was just wonderin’ the same thing.”

            Olivia nodded and got back into her vehicle, confused as to why there was already a moving truck sitting in the drive. She pulled the car back into drive and proceeded down the driveway, stopping behind the other moving truck.

            She hadn’t even waiting for Nick to follow her inside before she pushed the door open and began yelling for her mother.

“Momma? Where are you? Send the movers back, we’ve got our own truck and we’ll be out of your hair,” she yelled into the empty air. “Momma?”

            Olivia began walking up the stairs where she saw Liz sitting in Marshall’s leather office chair. She had her arms crossed over her chest and had clearly been crying. Olivia took a seat in front of the desk and leaned forward.

“I’m not here to cause you anymore trouble. I’m just here for my things. I have Nick and one of his friends helpin’ so the sooner we get done, the sooner we’ll be gone.” She took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in her throat.

“I’m sorry things had to end this way, I really am, but just because you’re unhappy with yourself doesn’t mean you need to treat other people as if their feelings don’t matter.”

            Liz said nothing so Olivia continued.

“I know you miss Daddy. It’s only been a few days, we all miss Daddy. And he wouldn’t want this,” Olivia shook her head as she stood.

“I’m stayin’ with Nick, until graduation and until things get settled. I don’t think stayin’ here is in either of our best interests.”

            Olivia had started walking towards the doorway when Liz finally spoke.

“The moving truck isn’t here to take your things, Olivia.”

“What’s it here for, then?”

            Liz stood from the chair and leaned against the side of the desk.

“You’re right. Ya’ll are right. I am unhappy. Mommy-Homemaker isn’t a title I’ve always been the best with. I’m happy you found someone who loves you Olivia, truly I am. The two of you will be gettin’ married soon, havin’ a family eventually . . . I’ve decided that the best thing for myself and everyone involved, is if I left instead.”

            Olivia’s jaw dropped.

“Where do you plan on goin’ Momma?”

            Liz smiled faintly.

“Florida. Fort Myers, your Daddy’s favorite place aside from home. I think I’d feel closer to him there. He was hardly home anyway and this house is much too big for one old lady.”

“And the house? You’re sellin’ it?”

            Liz took a deep breath and pulled out an envelope similar to Olivia’s from the attorney’s office and walked towards Olivia.

“Here,” Liz said, “it’s the deed to the house. It’s yours. Your Daddy left enough money for me to get settled nicely in Florida. It’s paid off. You’ll only have to pay property taxes, upkeep . . .”

            Olivia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her mother was leaving the house to her. All to Olivia. She was suddenly afraid of how she felt. She was thrilled, ecstatic, that she could remain in her father’s house, but she also didn’t care that Liz was leaving. That frightened her. Liz was Olivia’s mother, shouldn’t she feel some sort of guilt? Shouldn’t she be asking Liz to not go?

“Thank you for leaving me with Daddy’s house.”

“Sure.”

            Liz hugged Olivia in a tight embrace and began walking out. She turned one last time towards her only daughter.

“I’ll see ya around, darlin’.”

            Olivia sarcastically laughed.

“Thanks. Love you too.”