the three of us {chim}

𝟕

𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗹'𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘃

It's the next morning and everything that happened last night immediately rushed through my mind. The whole night was filled with laughs and tears. We saw two completely different sides to Camille. The strong, confident, optimistic side and the vulnerable, dependent, pained side. It was heart-wrenching to watch Camille break down in our arms. She seemed so independent and like she never let anything or anyone get in her way, but I guess everyone has their weaknesses. Camille's is her lack of love, care, and attention, making her vulnerable to people like me and Kimberley, who can't help but treat her delicately.

"Are you sleeping?" Kimberley whispers as she pulls me closer to her. We're still in bed cuddled up, not wanting to leave the warmth of the covers and each other's arms.

"No, just thinking."

"What ya' thinking about?" Kimberley asks. She always cares about everything I say or seem to be thinking.

"Just about last night. I don't wanna bring it up to her, but she seemed really sad. I wish I could help or she'd tell us more about it. I just want her to have some sort of safety network."

Kimberley looks down at me with love in her eyes before responding. "We can be that safety network for her. She can come over here or to the diner whenever she wants, yeah?"

"Yeah," I reply, making her smile and pull me in for a kiss. Kimberley's lips are always soft in the morning and her kisses are gentle and filled with love.

"Come on, she had to be home at 8. It's just gone 7," Kimberley mentions. "We'll make some breakfast and then wake her up. I'm sure she doesn't get much of that at home," she adds. I can tell Kimberley hates Camille's parents, but so did I. I know never to judge a person without meeting them, but it sounds like they make Camille's life a living hell with all their rules and wanting to change her.

After we freshen up, Kimberley takes my hand and walks us to the big kitchen. We go to the fridge and gather all the ingredients for Kimberley's famous blueberry pancakes. Camille and I loved them yesterday, so I can't wait to see her wake up with a smile on her face.

𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲'𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘃

I woke up this morning to footsteps trying to be gentle but failing miserably. I poke my head out of the guest bedroom and see Kimberley and Cheryl walk downstairs hand-in-hand. I think about walking down with them until I overhear their plan to surprise me with breakfast in bed. I decide to give myself a tour of the house instead and end up walking towards the women's bedroom. It smells just like them and I inhale the scent that makes me melt with adoration.

I walk over to the couch, trying to be quiet. I peer up at the picture once more. I can tell so easily that it's me Cheryl was holding in her hands. I don't know if I should cry or smile when I see it. I still don't know if it's confirmed that she's my Mum, but I can't help but think about how much greater my life would be. I would have everything I've ever wanted.

How do I tell her that I lied and that I would do anything to get those tests done as quickly as possible? I sit and stare at the photograph some more, suddenly thinking of an idea. I look around the room until I find a pen on Kimberley's nightstand and a piece of paper in Cheryl's drawer. I write February 17th and tuck a corner of the paper in the picture frame. Maybe it'll take them a while to see the note and buy me some time.

I put the pen back before rushing back to the guest bedroom I occupied the night before. I hear footsteps approach my door as I tuck myself back into bed. I pretend that I just woke up and look out at the window where the sun is starting to peek inside.