Sweet Consumption

Chapter 1

Knock, Knock, Knock. “Olivia?” I hear my mother shout through the door.

I lift my head off the pillow, where it's rested for the last two weeks, my depression not allowing me to do anything else.

“Olivia!” Knock, Knock, Knock. “Open this door, young lady!”

I groan into the pillow. Why couldn't she just leave me in peace? She had to know this wouldn’t work. I hadn’t left my apartment since I found out my boyfriend was a back stabbing liar, and I didn't plan on leaving any time soon.

“Olivia, honey, open the door.” Uh, oh, she’s changing tactics, because her voice softened.

“I know you’re upset, but you have to let me in. You can’t hole up in there forever.”

Wanna bet?

I hear some muffled noises before Mr. Hooper, my super, announces his presence. The sound of a key being placed in a lock follows, pushing through my hazy mind. I throw off the covers and jump out of bed. “Don’t come in!” I shout, like that's going to stop them.

The door opens as I round the corner to my living room and there is my mother, her small frame appearing tiny next to my six foot super. She turns to him with a big smile that would level almost any man. "Well, would you look at that, Mr. Hooper, she's not dead after all. Thank you so much for your help in checking to make sure."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Martin. Let me know if you need anything else." His dark brown eyes appreciate the view in front of him. My mother's always been a beautiful woman, her curved frame is topped with long auburn hair and light blue eyes. I'm lucky enough to have inherited the light blue eyes, but my hair is as dark as my Italian father's and just as unmanageable.

"It's Ms., and I will," she says with a saucy grin that does not go unnoticed by Mr. Hooper who retreats quickly to hide the blush tinging his cheeks.

My mother looks back at me after Mr. Hooper closes the door and something inside me crumbles. My eyes start to well up and suddenly, I'm glad she's here. I want nothing more than for her to hold me and tell me everything’s going to be alright.

She rushes over to me and instantly enfolds me in a hug, like she knew all along what I needed. "Oh, Livie, I've been so worried. You haven't returned any of my calls and I couldn't stay away any longer!"

I sob uncontrollably for a few minutes, allowing her to comfort me like no one else can. When I feel myself getting back under control, I lift my head to see her giving me a look of sympathy, with a hint of determination.

“Olivia, I’m not going to ask you how you are, because that's obvious, but what I want to know is what you're planning to do about it. You've been wallowing in self pity for the past two weeks and I'm not going to let you ruin your life over one stupid man! I've left you alone for as long as I can, but now you need to get up off your butt and do something!”

I sniff and look at her through a well of tears. “Mom, there's nothing to do! James sabotaged my business and ruined my reputation! After breaking up with me!” My shoulders drop. "I barely have any money left to pay the bills, how am I supposed to restart my entire career?"

She holds my face between her hands. “Honey, there's always something you can do. I didn’t give up when your father left us. I didn’t give up when your brother took all my money and ran away to Vegas. And I’m not giving up on you." She purses her lips in determination. "Nor will I let you give up on yourself. Okay?” Tears fill my eyes again at her faith in me, but I don’t know if I can find that faith again in myself.