Awakening Abigail

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Sine couldn’t help but notice a change in her daughter.  There was a sudden calmness surrounding her.  While they were sitting in church, she glanced at Abi again.  She couldn’t get a word out of her before church, only an enigmatic smile.  It was with the same smile that she was listening to the pastor. 

Sine had a feeling it was because of a certain lecturer Abi had told her about earlier the week.  She adjusted herself in the bench, focusing on the pastor’s sermon.  Whoever could make her daughter look like that deserved a place in heaven.  She couldn’t wait for church to end, she had a sneaky feeling her daughter had a lot to tell her.

****

Abi was silent as she pushed her mother’s chair to her room.  She was tired to the bone, but she didn’t mind.  Every moment she breathed she thought of Andrew.  Suddenly, with the cloak of darkness lifted, she felt anxious.  Last night everything seemed so possible, so normal.  It is like they say, at night, everything seems easier, better.  The stopped at the door, Abi leaned over to open the door.  She pushed the wheelchair inside, and closed the door.  She wanted to talk to her mother, but didn’t know how.  All she knew is that she was even more confused than before she and Andrew spent the night together.  But, on the other hand, she was as happy as she’s ever been.  She sighed, hating the game her emotions were playing.

“That sigh could kill a third world country Sweetie.”  Sine moved her chair towards the kitchen. Abi followed, silent.  Sine spoke again:

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?  Or are you going to keep on sighing and smiling?”  She was looking at Abi now, her face strict.  Abi knew that look, it was the I-am-your-mother-and-if-you-don’t-tell-me-what’s-up-you-will-be-sorry look.  She shook her head, smiling.

“Okay Madre, you win.  Let’s make some coffee and then we can chat.”  She turned on the kettle, silently getting out cups.  Sine just nodded, patiently waiting.  When Abi was done, they went to the living room.

“You want a cookie mom?”

“Michelle Abigail, if you don’t tell me immediately what the problem is, I will personally stand up and slap you.  That is how serious I am.  Now, I don’t want a cookie, and you don’t want one, open your mouth, and speak.”

Abi’s eyes went wide, her mouth hanging open.

“Sweetheart, the flies won’t taste good.  Close your mouth.”

Abi blinked, slapping her mouth close. 

“Mom, seriously?  That wasn’t a joke.”

Sine shrugged her shoulders.

“Michelle, I am the one in the wheelchair, I can say whatever I want.  You, on the other hand, are a normal young woman.  Now, tell me what’s up.”

“Fine.”  She had a stubborn look on her face.  Suddenly she didn’t know where to start.  She sat, silently, looking at her hands.  

Sine moved her chair closer to Abi’s. 

“Start from the beginning.”

Abi nodded.

“Okay, you remember my lecturer? Andrew? Something happened.”

Sine smiled.

“I thought so.  Go on.”

Abi told her about Andrew’s visit to Port Shepstone, their fight, his love declaration, Deb, and then selective parts from their night together.  Sine sat silently, listening.  She asked appropriate questions, nodding at the right moments.  When Abi sat back, she frowned.

“Well Michelle, what’s the problem?  Al I could pick up from your story was that Andrew is an incredible man and that you have met the man of your dreams?”

Abi answered, her voice close to a shriek.

“Mom, it’s not okay. Can’t you see?  He doesn’t know of everything. How can I go on with this thing if he doesn’t know everything about me? How can you not see this?”

She was close to becoming hysteric. 

“Stop with the tantrum Michelle.”

Abi looked shocked again.  This time her chin almost hit the floor.

“Mom, excuse me?”

“Come on Sweetheart.  Through all that happened you’ve been so strong.  I was the one who didn’t want to live, and you picked me up.  You pushed your own pain aside to help me. It’s been 5, six years now, and life is relatively back to normal. You are a healthy woman, and I think you’re busy overcomplicating everything.  I know this mind sound harsh, I know, but you have to listen Michelle.  Stop this.  Stop looking for reasons not to be happy.  This is your time, and for heaven’s sake, this man loves you, no matter what.”

She softly lifted Abi’s chin, meeting her sapphire eyes.

“You’re allowed to move on baby.” 

Abi sat silently, avoiding her mother’s eyes.  She was right. 

“Mom...”  Her voice broke.  Sine took her hand.

“Sometimes it takes a mother’s harsh words took wake up a stubborn little girl.”

Abi smiled, wiping away her tears. 

“Okay mom, you win.  But there is still one thing...”

Sine nodded.

“It’s easy Michelle.  Either, you don’t tell him, because he doesn’t want to know.  Or, and this is what I would recommend, you tell him.  If he really loves you as he says, he will accept this, and you will have a companion to help you carry this burden for the rest of your life.  If he doesn’t accept it, you will still have me.”

She gave her a kiss.

“To be honest sweetheart, I have a feeling it isn’t going to be the latter.”

Abi smiled, a sigh of relief escaping her.  She hugged he mother, tightly. 

“Mummy, you are the wisest woman I know. “

Laughing, Sine adjusted her chair.

“You say that as if you doubted it.  Do you feel better?”

“Yup.”

“Nice!  So, when am I meeting this Captain Hook?”

Abi blushed beautifully.  She took her mother’s chair by the handles, pushing her towards the door.

“Soon mom, I promise.  I really want you to meet him. He’s a lot like dad...”

Sine smiled, taking Abi’s hand.  She thought he would be.

“That’s wonderful baby, I can’t wait.”

Together they walked t the food hall, laughing and chattering.  Any by passer would think they were a normal happy family.

*Hi all!  Just a small chapter.  Hope you enjoy.  I don't want Abi to be all stressing and doubfull all the time, so mommy had to step in and nock some sense into her.  Hehe, please let me know what you think, any critique would be loved. 

Love you all!!

Love, Niccah *=)