Tell Me a Million Lies

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Present Day

Senior Year

            The lights were on when I stepped into the house. My hands lingered on the doorknob as I shouted, “Ella.” There was no answer. I dropped my keys onto the coffee table and sighed. It was a long day and I was more than happy to be finally home. Suddenly, she stepped out of the kitchen with an apron and a spatula in one hand rose in the air.

            “Hi,” she said softly almost as if she was shy. 

            “Mom,” I whispered and she smiled. Isn’t this a miracle? First I found out Hailey is coming back and now my mom is home. My mom, the total workaholic that is barely home. I don’t even remember seeing her for the last week or so. And suddenly she is standing here with the motherly look. “I didn’t know you were going to be home.”

            She licked her lip and moved from side to side, a habit she does whenever she’s nervous. “I—I changed to a morning shift,” she said and sniffed the air. “What does it smell like—?” Her eyes widened and she rushed back into the kitchen. I stood up following her. “Oh dear Lord,” she muttered to herself as she turned off the fire. “It’s burnt.”

            I moved behind her and looked around her shoulder. “It’s not that bad,” I said reaching for the dish. “It’s just a little burn. We can deal with it.”

            She nodded slimly before taking out the dish. I watched as she placed it carefully in the middle of the dining table. A weak smile appeared on her face when she saw me staring at her. “Are you alright, sweetie,” she asked coming towards me.

            “Yes, I’m perfectly fine,” I said. I wanted to tell her I missed the way it used to be when we both fix dinner together. I wanted to tell her I missed watching her being a mother. I wanted to tell her how much I wanted to cry at this moment, but I don’t. Nothing comes out of my mouth except I’m perfectly fine. I used to be able to talk to her without any obstacle, but after all that had happened I can’t.

            “Go upstairs and change your clothes. Ella is going to be back soon and then we can eat dinner,” she instructed pushing me out of the kitchen.

            By the time I changed my clothes and started to head down the stairs the front door opened with Ella standing at the doorway. She frowned and glared at me. “Are you cooking,” she asked as if she was accusing me.

            I shook my head and pointed to the kitchen where mom was.

            “Mom,” Ella said with shock.

            “Hey sweetheart,” she said putting the last dish onto the table. “Dinner is ready. Come and gather.” Ella and I took our seats as Mom clasped her hand together. “It’s been a long time since we sat together for dinner.”

            I grinned when she squeezed my hand flashing me a heartfelt smile. At the moment, she was my mother, a vulnerable looking woman, and not the doctor who saves other people’s mother. She was plainly the mother of Ella and Cassie Summers.

            Throughout dinner Mom and Ella were engaged in a conversation and once in a while I’ll laugh at a joke Mom said. I reached for the dish of mash potatoes when Ella grabbed it for me. “Here,” she said flashing me a genuine smile and scooped some onto my plate. I smiled and accepted her offer.

            Suddenly, Mom’s phone rang and she immediately stood up running to get the phone just in case it was some emergency from one of her patients. Ella and I continued eating while mom escaped into her office to speak on the phone.