the three of us {chim}

Piece 56

Author's POV

Cheryl had just got home from the studio and didn't hear a sound in the house.  Usually, the tele is on or she can hear Camille talking to Casper.  Today, there wasn't a sound to be heard - only silence.  Cheryl didn't like the sudden noiseless air and went into slight panics.  When she rushed up the stairs, she heard quiet music playing.

Cheryl went up to the doorframe of the piano room and saw Camille sitting in the windowsill seat. The teen was holding their ukulele and strumming it so lightly that you could barely hear it. Cheryl was going to let her entrance be known, but decided against it when her daughter started singing.

'I have no words
no words that can heal
all that is broken
or for what they feel

No, I have nothing
for this sort of pain
but we can keep loving
We will love in their name

And though some are broken
We will not be scared
You can't take away kindness
You can't take away care

But I have no words
that can help with the pain
My hearts with the grieving
because what could I say'

"Hi." Cheryl quietly said, feeling like she's bursting the bubble Camille had found herself in.  It's like her mind was in a whole different world from Cheryl.

"Hey." Camille gave Cheryl a small smile and looked back down at her notes.  Cheryl saw the sad look on the teens face and went to sit beside her.

"You alright?" Cheryl asked as she gently lifted Camille's chin.  The teen didn't know what to say, she has been speechless all day.

"What happened...was terrible." Camille whispered and shook her head.  She looked down at her lap and didn't understand why she was so upset.  She knows that it's specifically not her right to be, but it's scary.

"Is this about the Manchester attack?" Cheryl asked, getting Camille to look up.  When she saw the teens red eyes, she pulled her closer.  Cheryl held her daughter in her arms and let Camille sit on her lap.

"Baby, it's okay." Cheryl held the teens head on her chest and protectively held her.

"It just scares me." Camille truthfully spoke, needing to get it off her chest.

"Can you tell us why?" Cheryl asked and made Camille look into her eyes.  When she saw her daughter's tears, it broke her heart.

"What if something like that were to happen when you're on stage?  I don't mean to jinx it or anything, but-" Camille couldn't finish what she had to say.  She just worries that something like this incident could happen again.

"Baby, don't you worry about that." Cheryl shook her head and gave Camille a comforting look.  Cheryl tried smiling at her daughter in hopes to bring one to the teens face.

"I can't help it." Camille mumbled and put her head on her Mam's shoulder.

"Don't cry, bubba." Cheryl said and kissed her daughter's forehead.  She was speechless at the amount of care and compassion that Camille has.  The teen will always secretly be a worrier, just like her mothers'.

"Did you write that song?" Cheryl asked, not being able to forget the sweet melody Camille's voice carried.  It's repeating itself over and over in her head, absolutely mesmerizing the mother.