Shattered

New Changes

Eva

One Month Later

I sighed and tossed my bag of dirty laundry in the wash room before stepping into the flat which now felt much emptier without the looming presence of the bubbly teenager. My stomach still twisted at the memory of her forced removal, and legally, Teresa had no stance on guardianship, leaving her utterly hopeless.

I wandered into the kitchen and prayed that some of Chris' pot roast was left over from the night before, my twelve hour shift causing my stomach to lead me towards the Tupperware. The silence lurked eerily as I set the food down on the counter, shoveling the food in my mouth as Teresa sulked into the room. The poor woman had been working herself to death to keep herself out of the house in a feeble attempt to forget the looming absence of the young girl that she had grown so fond to.

Her long curls were knotted in a messy ponytail, differing from her trademark pristine buns and twists, accompanied by an intricate braid. I bit my lip and set my fork down and sighed, examining how her youthful face had paled, large circles sunken under her brown irises, the life gone from them as she sulked into the room.

"Hey, want some?" I asked carefully, nudging the bowl towards her, but she sniffled and shook her head at me, rummaging through the cabinet for the scotch that Chris stored.

"Sweetie, you haven't slept in forty eight hours, you should eat and get some rest." I advised, but she just shook her head silently and poured herself a drink, downing it in one fiery gulp. I watched sadly as she discarded the cup and wandered towards the counter with the bottle, taking another fiery gulp.

"Fine, we drink, but give me some." I sighed, taking the bottle from her shaking hands and swallowing a swig. "Emma is keeping an eye on the situation." I reminded, making her tense and down another mouthful at the mention of the young girl.

"I can't believe I lost her. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I basically kidnapped her! The four of us made our lives together in this house, and now she's just gone. I'm going to be alone again." She began to weep, nursing her bottle that was emptying quickly in her trembling hands.

"What in the world are you talking about?" I questioned, yanking the bottle from her hands, gasping at how much she had consumed when I turned my head.

"I'm just like her! But I'm a coward!" She began to cry, her alcohol now slurring her words as she began to vent. "Now, why do you say that?" I asked, setting the bottle down in front of me, making her sniffle and drop her face in her hand, reaching for the bottle and finishing it in one gulp.

"I left California! I ran away from my problems!" She cried, stumbling into the kitchen to retrieve another bottle, this time revealing a large bottle of vodka that I had used for margaritas between the both of us.

"I was in love." She admitted, making me raise an eyebrow at her, making her begin the bottle of vodka, gasping as she pulled her lips away from the rim. "He was a detective while I worked for the county. I fell head over heels for him and I was crazy in love." She slurred, fumbling for a glass and pouring me one, sliding it towards me messily, spilling the contents all over the counter.

"He was married, and their second baby died suddenly, and his wife was obviously troubled after that, and he distracted himself...with me." She slurred, her face contorting sadly as she paused her story to drink, her alcohol tolerance clearly lower due to her lack of appetite and sleep.

"I almost died for him!" She cried, tears now dribbling down her cheeks unbeknownst to her. "We saw each other frequently after I started training at the police academy- he was going to leave his wife." She mumbled, the shame clear in her voice, along with the stench of alcohol.