Return of a Broken Heart

Five - Picking Up and Dropping Off

It almost seemed like they hadn't spent any time apart at all. Their conversations flowed with no awkward pauses and there were no salty remarks. It was a wonder how they hadn't brought up her leaving. It was probably in the back of their minds. They wanted to just savour the moment. Savour while they were here together.

"You seem like you've picked up where you left off!" Observed Priscilla, trying earnestly to end the conversation between them. She could see the chemistry. One of them admitting their feelings for one another was imminent. She had to make sure that German stayed with her.

Abruptly, she left the dinner table. German came running after her, as expected, leaving Angie, Ludmila, and Violetta on the table. Oh well, Priscila thought, they could wait for their own food. They would survive. Inside, she laughed. German was and would be hers, only hers.

It wasn't the best time to tell her, but she might as well let Angie know about it now. It would break this really uncomfortable silence. Shooting a look at Ludmila, Violetta shifted in her seat. She looked Angie square in the eyes. This felt like an interrogation, not the revealing of good news, which it technically was. "Angie..." She reached for her hand.

What was wrong? It was serious! Violetta was looking at her like it was a job interview. She didn't look happy. What had her father done? What had she done?? Had she done anything? Angie's mind turned, flipped and somersaulted. She could think of nothing. Not a reason big enough for her seriousness of tone. She drew her breath, expecting the worst.

"We're going on tour!" Violetta's face helplessly broke into a smile.

A tour? That wasn't bad, that was great! She should be following her dream! She should be happy! Well, she was but she know what she meant. Violetta would be pursuing her dream professionally, finally. It seemed like a lifetime ago that she couldn't even prepare for it. A lump came in Angie's throat.

God, woman, say something! Let her know that you're happy for her!

Violetta looked like she was going to faint. She couldn't handle all of this time with Angie not answering her. For the first time in her life, Ludmila felt sorry for her. She tapped Violetta's shoulder to check that she was still conscious. She was, thankfully.

"That's wonderful, Vilu, I'm so happy for you!" Angie and Violetta embraced lovingly. Ludmila wished that she could be that like that with her mother. Sharing all of her news, good or bad, and getting a hug afterwards. She knew her mother loved her unconditionally. It made her feel sad when she didn't show it. Of course she wouldn't tell Violetta this. Just because the possibility of her mother marrying her father increased every day would not make her tell her. They would be half sisters, technically, but they would never get along. She was the mean girl. The one with the relationship that everyone used to be jealous of. Of course, Violetta had stolen that now. Like she stole everything.

Then, her mother, speaking of the devil, walked into the room. Firing eyes, aimed at Angie.

Oh, she thought, she was on the war path.

Her pace ever quickened. Her target ever closer. She was going to get Angie out of her hair. She knew that she wouldn't be out of the picture forever just yet.

Ludmila winced. "Angie, I'm here to pick up my daughter." Her mother demanded.

Angie looked dumbfounded, "Of course, she is your daughter." She handled her coolly, quickly getting herself together. Angie had seen people like her before.

Priscilla was a little taken aback, "Alright then. Ludmila!" She called, expecting her daughter to come immediately. As by her beckon and call, Ludmila traipsed by her side. She shot a 'help me' type look to Violetta. Violetta smiled, up to her eyes. It was her best yet worst feature, thought Ludmila. Perhaps they could be partners in crime. Priscila took her hand and walked them out.