Return of a Broken Heart

Nine - Brake Up (Part 1)

Since Ludmila would be in their lives a lot more, Angie decided to take the girls out shopping with her. There were some mini squabbles about where to go but, on the flip of a coin, they both decided to go to shopping, and then to a movie.

Ludmila moaned all the way there because Violetta had voted 'tails' and tails had won. She hated losing. Ludmila always wanted to be the winner. No matter what the game, no matter the odds or the cost. That, she begrudged - but was sometimes proud - to admit, she got from her mother. So, in true supernova fashion, Violetta got to pick what they did, but she would pick where they would go. She was an expert at finding a good discount. Also at finding some clothes where Angie and Violetta wouldn't look completely hideous.

They walked into the first shop; Gucci. Both of them were met with wonder and were truly amazed at the gorgeous clothes. It was obviously their first time in here. Ludmila secretly scoffed, they had never really known what it was like to have money - and spend it wisely. There were no price tags. Anywhere.

Violetta took a pair of shoes up to the counter. It was a landslide improvement on the miserable pair of shoes she was currently wearing. The shop assistant told her how much they were. Her mouth opened like a codfish. She rushed over to Angie. Angie's expression mirrored her niece's. They both turned to her, aghast, why would she take them in a place they obviously couldn't afford?

To show her what she could give German.... An icy dagger stabbed Angie in the heart. She tugged Vilu's arm and raced out of the shop. They were going. Now.

*    *    *

Four hours had gone past. It was now late afternoon. After another fateful coin toss, Violetta decided the movie. Again. Ugh! Thought Ludmila, she always got her way! Angie smiled, almost mischeviously, and said, you can choose where we sit. She could understand why Violetta liked Angie so much. Somehow she made everything feel fair. Even when it clearly wasn't.

The three of them got in the car. Angie in the driver's seat, Violetta sitting next to her and Ludmila in the back. If they drove super quickly, which she would not promote to these kids, Angie could still have some spare seconds to get a giant bucket of popcorn. She put her foot down on the gas. Off they went!

She studied the two girls. They were looking around at the scenery and not talking to each other. What could she do to start a conversation? Violetta looked in the little pit below Angie's feet. She blinked. She blinked again in disbelief. Suddenly, she saw multiple hairy legs. Without even trying to be mature she screamed. Really loudly.

"What's wrong, Violetta?" Angie had just jumped out of her skin.

"Sp-sp-sp.... SPIDER!!!" Angie couldn't see it! She told her niece that she was just seeing things. It was a daydream, there really wasn't - suddenly, she felt something move over her feet. It wasn't the brakes. She itched her right heel with the toe of her other foot. Stupid shoes. Should have worn the other ones. She drove on.

Ludmila saw their scared looks. For some reason she wanted Violetta to be right about the spider, but she also, kind of, didn't. If it was anyone who could have done this, it was most likely her mother. She began to feel her mood drop. Her mother was capable of anything.

It was if she had had a sixth sense, because just as she had finished that thought, no one other than Priscila came tottering up to the car, "Stop!" Angie refused to. There was nothing wrong with the car!

She had no idea how she had managed to travel that quickly in heels, but she was now clutching onto the open window opposite Ludmila in the back of the car. She showed no signs of letting go. Angie tried to press the brakes. They came pounding straight back up. They didn't make a sound! It was like they had been - even Angie herself was now holding back a scream.

Thankfully the car had stopped then. The three of them got out. Violetta rushed to Angie and Ludmila rushed to her mother.

I should have known it was her, thought Angie quietly so no one else could hear, she needs to tell me why she feels the need to mess with my car. She hugged Violetta to calm her down.

This force of evil needs to be reckoned with.