Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 34

Part 34 Of The First Draft

“Are you comfortable, Carlie? I'm sorry if the room is a little cramped.”

My mom asked her, her tone sincere. My mom must have been really good friends with Carlie at one point. Several of us are furious with Carlie and don't believe her convenient memory loss story, but my mom is convinced that Carlie was not herself. I trust my mother. I also can clearly see that this is not the same woman we had faced off against. Carlie was like a neutered puppy compared to what she was before.

“I’m fine, Serah. Thank you.”

My phone vibrated while I looked on, and I lifted it up to find a message from Becky. It was surprising. Instead of an angry message, I found these words,

“Is she okay?”

Becky no longer harbored a grudge against Carlie, despite all that she had done to her. Becky may only be a teenager, but her maturity level was greater than most adults. I responded to her message,

“She’s fine. Carlie is just a little tired.”

Becky sent one more text, this one even more confusing than the last,

“Can you tell her I'm sorry? I got to go. I'm going home to see Veronica. I need to apologize to her, too.”

“Sure, Becky. Take care.”

I drew near Carlie, and breathed, sparing her nothing,

“We are all very sorry for what happened, Carlie. We don't blame you. Don’t be afraid to ask for anything. You are our guest.”

Before she could say a word, I left the room quickly, and charged up the stairs. I fought back the urge to go into the bathroom and cut, seeking Lana. She wasn't in our room. Darn. I took out my trusty razorblade, and relieved some of my stress by carving into my left arm. I dug deep, letting the pain be my escape. After I had finished, I took three sleeping pills and hid beneath my blankets. My sleep would not last as long as I wanted it to, with Sunday morning coming too quickly. Lana, who was already awake, was sitting up on her bed, her eyes red from sobbing. She noticed me, and asked,

“How can you trust that woman? She nearly killed Brad...who knows if he will fully recover after what she did to him?”

Am I missing a part of the story?

“What do you mean, Lana? How bad off is Brad? I thought he was fine.”

Lana shook her head, and wiped away her tears. She managed, as she fought back her consuming sorrow,

“He may not be able to use his left arm again. She nearly ripped it off of his body.”

What? Is she exagerating? How can anyone be strong enough to do that?

“You're kidding.”

“Do I look like I'm kidding, Mindi? Gosh....loving this boy has been the most difficult thing I've ever done....”

I hear that. I got up from my bed and sat down on hers. Lana reached for me and I did not deny her. I held her in my arms as she wept continually, and I tried my best to sooth her,

“Brad is a strong boy, Lana. You have to put your faith in him....”

Lana embraced me hard, burying her head in my chest. After a prolonged moment, she let go of me and got out of bed. She wiped away the last of her tears, and smiled at me. She then went on to tell me,

“Thanks, Mindi. I really needed that. Maybe now I can go through the day without murdering Carlie. Who knows? Maybe now that she isn't a crazy plot-hatching vampire I just might get along with her. Weirder things have been known to happen.”

Lana left in a hurry, and I quickly dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans. Today was Sunday and I didn't want to get all dressed up. Although I am tempted to see Perry today, I fought back the urge, turning my focus to Carlie and my family. When I had made it downstairs, I found out that Carlie, who looked like she had changed into some of my mom's clothes, was cooking breakfast for us. I smiled, and thanked her,

“Awe. You really didn't have to go to this trouble, Carlie.”

She returned my smile, and replied,

“It’s the least I can do if it means that you can explain to me where the last thirty years have gone.”

My mother joined us in the kitchen, asking Carlie,

“So you do remember me? Carlie, my old friend, I'm truly touched.”

Carlie flipped the eggs in her skillet, and told my mom, peacefully,

“Of course. How could I forget you, Serah?”

My mom smiled, and drew forward, examining Carlie. My mother then told her in a little bit of a personal confession,

“Oh, how I've missed you. I know it was forbidden, but I loved you intimately. I admired you and I was sad when you left the coven. Had I not met my husband I would have followed you to the ends of the Earth....”

My mom then spun towards me, and tried to deflect her words and feelings,

“Mindi....forget what I have said. Please.”

What I said next was something I never had the courage to say to her before,

“Don't worry, mother. I like both genders, too. All of the people of the world are worthy of love.”

My mom laughed, and joked with me,

“At least you know where you got it, Mindi. Please, do not be afraid to tell us the truth. Don’t you know me and your father love you regardless of anything?”

This has already shaped up to be one heck of a morning. My mom and I have both told each other we are bisexual, and Lana had found the strength to forgive the one who had nearly killed the one she loves. I'll never forget how Lana had weapt in my arms as she desperately fought for comfort. Watch out, world. I'm finally gaining what I have never had: confidence. I've lived my life in shame, and now, it is finally time to end that. Let the sky judge me, but I refuse to pretend to be something I'm not. I'm over and through that.