The Sweetest Devotion (The Affair Series Book 2)

Visiting Sharon

Almost 9 years old

STEF POV

"Well there you are, my beautiful princess of mine." My mother said confusing me for she never spoke to me that way ever in life. Ever. It was almost creepy as she pulled me in for a hug which felt really strange. Really strange. Being unsure if I should even hug her back I did but it wasn't the same soft hug that Aunt Fran and Debbie gave me. It felt foreign and uncomfortable as she smelled of cigarettes, cheap perfume and booze like she always did. It had been a couple of weeks since our last visit and each one she looked more and more different. I wasn't really sure how but her dyed blonde hair was now red and she looked older than last time.

"Did you get big now. And my, my, where did you get that, get that outfit from?" she asked referring on my glittery sweater and matching leggings that Aunt Fran had gotten me for she bought me nice clothes. Always.

"Aunt Fran." I said taking a seat across from her.

"MM well isn't she nice." Her tone was the typical sarcastic one and I knew she was upset with me as she took her seat puffing on her cigarette again. I hated these visits I really did and I wanted my mama to get better but she didn't look sick to me. Could you cure meanness? Why she was in this place I didn't even fully understand even if mama Fran and Debbie tried to explain it to me.

"So Stef your mama is doing well. Maybe you want to tell her Sharon?" The social worker said who took a seat beside me staring at my mother. Sharon took another puff of her cigarette glaring at her.

"Yup I am. Reading my scriptures everyday and I'll be out of here soon. We will get us a nice place Stefanie." She said as I could only continue too look at her. "Get us a house you watch the lord gonna make all if happen. I can just feel it. Feel it in my bones." I had heard her talk like this last time and didn't know what god had anything to do with this. Aunt Fran never talked about him nor did Debbie. How would he make things better for my mother? He had never made things good for us. I didn't understand it.

"Oh." I said unsure how how to respond as she took another puff looking over my outfit once again. 

"Yes when your mother gets better Stefanie we will check on you both once a month and your progress.  I'm sure you two will do very well."

"But I want to stay with Aunt Fran." I blurted out as my mother looked shocked at me.

"Well aunt Fran ain't your mama I am. So don't you forget that. I gave birth to you. You only staying with her until I can leave here that's all."

"But I don't want to leave." Whatever was getting into me today I would certainly pay for it in the future as my mother was trying to control herself from possibly smacked me off the chair. 

"Stefanie living with your aunt is only temporary. You can still visit her and she can visit you but it's best that you come back to live with your mother when she is well. It's important for your relationship and hers and she is trying very hard to get better for you. Right Sharon."

"Yes. I'm not in here for anyone else but you." She lied as her eyes had turned cruel. "You pray on it and I'll be out of her even sooner."

That was the last thing I would do, pray for her to get out early.

"Stef do you want to tell your mother how school is? Then maybe you two can play a board game. We have tons." 

"Ok. Um school is good. I was in a concert."

"Mm. For what?" She asked trying to sound interested.

"A spring one. And mommy and mama...I mean aunt Fran took..