Dear Tess

Chapter 2

Her socks covered feet glided across the wood flooring, her body now quickly positioned in front of her mother, her eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. "Why is he coming here? Does he not have an aunt or any other relative to take care of him? Why here, mom? Why? She gushed, finally finding her voice. Her mother let out a tired sigh, her shoulders seemed to slump further, if it were humanly possible, as she responded weakly, "Tess, please. He lost his mother. Don't be so insensitive. And to answer your question, no he doesn't have any other living relatives. His grandparents died in a car accident when his mother was young, she was the only child. She lived with her grandmother till she got married, but she died as well soon after.

"Which makes your father the only legal guardian. Don't make a fuss about it, please. I beg you." She finished, her tired green eyes stared deep into those of Tess, making it clear that the decision was not up for debate. Madison turned and continued in the direction of the kitchen when she received no response from her daughter. She slumped into one of the stools and rested her forehead on the cool marble of the island top. Tessa slowly followed her mother into the room, silently seating herself on a stool next to her mother. Madison turned her head towards her daughter, and gave a weak smile as she said, "Look, Tess baby. I know his arrival here will change things. It will be little different at home, at school, everywhere. But, he doesn't have a place to call home anymore, and we are all he's got. And Ben, he is having a hard time, too." Tessa nodded at the last statement, as she let out a sigh. "It's just a matter of one year, baby. You both would be off to college next summer. Till then, just be a little considerate about Jason. He needs us more than anything else now." She continued and Tessa gave her mother a smile as she reached out and rubbed her shoulder.

"Why don't you go get some sleep?" She asked, her tone soft as she gently stroked her mother's blond hair, tucking a few stray strands behind her ear. Madison straightened herself and let out a heavy breath through her nose. She ruffled Tessa's hair playfully as she got of the stool and dragged herself to the stairs, as Carl giggled in the living room while watching his cartoons.

Tess' phone lit up, a short vibration indicating that she had received a message. Her manicured finger slid across the screen when she saw the message was from Brie, informing her she was back from her trip to Texas. Tess' fingers began to rapidly tap against the screen, a beam spreading across her face as she began to reply to the text. 

Tess: When did you get back??? How was the trip?

Brie: Last night. Would rather answer the second question in person. You free right now? Can we meet up?

Tess: Sure. Colby's in 20?

Brie: Yes, please!

Her smile widened at the response, the image of her best friend's pearly white teeth exposed in a smile at the mention of Colby's uplifted her mood a bit. The gloom of death seemed to be lurking in the house, sucking out the happiness while Brie was away. Tess quickly hopped off her stool and scribbled a note onto the notepad stuck to the fridge, informing her mom of her whereabouts without having to disturb her sleep. She quickly ran up the stairs, taking two steps at a time, till her socks covered feet lead her to her room. 

She quickly changed out of her shorts and loose T-shirt and into a comfortable pair of dark blue jeans and baby pink T-shirt, accentuating her naturally lean body. She slipped her feet into her favourite red Converse shoes and ran out of her house as quickly as she could.

She walked her way to Colby's, a small diner right opposite the town's jogging track, which was the usual spot for the local school kids. She took in a deep breath, the weather calm and pleasant and clouds dispersed in the sky, signalling the nearing end of the summer. As she neared the tiny diner, she peeked into the large windows, finding it almost completely empty. As she pushed the doors to enter, the bell jingle above her head and she was immediately greeted by Wanda who stood behind the counter in her ochre uniform, her deep brown hair in a signature messy top-knot and bright smile always made it hard to miss her out.