Happy Mother's Day, Mummy

Bracelet

Sunday, 11 March 2018

Nicky was busy preparing a pasta bake for Red upon her return from tending to her bakery. They shared a decent sized apartment above the bakery. Although Nicky would occasionally help out she had just started a job at a local bank.

She set the timer as she put the dish in the oven and slumped down on the sofa. she had thirty minuets before Red was due to finish work. She switched the television on and put he feet up on the coffee table. She laughed along with the program that was currently playing.

Just as Nicky was taking the scorching dish out of the oven and placing it on the carefully laid dinner table the door opened. She smiled as she heard Red enter.

"Hey Ma!" Greeted Nicky excitedly as she walked into the hallway to greet her mother. As she entered she saw an all to familiar woman standing next to a nervous looking Red. Nicky stood still as she looked at the slightly taller, perfectly dressed woman.

"Marka" Said Nicky blandly.

"Hello Nicole"

"What are you doing here?"

"I have been doing some research and managed to track you down. Now you are out of prison and hopefully sober I would like to try to reconnect with you" She stated as she took her coat off and hung it on a hook. She walked into the main area of their apartment. Red and Nicky were still standing in the small hallway. 

"What is she doing here?" Nicky questioned.

"She just came into the bakery. I didn't know what to do. I know you two don't get along but please just try." Nicky nodded and followed where Marka had walked.

Marka was inspecting the place.

"It's charming I guess" She sounded displeased. Nicky grunted in response. Nicky walked back over to the table and began to set another place for Marka. Marka and Red sat down and began to make awkward small talk. Nicky took two wine glasses and a pint glass out from a cupboard. She placed the wine glasses in front of Marka and Red and the other glass at the empty space. She walked back over to the fridge and took out a bottle of red wine and a can of lemonade. She poured a glass of wine into each of the glasses and filled her glass of lemonade before binning the empty can and placing the half empty bottle of wine next to the steaming dish. Red began to serve the pasta bake while Nicky and Marka looked at each other.

"You look well" Stated Marka as she looked Nicky up and down several times.

"Well i'm sober so..." Nicky replied not really knowing how to finish the sentence. 

After what felt like forever Marka stood up from the dinner table.

"Well I must be off. I have work to do. Come on Nicole." Nicky looked up at the woman who still claimed to be her mother.

"What do you mean?"

"Well you can't stay here. You have done your time. Now you must return home with your real mother." Nicky looked over at Red. Red returned the look sympathetically, but looking worried. Nicky looked at Marka and grabbed hold of Red's hand. Red gave it a squeeze.  

"Red may not of given birth to me but she is my mother. My real mother. She has cared for me more than anyone else ever has before. So no, I won't be going with you. I am staying here, with my mother." Marka grunted.

"Have it your way." She drained the last of her glass and stormed out. When the door slammed shut Nicky sank down onto the floor. Red got down next to her and wrapped her arms lovingly around her crying daughter. She whispered words of comfort for hours.

Red and Nicky were snuggled up on the sofa together under a blanket watching a random program. Suddenly sitting up Nicky ran to her bedroom. She reemerged a few seconds later holding a small neatly wrapped present.

"Oh honey" Red smiled, taking the present Nicky was holding out in front of her. Red began to open it as Nicky sank back down next to Red. Red opened the white box she had just unwrapped and gasped when she saw the content. 

"It's beautiful Nicky" She said as she looked down at the stunning charm bracelet. She kissed Nicky lovingly on the forehead.

"Happy Mother's Day, Mummy."