Liberosis

Tainted Memories

Chloe had been prolonging a conversation for far too long. It's been two days since she promised Rachel she would tell her mother about her problem. The day she did that compromise, it was mother's day, it was understandable why she didn't. The next... her mom had woken up in such great mood, stills from yesterday's high. Who knew spending quality time with her would make her forget it was Monday and her daughter wasn't supposed to be at school because she got expelled? Not Chloe. She considered doing it more often now that she and Rachel were staying for a little longer, but then that walking mustache came downstairs and she remembered why they couldn't have nice things.

Joyce was sat in the dining table with Stepdouche. Their plates were already empty, but they were still talking.

"Mom..." Chloe approached her slowly, her hand scratching the back of her neck. "Can we talk?" She glanced at David, who had moved in a few days ago. "Alone?"

Joyce noticed her behavior, her way of speaking. This was her Chloe. "Of course, darling."

They walked outside to the yard, her mom closing the glass door behind them. Chloe hadn't been here a lot since her childhood best friend Max moved away, just here and there to have a smoke when her room felt like it was closing in on her, usually after she had one of her night terrors and needed some fresh air to contaminate.

She sat on a swing and Joyce took the one next to her. Chloe rocked nervously back and forward, a tiny squeak could be heard, probably because of the rusty metal. "I think I know why I've been making everything hard..." Her mom's look intensified, if that was even more possible. Well, Chloe wouldn't know, her eyes were adverted to the ground. "The reason I'm struggling so much is because I've been having nightmares every day... since dad died."

"Honey..." Joyce reached out her hand and placed it on her knee. Surprisingly, Chloe didn't pull it away.

"I-I can't keep living like this..." her daughter sobbed. "I need help. I want to be a better version of myself." For you. For me. For Rachel. "And I know we've been struggling with money, so I never asked..."

"No matter what it is, you have to tell me this stuff, Chloe. We'll figure this out together, okay?"

Chloe finally glanced back, her eyes shiny and wet, full of faith. "Okay."

"You don't have to tell me your nightmares, but you'll have to tell someone for you to get diagnosed."

Chloe nodded, expecting that.

"I'll see what I can do ASAP." Joyce stood up, but was held back by her daughter hand.

"Thank you." Chloe looked at the sky. It was past noon, so the sun was up high. But it was still a bit chilly because of the Spring. "And I was wondering if we could have a girl's day... every week. Sunday was fun."

Joyce smiled her brightest. "It sure was. Just set a date and I'll make time."

"Okay." The woman started walking away. "And mom?" Chloe added and she turned around. "I love you."

"I love you too, Chloe. Always."

x-x-x

After another long day at school, Rachel waited on the parking lot for her dad. She'd gotten out a few minutes early, so she had a little time to mentally prepare herself for this scene, even though she didn't have script. Maybe she should improvise more with Chloe.

James' car suddenly arrived, right on time. He lowered Rachel's window because he knew she liked the wind in her hair and opened the door for her from the inside.

Calm down, Rachel. He's still a piece of trash. "Hey, dad," she said simply. She'd considered calling him James, but being cold wasn't going to get her what she wants.