Runaway

Chapter 11 (Part 2)

„In fact, Patirica invited her. I introduced them to one another today at the beach and Patricia wanted to show her Sofia's books..."

„Yeah, yeah, of course. Come in, don't just stand at the door. Patricia and Zamira are already in the dining room," Arnold interrupted him. Nikki got an impression that Sofia's father wanted to avoid talking about his daughter.

They passed the lobby and turned right, immediately seeing two women. Nikki recognized Patricia and there was an older woman in black, just behind her. She looked tired and exhausted. Nikki then realized what Daniel was talking about. Undoubtedly, it was Zamira who had a difficult time fighting with reality.

Patricia hugging her had snapped her from thinking.

„I'm so glad to see you. C'mon...I want you to meet my mom."

Suddenly, Nikki was standing in front of Zamira.

„Mom...this is Nikki Hamilton, the author of The Silhouettes. Nikki, this is my mom Zamira," Patricia introduced them but as soon as she mentioned Nikki's name, Zamira's eyes filled with tears and the woman put her hand over her mouth. Nikki felt very uncomfortable.

„My Sofia loved your books so much," she said hard, hugging Nikki, who was a bit shocked. „I'm so glad Patricia had invited you. She can show you Sofia's copies."

Nikki returned the hug sympathetically, but briefly.

„I'm so sorry for your daughter," she said honestly, making Zamira smile slightly, almost invisibly, before she approached Daniel.

„Boy...look at yourself. It seems to me that you've grown up since I last saw you," the woman said, tightly hugging visibly upset and frowning Daniel. „You know, I still have some Sofia's things that I'm sure she would've wanted you to have. They're packed in the box, up in her room so you can take them later."

Although it has been only a couple of minutes, the pleasant feeling Nikki had got at the front door was slowly but surely vanishing. It didn't take her long to read the mother tormented with sadness who was standing in front of Daniel. The woman was so caught up in pain that it seemed like she was trying to pull everyone else in it so she wouldn't suffer alone anymore. Nikki in some way sympathized with Zamira. Parents should never bury their children. It should be the other way around. Any deviation from it should be forbidden. Unfortunately, Arnold and Zamira had to bury one of their daughters, and Nikki couldn't even imagine how much pain the loss of a child brought.

„C'mon, don't talk about sad things now," Arnold interrupted with discomfort and gestured toward the table. „Let's have dinner. That's why we're here after all."

All five of them sat down at the table. Patricia pulled Nikki to sit next to her, Arnold was sitting at the head of the table, while Zamira and Daniel settled at the opposite side. Arnold was the first one to fill his plate but after him, they all started to do the same.

„Nikki, tell me how come that you decided to be a writer?" Patricia asked immediately, taking a bite of chicken meat.

The other woman cleared her throat.

„I've always loved to read people's reactions and feelings. So I was kinda at a crossroad between psychology and writing. I've chosen English literature and before I knew what was happening, I was already writing The Silhouettes," she explained.

„My Sofia wanted to be a psychologist," Zamira started but Arnold didn't let her finish the sentence.

„Daniel, tell me how's everything at Brian's? From what I'm hearing when I come to town, the business is blooming," he asked, interrupting his wife, who just looked down, playing with her fork and plate, full of untouched food.