Our Hope

21 - Skye

Skye was in her bedroom and drank the rest of the tart Merlot wine. She placed her wineglass on the table next to her and switched off the lights. Then she positioned herself at the foot of her bed.

Her and Cole had discussed taking their relationship to the next level, so she did not mind using that to lure him back. Today was the best day anyways because tomorrow celebrities, family, and friends would inundate her house. Cameras would be everywhere recording her Being Skye show, including Johnny Sonic running around interviewing everyone.

Yes. Today was the best day.

She removed her soft, fluffy robe and threw it on the floor.

She heard a knock on her door and the handle turned. She laid back in the bed, dizzy from the alcohol and shouted, "Hey, Cole. Come in. I'm ready for you."

"No! You are not!" That familiar woman's shrill terrified her, placing every nerve ending on high alert.

The light turned on and she saw her mother.

Dammit!

"What the hell are you doing?" her mom screamed. She was an older petite woman with shoulder-length dyed-brown hair and dark-blue eyes, wearing black dress pants and a sky-blue blouse.

Skye sat up.

"Who's Cole?! Why are you naked?" Her mom grabbed her by her ear and threw the robe at her. "Put something on!"

Skye covered herself with a robe.

"Is that yours?" She pointed at the bottle.

"That's not mine, mom."

"Don't lie to me." She slapped her face. The slap should have stung, but the alcohol made her senses numb. "I can smell it on your breath."

Her mom grasped her ear lobe and twisted it, which sobered her up. Then her mom forced her to get up and dragged her out of her bedroom. She ran to keep up, fearing she would rip it off. They went down the stairs.

"You are not old enough to drink."

Skye pushed back against her when she realized her mom was taking her outside. She could not resist, and the mad woman powered Skye through the door. The paparazzi surrounded the house. Light bulbs flashed. A helicopter hovered over them.

This was so embarrassing.

"Mom, everyone's gonna see." She held the robe closed to make certain that nobody would get a free show.

"I want everyone to see. Is this what you do when you're with your dad?" she asked, "Where is he? I guarantee that you will not spend one more minute with him."

Marcus stood with the limo door open.

"I was against this from the start," her mom continued.

She passed Cole and Hope. Then her mom threw her into the back of the limousine.

Maria was outside, too. She ran over to Skye.

"Get in the car," Skye's mom said to Maria, "We are leaving for good."

Maria waved at Hope, gave her a thumbs-up, and yelled, "Don't let me down. I believe in you."

Maria entered the vehicle and sat on the other side.

"I'm glad you called me Maria. I'll send someone to pick up your stuff."

More flash bulbs illuminated their spectacle. The door closed and they drove away.

Marcus slammed the limo door shut. Skye sat next to Maria on the black leather seat. The limo had matching black interior.

"Mom, this is so embarrassing. You cannot make me leave. Tomorrow is my birthday!" She closed her robe tighter, shivering. "Everybody came here to celebrate with me this weekend." She gestured outside toward her house, although only blurry shapes were visible through the dark tinted windows.