Living with the Bad Boy

Mom's Reassurance

CHAPTER 11: MOM’S REASSURANCE

My but hurts. It’s numb from sitting in this hard chair for fifteen minutes. The least Lucy could do was find me a comfortable chair to sit in. 

I shift to the right, earning a smack from my sister. “Stay still!” she hisses. 

God damned it. She probably just gave me another bruise-like I needed it. She dabs my upper right arm with a cotton ball, covering it in makeup. So far, she’s doing a pretty good job with it-covering up the bruises. 

“What time is it?” I ask. 

She sighs. “Look for yourself, I’m working here.”

I glance at my watch. It reads 5:58. I announce the time.

“Don’t worry, stay calm, just stay calm,” she mutters. Although, I think she’s reassuring herself, more than me. 

“Okay, all I have to do is-” Lucy prompts. 

Knocking on the door interrupts her. “Girls! Girls, I’m here!” Knock, knock, knock. “Open up, girls!” Right on cue, that’s mom. 

“We’d better get that,” I whisper. 

“Okay, okay,” she whispers, standing up from her crouched position. She glances over me. “I think I’m done. Turn.” I turn to the right. She pats my upper arm with the cotton ball and tosses it in the trash. 

I pick up the remaining cosmetic supplies from the floor and rush to the nearest room. I open the door and toss them on the bed in a hurry, before walking to the door with my sister.

“Ready?” she asks. I nod. 

Slowly turning the knob, she opens the door, and out mother appears. She’s dressed in a floral dress with a sunhat and lacey flats. She’s gorgeous, like always. 

“My baby girls!” She steps in and slings both arms around our necks. I pat her back while she rambles. 

“Oh my goodness, traffic was horrible! I know I sat there for a good twenty minutes, with that stop-and-go traffic. Do you know how long I had to wait at McDonald’s? Half an hour-ridiculous, right? All that for a stupid cheeseburger and milkshake. That’s a real mood killer. But I’m all better now-look at my beautiful girls!” She talks as if she hasn’t seen us in forever, although we left only a week ago. 

“Good to hear, mom,” Lucy says. “I’m glad you made it. You already ate?”

“Oh, no, no! I just had Mickey D’s for pre-dinner,” she waves her hands around. 

“Ah.” Lucy nods her head. “Well what are we still doing out here? Come in, come in!”

I look in the hallway to see a suitcase sitting behind her purse. I give Lucy a worried, confused look. Shit, is she staying overnight?