Old Friends (Janet and Toni Fanfic)

Chapter 59

I turned 19 today. Lord have mercy on our souls.

Janet

She cried for a good while until I even thought about asking her what was wrong. I just rubbed her back and hushed her quietly. All I could think about was four nights ago. Four nights ago we were in the same predicament, only at her house. Part of the reason we moved her out so fast. But not this time. We were going to stay here and get through it. I didn't want it any other way.

She pulled away with a sniffle and I wiped her cheeks. "Are you ready to talk?" I asked gently.

"No."

"No?"

"Not right now. Just... hold me," I pulled her in again and rocked us back and forth, closing my eyes as she squeezed me tighter. I just wanted to say sorry. Fuck the argument and everything either of us said. I didn't know exactly what was wrong, but I had a little idea. I was just going to wait patiently until she was ready to say it.

"Take my phone, and block her number. Delete it," she said into my shirt.

"Honey, I'm not gonna do that. I don't think you should either." I knew exactly who she was talking about as soon as she said it. She'd called her. And it blew up. Just as I suspected. "She's your mother."

"I don't fucking care anymore, Janet!" She screamed, letting go of me and beginning to pace the floor. I just watched her warily. She held so much anger, so much fight. I would have tapped out long ago. "I don't care. I don't know her, and I don't love her! She's not my mother. God, I—"

The rain had let up. She noticed the silence, the lights that had been reset, and the sun even peeking out from a dim cloud. "Let's go. Right now."

"Where?"

"Hawaii. Call the pilot, and your driver, and let's get out of here." She was going for the door.

"Toni, no. I don't think it's a good time-"

"Why? There's nothing here for me. No friends, no family, and I need to leave." She was pulling at her hair, driving herself mad. I hated it.

"I understand you're upset, but we need one day. One day to cool down," I bartered gently. "Tomorrow, we can take the earliest flight."

"I'm sick of trying to cool down, Janet! I just want to be okay!" She exclaimed. "I'm so sick and tired..."

"Come here, come here."

She immediately came back and fell into my arms, crying once again and squeezing me so tight. I stroked her hair. I felt every weep against my body. She was so high-strung, and hot, I thought she would explode. They were silent, aching sobs that forced her to inhale heavily every few seconds.

"Breathe, honey," I encouraged. She was gasping for air, hanging on for dear life to the little bit of sanity she may or may not have had left. And all I could do was hold her. I didn't want to take her upstairs and let her wallow for days on end with the blinds shut. I was going to give her one last moment, and I was going to pick her up immediately. We couldn't do this again. "You gotta breathe."

Toni finally caught her breath with a few heavy pants. "I'm so sorry. You were right. You knew exactly what it was, and—"

"I had no right to keep you from that. If it was inevitable, then fine. But you should have had the opportunity for yourself. So I apologize."

"It's okay, Jan," she squeaked. "It's—you meant well. Always looking out for me."

"I always will, baby," I whispered before kissing the top of her head. "I always, always will. I love you."