Fate

Chapter Ninety-Six

Chapter Ninety-Six

"Now, you want me to show you how to play them on the piano?" We'd came up with a song, mostly one of my own feelings, with a little help from mom. It was a good song for the short amount of time we'd had to come up with it. All of it had came from the heart and I had a good feeling about it. Now I just hoped I could remember it for tomorrow.

"I'm not sure I'll be able to play the piano while singing the song. I mean we just made it up today." I chuckled.

"Nonsense! I know you can do it. Come here. You already know the basics so it shouldn't be too hard." She smiled, walking over to sit at her piano, and gestured me to do the same. I let out a long sigh, shaking my head in amusement. Well, I guess I'm learning to play the piano.

"Good job! I'm proud of you." Mom beamed as we finished rehearsing. Or could I even call it that?

"Yeah. Let's hope I don't forget it by tomorrow." I cringed.

"You won't. I believe in you, baby." She smiled, patting my hand with hers.

"Thanks, mom."

"Of course. Now, baby do you remember there was something Kaylin and I need to discuss with you and Liam?" The tone of her voice made me frown. Regardless, I nodded.

"Yeah?"

"Well—"

"I see you're home early." We turned to the sound of Kenneth's voice and I noticed right away he was sober. At least for now.

"Yeah. Remember I was helping her create a song for the talent show?" Mom smiled.

"I remember. I also remember we're supposed to be having a talk later?" He mentioned, walking into the room, surprising me by putting his hand on my shoulder.

"That's right. Kaylin should be here soon with Liam." Mom nodded.

"Good. I think this conversation is way overdue. Missed ya, kiddo." He chuckled, down at me before turning to walk off.

I turned back to mom after he left the room. "Mom, what's he talking about?"

She forced a smile, "I'll explain when they get here baby."

Not long after Kaylin and Liam arrived with the latter looking just as confused as I felt. Our moms shared a tight hug before Kaylin nodded at Kenneth and he returned it. There was no love lost between them and it had always been this way. One thing I always respected about her was she didn't mind standing up to Kenneth and telling him how it was and since she wasn't his wife he couldn't put his hands on her. Instead, he'd always glared at her angrily and I wondered if he thought about it. "

"What do you think this is about?" Liam whispered.

"I don't know," I whispered back.

"Ariel, Liam, please grab some chairs from the kitchen and sit down," Mom said quietly.

Liam and I silently grabbed the chairs and sat down back in the living room. Something was wrong. Kaylin looked tense and upset. Like she could explode at any second. Mom suddenly didn't look much better. What was going on and why were we all seated at the table together?

"What's this all about and why are we all here?" Liam questioned.

"This isn't going to be an easy thing to say but I need you both to listen okay?" Mom questioned softly yet sternly.

"Okay," I accepted and Liam nodded.

I studied their faces once more this uncertain situation looking so surreal right now. Normally we weren't all together and when we were it was always awkward. To my relief, I saw no visible bruises on mom's face as I usually did. Of course, Kenneth never stopped. It was likely he'd done something to her and she'd covered it before I'd arrived. I wished he'd stop hitting her with all my heart. Normally Kaylin was upset about his treatment of us but no one was normal tonight.