The Single Mom & The Popstar

16

After Christmas the following week was pretty good. Dinah and I hung out and I helped her write more songs even though her album was complete. Normani, Jilly and I went to lunch yesterday and it was great we had a lot of fun. And Andrea, Charlie and I had a movie night a few nights ago where Charlie insisted that we had to build a fort to enjoy the movie. Overall it's been good.

"Hey what was high school like for you?" I asked curiously.

Dinah chuckled dryly "it was terrible. Since I was the only out lesbian at my school people held that against me and bullied me for it." She tells me. "What about you?" I rolled my eyes as I laid flat on my back. "It was ok. I mean I was popular but people made fun of me for dating a nerd. I didn't mind." I told her. "However I was outted though."

Dinah's eyes grew wide. "What? How?" She asked. I sighed as I wrapped my arms around myself. "I came out to my best friend at the time and told her I was bisexual and she was so happy that she was the first person I told," a bitter chuckle left my mouth. "However when I went to school the next day everyone knew. She outted me in hopes that Keith would break up with me and go straight to her. That didn't happen because he didn't care. He knew how I felt about him and that's what mattered." I told her.

Turning on her side she gently brushed my hair out of my face. "I'm sorry you had to go through that Lo." She said. I shrugged "it sucked but I had great people around me that made it easier." She said. Dinah smiled "I'm happy for you."

Resting my head on her stomach I was looking over some paper work while Dinah worked on a song she started writing. My eyes closed when I felt her run her fingers through my hair. It felt nice, really nice. Just as I was about to relax there was a knock on the door making both of us groan and get up to go check it. Opening the door Dinah gasped when she saw who it was.

"Cara what are you doing here?" She asked.

The girl known as Cara smiled at her. "Baby I've been looking everywhere for you. You promised we'd spend time together if I came down." She said. "I can't believe you forgot all about me coming here. What a pity."

The look on Dinah's face wasn't one of anger but of sadness. She looked really sad for the girl. "Cara... We broke up two years ago." She spoke softly. Cara's face fell as she tilts her head. "N-no we didn't. I-I would remember that." She said. "Stop messing around Dinah Jane."

Dinah bit her lip as she looked at Cara with sad, pain filled eyes and immediately the girl knew Dinah was telling the truth. Cara looked between us and I could see how embarrassed she was. "I-I'm sorry. I just - I'll be going now." She said quickly but Dinah stopped her.

"Cara I thought you were getting help?" She asked.

Cara frowned "I was, but my mom stopped paying for my medication and my insurance wouldn't cover it and I don't make enough to pay for it out of pocket every month. So I had to stop taking it." She explains.

Hearing what she was saying I just felt really bad for her. "There's a job opening at my office." I told her. "It pays well and you can start tomorrow." Her eyes lit up and she smiled "that sounds amazing." She said. "Thank you."

---X---

After the talk with Dinah's ex we decided to head over to my house and see what was going on. Walking inside I was immediately attacked by little arms on my leg. "Mommy you're home." Charlie squeals. I giggled as I picked her up. "Yeah I am sweetie. Did you have fun with grandma?" I asked. She nodded "yeah! And guest what? Grandpa is here!" She said. My eyes lit up as I walked into the living area. "Dad when did you get here?" I asked.

My father smiled as he stood up. "About an hour ago. I came back last night but I was too tired for the plane ride that I decided to come visit today." He told me. I nodded as I hugged him. "Well I'm glad you're here." I said. He smiles "me too."

Sitting in the living room my dad handed us all gifts her got when he was on his business trips and I couldn't help but smile because I already knew what it was. It was the same thing he always got me when he went on business trips. I smiled happily when I saw the snow globe. "Ooh it's just what I wanted!" I gushed happily. My father chuckled as he watched Charlie open hers. Her eyes grew wide when she saw a very beautiful white stuffed cat. "Grandpa I love it!" She squeals.

"I'm glad baby." He said.

Charlie hugged the cat tight and ran upstairs as fast as her little legs would take her. A few minutes passed before she came down with all three of her stuffed animals in her arms. "Now everyone has a new friend." She said cheerfully as she placed them on the couch. I smiled but it faded away when I noticed the eye on one of them was missing. "Baby where's Teddy's eye?" I asked.

She reached into her pocket and pulled it out. "We had an accident and he lost an eye. I keep it safe until we can fix it." She explains. I nodded and turned to Andrea. "Can you please fix him?" I asked. She nodded as she reached for teddy and walked into her room.

Charlene release a small breath before going back to playing with her toys. I glanced back at Dinah and my father as we all giggled while she explained to the other two dolls that teddy was getting an operation. It was honestly the cutest thing.

"Lauren is mom here?" Jilly asked as she walked inside.

I nodded "yeah she's in her bedroom. She's fixing up teddy." I told her. "Is everything ok?" Jilly shook her head as a deep frown formed on her face. "Theresa is back." She muttered. My eyes grew wide when she said that. "I - why? Why is she back?" I asked. Jilly shrugged "she said something about wanting to make up and reconnect. I don't know." She mumbles.

"Do you want to?" I asked.

She shrugs again. "I don't know... I mean she's been gone for years," she sighed. "She says she's clean but she's said the same thing before and it was a lie so I'm not so sure if I can or if I should trust her again." She tells me. I looked at her. "Do you want to trust her? Do you want to build a relationship with her?" I asked gently.

She looked down at her hands and was deep in thought about what I just said. "Honestly? I don't think I'm ready. I know it's been years since everything happened but it still hurts." She said. "I mean she left me when I was four. Got back in contact when I was ten and then she disappeared again without a word. I can forgive her but I'm not ready for a relationship."

I nodded "and that's understandable. You still need time to heal." I told her. Just as she was about to say something Andrea came out. "I fixed his eyes and he's good as new." She said as she hands teddy to Charlie who squealed happily and immediately went back to playing.

"Now what's this I hear about your mother being back?"

Jilly nodded "yeah she messaged me through Instagram and said that she wanted to talk." She said. Andrea nodded "have you replied yet?" She asked. Jilly nodded "yeah but I said that I needed to think." She answered. Andrea hums "I think Lauren was right. You need time to heal before you guys can form a proper relationship. She needs to gain your trust." She said. Jilly agreed "you're right."