They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. What happens when life gives you an organ-stealing cult, a horror game come to life, and drug-dealing drama all while you're trying to have a normal junior year of high school? Savanna Marrows is...
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Once the rehearsal ended, I grabbed a ride with Veronica so we could head back to the Pembrooke and change. I was nervous about walking into the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, but knowing the past residents wouldn't be there was enough to give it a chance. Plus, this cast party was sure to involve alcohol, meaning it would be even easier to just forget about what happened.
"Just popping in to change," Veronica announced as we walked through the door. The lights were dim as they often were in the room as we closed the door behind us. "There's a cast party tonight. Don't wait up."
"Uh, girls," Hiram interrupted our walk to Veronica's room as he and Mom sat in separate armchairs. "We have to talk."
I inwardly groaned. "I don't like the sound of that." I crossed my arms as we stood in front of them waiting for an explanation.
"Your mother and I are separating."
Out of all of the things I expected him to say, that was not one. It could've been anything, a business trip, another move, a loss of money, anything. Not that they were separating.
"What?" Veronica couldn't hold back the laugh in her voice as she smiled, clearly not believing they were serious. "No, you're not. Very funny."
Hiram stood up as Mom remained silent in her chair, a downcast look on her face. They weren't lying. "Um, I'll be staying at the Five Seasons indefinitely," He said.
Veronica shook her head slightly as everything clicked. "Wait, what is happening?"
"It's already been decided." Hiram ignored her outburst and continued speaking, "We wanted to tell you both in person."
He moved to walk past us, but Veronica wasn't giving up so easily. "No, Daddy. Whatever this is, we can figure it out as a family. Just. Can someone please tell me what's going on?"
"Ask your mother," Hiram answered simply before he walked out of the door.
I shared a look with Veronica, both of us in absolute shock as we turned to our mother for answers. She still had yet to look at us, completely inside her own shell as she sat motionless.
"He knows," She answered simply.
"Knows what?" I hissed, finally fed up with her lack of engagement with the topic. This was serious. This wasn't any other conversation. This was our family we were talking about.
She looked up at us, revealing her bloodshot eyes and tear-streaked face. "The truth. He knows I sold the drugs out from under him while he was in the hospital."
Veronica's angry facade cracked as Mom got out of her seat and walked towards us. "What are you gonna do?" My sister asked as she fought back tears.
"I'm gonna take a bath," Mom answered simply before patting her on her shoulder. "You girls have fun with your friends."
She walked away without another word, leaving Veronica and me in stunned silence as we stood in the dining room. I shook my head in disbelief as my heart broke into pieces for the girl standing next to me. My faith in love, in parents getting along, and having a normal family, had been tainted since the moment I lost my mom and the blame was shoved on me. I had a tiny bit of hope for a better outlook when I joined the Lodges, and I saw a different form of love than I expected, but now, standing here next to my sister who had never experienced anything like this, my heart broke.
