Illusion • Hemmings

Jennie

I stood at the doorway trying to prepare myself for going inside. I was back at the place i told my parents that I was never coming back. And now that I am I have to watch my dad get buried. The sadness and sickness from the phone call has set up camp in my chest making even something as easy as breathing feel unreasonably difficult. I finally find it in my to knock on the door and right away it swings open showing my mum looking less than ready to take on the day.

"Jennie you came." She tries to smile but the tears in her eyes seems to make it impossible.

"Of course mum," I shake my head feeling tears flood my own eyes.

"Oh, hun," she breathes pulling me into a hug as we both let go of the cries we were holding back.

We cry a bit not saying a word until my mum pulls away and takes my bag stepping aside for me to walk into the house. She leads me my room and tells me to come out when I'm ready. So I decide to sit down and calm my tears. Part of me prays soon I'll run out and won't be able to cry anymore. I take out my phone and send Luke a text that I arrived at my house and I'm okay. I don't expect him to text back because I'm not even sure what time zone they're in.

Looking around I see my room is just how I left it, yet it was still so plain. I'll go crazy the few days I'm here, I just know it. I step out of my room and listen to see which room my mum is in. I hear dishes clanking against each other and make my way to the kitchen.

"Mum," I squeak and she turns to me.

"Do you want some tea?" She asks holding up a mug.

"Sure." I nod taking a seat at the counter. The silence around us is awkward.. There's so much tension. And I'm surprised when my mum is the first to break it.

"I'm sorry." She blurts looking at me with sad eyes.

"For what?" I raise an eyebrow,

"I'm sorry that this is what it took for me to realize what a terrible mother I've been." She speaks quietly.

"Mum.." I start but she cuts me off

"No Jennie, I need to say this." She stops for a moment taking a deep breath. "I see you on stage..." She smiles to herself. "And I see how happy it makes you. You're amazing at what you do and I- I should've believed in you more."

I have no idea what to say. I'm stunned. I just might cry again.

"I know things won't be okay right away, but I hope one day it will be again." She tells me with hopefully eyes. I smile trying to hold back the first set of happy tears I've had, I stand up and run up to my mum like a three year old hugging her tightly.

"I love you mum." I cry into her side.

She wraps her arms around me laughing lightly, "I love you too, sweetie."

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Okay kinda boring but this is important. Just a warning everything is about to get very very intense 🙊