Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 50- Wait, You're Sure?

Athena's POV

"Mom?" I questioned as I looked at the woman I haven't seen in over a year. 

"Hi sweetie." She smiled at me. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

"How did you know I was here?" I asked, feeling Eli's arm wrap around my waist supportively. He passed the trophies off to Charlie. Everyone's just standing here watching this stranger.

"I went home, you weren't there." She ignored the question.

"Yeah. I don't live there anymore." I told her vaguely. She flinched slightly at my tone that I kept void of any emotion. 

"Can we go somewhere and talk?" She asked and I felt Eli's grip tighten. "Alone?" She finished, her voice full of hope.

I hesitated. Do I really want to be alone with the woman who has spent the majority of my life ignoring my existence? No. I don't.

"No. I don't want to go anywhere alone with you." I told her quietly. I couldn't help the shame I felt at rejecting my own mother, especially when I saw the devastated look on her face.  

"Please?" She said just a quiet.

I took a deep breath. "I will talk to you, but I don't want to be alone with you." I told her "You may come with us to dinner, you can say what you need to in front of everyone." I informed her before turning to Charlie. "Is that okay?" I asked.

"Of course, sweetheart. We are going to celebrate you, we can do whatever you want."

"Well, me and Deliah. Is this okay with you D?" I asked.

"I don't mind." She smiled and came up to me, "I know this is something you need to do, so let's do it." She whispered so only Eli and I could hear her.

I smiled and mouthed a 'thank you' to her.

"You can follow us." I said to my mother. I turned and walked from her without waiting for a response.

Eli and I walked to the car where he opened the door for me. I tossed my bag in the backseat and got comfortable. "Are you okay baby girl?" He asked.

"I don't know yet, I guess it depends on what she says. I feel better knowing that you guys will be there with me though." I sent him a small smile. It's true. I don't think I'd be able to have a conversation with her without them. Not after the last time we spoke. I felt so much anger and I was just over it. I was over they way she made me feel unimportant. I'm starting to realize that I am worth much more than either of them have ever made me feel. Now that I'm seeing her face to face though, I think some of the anger has died and I just feel sad. I feel sad for the family I never had growing up. 

 I didn't have a mom to hold me when I was sick. I didn't have a dad to chase away my nightmares. I didn't have parents rooting for me at my competitions. I didn't have a mom who would make me after school snacks. I didn't have a dad who would try and intimidate the boys in my class. I didn't have parents who cared. 

I wish I could hold on to the anger. The anger feels more controlled than the heartbreak. I wish the rage overpowered the loneliness I have always felt. I can handle anger. I can shout and scream until the anger dissipates. If I start to let the sorrow take over, I'll cry and I don't know if that's enough. I don't know if I'll have the strength to stop.

"We will always be there for you Athena. You know that don't you?" He asked.

"I think I do know that. It's a foreign feeling for me though. Knowing that I have support and help when I need it. I've never known that. Not until you at least. I mean yeah I always had Savannah and she has always been there for me, but she didn't know. You know?"