Cerulean Found

Chapter 37 - Drowned Sorrows

I am no better off than I was before I confronted Cameron. All I have gained is confirmation that my oldest brother knows our mother's little secret and is refusing to divulge it with me. Frustration and annoyance take over my body.

I know that something isn't right. The sadness in Cameron's eyes was unsettling. As if someone had died. But no one had. I know something is going on with mom and that it is not good. I feel it. I think deep down, I've known this for a while. I just turned the other way and refused to believe it.

I want to believe that she is cured of her breast cancer, but I can't shake the feeling that maybe she isn't?

I need to know. I need answers. But I agree with Cameron, I need to cool off a bit, and maybe take a shower. Then I will go and question mom.

****

Thirty minutes later I am freshly showered, hair brushed, and wearing a clean yellow sundress. I look in the mirror and decide to wear my new butterfly necklace. It is then that I begin to wonder about the gift and why it was given to me now.

I take a deep breath and head off to confront my mom.

I don't have to go far to find her. I hear her voice the moment I enter the hallway. She is speaking with Matty. They are laughing at something. I hear Justin too. They are all enjoying something funny that Matty has said.

I lean up against the wall and rest my head back. I close my eyes and just listen.

"Mila, what are you doing there?" Mom asks. I am silent. I know what I have to say, but I am afraid to know the truth.

"I need to talk to you," I finally say.

"Okay," she says casually.

"What's wrong with you?" I whisper.

"I'm fine, Mila."

She laughs uncomfortably.

"No, you're not. Don't lie to me. I know something is wrong."

Her laughter ceases.

"Not here. This is not the time nor the place," she says, as she looks over her shoulder.

"Okay, let's go to my room," I say.

"Mila, no."

"You have to tell me," I state.

"Please, shhhh, keep your voice down sweetie."

"Then tell me!" I demand.

"Fine. Not here though. Let's go into your room."

I lead the way to my bedroom and she locks the door behind me. We both sit on the bed. She looks extremely uncomfortable.

"What's wrong with you? Why did you give me this?" I ask as I hold up the butterfly charm necklace she had given me for my birthday.

She is silent. So I continue.

"I know something is wrong. Cameron is missing school to be here. He never misses school, so why was it so important that he be here now and don't say it was for my Birthday?"

"What do you know?" she asks.

"All Cameron told me was that you're sick."

She reaches for my hand and holds it in between hers. I notice that her eyes are filled with sadness, just like Cameron's were.

Her words come out slow and just above a whisper. "Mila, I am."

"What do you mean? You're cured. They cured you."