Lag

6.

"Can I borrow your purse for a second." I ask as soon as I get in the car. Vanessa looks back at me from the driver seat with an eyebrow raised questionably. "What do you need my purse for."

I shrug, "I need to borrow a pen. But if you want to look through that black hole while your driving and just hand me a pen that's fine too."

She rolls her eyes and flings the large ugly Louis Vuitton monstrosity  to me as Brandon opens up the front passenger door to get in.

As I shuffle through the various items that she houses in her purse I hear Brandon tell Vanessa to go on without Robert.

Vanessa doesn't hesitate to hit the gas, "wait, where is Robert?" I ask as I finally find the small round object I was looking for.

Brandon doesn't bother to turn around to speak to me. "We have a meeting today. But I cant make it because a college tour I've got to get done."

"Oh." Is all I say before I open up the little small oval thing that had Vanessa's foundation with a small compact mirror and a little round sponge thing.

I had seen Vanessa use it many times to know how to apply the stuff. I quickly dip the sponge into the foundation and began to dab it on the bruises that have already started to form on the bridge of my nose.

I'll give it to girls, this makeup stuff is magic. It's almost as if there were no bruises at all. I wonder what these witches skin really looks like without all of the cover up stuff. As we reach our driveway I throw the makeup back into Mary Poppins bag and return it back to my sister which she took back without question.

"Hey." I say quietly to mom as I enter the kitchen. She looks up at me from the sink and smiles sweetly as she loads the dish washer. "Hey, baby. How was your day." 

I drop my bag on the table and pull out a chair to take a seat, "It was good today." Honestly. Aside from the usual bloodied nose or busted lip I felt sort of happy. Mom catches my tone and her eyes turn into suspicious slits, "Really? You mean that?"

"Yeah, I do. I promise." I put my hands up in surrender and give her half a smile so she knows I;m not lying. She gives me a hard look for a few moments before returning my smile letting me know I was safe from an intensive therapy session even though the interrogation was still on schedule. 

She closes the dishwasher to start the load, "And what was good about today. Whats on your mind?" She throws the question over her shoulder trying to seem casual.

I decide it was time to finally throw her some positive news for once, something I've been excited about since my birthday party. "That girl, Camille. You know, the one that came over Sunday? She  said she would teach me how to dance."  

Mom wheels around with a grin spread wide showing all of her perfect white teeth, "You're giving it another shot? Oh my god, that great baby!".

The reaction was expected but rushing around the table to put me in a head lock type hug through me off.

"I cant- breath!" I gasp. She let's go and sits down on the other side of the table and folds her hands together.

"So, when are you going to start?" I dont know why I thought I should have been nervous to tell her. The excitement is spewing from her like a geyser.

I run my hand through my hair and return her smile, "Camille said we can start tomorrow."

Moms eyes shine brightly, "well. I'm very happy for you. I'm so glad you're trying again."

We beam at each other for a minute before she stands up to continue cleaning her pristine kitchen. "Dancing." She keeps muttering happily under her breath.