A Twist Of Fate (PREVIOUSLY A Purple Garden)

Chapter 18

Eight Years Ago

"You're gonna do great. You always do," Rebecca said proudly as she pulled into the scattered parking lot of the school. 

"Thanks, mom," Sydney replied with a warm smile before it quickly faded. "I wish you were able to come."

Her mother frowned as she watched the road. "I wish I were too, dear. I'm sorry."

"You haven't had a Saturday off in like three weeks," Sydney added.

"I know. I wish we weren't so short staffed."

Rebecca had been assigned to work for a new client's residence at her work. However, they were so short on CNAs that until they hired more, her mother was having to work everyday.

It wasn't fair to her or to her family, but when it was what paid the bills, what could she really do?

Sydney peered quietly out the window of the passenger seat at the small group of band kids gathered around the front of the school sitting on the benches. Spotting Lucas who sat alone one of the metal benches, her smile grew. He looked up from her phone as he noticed her before a smile overtook him too. He waved eagerly at her as she matched the gesture.

"He's a good kid, isn't he?" Her mom suddenly asked as the car shifted into park with a small jerk.

When Sydney looked over at her mom, she saw that she was watching him with a small smile of her own. "Lucas?" Sydney asked.

Still smiling, Rebecca turned and met her daughter's eyes. "Yes, Lucas. The handsome young one over there with the rather shaggy black hair. That's Lucas, right?"

Sydney watched her carefully as her mom's attention moved back to where she observed Lucas. The thought of Lucas usually put her at ease but listening to her mom talk about him was weird. "Yeah, that would be him," she answered quickly. She looked back at him for a brief moment where he now stood with his hands in pockets. He seemed to be patiently waiting for her as he looked around at nothing in particular, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Quietly, she looked back to her mother who was now watching her. She tried to ignore the heat that flushed over as she was sure she was blushing.

"I like him." Rebecca said, thoughtfully as she looked back to where he was standing. She smiled as she talked. "I like the way he looks at you. I like the way I see him treating you. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I would think that he had a thing for you."

"Of course, you'd think that," Sydney said as she shook her head, chuckling. "You're my mom. You think every guy likes me."

She shook her head as she laughed. "While I do think you're the most beautiful girl in the world, Sydney, I don't think every guy is beating down your door. What I'm trying to say is that there's just something different about him. I think he's a good one, Sydney."

Adjusting herself awkwardly in her seat, she tried to make sense of what her mother was saying. "I know he's a good one," Sydney agreed. Her heart was racing in her chest. "He's a great friend too and that's all we are. We're just friends."

"Ah," she sighed thoughtfully with a small nod. "I don't mean to pry or anything," Rebecca began, holding her hands up as she spoke, "but do you think that maybe you like him too?"

"I like Jonathan," she replied quickly. As her hands fidgeted in her lap, her eyes shifted to the car's dashboard, not paying attention to anything she saw.

Her mother nodded, pursing her lips as she rolled her eyes. "Oh, yes. Jonathan."

Sydney turned her head quickly towards her mother, her eyes wide. "Do you not like Jonathan?"