The Cub in the Water

FAULT GAME

Soon enough she picked me up early the next Saturday morning at Karina's house.

"Mia! Is good to see you! How are you? I did not know you were staying at this girl's house. We all thought someone was staying with you at the apartment."

"Yeah. That was the way we were doing things. But then my mom's friend had some issues to solve at home and couldn't stay with me any longer. I talked to Karina and asked if she could put up with me for a couple of weeks until my mom gets back."

"Oh! I see. Well, how are you? Do you need anything? You could come stay with me if you like."

"Everything is good. Thank you for asking. I know that, and it is very nice of you to offer. I'll think stay with Karina right now. It is the easiest and most practical thing to do. I mean you cannot get more practical than living in front of school, right?" I faked a laugh. "Anyway, I don't think my mom will be abroad much longer."

"If that is what you want to do it's fine with me. Just remember that I'm here for you for whatever you need. Please don't disappear on us, we miss you."

I tried not to stay on that subject, "Thank you for picking me up."

"Of course, anytime. Your grandparents are excited to see you."

We drove all the way to my grandparent's place where everyone was meeting for lunch. We were the first ones to arrive along with my aunt Lois and her husband Leo. It was a bit early and things were not quite ready. There was still stuff to buy at the grocery store and things to settle at home. We divided ourselves into two teams; my aunt Lana, Leo, and my grandma became the grocery squad, while Lois and I would stay home arranging the final details for lunch, while my grandpa finished up some work.

As we were finishing up setting the table, the phone rang. I could hear the voice of my grandpa saying, "Hello sweetie! It's good to hear from you! How are you?"

My aunt and I turned to each other, "I'd bet anything it's your mom on the phone," Lois said.

"Oh, everything is great here. We are getting ready for a little lunch with all your siblings. I'm thrilled that Mia could make it too! Lana picked her up."

'Way to go Grandpa', I thought.

"Mia! Your mom is on the phone. She wants to talk to you!"

I guess my face reflected the horrible feeling I had in my gut because Lois turned to me and said, "I'll be here if you need anything. Take a deep breath."

"Thanks, grandpa. I'll take the call upstairs," I yelled back.

I went up to my grandparent's room as slow as I could possibly manage. I knew that whatever was waiting for me, was not going to be good at all. I got to the phone on top of the right bedside table and took a deep breath, "Hello?"

"Here she is. I'll let you talk to her. Please call again soon, Helga. I love you."

"Thank you, dad. Love you too. I'll talk to you soon," the sound of my grandfather hanging up the phone ended that conversation.

"Hi Mom, how are you?"

"How am I? You gotta be kidding me, right?! You must like making fun of me and making me look like a fool in front of all my family! What the hell are you doing there?! You should not even be speaking to them! Now I find out you are spending time with them behind my back?! When were you going to tell me? I can't believe how selfish you are!"

"Mom, I promise you they don't know anything about our deal. Please don't be mad."

"Do you really think they are not going to start asking questions or jumping into conclusions? Thank you for all the help I've been getting from you lately, you've managed to make things worse. Ever since Philip died you have done nothing but cause problems and complicate things. You are always thinking of yourself, what you want to do and how you feel. You can't stop, even for a second, to think about how others may need you to act."