A Little Hope

25. New Perspectives

The weeks went by quickly as I was spending most of my time with Gabriel. Sebastian and Gloria had spent most of their time talking to lawyers and going to court hearings. When they were home, Sebastian was leaving to go to work to pay for these new expenses and Gloria was in my old room, redecorating it for the kids. Admittedly, it hurt see her throw out all of mine and Rue's stuff and then go and replace it with stuff I was positive the kids wouldn't even like.

I didn't do much about her though. I learned I had to avoid her if I wanted to avoid fights with Sebastian. He was always tired with bags under his eyes. He was always working until he nearly passed out or stressing with lawyers until they made him go home after hours of negotiation.

I yearned to help him like how he helped me. I just didn't know how though. Every time I tried to talk to him, he would just either ignore me or snap at me. All I could do was not cause more stress, and that meant dealing with his idiot mother on my own.

I watched Sebastian leave that morning as he kissed his mother goodbye and gave me a simple nod. Gloria waved him off with a smile and then turned her head towards me, "I have news for you, Suzy. I haven't told Sebastian yet. I want him to be surprised so you don't dare open that mouth but to him. I'm only telling you because I thought I would be nice enough to give you a warning."

I sighed and rolled my eyes at her, "For the millionth time Gloria, my name's Savannah, not Suzy."

Gloria scowled at next and snapped, "Never mind that. Listen to what I'm saying, stupid girl. My children are coming home to me. Their stupid foster parents got denied adoption because I fought for them relentlessly. Honestly, the nerve of those people. They keep them for five years, and suddenly they think they're entitled to adopt them because of it. Pig heads. My children don't have to deal with that though, because they're coming home to their real mother."

I plopped down on the couch in a futile attempt to process what she had said. I was surprised that the witch had managed to sway the courts. I felt pity for the children, in all honesty. Sebastian was a good brother but his mother gave off other vibes. I couldn't fathom the thought of being put through the system and then finding stability and a real family, only for some woman to come back and try to reclaim you. Sebastian was going to be happy but I wasn't sure if I would be able to say the same about Myra and Luis.

Gloria sat on the couch next to me and put her hand on my knee. I stared at her and suddenly she gripped my knee tightly, "When my children come, they will need to respect me. They won't respect me if they see me sleeping on the couch like some hag. From now on, I will sleep with Sebastian and you will sleep on the couch. Got it? If not, I'll tell Sebastian you hit me when I asked you nicely because of my back problems."

I felt tears coming up from the pain of her hand and the humiliation she loved to torment me with. I used to be able to handle more. Sebastian had built up my confidence like that. He had fixed my brokenness with wholeness. He lit up my dark skies that left me feeling a little bit of hope. With him gone, that all vanished and I felt trapped, as though I was with my father again, just this time a woman who hated me with her entire being.

I nodded my head and she released her hand and patted my knee, "Good girl. Maybe I'll even convince Sebastian to let you stay if you prove yourself useful somehow."

I stared at her in confusion but we were interrupted by a honk outside. I realized it was Gabriel and ran out of the house before Gloria could even blink. I entered the car and yelled at him, "Drive!".