Just as I Begin to Fade

Seven. Dignity

Getting home that evening, Gwen pulled up on her motorcycle and she clipped her helmet on the handle before walking in. Sliding into the foyer, "Mom!"

"I'm right here, stop yelling," she walked out of the hallway.

"I brought dinner," she put the bag down, revealing food from a nearby diner. "I don't know what you're appetite is like, but I got extra fries and I wanted a burger. I got you a lettuce wrapped burger since you're always on a diet," she arched her brow to herself as she took her jacket off and took a seat.

"Thanks, I haven't eaten today," she sat as well. "What did you do today?"

"Went to school, went to work, went to the diner and came home. Had a normal teenage day for the first time in months. With the exception of you acting like a bitch when I called this morning."

"You know better than to call me in the morning like that."

"Forgive me for trying to make sure you were still breathing. I would have gladly hung up on you once you said hello, but I wanted you to know that I bought you stuff to make you feel better. But it never matters."

"Sorry," she said kind of annoyed.

"Yep."

They then started eating in a slightly bitter filled silence, though they were comfortable because it was something they were used to.

"Are you going some place tonight?" Stevie then asked.

"Nope, I plan to shower, do my homework and go to sleep," she assured. "Why, am I disturbing your plans for the evening?"

"No, but you go out almost every night. Just want to know what you're up to."

"What do you care?"

The blonde rolled her eyes and didn't respond.

The silence took over once again, but then this time Gwen would have something to ask.

"Did dad ever hit you?" she asked bluntly.

"No... Why would you even ask?" she wondered.

"After I picked up my bike, I headed over to his place and I bumped into Mindy. Dad wasn't home, but she was and she had a big ass bruise on her face. She said her ex-boyfriend did it, but I don't believe her. She's been broken up from that guy for a while and I don't see a reason she would say that. I'm pretty sure that idiot is over her anyway. She's been with dad for almost a year."

"Well, no... He never hit me. If he did, I'd have taken you away from him sooner. We'd probably have been divorced sooner as well."

"Weren't you on drugs then?" she asked.

"Yes, we both were. But he was more of a business man that his addiction came clear over my work. Nobody knew except for inner circle friends and me and as soon as people were going to find out, I took the fall and just let people know it was me. You didn't know then either, but you are so smart now that you figure everything out rather quickly."

"I like to be in the know," she nearly rolled her eyes. "Besides that, are you sure you're not lying to me?"

"Positive," she shrugged. "He never hit me. I may have given him a slap one or twice, but he never hit me."

Gwen then nodded, going back to her meal rather peacefully. "I need a laptop," she commented.

"For?"

"If you must know, I became the editor of the school newspaper today. So, I'll be doing a lot of writing and typing."

"Nice," she nodded. "Once you figure out what type of computer you need, let me know and I'll give you the money for it."