Just as I Begin to Fade

Eight. Honesty

That evening went as planned for Gwen, but as she was doing her homework in the comfort of her bed, she heard her door open, so she instantly looked up and she watched her mother stumble in on her high wedges.

"I came to apologize," she went over and she plopped on the edge of the bed as that was all she could manage.

"You're drunk," she pointed out.

"I'm not drunk," she immediately got offended and she tried to speak sternly. "Don't call me drunk when I'm not drunk," she slurred.

"Mom--"

"No, no, don't start. I came here to apologize to you because I have been a really shitty mother," she explained, laughing as her eyes closed. "I can't believe I didn't realize how bad I was being. But I'm gonna really try this time around."

"Okay," she sighed and she moved her books to the side.

"Mm, I love you so much, Gwen, and you have to know that," she reached forward and pulled her in by the shoulder in order to hug her and she placed kisses to the side of her head.

The teen leaned all that she could since she was in an awkward position, but she tried to invite whatever emotion her mother was having even if it was clouded.

Stevie wasn't letting go, and eventually she pulled her to lay down and she stroked the girl's hair.

Even though her mother's breath was horrendous since it only smelled like booze, Gwen tried to look passed it.

The blonde shut her eyes as she laid with her and she kept her in a taut embrace.

"My God," the girl mumbled when she realized she was asleep. She then did her best to wiggle out of her arms and she eventually got out of her tight grip.

With her legs crossed and hanging over the edge of the bed, the rest of her body was comfortable as she rested on one of the many pillows in her daughter's room.

Not saying anything, Gwen put aside what she was doing and she took her mother's wedges off of her feet and she lifted her legs onto the bed. She then pulled her up since she knew she could and she got her head to the right spot. Once she saw that the woman was comfortable, she took her books and she made her way to the living room so she could finish up her work.

~

The next morning would come, Gwen was in her room with light shining down from the ceiling as she applied her makup to her face.

"Oh, my God..." Stevie grabbed a pillow and she put on her face. "Turn the damn light off!"

"I'll be done in a second, I'm just finishing my makeup," the girl replied in a nice tone though with a solid eye roll.

"What are you doing in my room, anyway?" the blonde asked.

"Uh, you might wanna double-check that, mama," she assured.

"What?" she rolled over and looked at the ceiling and then turned to the side, just to see the night stand and her daughter at her vanity. "I must have fell asleep here."

"Mm-hmm..." she dragged out as she put her medium brown lipstick on. "You apologized, agreed to the fact that you were being a shitty mother and then you passed out. Just like old times," she smirked.

"What time is it?" she dodged her snide comment.

"Seven, which means I have to go," she got up and she turned the lights off. "I'd stay, but I don't like to be with you when you're hungover because you are not a pleasure to be in the company of. I made you coffee, I know you're breathing... Now you're on your own," she shrugged and then shut the door and headed out with a light sigh.