Just as I Begin to Fade

Nine. Secrets

The next week would come along rather quickly; that meant parent-teacher night would also be right around the corner and Stevie just so happened to be semi sober.

In the last week, since passing out in her daughter's bedroom, the blonde could still recall everything she had to say, and she planned on not going back on her words. She really did want to step up and be a better mother. It took loads of effort and it was absolutely difficult, but she was going to try until there were results or until she couldn't.

As for a plan, she didn't really have one other than cutting back on her booze and drug intake; moderation was the key if she wanted to at least wean herself off a bit in order to see some results, but she couldn't just stop all together.

"I'm actually glad you're letting me do this," Gwen commented as she supplied her mom with a thin line of cocaine. "Letting me measure and at least try and help you---it makes me feel better and in time it'll make you better."

"Well, I'm just trying to appease you," she said calmly as she snorted the white substance rather quickly. "Let me get some water and then we can go."

"Okay... Are you good to drive?"

"Yeah, I actually feel great," she assured. "I had a Bloody Mary this morning, drank other various juices without alcohol, I might add so that means when we get home, I get to have another drink."

"You're really planning, aren't you?"

"I'm just trying to do better for you, honey, that's all," she wrapped her arms around her and she embraced her warmly.

"All this talk about doing it for me, aren't you doing it for you too?" she wondered.

"Well, sure," she shrugged. "Anyways, how do I look, doll?"

Her thin though curvy figure displayed a simple long-sleeved, black and off-the-shoulder blouse, she wore a long, black, handkerchief edged skirt, tights with black wedges on her feet and to go go over that, she had a nice coat since it was chilly. Her fingers occupied some fabulous rings, ones in which she did not take off, her neck held a few necklaces while her ears contained gold hoops. Her hair was long and straight, hitting her hips and her makeup was quite simple.

"Uh, good..." she kind of paused. "As long as you're comfortable and it's actually pretty toned town so it doesn't look like Stevie Nicks is my mother."

The blonde smirked. "Tonight, I'm Stephanie. And I guess I'll be Mrs. Jones if anybody asks," she added.

"You said you were not a Jones," the girl actually laughed.

"Well, yeah, I'm not, but one sign of Miss Nicks in a classroom, I'll be signing autographs all night long and this night is supposed to be about you."

"Very true," she shrugged. "I would like to come home in time to go to sleep."

"So would I," she simply agreed. "Now besides that..." she picked up her purse and started guiding the girl out of the house, "who can I date at this school? Any good looking teachers that aren't yours?"

"Mom..." she lingered.

"Kidding! But I'm also so not kidding. Just give me some options," she asked as she wrapped an arm around her.

"We'll see how you behave first," she rolled her eyes.

"Okay," she kissed the side of her face and then made her way to the driver's seat.

···

Entering the library that was packed with students and parents, Gwen took a deep breath as she guided her mother in.