The Camp

Chapter 21

I let my smoothed my skirt under myself and took a seat, crossing m hands politely in my lap as Ma sat opposite, she had anticipated our arrival and had managed to make our small dwelling look moderate. Finn and I sat side by side on the dusty, fabric couch and watched her as she smiled back. "As said before it's a delight to meet you." Finn added, watching her every move with cautious eyes. "Well, thank you sir, not just for saying that but also for protecting my daughter." Again, with the courtesy, Ma had insisted upon calling Finn 'sir' ever since we arrived. A small unnoticeable shiver ran down my spine, things seemed so regimented now, I was expected to go back to normal, forget what I'd seen and become the perfect image of a wife but I hadn't been able to. Finn's threatening speech on the day of the wedding still lingered in the back of my mind. Surprisingly, Grandmother had managed to remain silent for the whole of our visit.

A loud ping vibrated through the air and caused me to jump about twelve feet off of the couch, Finn rolled his eyes, the classical response to my touchy demeanor. He pulled a small, silver flip phone from his pocket, stretched it open and held it to his ear. "Yes Michael, I said I'd have it in for Monday...no you don't understand..." He got to his feet, tugging at the bottom corners of his blazer then held up a hand to my mother and made his exit. Finally, we were alone.

I found her worried eyes and her faltering smile and tried my best to reassure her that I was fine, after all these measly few hours would be the last we'd ever see of each other. On that though I flew to my feet, racing across to her on swift tip toes and collapsing at her feet. "I'm okay, I'm okay..." I mumbled as my hands found hers, gripping them tightly with an iron fist. No one could drag me away from her now. "I'll be back soon to see you, I promise." I felt the second slipping away, time encroaching on me as I counted down until Finn would burst back into the room. Ma stared down at me, pale faced, worry lining her forehead. "What about Jack?" She whispered, her voice so frail that I could have missed it over the sound of my heartbeat, so quiet that the wind could have carried it away before it ever reached me. Something inside of me broke then, a water duct that flooded me with grief. I bent my head to rest it gently on her knees, not wanting her to see my pain. "I don't know..." I mumbled into the soft fabric of her ankle length skirt, it smelled musty and old. "I'll make it right one day, even if I have to wait a million years...I will see him again...and I'll see you again." As I pulled away from her skirt, eyes threatening to overflow I heard the click of Finn's phone as he slammed it shut. My head whipped towards the door and I was back in my seat before he could even push it open.

"I'm sorry but that's our cue to go, I have some business I have to sort out. Some cables have gotten crossed somewhere." He explained so casually as though he had known Ma for his whole life then the corner of his mouth tugged up into a smile and he gestured towards me. I drifted after him, trailing into the hall and turning at the door to say my goodbyes to Ma. This time she looked hollow, as though someone had opened her up and scooped her insides out before giving her a good wash down and replacing her shell. So, my words had sunk in now she knew that this was our proper goodbye, our final meeting...

I wasn't allowed to hug her otherwise I would have done and going near her was even a problem for Finn as he drew open the door ad stepped out into the fresh air, taking a huge breath as though he had been holding his breath the whole time. "Well, Mrs Seabridge, it's been lovely. We'll see you again soon." His empty words rattled around my skull; how could he give her hope like that when he knew this was the end. "Goodbye Ma, I love you." I managed to croak, my voice dry and harsh as she stared at me blankly. I could almost feel her heart crumbling away, living through all of this pain only to lose her only child to a man that she didn't even love. She bent down, scooping up Chowder in a fluid motion as he tried to make an escape. "Take him." She murmured, holding his furry body towards me limply. I flinched as she thrust him into my face but didn't move my arms. "Please...take him." She was pleading and I realized why she wanted me to take the cat. He would give me protection, my one outlet of hope against Finn if I ever needed it and I had a feeling that she was getting tired of his midnight yowling. My eyes drifted to Finn who waved a hand nonchalantly, "Whatever you want..." He mumbled and with that I took firm hold of my cat and followed Finn back to the car while Ma stared defeated out of the open door after us.

The door was opened for me and I climbed inside, settling into the cold leather and resting Chowder's warm body on my legs. The door was closed, and the driver climbed in. Finn was beside me, on the phone again and I watched out of the window as we pulled away and Ma faded into the run down houses of my street, the place that would never stop being my home, no matter where I went because I belonged in Oregon and I'd find my way back one day if it took me a million years...I would come back.