Waiting For You

Rārangi upoko 8 'Motherly Love'

"My husband has never been one for writing, and when he does, it is normally in the form of poems and song lyrics." She said slowly into the camera. "This is his fourth letter as of now."

She proceeded to open the yellow envelope that she held tightly in her hands and withdrew the paper and slowly began to read out its contents.

"My dearest Anne,
I don't know what to say, it's as if the world around me just wants to crumble away into the wind. I found him. He lay out there in the morning mist alone, surrounded by the rubble of this war. He was singing the song without words, his face so pale he could have been a ghost. He bled out before me, there was nothing I could have done. I don't think-"

She couldn't continue to read and looked up at the camera. "I um... excuse me." She quickly shuffled off left of the stage.

"Pull it!" Toby shouted.

"But sir, we have over 5 million people viewing in," said the co-director.

"I said pull the dam thing!" Toby shouted as he went after Anne.

She had fled to the handicap toilets and locked the door. The noise of the set muffled as people shouted and the director called after her. She went to the furthest most corner and sat on the cool tiled floor.

"Anne? Are you alright?" Wendy asked through the door. "I know what's happening in life is hard, it's hard for all of us, we can help each other if only we communicate."

She could hear Toby shouting at someone to ring her mother. He must feel that he was to be blamed for what she was going through. She wept, still clutching the letter. Why had it all have to turn out like this, she asked herself.

"Anne, please, don't shut your self in," Wendy said. "We can help."

She could hear Amber's voice talking in a hurry to Chris. "I came over as soon as I saw the interview was pulled."

"Well, she's in there," Chris replied.

"Oh, Anne," Amber said. "Anne, can you hear me, I am here if you need anything,"

"We all are," Toby said softly through the door.

The commotion out in the studio seemed to hush and after a while, another voice sounded at the door.

"Honey, its mom, you going to let me in?" Rosemary asked.

Anne didn't move. She felt safe where she was, alone in the handicap bathroom sitting on the cool tiled floor in one of the corners. She could hear her mother talking to Toby in a hushed voice, obviously telling him off. "Come now, dear." Her mother's voice sounded once more. "I have wine with me."

Anne slowly rose and unlocked the door, before stepping to one side with her back to the wall so that no one could see her if her mom decided to enter.

The door slid open and Rosemary walked in, closing the door behind her and locking it. "You are not coping." She said and held up a bottle of wine. "I can help with that, mother knows best."

Anne couldn't help but smile at her mom.

"Come on." And both of them sat in the corner, side by side.

Rosemary handed the bottle to Anne who broke the seal and opened it before taking a swig. "I just don't understand why life has to be this way." She said after lowering the bottle.

Rosemary took the bottle from her and downed a swig. "God works in mysterious ways." She replied and handed the bottle back to her daughter. Anne took another swig and started to feel the alcohol begin working its magic.

Rosemary picked up the letter from where Anne had left it and began to read it.

She sat in silence and studied her mother, before taking a swig, letting it settle, taking another swig, letting it settle and then taking another swig. Her mother always seemed to be dressed stylishly in 1950s with her hair done up in a French Twist. Even in situations, see brought style to the moment, and held it.