"I put on makeup to express myself. I could care less about my so-called insecurities."
Aura Chandler was so sure she had her life figured out. After securing a photoshoot gig with up-and-coming musician Lacey Redd, she was convinced she would get d...
AURA OPENED THE DOOR to Grandma Ruby's house, sobbing. She was sure that if anyone wanted to jump her on her way back, they had stopped in their tracks from the gut-wrenching cries that came out of her lips.
She couldn't stop. The thought of her relationship with Tyson ending messed her up. She was about to video call Gwenn when she recalled her talking about going on a date that night, so she gave up on trying to contact anyone.
The hardwood floors squeaked under her weight. The lights were off, but the television showed a soap opera on its screen.
"Baby, is that you?" Grandma Ruby called out. At night, her voice was softer, as if taking into consideration her sleeping parents in the other room.
"Yeah," Aura mumbled. She sniffled and shut the door, making sure she locked it.
"What happened, baby?" The living room light turned on, blinding Aura for a second. She wiped at her eyes, not caring about rubbing the delicate skin. Grandma Ruby stood on the other side of the room, leaning against the wall by the light switch. "Aura, baby?"
"Um," Aura stammered. "Nothing, Grandma. Life just sucks sometimes."
She clicked her tongue and moved towards her, arms opening for a hug. Aura walked through them, and collapsed on her shoulder, crying.
Grandma Ruby rubbed her back in circles. She whispered comforting things in her ear, making sure she knew she was loved and would get through whatever she was going through.
After some time, Grandma Ruby led her to one of the couches. Aura plopped down beside her, still not done letting go of her river of tears. Her grandmother was patient as she soaked her nightgown.
"Do you wanna tell me what happened, baby?" She asked.
Aura sniffled, wiping at her cheeks hastily. "Tyson..."
"What did he do?" Her voice took a dangerous edge, as if she contemplated murder.
"No, it was me." Aura wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "I screwed up."
"Come on, I'm sure you didn't." Grandma Ruby continued rubbing circles on her back.
"Grandma, I really did," Aura sobbed. "I basically lied to Tyson about some guy from the beach clubs. I didn't cheat on him, at least not consciously. I shouldn't have lied. I don't know, I was just going crazy at the thought that he liked me that I pretended that nothing had happened with Zachary. That came back and bit me in the ass hard."
Grandma Ruby sighed. "Baby, look at me."
Aura turned her gaze to her grandmother. Her eyes shone with understanding and empathy. A feeling she wasn't used to seeing. Her mother wasn't much for understanding and more about accusing. She wasn't a bad mother by any stretch, no matter how many times Aura complained about her, but they were always unable to have that close bond that other mothers and daughters had. So having Grandma Ruby comforting was new territory for her.
"You need to understand that problems can be fixed. People sometimes go and conclude that a problem is too much and sweep it under the rug. Every problem I had with Isaac could be solved, but we had to sit down and talk about it."
Her eyes welled up with fresh tears. She had tried to talk it out with Tyson, but he wouldn't listen. Her words had hurt him enough.
"So, just talk to him," Grandma Ruby said. "It doesn't hurt to try."
Aura nodded, wiping away at her cheeks again.
"I will," she promised. "I'll go over tomorrow."
Grandma Ruby smiled and pressed a calming kiss on her forehead. Warmth seeped through her body, comforting her like never before.
"Now get some sleep, alright?"
Aura complied, appreciating being able to pass out and forget the horrid events of the night.
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