Lena Paul asked the server to add two more sittings to the table and he politely obliged. He set them up between Paul and Chris. Karla didn’t even greet anyone, as she was sitting on her chair. She kept touching her hair with her long red long nails and looked bored as always. Karen on the other hand, sat softly on her chair and crossed her legs, as she pointed her nose up proudly, like she accomplished something. Even though I didn’t like her change of attitude, she kept herself behaved. I thought she would start a fight or complain about something at least minor, but nope, she was being an angel. She stayed there silently at her seat and listened to the rest of our guest chatting. I was relieved and somehow happy, considering that I wanted her in her son's life, she was his mother. Funny that I was quick to let her off the hook when I couldn’t do the same with my own mother. We kept chatting, laughing, and sharing stories, as it was excepted. "And we were dancing at this c
Max I had this unusual feeling that I couldn’t shake off since morning. We were getting dressed for the party at my parents’ house and I felt nervous, and I couldn’t understand why. I knew that Karen would screw this up in one way or another, the how wasn’t important, so feeling this way made no sense. We dressed up for the occasion, it was a formal event that Karen was in charge. We matched our outfit without planning it, as she wore her nice black knee-high dress and her heels and I wore a black suit, minus the jacket. We arrived at my parents' house at 20:00 and all most of the guests were already there. My Karen quickly welcomed us at the front door, wearing a very expensive blue dress and she had her pearls around her neck. She smiled politely and hugged Lena, as she softly kissed my cheek without the affection, someone would expect. I felt good with that as she just simply smiled at me. Lena might be softer with her, but I still couldn't. "You look so beautiful, dear," m
Lena Once I reached the final step of the stairs, Max rushed close to me and yelled, not to me but definitely around him "We are leaving, now!", as he grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me towards the main entrance door. "What is wrong, son?" Karen raised her voice in concern. She got no answer. He quickly put me in the car, without saying goodbye to anyone and practically drove like crazy through the driveway and out of the house in seconds it seemed. The wheels even spined during his effort. He was very angry, very, very angry, I haven’t ever seen him like this. After five minutes of just driving in silence, I dared asked him "What happened?" "Karen happened!" he raised his voice; he wasn’t yet calm. "What did she do?" I tried to stay calm for the both of us. "She invited her!" He kept the same tone. "Christina?" "Who else, babe?" "Why were you chasing each other?" "What?" he snapped and looked at me for a second and then turn his eyes on the road again. At least h
Lena My heart was racing as I quickly put on a pair of tight black jeans and a black thin sweater. I crossed my bag over my shoulder and then stormed out, to find Vanessa, hoping for the best. I couldn't let come closer to Max's parents. I was embarrassed enough already to look them in the eye, after they found out about Oliver, how could I let them meet Vanessa? She would probably ask them for money, so I would let her ask me instead. I would give her all my savings and then she would leave. I hoped. I parked near that coffee shop and walked angrily towards it. My heart was pounding, as I felt anxious, fear and disgust. I would meet the woman who was laughing, while her son was dying. The woman who never help us when we needed her the most and then disappeared like she never had children. I noticed her from afar seating on a table outside the shop. I would recognize her anywhere, despite how many years had passed. It was chilly outside and I was thankful for the sweater I w
Lena I stopped the car in front of this very sketchy bar. It seemed dirty, as every bar in this city that wasn’t downtown. I sighed, as I didn't expect anything better. Vanessa’s boyfriend was waiting for us outside and waved to her the moment we parked. He was tall and seemed very strong despite his weight. He was bald but had a huge beard. His tattoo above his right eye seemed painful and it was like a tiger or something, I couldn't see clearly. Both of his knuckles were fully tattooed and even though I liked tattoos a lot, I didn’t like what I was looking at. He opened the door and sat on the back seat, like we knew each other for years and we were about to have a fun ride. He had a very confident attitude. A heavy smell of marijuana filled my car and I felt like throwing up. I hated the smell, as it reminded my childhood. "Hello, baby" Vanessa greeted him with the greatest joy, like he was the most important thing for her, as he just simply nodded at her with a half-smile
Max My eyes laid on Christina’s calm face with great surprise. Firstly, because I thought she left with Karen and secondly, I have never seen her wearing a simple loose athletic outfit that’s not super tight on her. "Why are you here, Chris? And especially now?" "Because your mother called and said there was something wrong with you” “And the first person she thought to call at this hour it was you, smart” I scoffed. “I came here to check on you. You know I care for you, Max" "Why the hell did she call you? You shouldn't have come and you shouldn't care. I'm fine. Just leave" I firmly said, showing her the way out with my hand. "No. I would rather stay here and talk about what's wrong. Where is your... wife?" I snorted. Shit, she was enjoying my pain, wasn't she? Where was Lena, it was an excellent question. I didn't know if I should be worried or angry at her. At least she could leave me a simple note or something, Fuck you, bye. At least! But she didn't leave a note f
Lena My widened eyes stayed on her for a second, thanking her silently for this selfless act that would shock me until the day I die. I have never experienced such deep connection with my mother until this day. With that stare I felt love, even though we said nothing. I closed the door and pushed myself in the front seat. I put my keys in the ignition and turned to look at her one more time. She was leaning close to the passenger seat window, as she wiped a tear off her eyes and pressed her lips together. "You'll never, ever, see me again," she whimpered. Her voice was focused and she made extra effort to stop her tears like she was making the statement of the century. As lovely as it was, I preferred to cut my arm off, instead of seeing her ever again! I didn't know how to react, she got me fooled too many times. I was just staring at her, battling between run away or give her one last hug. Was she concerned over me or it was just another rouse? "Go back and live your life. I'
Max Once outside, I gave her a firmly warning "Don't you dare walk away" without even turning to face her "The car is over there" I added in the same way. She followed without protesting, as I heard her dragging her feet behind me. We entered the car and I quickly drove away the moment she closed the door. I didn't even wait to put her seat belt on, I was so angry and tired. I pressed my lips together, to stop myself from cursing all forces of nature, as we enjoyed this awkward silence that could easily kill us both. With a quick look, I saw her looking out the window and having her arms crossed in front of her. Her jeans were slightly ripped on the left side and her sweater was a bit dirty and she had a few scratches on her hand. I slowed down with the gas, as I was calmer, just with the thought she was safe here with me. So many questions filled my angry mind, as we were going through the calm before the storm. "I want a divorce" she breathed and I froze in place. A div
Lena I sighed with frustration once I saw my car behind the wired fence of the police pound yard. We came early to pick it up, since it got confiscated by the police the night, I drunk my sorrows away. It’s been two weeks since that awful day and I already avoided this matter for long enough. It had to be down today. “We are going to sell, right?” Max asked yet it wasn’t a question, as he knew me too well. “It’s like one mind” I smiled at him. I didn’t want to drive it any more. I didn’t even want to be inside it. All I had was awful memories out of it. It was time. “We’ll drive to the yard to sell it today” he grabbed me by my hand and we walked to get it back. “Does it worth anything really?” “Not much, but it’s better than to have it hanging around for no reason” “I don’t care, I want to get rid of it” I squeezed his hand. We went straight to the used car dealership and it was gone, not for much but I didn’t care. I didn’t even take a last look at
Max Once outside, I gave her a firmly warning "Don't you dare walk away" without even turning to face her "The car is over there" I added in the same way. She followed without protesting, as I heard her dragging her feet behind me. We entered the car and I quickly drove away the moment she closed the door. I didn't even wait to put her seat belt on, I was so angry and tired. I pressed my lips together, to stop myself from cursing all forces of nature, as we enjoyed this awkward silence that could easily kill us both. With a quick look, I saw her looking out the window and having her arms crossed in front of her. Her jeans were slightly ripped on the left side and her sweater was a bit dirty and she had a few scratches on her hand. I slowed down with the gas, as I was calmer, just with the thought she was safe here with me. So many questions filled my angry mind, as we were going through the calm before the storm. "I want a divorce" she breathed and I froze in place. A div
Lena My widened eyes stayed on her for a second, thanking her silently for this selfless act that would shock me until the day I die. I have never experienced such deep connection with my mother until this day. With that stare I felt love, even though we said nothing. I closed the door and pushed myself in the front seat. I put my keys in the ignition and turned to look at her one more time. She was leaning close to the passenger seat window, as she wiped a tear off her eyes and pressed her lips together. "You'll never, ever, see me again," she whimpered. Her voice was focused and she made extra effort to stop her tears like she was making the statement of the century. As lovely as it was, I preferred to cut my arm off, instead of seeing her ever again! I didn't know how to react, she got me fooled too many times. I was just staring at her, battling between run away or give her one last hug. Was she concerned over me or it was just another rouse? "Go back and live your life. I'
Max My eyes laid on Christina’s calm face with great surprise. Firstly, because I thought she left with Karen and secondly, I have never seen her wearing a simple loose athletic outfit that’s not super tight on her. "Why are you here, Chris? And especially now?" "Because your mother called and said there was something wrong with you” “And the first person she thought to call at this hour it was you, smart” I scoffed. “I came here to check on you. You know I care for you, Max" "Why the hell did she call you? You shouldn't have come and you shouldn't care. I'm fine. Just leave" I firmly said, showing her the way out with my hand. "No. I would rather stay here and talk about what's wrong. Where is your... wife?" I snorted. Shit, she was enjoying my pain, wasn't she? Where was Lena, it was an excellent question. I didn't know if I should be worried or angry at her. At least she could leave me a simple note or something, Fuck you, bye. At least! But she didn't leave a note f
Lena I stopped the car in front of this very sketchy bar. It seemed dirty, as every bar in this city that wasn’t downtown. I sighed, as I didn't expect anything better. Vanessa’s boyfriend was waiting for us outside and waved to her the moment we parked. He was tall and seemed very strong despite his weight. He was bald but had a huge beard. His tattoo above his right eye seemed painful and it was like a tiger or something, I couldn't see clearly. Both of his knuckles were fully tattooed and even though I liked tattoos a lot, I didn’t like what I was looking at. He opened the door and sat on the back seat, like we knew each other for years and we were about to have a fun ride. He had a very confident attitude. A heavy smell of marijuana filled my car and I felt like throwing up. I hated the smell, as it reminded my childhood. "Hello, baby" Vanessa greeted him with the greatest joy, like he was the most important thing for her, as he just simply nodded at her with a half-smile
Lena My heart was racing as I quickly put on a pair of tight black jeans and a black thin sweater. I crossed my bag over my shoulder and then stormed out, to find Vanessa, hoping for the best. I couldn't let come closer to Max's parents. I was embarrassed enough already to look them in the eye, after they found out about Oliver, how could I let them meet Vanessa? She would probably ask them for money, so I would let her ask me instead. I would give her all my savings and then she would leave. I hoped. I parked near that coffee shop and walked angrily towards it. My heart was pounding, as I felt anxious, fear and disgust. I would meet the woman who was laughing, while her son was dying. The woman who never help us when we needed her the most and then disappeared like she never had children. I noticed her from afar seating on a table outside the shop. I would recognize her anywhere, despite how many years had passed. It was chilly outside and I was thankful for the sweater I w
Lena Once I reached the final step of the stairs, Max rushed close to me and yelled, not to me but definitely around him "We are leaving, now!", as he grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me towards the main entrance door. "What is wrong, son?" Karen raised her voice in concern. She got no answer. He quickly put me in the car, without saying goodbye to anyone and practically drove like crazy through the driveway and out of the house in seconds it seemed. The wheels even spined during his effort. He was very angry, very, very angry, I haven’t ever seen him like this. After five minutes of just driving in silence, I dared asked him "What happened?" "Karen happened!" he raised his voice; he wasn’t yet calm. "What did she do?" I tried to stay calm for the both of us. "She invited her!" He kept the same tone. "Christina?" "Who else, babe?" "Why were you chasing each other?" "What?" he snapped and looked at me for a second and then turn his eyes on the road again. At least h
Max I had this unusual feeling that I couldn’t shake off since morning. We were getting dressed for the party at my parents’ house and I felt nervous, and I couldn’t understand why. I knew that Karen would screw this up in one way or another, the how wasn’t important, so feeling this way made no sense. We dressed up for the occasion, it was a formal event that Karen was in charge. We matched our outfit without planning it, as she wore her nice black knee-high dress and her heels and I wore a black suit, minus the jacket. We arrived at my parents' house at 20:00 and all most of the guests were already there. My Karen quickly welcomed us at the front door, wearing a very expensive blue dress and she had her pearls around her neck. She smiled politely and hugged Lena, as she softly kissed my cheek without the affection, someone would expect. I felt good with that as she just simply smiled at me. Lena might be softer with her, but I still couldn't. "You look so beautiful, dear," m
Lena Paul asked the server to add two more sittings to the table and he politely obliged. He set them up between Paul and Chris. Karla didn’t even greet anyone, as she was sitting on her chair. She kept touching her hair with her long red long nails and looked bored as always. Karen on the other hand, sat softly on her chair and crossed her legs, as she pointed her nose up proudly, like she accomplished something. Even though I didn’t like her change of attitude, she kept herself behaved. I thought she would start a fight or complain about something at least minor, but nope, she was being an angel. She stayed there silently at her seat and listened to the rest of our guest chatting. I was relieved and somehow happy, considering that I wanted her in her son's life, she was his mother. Funny that I was quick to let her off the hook when I couldn’t do the same with my own mother. We kept chatting, laughing, and sharing stories, as it was excepted. "And we were dancing at this c