CHAPTER 5

A troubled-looking Esther sat in her study, contemplating on how the night might end for her. She knew she may have crossed a line with what she did, but a greater part willed her to believe it was for the greater good.

The only problem was Deloise may not look too favorably on her honest efforts to help get her life on track. Her growing obsession with pursuing the filthy lifestyle of an actor had forced her hand to do what she did as a mother.

After all, she was her child and knew nothing of the world she so desperately wanted to be a part of. Esther knew how cruel, betraying, and borderline evil that lifestyle transformed people into.

She was determined to never let her daughter slip through her hands the way he did.

Papers were spread on her home office table, which served as a space to run the paperwork for the little baking business she had going. But now, it littered with the official papers that had the power to break or make her relationship with her daughter.

Esther tapped on the papers, and heard the door shut loudly; Karen was on her property. She packed up and quickly headed out.

" The day my door falls off, I'll be sure to get a check from you, Karen," Esther said, and joined Karen in the sitting room, watching her help herself to some cake kept by the table in honor of her birthday.

" This is good." Karen grumbled with her mouth full, intentionally chewing with her mouth open.

" Whatever, Karen," Esther said, unwilling to go further with the discussion upon seeing the state of Karen's mouth.

Now finished with the chunk of cake she spooned, Karen noticed the afar and sunken mood of her friend, and immediately cleared her throat. Sporting a smile, she cheeked, " Happy birthday sweet! How are we spending the day today and why are you wearing such a sullen look?"

" Thank you," Esther said, half-heartedly. " I don't think I want to do anything this year, so I'm just going to have dinner with Deloise later today."

" Okay? so why the long face, don't tell me you guys are still at odds." Karen inquired, wondering why her friend looked so pent-up and unhappy on her birthday. " I'm getting worried, is everything okay with you and Deloise? " She pushed, trying to get something out of her now quiet friend. " Esther, I'm going to call Deloise right now if you don't-"

" I applied to the State's Law school for Deloise and now she's gotten admission and I haven't told her yet cause I don't know how she will take it! " Esther blurted out in one breath.

Karen took in a breath," Okay, that's a lot." She stated thoughtfully.

" How is that going to help me? The school resumes in two weeks for God's sake and everything is in motion except for the person who they are prepared for. " Esther felt frustrated.

" Anna is resuming in two weeks too! Ooouuu, they could be roomies!" Karen exclaimed, sounding excited at the possibility.

" Stay on track Karen," Esther spoke firmly, almost angry at her friend's not too solid attention span. " I plan on telling her about it tonight and I know she isn't going to be thrilled about it. We just made up this morning from the previous argument and I don't want to get into another one." She relayed worriedly.

" Calm down, and talk to her. Deloise is a smart child, and she loves you, just make her see reason. It'll be fine, I promise." Karen assured, " Get your face out of the gutter, and let's enjoy your birthday before Deloise has you for the night, okay?"

******

Deloise came back from the mini Mart in a taxi, paid the driver, and gathered up her shopping bags before walking into her home.

No one was home, which alluded that her mother was out with her friend, Ms. Karen went on a birthday spiral before their dinner.

She picked up the key from the spot behind the window and opened an empty house, beelining for the kitchen where she dropped all her bags in readiness to make her renowned white soup and other side dishes for dinner.

As a tradition in the Tanner household, the women duo prepared something handmade for dinner on birthdays, and enjoyed each other's presence for the rest of the night.

Deloise needed to relieve her bladder and after dropping the ingredients, She made way to the bathroom. There, she heard her ringtone and quickly finished up. Just before the phone went off, she picked up.

" Hey Ann!"

" I'm on my way to your house, and I'll be around in five minutes to help with dinner. See you! " Anna ended the call afterwards, leaving a smile on Deloise' face.

Immediately, she began preparing things for dinner ahead of Ann's arrival. Five minutes into washing and cutting the vegetables, the front door opened, and Ann's shadow appeared by the kitchen door.

" Guess what? " Ann walked into the kitchen and sat in an aisle.

" I don't know Ann, I do know you need to pick a knife and join in cutting the veggies and onions." She answered, " they won't cut themselves."

" I'm going to excuse your lack of sportsmanship because it's mom's birthday." Ann snorted, then continued excitedly, " I'm leaving the community in about two weeks. I'm going to college!"

" That quick? Oh my jewel, I'm happy for you, Ann! " She said supportively.

" Thank you. And you, my lady, are in charge of helping me prepare and choosing what stays and goes."

Deloise remembered her friend's tendency to pack in things she didn't need and with a smile accepted to do that for her.

" Of course! That's a given. Congratulations sweet."

" Thank you. I can't wait to get out. It's long overdue." She sighed and together, they prepared dinner for Esther.

Meanwhile, Deloise wished that someday she would also be gone, in pursuit of her dream and happiness.