A Mother’s Love

The Door

POV-Rose

It had been so long since my daughter went to school, and still she wasn’t back. I wondered where she could be. I can’t say why —she thought mentally I began to panick, when suddenly the door opened slowly, as if being careful not to get caught.

I watched her step inside. “Where are you coming

from?”

She froze and turned to look at me with wide eyes, then gave an acknowledging smile. “Mom,” she said, “I don’t know—”

“I demand an explanation. Where the hell have you been? You know I hate it,” I said as calmly as possible. God, I was so angry—at her, at what could have happened to her.

“Mom, come on. We just went after school to hangout and forgot we were running out of time,” she said.

“You and who?” I asked, another concern rising.

“It’s fine. Me and my friend Becky,” she said, then looked away.

I knew she was lying, but I wouldn’t press the matter. “Okay, listen. Next time you want to go somewhere else after school, you call. This”—I held up her phone—“is what it’s used for. And I will like too see this Becky… someday … okay? Now go freshen up and come down for dinner.”

I watched as she hurried upstairs to her room.

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POV-Annabel

That was so close. I almost got busted. I know my mom knew I was lying, but she didn’t want to press the topic—which I appreciated. I need to tell Becky about this. Or I’m screw, if she doesn’t pick up…

My phone buzzed after touching it.

“Hello, Annay!” I heard her cheerfully. “Please, so how was the date? Girl… give me all the tea.”

“Becky, calm down, okay? I’ll tell you tomorrow during lunch in school, okay?” I said, a little disappointed.

“I called you to tell you that… I got caught by my mom

“Cause I got home little late and I said I hangout with you—and she requested to meet you.”

“Blaine is out there?” I heard Becky. “Are you free?”

“Omg, Anna, you did not. Your mom is so strict—ouch!”

“How will I look her on the face, and lie like that,” she asked, certified.

“Oh please, don’t expect anything. You just have to act cool. Okay, I got to go now.

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I came downstairs to see that Mom was dishing out food. As I came down the stairs, Dad walked in.

“Good evening.” He came and gave me a hug with a kiss on my forehead. “Good evening, Princess. How was your day in school today?”

“It was good, thank you.”

As I went to sit for dinner, cause I was starving . Mom said something to Dad, but he ignored her. Well, I won’t say it surprised me. It had been like that for a while. I didn’t know what was going on between them, but I promised myself not to get involved.

Dad went upstairs but mom voiced out—won’t you join us — no dad answer you can enjoy without me,and he went out of sight.

I saw a hint of sadness but she mask it up with a smile . Maybe he is stress out from work Maybe she told me,

As she sat down, “Oh, please,” I said. Mom looked at me with a blank expression, and I knew not to say anything to annoy her. So I kept quiet and ate my food.

And as she dished it out, I came down from the street—and then I was just a little bit of a fool. I came down to see what might be on my mind.

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POV– Rose

I don't know why he always acts like I don't exist so effortlessly.

After dinner, Anna did the dishes and arranged the table before we bid each other good night. I took a deep breath before opening the door, and I saw him flinch as he quietly cut the call—as if to hide who he was on the phone with. I ignored him, pretending like I did not catch that, and walked to the bathroom to freshen up.

In the shower, I thought what might have gone wrong to be treated like this. I gave up my dream job because Annabel was not really looked after, and this is how I’m repaid. A mother has to sacrifice everything! I was trying to look forward, but I never knew how I could sacrifice a lot because of it — including my marriage.

I spent almost an hour in shower. when I got out,he was already asleep, or pretending to sleep. I moved over to the other side of the bed and lay down after

what felt like hours. My eyes got heavy, and I slept.

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Waking up, I check the time. It is six on the dot.

I have to go and prepare breakfast for Anna. I go into the bathroom for a quick shower, and I’m done in a minute or more. I go to the closet, looking for what to wear, when I spot a blue gown. Looking at the gown, I remember this is what Aaron got me on our 11th marriage anniversary. But now I can’t even look at the man to think he’s the same man I fell in love with.

I quickly wear the dress, tie my messy hair, and go downstairs. I make toast bread and some spaghetti, and pack it up for her as her lunch. All set before I see her coming downstairs, all in her glory, ready for school.

“Morning, Mom,” she greets as she walks past me to sit.

“Morning, dear. How was your night?”

She shrugs. “Wow, I think it was good, then.” And that makes her roll her eyes at me.

“Young lady, do not roll your eyes at me,” I say, getting angry. No, it’s too early to get angry, I remind myself. “When you are done with your breakfast and ready to go? Don’t forget your lunch!” I show her the lunchbox.

As I went to the living room—

“It will not be necessary, Mom,” she says, and that makes me stop in my tracks and turn to look at her.

“Okay, only… why won’t it be necessary?” I ask.

“Mom, what I’m I like… five? Please, I will get food in the cafeteria. I’m not taking this,” she says rudely.

“You know, maybe you should appreciate me more.”

“Whatever mom,” she says as she stands up and walk out the door.

Amazing. Just amazing. I scoff. I care for this girl? I put up with her attitude? I have sacrificed a lot, and I get to be treated like this? I wipe away the tears that were threatening to fall.

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POV– Annabel

I don’t see what the big deal is about not carrying the lunch. She always wants to be controlling. I told Becky all that happened this morning.

“Maybe you should have just said thank you,” Ellasaid.

I knew she would say something off topic. I don’t know why I even made friends with her in the first place. “Please, do not upset me,” I said, annoyed.

“I didn’t mean any disrespect, but I can’t put up with my mom. Even Dad’s tired of her,” I said with a shrug.

“That’s so disrespectful, Anna,” Ella said.

Before I could respond to her nagging, the bell rang. “Okay, that’s my cue to leave,” I said, dragging Becky with me.

“Noisy, I know,” Becky said. “She’s so loud.”

We walked into our English class when I noticed Becky frowning.

“Hey, what’s up?” I asked.

“You went out on a date with Lucas, right?” she asked.

“Yeah, I did. What’s going on?” I turned to where she was looking.

What? What the fuck? I screamed mentally as I looked at Becky with wide eyes.

Immediately, the English teacher came inside. “Mrs. Esther, you two go to your seats. Now!”

Beaky ran to our seat, and then she started the class. Lucas was behaving as if we did not just have our date yesterday. Looking back, he was saying something to that girl, and she was giggling. He did not look at me. Not once.

“Annabel, can’t you focus? Or can you tell me what’s so interesting in whatever you are looking at?” I heard Mrs. Esther say to me.

“Sorry, ma’am. I will focus,” I said, and she continued the class. But my mind was on Lucas. He said he liked me. Why is he acting like this?

I did not even notice that the class was over until Becky tapped me. “Hey, what’s going on in that head of yours?” she whispered.

Too embarrassed to speak, I said, “Let’s go to your next class,” as I stood up and walked past her.

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During the whole class, I was not happy. I didn’t know if it was at myself or at Lucas. By the time break for lunch came, I went to the cafeteria. There I met Ella, rolling my eyes at her.

“Where is Becky?” I asked her.

“I don’t know. I thought she would be with you,” she said. “And what’s wrong with you? You look so pale.”

“Ella, please, not now,” I said.

“What, Anna? I’m also your friend. You can tell me things.”

“Yeah, I know you are my friend, but then you don’t have to be so… independent,” I said.

“I do not supplement?” she tried back.

“Yo!” Becky said as she appeared. “Hey!”

“Where were you, girl?” I asked.

“I was busy,” she said as she raised both eyebrows at me, and I chuckled, knowing what she meant.

“Let’s eat, please.”

We went to pick our food. I went with spaghetti because I was craving it, then we went to our table.

“Anna is that not Lucas,” Ella voice out loud.

I hmmmmed because I did not want to look at him, not to get more annoyed.

“Anna, I thought you went out with him?” Ella continued, like she can’t read the room.

“Ella, stop it. And who told you she went out with him?” Becky said, and Ella pressed her lips into a thin line before she sighed.

I looked at Lucas from the corner of my eye. He was with a different girl, which was Thea, the school’s… baddie.

I am so done with him. I felt heartbroken because I always loved him, and for him to notice me was a big deal. Now he is acting like I don’t exist.

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