KYRA
" You awake Kyra?" "Yes mom", I said walking down the stairs adjusting my tee-shirt. "Good morning mom. Morning dad". "Morning bunny", dad said but mom just grunted in response. Is she in a bad mood?
"You both going somewhere?" "Yeah. It's momma'a checkup today". "Checkup? I thought you went last week?" "I rescheduled",mom said and gave me a bowl of cereal.
I graciously accepted the plate. "I haven't done anything yet". "You will. You've got a lotta work on your plate, so fill your stomach. Noah? Let's go. We don't wanna be late".
"Alright", dad grunted and rose, ruffling my hair. He took the car keys from the coffee table. "Be good little one". I cocked my brows at my mother.
She kissed my cheek. " I need this house to sparkle like crystals by the time I get back, alright?" I nodded. She stared hard,deep into my eyes. " Is everything okay? Mom?" " I'm sorry we couldn't go through with your therapy. Have you had any flashbacks since?"
I stared at mom, perplexed. Why's she bringing this up now? "Kyra? I asked you a question?" "Hmm? Oh, no. I haven't. But why're you asking me this now? It's been two years". She sighed. "I'm sorry". "Mom, you don't have to". "I know", she said and left. "What?" I stood perplexed.
What's up with her?
****
I hummed the lyrics of Thriller by Michael Jackson. For real, he's the greatest musician of all time. I used a feather duster to clean the books and jars and vases on the bookshelf in the living room.
"Why does mom have so much stuff?" I gasped as my eyes caught sight of a blue cornflower vase. " Wow", I whispered in awe, " So beautiful". Don't touch it. I looked around, trying to find the voice that said that and then the duster accidentally knocked the vase down. I caught the vase and exhaled in relief and put the vase back on the bookshelf.
I turned to leave but the vase toppled over and broke into pieces. " No, no, no,no, no, no, no". Tears pricked my eyes and my heart pounded violently in my chest. I stared down at the mess and my brows furrowed. " Is that…" I knelt on the floor and probed the grayish black substance. I rubbed the substance between my fingers and furrowed my brows with my mouth wide open. "Ash? Oh no. No, no, no, no, no, no".
I felt tears run down my face and it was hard to breathe. "I'm screwed". " No you're not". " Wha…what'd you mean? I said what do you mean?!" I was silent. Deep down, I knew I was crazy to be talking to myself, like having a conversation with myself.
I gulped. "Mom's gonna murder me. The house isn't gleaming like crystals. I mopped the floors and now, this ash stained it. Plus, this broken jar made a huge mess". "Calm down Kyra. Just pack up the broken jar pieces and the ash, throw it away and then you can mop the house again". "Are you sure it's gonna work? Mom's not gonna be mad?" "Lack of evidence means no crime". I hyperventilated, clenching and unclenching my fist, trying to… "Calm down", I said to myself softly, "One step at a time". "Okay, so, what do I do now? Pick up the jar pieces? Sweep the ash, mop? What should I do?!" "I want you to shut up!", I yelled and then whimpered. " I'm sorry. I… I'm sorry. Just calm down, okay princess?"
I wiped my face tenderly and nodded. I let out a shuddering breath. "One step at a time baby girl", I chuckled", " Just pack the broken pieces. Thennn, the ash, and you wipe down the crime scene". " Crime scene", I screeched hysterically, " I'm a criminal". " Nooo, you're not", I said sternly, " It was an accident. A totally honest mistake. Mom will understand".
" Right", I blew out a breath and nodded vigorously. " First things first".
****
STAYSIE
I walked into the house and smiled widely. The house was gleaming, Kyra had done a very good job. "Wow! Kyra did amazing. Learning perfectly well from the teacher", Noah said. I knitted my brows together and tilted my head. " Since when do you care about how clean the house is?" " I don't. But Kyra was home alone, and she efficiently brought the house up to your insane standards".
" Insane?! Noah, I practically run this house. I provide every amenity and utility we need in this house. And after all that, you say my standards are insane?" " Staysie Dian Milan. The fact that you earn more than I do doesn't give you the right to rub it in my face. You hear me?"
I glared at him. "Noah Jathan Ledger. I do not hear you. Now do your worst". He glared murderously at me and I returned the gesture. " I'm pregnant Noah. You can't hurt me". He frowned and turned to turn on the TV.
" I need to talk to mom", I whispered and went over to the bookshelf by the wall. I frowned and searched the shelves for the vase. "It was here this morning before I left. Jathan, did you see my mother's vase?" "What kinda stupid question is that? We both left the house together this morning. Why're you asking me where your mom is?" "Well, she's not here,that's why I'm asking you".
"Why don't you ask the only human you left in the house?" I folded my arms across my chest and canted my hip. "Human? You talking about Kyra? I thought you called her bunny?" He rolled his eyes at me. " I know you know very well what I'm talking about".
I raised my brow. " Really? Cause I don't". " Kyra! I'm talking about Kyra!" " The bunny?" Noah grunted angrily. " Listen Jathan, Kyra has never seen this vase so…" " Screw you bitch". " Ohhhh",I cried incredulously, "I'm a bitch, but she's a bunny?" His eyes roved up and down my body angrily and he stared back at the television.
I groaned. "Kyra!! Get your freaking ass down here!" I heard her footfalls thumping on the stairs. " Yes mom?" I narrowed my eyes at her. Her face was flushed and her eyes looked like they had been crying for a while. " Did you see any vase on this shelf?" " Vase?", her voice was raspy.
She's done something. I cocked my head. "Yes vase. A blue ornate cornflower vase. Did you see it?" She hiccuped. " I… I….", she closed her mouth, "It was an accident", she whispered. "I'm sorry. I didn't get you. You have to speak up darlin", I said menacingly, feeling my anger rise. "I… it… broke… accidentally". " You broke my mother's vase?" She flinched at my tone and took a step back. " No, no, it was…"
"Shut up!!!", I yelled and smacked her across the face. She fell to the ground and hid her face from me. I inhaled and exhaled deeply. "Where are the broken pieces? And the ash that was inside the vase?" She looked up at me, her eyes fearful and frantic. It reminded me of the times with my dad's girlfriend.
Her lips quivered and tears cascaded down her face. "I… I threw it away. I was trying to hide the evidence. I don't wanna be a criminal". The fuck is she talking about? Wait, she did what?!
" You did what?", my voice was so low and calm that it scared me.
" Staysie, you did what darlin?" Her low voice made me tremble in fear. The red whip marks on my body was dimly illuminated by the chandelier in the living room.
"I… threw it away. I'm sorry. I'm sorry". She threw mom away. The only woman who's ever loved me. Mommy's gone. No. Make her suffer Staysie. Just as Aimee did to you. I violently yanked on her arm and she shrieked in fear. " You threw mommy away. You chased her away. Just like daddy and that evil woman did".
I stared, but wasn't staring at her blank, confused expression. I felt my hands unclip the strap from my purse. I flogged her with it. I smiled, loving the feeling of finally getting revenge against Aimee. "Staysie stop!", Noah yelled and ran over to her.
He snatched the strap from my hands. "Go up to your room Kyra". She scurried upstairs and I turned to glare at Noah. "What is wrong with you?" "I should ask you that". "Sh… she threw mommy away", I whined and then tears started pouring out of my eyes. " It was an accident". " That's what you always do. Covering up for her. You never listen to me. You believe her blindly, against me".
" Staysie I'm not your father!" " Well you sure do act like him…. Ahh". I shrieked. That evil child. Look at what she's done. Noah wrapped his arms around me. I smacked his hand away. "Don't touch me", I wheezed in a strained voice and held my stomach, "I don't need your help. I'm fine". Noah's eyes drooped, and his mouth twisted in a disappointed scowl. I rolled my eyes at him and gritted my teeth, walking up the stairs en route my bedroom.