I woke up to the smell of eggs and coffee. I rubbed my eyes and picked up my phone still fifteen minutes before my alarm. Slipping into my slippers, I headed downstairs. Mother was in the kitchen, making breakfast.
She looked at me with a bright smile. There was something different about it softer than her usual fake ones, something I didn't recognize….
"Oh, baby, come eat," she said.
I looked at the island, perfectly baked eggs, and steaming coffee. "Um… are you okay?" I asked, hesitating. It's kinda surprising to see her awake this early and all this making breakfast.
She smiled. "Why wouldn't I be?"
I nodded. "Yeah… why wouldn't you be?" I forced a small, nervous smile.
She gestured to the stool. I sat down and started eating. The eggs… they were actually good. After so long, she'd made something good. And her eyes weren't red, which means she hadn't taken her drugs..
"Mother?" I sipped my coffee. "I got a job at a small café down the street."
She looked at me for a brief second. "Yeah, I know."
"You know?"
She nodded. "I saw your apron with the café's print."
"Oh… right. It was in the laundry." I try to change the topic….
"Breakfast is pretty tasty today, Mother," I said, trying to keep my voice light.
She smiled and whispered, patting my head. "You already told me that."
I giggle nervously. "Well, I was thinking about starting my job again… somewhere."
"You still need rest, mother You've been—"
"I know, baby," she interrupted, her voice calm. "But I have to. I'm bored in this house… it's suffocating."
"Um… okay then," I muttered. "I'll go get ready for school."
"Baby," she called sweetly. I turned to face her.
"What do you want for your birthday? It's just twenty days away."
I paused. She remembered my birthday. I gulped. "Mother… you know I don't like celebrating because of Dad's death."
She nodded, but her tone stayed soft. "I still want to buy you something."
"You can buy anything you want, Mother. I'll like it anyway, I know," I said with a small smile.
"Okay then," she nodded.
I turned and headed to my room. Her behavior today… It's different. But I just pushed the thoughts away.
......….
"Zoeyyyy!!!"
I turned to see Elizabeth running toward me. She wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.
"Well, someone looks pretty happy today," she nods eagerly. "Spill it then"
I raised an eyebrow, eyeing her. "Wellllll…?"
She hesitated dramatically. "I found out that…" She paused.
"That…?" I gestured for her to continue.
"My parents are going out of city this week," she said.
"And…?"
She grinned. "You can come stay with me. Yayyy!"
I froze. "What?" I looked at her, confused.
She pouted, making a fake sad face. "What? You don't want to come?"
"Well," I said slowly, "you didn't even ask me if I would or not."
She paused, her face going dead serious—then she laughed nervously. "Oh… yeah. Silly me."
I rolled my eyes playfully. "So?"
She leaned closer and made those dramatic puppy eyes. "Will you?"
"Well…" I pause thinking
"Please say yes, please say yesss," she begged, pretending to dramatically fall.
I laughed. "Okay."
"Yesss!" She hugged me again, almost squeezing the air out of me.
"We're getting late for class, Miss Elizabeth,"
"Oh—right! Less hugging," she replied.
I shook my head, smiling, and walked to class with her.
......…
The doorbell rings.
Ding.
I open the door, and my eyes widen when I see him after two years.
"Jackson… you….you're here?"
"Oh, well, well. My little brother's wife," he says, grinning. "Oh my bad."
He tilts his head. "Widow."
My expression hardens.
He raises his hands in a mock surrender. "Oh, I'm kidding."
Without waiting for an invitation, he walks past me, straight into the house, and drops onto the couch like he owns the place.
"Not happy to see me, Ella?"
"It's not like that," I say quietly, sitting across from him.
"Then what is it?" he asks casually. "Where's my baby niece?"
He grins.
I'm relieved Zoey isn't here to witness this awful man.
"She's at school."
"Ohhh, I see," he says, leaning back, getting comfortable.
"Why are you here, Jackson?" I ask, standing up.
He pouts dramatically. "Can't I visit you and Zoey?"
"You don't care about us," I say firmly. "Don't lie to me."
He stands too, now facing me. I step back instinctively.
"It's my niece's birthday soon," he says lightly. "I wanted to get her something."
"Stay away from her, Jackson."
"Oh? Why should I?" he smirks. "She's the only thing left of my brother."
Anger flashes through me. "If you're after this house—"
He steps back quickly, folding his hands. "No, no, stop right there."
Then he leans in slightly. "You know I know a lot, Ella."
His grin turns sharp.
I look away. He struck a nerve I didn't think he could.
"What… what do you mean by that?" I whisper.
"Don't act innocent," he says softly. "I know your hands were dirty that night."
The color drains from my face.
He smirks at my reaction. "Look at you," he laughs. "You look like you've just seen Ethan's ghost." He laughs getting close..
"I'll visit again, dear Ella."
He walks slowly towards the door and looks back giving me a grin.
The door slams shut.
I remain frozen.
Slowly, I look down at my trembling hands as tears slide down my cheeks.
….....Z....