I’m sorry for sounding depressed. But that’s my state since…
She didn’t sign the letter.
The ink has been smeared in several places, and the yellow page is rough and dried, as if her tears were falling down while she was writing.
My mother was depressed.
She didn’t even complete the sentence.
My captivity affected me, but I only have a faint recollection of that time. It was the abandonment that shaped my insecurities. But my mom, on the other hand, remembered everything. Even after coming back home, there was Roxanne, a constant reminder of her suffering.
“Baby?” Zander gets up and wipes my tears before righting my glasses. “You okay?”
I nod and hide my face in his chest as I sob for my mom and her pain.
21
ZANDER
Today’s the day. Our house is ready, and by some miracle, I’ve managed to keep Rose away till now. The place has been remodeled to include several features we discussed and some I know she’ll love. And then there’s the surprise.
Not only for her, but for me too, in some sense.
“Are you sure about it?” Rose asks Clementine, who’s packing her own stuff.
Packing might not be the most appropriate word. Clementine throws a half-open candy packet in with her shoes. I’ve also seen some magazines being dumped in the same box.
“Rose, it’s cool. My driver should be here any minute now. Don’t you worry.” Clementine perches next to Rose, who’s folding some of her roommate’s clothes that are spread out on the bed.
After our move, unfortunately, Clementine has to return to the Hawthorne Mansion.
If she’s too upset, she’s not showing it. She’s still her same perky self.
“What’s this?” Rose picks up something wrapped in silver crepe paper, hidden under one of Clem’s blouses.
“It’s a housewarming gift for you guys. I think you’ll love it.” Clementine excitedly bounces on her feet, her hands folded before her. She’s like a kid in a candy store.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Rose turns the packaged gift in her hands. “I know you want to save for your own place.”
Clementine rolls her eyes at that, making me chuckle as I take a few steps closer to my girl.
“I want to save, but I have no clue how to. Plus, this cost nothing except some sleepless nights.”
Rose unwraps the square box, and there’s a small picture frame. “Clem!”
Jesus. I fucking love it.
“How did…you…do this? I never take off my ring. This is like…exactly the same.” Rose strokes the design of her ring through the glass. It’s like she’s trying to feel the grooves and ridges of her ring on the shiny flat surface.
“This isn’t designed from your ring, but your ring is designed from this.” Clem clutches her fists to her chest, barely holding her excitement.
A tingling warmth speeds along my limbs at Clementine’s thoughtful gesture. Her gift just made our day more memorable and gave me a chance to share a memory with my girl.
And don’t I know how much she loves listening to my crazy stories.
My pulse beats in my throat when Rose’s big blue eyes gleam behind her red glasses, and she looks between the gift and me. “I don’t get it.”
“You remember the day we were at the carnival?” I pull her close and look at the beautiful sketch.