Rainy day

mum came downstairs after a few minutes. she sat at the table and grandma served her her food. so.. why the silence, what happened to the enthusiasm I met when I came in? she asked.

are you just going to act like we didn't just hear your conversation on the phone, Jessica started.

Jessica, please drop it, Grandma interjected.

no Grandma, I won't drop it, dad's soul has barely begun to rest in peace from an accident that you caused and you are already having conversations with his best friend Luke, she stood up and knocked her chair backward. How long has this been going on? she shouted.

what?? have you lost your mind? mum stood up.

I would never do such at thing and besides I don't owe you any explanation. eventually I will have to move on. I can't keep living in the past. please drop it, it's not what you think.

you should have just told us that you weren't interested in Dad anymore, instead of orchestrating his death..

mum gasped and gave her a slap, a very hot one. you don't have the right to talk to me that way.

I hate you, I wish you were the one that died that day.

Jessica!! Grandma shouted. you guys should stop this now.

Jessica you are grounded, no leaving the house till further notice. Jessica grabbed the keys and ran out the door. Jessica come back here, mum shouted, don't you start that car, mum ran after her.

we stood up to watch as Jessica drove out of the drive way with mum running after her.

she drove away and mum finally stopped running after the car and crumbled on the ground.

we could hear her wails from inside, to crown it all off, rain started falling drenching her completely.

Alright you two, to your room, Grandma commanded.

I'll go get your mother. I looked at Mikes face as I spun him around and took him upstairs. He was crying profusely.

I hugged him and rubbed his back, I couldn't promise him that everything will be okay. but I could tell him that this would pass. Try and get some sleep alright, this will pass,

I told him.

I'm scared, he mumbled, can I stay in your room? he asked.

sure, I answered. someone had to be the responsible one, I thought.

we got to my room and I lay on my back on my bed and Mike followed suit.

we soon could hear mum and grandma elevated voices from downstairs.

let's play a game, I told him

I spy something round and white? I asked

a foot ball, Mike rolled his eyes. I spy something clear and tall? he asked.

a mirror, I answered. we continued in this sequence until Mike drifted off to sleep.

I snuck out of my room to the living room and hid. mum was sitting on the couch while grandma was pacing around.

I think you should go to sleep, I will stay and wait for her to get back, grandma suggested.

no, I'll wait for her, mum disagreed. she hates me.

she doesn't hate you, she is just angry right now and besides staying up late isn't going to help anyone, you have work tomorrow and you are completely soaked , plus you barely ate anything.

I've lost my appetite, I'll just take a hot shower and go to bed. thanks so much mum.

it's nothing honey, everything will be fine, Grandma reassured.

mum left and grandma went to the kitchen. she picked up all the plates, took them to the sink and washed them all while humming a tune.

When she finished, she went to the sitting room and knelt down beside one of the couches. she started praying.

"please lord have mercy on my daughter and her family, they need you now more than ever, forgive them if they sin against you, give them peace and joy and bring Jessica back home safe and sound. "

wow, she really believed that God heard her, what a joke. Don't get me wrong, I know there is God, but that's just all, I know.

she remained in that position for the next 20 minutes.

I felt bad for her, she was really delirious if she thought her prayer will work. I turned around to sneak back upstairs but a knock on the door stopped me in my tracks, Grandma jumped up and literally ran to the door.

lo and behold, it was Jessica completely drenched.

thank God, thank God, grandma started mumbling.

are you alright, she asked? as she hugged her.

I'm fine, and I'm sorry for everything I did and said, I was just so emotional, I wasn't thinking.

oh honey, let's save that apology for your mother. you need to change your clothes so you won't get a cold.

wow, I thought, would you look at that. it could be coincidence though.

I crept back to my room and shut the door. Mike was already out cold, I changed into my night wear and climbed my bed. I picked up my phone and checked, I had a message from Kate already.

Hi neighbor

Hi I responded immediately.

she texted right back, the cookies were delicious, thank Jessica. we will bring some over tomorrow.

alright, I'll tell her and thank you.