Chapter 2 Fate
I awoke to the sun filtering through the car window the welcome to Mississippi sign to my right. The lost kitten still in my lap peacefully sleeping, I could see the sun reflecting off her completely black coat, the rise and fall of her breaths making the lights dance. I looked to my left and saw my mom sipping through a straw with her earbuds on, bags under her eyes, obviously exhausted. She must not have wanted to wake me, that's nice. I yawned and adjusted my position, it caught my moms eyes, she popped off her earbuds and smiled at me "good morning kiddo, we made it to Mississippi, I got a friend up ahead that's going to give us a place to sleep for the night, it's about 30 minutes up the road".
That's odd, my face noticeably dropping.
"Mom, I haven't ever met any of your friends, who is she? Will she be OK with midnight staying with us? Oh by the way I had the strangest dream that the cat told me her name was midnight! Hahaha". My excitement taking the best of me, and my need to pee making me jumpier than normal.
"No worries sweetie I have known Sarah since I was a kid, old family friend, and the cat can stay. Just don't believe everything she tells you, alright?".
What, did my mom just tell me not to trust a cat?
"OK mom( I rolled my eyes) but punch it because I have to pee".
I had never met anyone from my mothers past, she's not secretive about it, just doesn't ever talk about it, she must have had a rough childhood, and the last thing I want is to see my mother in pain.
I began to cross my legs back and forth, jumping tiny bits, midnight got annoyed and moved to the back seat.
I really needed to pee..
Here we are, I bent forward in my chair as we pulled into the drive of a pale pink large manor, in the Victorian style, the home had a large wrap around porch with delicate twisted white railings, a few were missing or broken off. The home was in obvious disrepair, one day I could ave imagined women in old timey southern dresses with long drawn out words, sipping on sweet tea, dancing in circles entertaining gentlemen in suites smoking pipe tobacco.
Where did my mom bring me?
We pull to a squealing stop. I grab my sachel, midnight and open the car door. My body is stiff, so I stretch a bit, but not much as the need to relieve myself came back in full force. I followed my mother up the steps, the paint peeling off the bases where our shoes touched. She knocked a few times and I stood back a couple feet waiting, and bouncing in need.
Then one of the most breathtaking men I had ever payed my eyes on opened the front screen door, "Why Ginger-Snap darling, it's been decades since you graced us with your beautiful presence".
"Stacey it's been too long, this is my daughter Dove, may she take haste to the lavatory?" Mom nodded at me with a grin, Stacey popped out his hip, pursed his lips, and pointed inside holding the door open with a bent hand. My mother pushed me in by the small of my back and I ran towards the closest door. The hallway was in taters just like the outside, I peeked into two rooms before finding the toilet, I placed midnight on the ground and relieved myself letting out a satisfied sigh.
The bathroom was ornate, wide crown molding, an antique pedestal sink, and a gold brushed mirror above it. At one time it must have been lavish.
I washed my hands and went to find my mother, midnight staying close on my heel, it's like she could tell I was a bit anxious. We walked back the way we entered, I remember seeing a pink couch to the right as I rushed in, there I found my mother and her beautiful platinum blonde friend chatting sitting across from each other. Stacey had positioned himself in a grand wingback crushed blue velvet armchair, my mother in the tacky pink couch. I stepped on the aged white carpet and Stacey raised an eyebrow in my direction.
"Little lovey-Dovey I have waited quite a time to meet you, given the interest into your being brought into the world"
My mom coughed, and glared at him, he looked down as if ashamed of his words.
What is going on?
"Anyway y'all must be exhausted, there's adjoining rooms at the top of the stair to the right, don't expect help with your bags dolls" he stood up and strutted into the other room.
"Let's get a move on it Dove, we're back on schedule tomorrow at first light, I'm going to hit the pillow, do not leave the house".
Back to helicopter mom I see.
Midnight and I will use this as a chance to stretch our legs and explore.
After throwing my bags in one of the dimly lit guest rooms we head back downstairs, I find Stacey back into his studios pose, looking out the side window.
This is a chance to talk about my moms childhood, I'm not going to let this go to waste.
"So Stacey, how do you know my mom?" I take my spot across the couch.
"Straight to the point" his honey infused drawn out voice putting me at ease, and discomfort all in the same.
"Imma put the tea on, let's retire to the bay window in the parlor" he starts walking, I follow.
He puts a kettle on the fire stove and moves to sit next to me in front of a large glass window with a few cracks and tacky purple oversized curtains. "Now pet, I'm not one for trouble, so I'll give you a few questions, I'm not promising you any answers".