The reality that she'll always be surrounded by homophobic people doesn't bother her even a bit. Her parents have already disowned her, so what can be worst?
'Theresa?"
The dark-haired girl looks up at the older lady that knocks on her bedroom door. Claire enters the room and puts her hands together.
"Mrs. Brooks," Theresa raises an eyebrow.
"Dinner will be ready within a few minutes," she says and walks out. Theresa stands up and goes down to help her set up.
"I heard Clara is coming this weekend," Claire says. Marvin that's sitting other side of the table looks at her then at Theresa. Theresa looks at Claire and raises an eyebrow. "Clare is my youngest daughter. She had two kids. They're already finished with school."
"Divorced," Marvin adds. Theresa nods her head slowly and looks down at her plate.
"Cindy said she'll meet her mother here Saturday. I don't know about Clark," Claire says and smiles softly at Theresa. "Theresa, will it be a problem if we ask you to go do shopping?"
"No problem," Theresa smiles at them.
"Great, just a cake, some toilet paper and a present for Clara. She loves jewelry, music, and things that smell nice. She's not that difficult, just don't get her anything that she has to eat," Claire says and giggles awkwardly.
"Okay, what's her birthstone?" Theresa asks. They give her an odd look. "What month is she born in?"
"Oh, March," Marvin replies.
"I think it's Aquamarine," Theresa smiles. "Does he like light blue colors?"
"Oh, any blue looks fantastic on her," Marvin winks at the young lady. Theresa nods her head and smiles in satisfaction. "She likes red better though."
"Clara is a romantic person, also very straightforward and on another note, lonely," Claire says with a heavy sigh. Theresa gives her a worried look.
With her shoes of confidence, Theresa stands in the jewelry shop looking at the aquamarine pendants. It's not very cheap but Mrs. Brooks said she can get her whatever she wants.
Clara took the early flight to her mother's house. She hasn't got much luggage and isn't dressed fancy either. With her curly blonde hair tied into a bun, Clara walks up to her mother's front door along with Marvin. He opens the door and shows her to go in first.
"Clara!" Claire approaches her and hugs her tightly. "My beautiful daughter. How are you?"
Clara just giggles softly and put her luggage down looking around.
"Oh, there's someone we'd like to introduce you to," Claire adds and walk to the back. Clara nods and looks at Marvin.
"Theresa, Clara is here," Claire says to her. Theresa stands up from the chair and looks nervously at her. "She hasn't said a word since she arrived so don't think different if she doesn't talk to you."
Theresa nods and follows her in. Clara takes her jacket off and hangs it up. Her attention gets drawn by the lady entering the kitchen wearing black shorts and a blue T-shirt.
"This is Theresa," Claire says and takes the present from the table giving it to her.
"It's nice meeting you," Theresa says and just smiles at her. Clara nods at her and opens the present.
"Theresa picked that out for you," Claire says and folds her arms when she saw a bar of chocolate in the bag as well.
"I can see that," Clara finally says and take the little box out opening it. She brings her fingers up to her lips and looks at Theresa.
"Aquamarine, your birthstone," Theresa nods.
"Thank you," Clara smiles and puts it back looking at her. "So, you're the roommate."
"Your parents are very good for me," Theresa nods and giggles awkwardly. Clara raises an eyebrow and looks at her mother.
"Mind if I settle down? I need to call the kids as well," Clara says looking around.
"Go ahead," Claire smiles and watches her leave. Theresa looks at the two older people that give her a worried look.
"Does anyone want coffee or tea?" Theresa asks getting their attention.
"She's getting thin," Claire whispers and raises an eyebrow. Theresa folds her arms and leans back against the table. "Geez, I hope she's okay."
"Now, if Clara asks, you chose the present. We bought it together," Marvin says giving Theresa a serious look. She nods her head and looks up when she heard a stamp on the roof.
Clara throws herself down on the bed and spread her arms out staring at the ceiling. She grabs her phone and dials her daughter's number.
"Hello sweetheart, I'm at grandma's house," Clara says and looks at the door when she hears a knock. "Yes?"
The door goes open and Theresa comes in with a tray.
"I'm all settled," Clara says and sits up straight. Theresa puts the tray on her bedside and glances at her. "Hold it, sweetie."
She puts her phone to her chest and looks at the tray then back at Theresa.
"Uhmmm, I'm sorry, but I don't eat cake or anything sweet," Clara says and looks nervously at Theresa.
"Your parents are worried about you," Theresa says and give her a serious look. "Besides, what damage can one piece of cake do?"
"One piece of cake?" Clara laughs sarcastically and brings the phone up to her ear again. "I'm sorry love, I'll call you back just now."
She hangs up the phone and looks at Theresa.
"Darling, I don't even put butter on my bread, what makes you think I'll eat cake?" Clara asks glaring at her. "One piece of cake can add a fee number to your scale that can ruin your life like your marriage."
"So it's about a few stupid pounds?" Theresa asks and shakes her head with a simple giggle. "I'll understand if it's for your own health Miss. Brooks, but to remind yourself how much you're weight and counting all the meals you have a day isn't living. If it's for reputation or something, why bother? They're going to talk about it anyway. 'Looks like you picked up a bit of weight' or 'you've lost so much weight, are you sick or is everything alright at home?'. It doesn't matter."
Clara sucks on her lip and just stares at her. Theresa shrugs her shoulders and smiles softly.
"I'm not Miss. Brooks," she says getting tears in her eyes. "I'm Clara Anderson. Desperate to change my surname, but not to Brooks."
"And I'm Theresa Richards. Desperate to leave this room without a bruise knowing your eating that piece of cake," Theresa smiles and shrugs her shoulders. Clara puts the tray on her lap and looks at the cake.
"Come on, take the half, this is way too big for me," Clara says and picks up the cake fork to cut it into two. Theresa takes a seat next to her and picks up the spoon. "Just so you know, I'm not always this easy."
"I never thought you were," Theresa replies and starts to eat the one piece.
"Hmmm, this is good," Clara nods and continues to eat. Theresa looks horrified at her getting goosebumps everywhere on her body. Clara looks at her and raises an eyebrow. "You okay?"
"I'm good," she nods and sits back taking a moment to admire her face.
"So, how did you end up here?" Clara asks with a little smile.
"It's a long story," Theresa whispers and looks down.
"Is it really or do you just not want to talk about it?" Clara asks. Theresa sighs and looks at her.
"Okay, so I fell in love, but my parents didn't approve of our relationship. They kicked me out and when we were finally ready to go official, the person decided that that's not what they want. So I was left alone. I saw on social media that your parents are renting out a room so I took it. They're very good for me," Theresa says and continues to eat her piece.
"So where do you work now?" Clara asks.
"As a waitress," she replies. Clara nods her head and just stare at her.