"Marey!" The words startled me as I barely carried the portman to the patio. I turned around to see Gina, walking on her two-s as mom came chasing after her.
"Don't run, Gina. You'll hurt yourself!" I scowled, hoping she doesn't fall over the edge. And it's Marley for God's sake!
The last time she was chasing Marcus, she landed on her all fours, with a sharp bruise on her knee! Ugh, toddlers! I rolled my eyes, knowing what was next to come...
"Don't be rude, Marley. Give your little sister a hug." Mom said, as her sleek Bob shone bright under the sun. It felt like tomorrow when she got her hair dyed blue to match all her 'Vogue' crazed friends. Nevermind. It's a rule of thumb to never criticise your mom's fashion sense. Especially when your pro fashion advice is to pair anything black / white, loose / tight with denim pants. I let out a sigh, pulling my arms out to pretend I was into the 'sistery' embrace thing with the four year old in her pink crocs. Please don't drool. Please don't drool. I prayed silently as her pale arms went around my back, bending down on my knees.
"What a sight for sore eyes!" Mom remarked, and it didn't occur to me what she was wearing until that moment.
"You're not coming with me. Are you?" I asked wide eyed. She showed off her I 'heart' Weston High T-shirt, and white shorts that complemented the bright blue tee, and her awe-awesome hair. She's got to be kidding me.
"Nope. You will have your dorm, honey. Jake, and I are just renting an apartment in the town. It's for his business ." She said, her magenta lips beaming at me. She is lying. She had to be lying!
"What business?" I asked as Gina let go of me with another 'Marey'.
"He's going to shift to London soon, honey. Seems like the branch manger approved his papers." She said, and my eyes went wide.
"I should have known. You lied to me right? This whole I trust you thing was a facade?" I said, feeling my breath turning heavier.
"Marey!" Gina held onto my my shirt's end and I couldn't help but cringe. Why the hell is this kid so needy? Doesn't mom and Jake give her enough attention all the damn day?
"Get away from me!" I scoffed at Gina and my mom glared at me.
"You can't do this to me. Jake? Getting promoted to London? He barely ever shows up at his work!" I gritted my teeth.
"He works from home! That's different." She defended her good-for-nothing husband. FYI, he is not my dad.
"That's the point! Why did he have to move to London?" I said, finding it hard to breath. I searched my pockets for the inhaler. When the steel felt cold against my fingers, I pulled it out, breathing in it, hoping mom would tell me the truth. But she doesn't. My breath turns normal but my heartbeat felt erratic. Good gracious!
"Marley! That's his choice..." Mom said, and I nearly lost it as I sat on the wood, with my legs crossed.
"You had me convinced when you agreed to let me join Weston High, and do what the hell I wanted to do!" I said, trying to not give away the desperation.
"I am not stopping you from going anywhere. I just need to know you'll be safe!" She crossed her arms, shooting me that 'I am your mom' look that she customised for every other thing we did together- PTAs, Sunday dishes, Daily Arguments, and now this...Her intense efforts for convincing me into believing she knows the best. Like that time when she told me she was getting married.
"You are just being overprotective!" I said, hoping she'll just let me be.
"How could I not after what happened to Bianca?" She asked, and I could feel the bile rising in my throat. She'd bring up Bianca of all the people?
"Don't you dare bring her! You took that jerk's side that night. Why? Because he is Jake's son?" I rolled my eyes.
If she had cared about it, she wouldn't take Patrick's side!
"Patrick was just a teen! Why are you always blaming him? I wanted to let you be yourself and study at Weston because Mrs. Johnson said it will be better for you!" She said, tears building in the corner of her eyes, and I fought the urge to run inside and lock myself up.
"I won't say a word about Patrick, if that's what you want. But, I don't want you and Jake following me around. I tried hard to get into Weston. Please don't ruin it for me!" I said, biting my lip as Gina ran across the yard. Patrick was not a mere teen. I wasn't blaming anyone. But it was hard to convince mom. Or anyone else. I know the truth. All I need is evidence.
"Marley, I just want to see you happy and safe. Is it wrong to look after you? I promise I would keep my distance. London is closer to Weston and I will only visit after I give you a call. Okay?" She asked, wiping her tears.
"Nope." I said, and her face dropped. Nothing was okay.
"Patrick doesn't have to know about this. Promise me." I said, looking into her eyes and she shook her head.
"He's your brother! Why won't he know?" She asked, and I fought the urge to scream at her. Calm down.
"He is not my brother. If you tell him, I won't ever talk with you." I said, as the words stinged my tongue on their way out.
"Fine! Have it your way...
All I ever tried was to give you a family and-"
"I only have a mom. I have no family!" I snapped back and she flinched.
"What did I do to you, Marley? Why are you always like this?" Mom said, her hands curled in fists beside her and I shunned my eyes. Because you trusted the wrong people. That's why. The words didn't come out. It was too late for everything- confessions, regrets, choices. It was all done.
"I want to start a new life. I don't want Patrick to be a part of it. It's not rocket science, mom!" I said, focusing on the leaf blade next to my sneaker. It's green gracefulness reminded me of something...Bianca. I let out a sigh as a tear slid down my cheek.
"It's your choice and I will respect it." Mom said, as she walked inside.
I averted my eyes to the street, and in the distance was who other than the dumb amber head. What does she want now?
"Jesse?" I looked at her quizzically. Wasn't she supposed to be at the school?
"Marley! I heard you are moving to Weston..." She said, and I gasped. Just how many people did mom sneaked the information with?
"Hmm." I mumbled, wishing she would just walk away mindlessly.
"I came to say goodbye, and-"
"And what?" I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Mom found few of Bianca's things that she was going to throw away. I thought you'd like to have them." She said, and I felt startled. Since when did she became so smart?
"What? I know you visit her at the cemetery. Marty told me. I hate her, but you don't..." She said in the small of her voice, much like she had heard my thoughts aloud and I nodded.
"Here." She said, handing me a package taped with brown paper.
"Chesterville wouldn't be the same without you..." She said, her blue eyes staring into mine and if I didn't know her better, I would have hugged her. But I don't.
"It's better that way. This town is better without me." I said. More to myself than to her.
"Sometimes what you think might be far from true, Marley!" Jesse played with the corner of her hat as she took it off in a graceful bow and ran down the street. How old was she? Fifteen, or five? I snorted a laugh, carrying the package. It sure had some secrets in it, and by the crushing weight of it against my palm, I know Bianca had left so much behind for me to figure out.
"Marley, your cab's going to be here soon." I heard the husky, stupid voice behind me. A man in his mid thirties walked the small length of patio. His everyday effort of loitering in the house had given him a fair share of a belly pot, and by the looks of it, he had yanked the football jersey forcibly down his length. His hair was gelled to a side, and the Ken blonde shade of his highlights shined when he walked under the sun. He put his hands against his hip, moving his eyes from one end to the other of the front yard like he owned the territory. Well, he doesn't. Technically, my mom does.
"Thanks for reminding..." Jackass. I could see his fingers hover against the bulge of his front and then scratch it. Eww. Why did mom marry him? If she would not have done it, Bianca would be here, Patrick would be out of our lives and I would never have to go to Weston High. I let out a sigh, as Gina came charging at me, reaching for the package.
"Oh fuck." I said, trying to hide it.
"Language, Marley!" Jake seethed.
"Marey!" Gina giggled, and I pinched my nose, keeping the package tucked in my arm. I couldn't lose it, especially when my gut feeling was telling me Bianca's diary could be in there.
"I am sorry, Gina. Your brother had his share of keeping me away from the truth. Not you too!" I said, yanking my arm all the way up, and Gina started sobbing.
"Why are you making her cry?" Jake said, walking all the way out to dote on his spoiled brat of a daughter. She looked like a splitting image of Jake. But she had my mother's eyes, and Patrick's snobbish attitude.
I rolled my eyes. Did I look like Patrick? I don't make anyone's daughter cry! Wish I could tell it to his face.
Guess I would have to keep trying...for Bianca. I couldn't lose to a four year old after all the things I had done to get done with this. Could I?