The Selection - Aarmau

Chapter Twenty Three

Aphmau had cleaned up all of her childhood home with her mother. Mainly by herself, as her mother had work. But she made money writing little things here and there, and she could afford to clean the place up.

She painted the walls in the living room and kitchen a robin-egg colour, replacing the upholstery in the couch with a vibrant blue and white. New TV, new TV stand.

She finally had time to clean the floors, revealing the once beautiful hardwood.

They had a welcome mat outside the door, and she hung up photos.

She painted the kitchen cabinets white, and bought them dishes and utensils, and pots and pans. Paintings and vases for flowers.

It really made the place feel better, and it wasn't any palace, but it felt like a more liveable space. Same with her and her mothers rooms. She finally got a new bed, a new desk, and some new clothes.

She laid on the couch, staring at the pages of her book she'd already written, jotting down more ideas, putting them out into the world.

...

"Hey, Syl, here's the food for table 2."

Sylvannah worked at one of the nicest diners in town, she had to dress and look her best whenever she went to work, and it was easier now. Her daughter spoiled her.

She couldn't say she didn't feel at least a tad guilty that she could never spoil her daughter, and now she was the one being spoiled.

Aphmau deserved someone who spoiled her.

"On it." she said, grabbing up the tray in her hand, and handing off cups of orange juice.

"Thanks, hon." one of the older ladies sitting in the booth smiled at her.

"Not a problem. Enjoy." she said, then she stood up, as the bell signifying someone was inside dinged.

"Hello," she started, straightening out her apron. "What can I get you-"

The metal tray clattered to the floor loudly, and she bowed deeply.

"Please, I should be the one bowing to you." Aaron said, solemn, as he too bowed.

"Wha- why? Why are you here?"

"Because I need to make things right, with your daughter, and I didn't feel comfortable speaking to her before I spoke to you."

Sylvannah looked to the kitchen door, where the manager, Roxanne, walked out. She bowed, and looked to Sylvannah. "You're dismissed for the day, Syl."

"I have to work, I can't have my pay docked." she protests.

"Please, go, it won't dock your pay."

Sylvannah huffs. "Alright. Sit. Can I get you anything before I go clock out?" she asks, curt.

"Coffee?"

"Comin' right up, Your Majesty."

She handed over a cup of coffee, and a couple sugar and cream packets. "Pick your poison." She threw her thick winter coat into the booth, and sat down.

"How is, how is Aphmau?"

Sylvannah folded her arms. She was intimidating.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because I care about your daughter. I care about her so much, and I have had to bite my tongue and not fly out here for the last month."

"Because of you, my daughter is a mess."

"I know. I didn't explain things to her when I should have, and it hurt her. Believe me, I feel more guilty than humanly possible."