Maisie 'Baby' Bronze

27. Bronze-walsh

"Maise you've got to listen to me ok. Please put the phone down" mum begs me. I just stared at her, my phone tightly gripped in my palm. "I can't tell you where I've been, you'll find out soon though"

"Wow" I fake clap, "A* acting right there"

"No, I'm not lying, please"

"Pff, try tell Keira that"

"God, do you really think I've cheated on her" mum takes a step back, frowing.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, but I do" I gulp

"Fuck" mum turns on her heal and storms out, slamming the door after her.

I decide it's best to just go back to sleep, not exactly sure what to make of that strange interaction I'd had with mum, but I was too tired to over think it.

I jolted up in bed for the second time tonight, this time with a more reasonable 8am reading on the clock, and my alarm buzzing away. It'd been an extremely confusing past 12 hours to say the least, starting with the complete disappesrence of mum, to her then reappearance and now to waking up to her having an argument with mum. The apartment sounded empty, and I couldn't hear the usual hum of the radio playing whilst mum made breakfast. I pulled a jumper on and wandered down the hallway, pausing outside mum's bedroom door and listening to see if she was awake.

I didn't mean to listen in, I was just there and then couldn't take myself away.

"No, I didn't, how long will it be"

"I didn't say that"

"How long has it been going on"

"What no"

"Keira, no, please"

"No, I'm coming home"

"Yes I am, I can't"

"No I don't want to"

I tore my ear away, my heart pounding in my chest, unsure on what exactly I'd just heard. All I could think about was the million possibilities that could have happened, but one stuck out. Not only did my instinct tell me this, but the sobs now filling my ears didn't exactly sooth me.

I hated hearing mum cry, and I didn't know how long she had already been. I mentally prepared myself, thinking of all the ways I can comfort mum, before I knocked on the door, waiting for a reply.

No reply came, and I can only assume mum was too busy crying to hear my knocks. I opened the door, widening my ears at the sight that lay before me.

Mum was tucked under the covers, clutching some sort of teddy, whilst busy texting someone, through her cries, her room a tip, with random items of clothing scattered half into a suitcase. I'm not sure how long I stood there, staring at mum, but soon enough I kicked myself back to reality. I tiptoed across the room, gaining the attention of mum, who hurriedly wiped at her eyes, failing at her attempt to hide the fact she'd been crying.

I didn't say anything and climbed into the bed, pulling her into a hug. She put her phone down, and hugged me back, softly sniffling into my neck.

"What's happened mum" I whisper

"We need to go home" is all I hear mum say, making my heart pound even more.

"Why" I tread carefully, trying not to say anything that'll upset her more. 

"I can't say, Maise, I'm sorry"

"Um, ok, am I coming too"

"Yes, I'm not leaving you here" mum sits up, wiping her eyes, "we need to be quick, grandma's booked us the next flight home"