Broken

Chapter 70

After letting some of the memories paralyse her for a moment too long, Makenna finally escaped the confines of her room. She shut the door behind her and took a breath as she let the dizziness wash through her.

Not wanting to linger anymore, she made her way towards the stairs and down. She was reaching the end of the staircase when she heard her parents talking in audible whispers. She slowed down making sure they didn't hear her coming down.

"Does she look alright?" Her mum asked, "She looks alright. Right?"

"She looks like Kenna, hon."

Her mum sighed,
"I just wish she'd come home more, you know."

"I know." She could hear the smacking of lips and could picture her dad placing a kiss on her mum's forehead, "If she's anything like you, which we know she is, then she can handle anything."

"Maybe not this."

"It's almost four years. I think the worst is over."

Her mum was quiet as she stared into Joe's eyes,
"If she's anything like you, which we know she is. Then she's the suffer-in-silence type."

Makenna blinked, feeling her throat begin to tighten as a lump formed and settled heavily at the base. Not wanting to listen to their conversation anymore, she took the final step down, stomping her foot to make herself known.

Brianna stepped out of Joe's embrace as Makenna rounded the corner to the kitchen. She smiled at her daughter who returned her smile.

"Did you find what you were looking for, sweetheart?" Joe asked Makenna,

Makenna leaned against the wall demarcating the kitchen and the living room.
"Yes, Dad." She looked back at her mum, "You promised dinner."

The smile on her mum's face eased the lump in her throat and loosened the vice around her heart.

Not too long later, the three of them were seated at the table in silence.

"So, you've got assessments next week," Joe said,

Makenna nodded.

"And what are you doing tomorrow?" Brianna asked, "You could come with us to church."

Makenna's gaze shifted from her food to her mother,
"Mum, don't start."

Brianna looked at Joe and back at Makenna,
"What? I just would like for us as a family to attend mass."

Makenna closed her eyes trying to stop the anger that was slowly rising within her. This was what her mum did, every time without fail. She loved her mum and there were times she felt like the worst child for the things she'd put her mum through, as well as her dad. But it was moments like this that made her remember one of the reasons she stayed away from home.

"Really mum?" Makenna asked trying to keep the tone of her voice in check, "You want to do this again?"

"I just miss you is all." Her mum sighed looking at her,

Makenna softened at that.

"And I also think it would be good for you to rebuild your relationship with God."

Makenna's spoon clattered on the plate and she leaned back into her seat with a sigh.

Here we go.
Makenna thought. She was trying her hardest not to let her anger take over because she knew she would regret the outcome later. So, she tried to think of all those moments she regretted rather than how she wanted to react at this moment. It wasn't easy.

"There's so much to gain and so much to lose from just walking with Him." Her mum said, "You gain peace and lose the pain."

Makenna's fist clenched in her lap. The more her mum spoke, the angrier she got.