Splinters In Time

Gold Bangles

"Hey."

"Hey." Lili was sat on front porch, a mug of tea between her hands, watching the sun set behind the trees. Esther came and sat down beside her.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I'm just... listening." She blinked slowly, like a cat, her eyes so very far away. When she spoke, it seemed almost more to herself. "You'd think I'd feel less when alone, but I don't. Instead, there's just everything out there." The creatures in the forest, the people in their houses, her father and sister upstairs... something residing beyond the dark.

Esther nodded like she understood. "I suppose once you stop to think about it, it all comes rushing in."

Lili took a sip of her tea.

Esther cleared her throat. "So I know you don't like a big fuss being made for your birthday- and don't worry, I'm not doing that- but I couldn't let you disappear again without giving you this." From behind her back, she produced a small present, wrapped in gold paper and tied with a pink ribbon.

"...You didn't have to..." Lili started.

"Before you start, I didn't spend any money. Please, open it."

Taking the present, Lili peeled open the wrapping. Inside she found several gold bangles- they were gorgeous, each one unique, some thick, some thin, some plain, some intricately patterned and some inlaid with tiny coloured jewels.

"They were your grandmother's." Esther explained. "She left them to me, but if she had known, I'm sure she would have wanted you to have them." She watched as Lili admired them, turning them over and over in her hands. "...They're your family heirlooms, after all."

"You're family too." Lili said.

Esther wrinkled her nose. "Well, yes, but... I know I'm not... You know."

Lili lowered her hands. "You're my sister's mother and my father's wife, and you look after them and love them when I'm not around to. As far as I'm concerned, that makes you family."

Esther flushed, pleased, although she tried to stay neutral. "Oh, well... Thank you. It's just... I don't want to impose— I wouldn't want it to seem like I'm trying to replace your mother or anything—"

"You're not. You're nothing like my mother."  Lili responded flatly. "No one can ever replace her. But the truth is... I don't remember that much about her. You're here and you're real. I like you. And more importantly, I trust you."

Esther blushed an even deeper scarlet. "Well... anyway... I thought you could wear them to help hide the numbers on your wrist. Would stop you yanking on your sleeve all the time to cover them up." She said as Lili did just that.  Esther held up her hands as Lili's eyes went wide in alarm. "You don’t have to tell me anything! I'm not going to ask. But believe me, I know not to trust those who see people as numbers. No matter whose side they claim to be on."

Silence fell between the two women, both of them looking at their mugs. "... Is that why you don't stay?" Esther asked after a while. "You're running from them— either literally or figuratively..."

"You said you weren't going to ask." Despite that, Lili gave a rueful smile. "Home is a... new concept for me. There are some things I have to do first, before I can settle somewhere permanently."

Esther nodded slowly.  "Well... you know you're welcome any time. Do you know where you're going next? If you're able to tell me, that is."

Lili slipped the bangles onto her wrist, the gold hoops jangling like chimes. "...Chicago. Not immediately, but eventually. There's a rumour I want to follow up."

A/N: Apologies for the late update, work got hectic and then I got sick. Not sure this chapter is the best it could be, but I like well enough.

Anyway, anyone want guess from Lili's last line which Stranger Things character is appearing next? You get a (emoji) cookie if you do!