MOMMY ISSUES | Tamber

2-Volatile Vulnerability

Tara's heart pounded in her chest, the thumping reverberating through her as she navigated the labyrinthine path of clutter that filled their once-cozy house. Empty bottles and cans, remnants of her mother's wild night, littered every surface, a testament to the chaos that seemed to seep into every corner of their lives. The stench of stale alcohol hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid scent of cigarette smoke, a constant reminder of the tumultuous existence they shared.

"Where the hell were you last night? I needed you here!" Christina snapped, her voice laced with frustration.

Tara, feeling drained from the events of the previous night, tried to explain herself. "I told you, I had a night class," she replied, hoping her mother would understand.

"Well, I'm your mother! That should be your priority! Not some stupid school," Christina retorted, her words dripping with disdain.

Tara's heart sank as she came to a halt, her hands burdened with the weight of discarded reminders of her mother's reckless behavior. In that moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, as if time itself paused to witness the brewing storm within Tara's weary soul. She stared at Christina, her eyes filled with a mix of disbelief, exhaustion, and an ever-growing sense of hurt. It felt as though her every attempt to better herself, to rise above the chaos that engulfed their lives, was met with a dismissive wave, belittled and cast aside like insignificant debris. The weight of unspoken words hung heavily in the air, a poignant silence carrying the weight of unfulfilled hopes and shattered expectations.

Christina continued her verbal assault, her voice sharp and cutting. "What? You'd rather waste your life with that...that girlfriend of yours?"

Tara felt her jaw tighten in response to the insult. She had hoped her mother would eventually accept her relationship with Amber, but it seemed like that day was still far away. The pain of her mother's disapproval seeped deep into her core.

"Don't bring Amber into this," Tara pleaded, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and defiance.

But Christina, sneering with disdain, refused to back down. "Oh, I'll bring up whoever I want! She's just another one of your disappointments."

Tears welled up in Tara's eyes, her heart heavy with the weight of her mother's cruelty. She couldn't bear another moment of her words cutting through her like a knife. Without uttering another word, Tara turned and stormed out of the house, determined to find solace and support elsewhere.

As the door closed behind her, Tara left behind the chaos of her mother's world, hoping to find a place where she could be embraced for who she truly was.

-

Tara stepped inside the apartment, her energy depleted and her heart heavy. However, she was taken aback to find the place empty, devoid of any signs of life. Her eyes darted around, searching desperately for any trace of Amber, but the rooms remained silent and vacant.

Growing increasingly frantic, Tara's legs gave way beneath her, and she sank to her knees on the living room floor. Her chest heaved with panic, and a profound sense of dread settled over her.

"No... please, no," Tara whispered, her voice barely audible, as she buried her face in her trembling hands. Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, she rocked back and forth, tears streaming down her face, her sobs echoing through the otherwise still apartment.

Suddenly, the front door swung open, and Amber walked in, her arms laden with grocery bags. Engrossed in something on her phone, she initially failed to notice the distraught Tara. But as she took in the sight before her, she froze, the bags slipping from her grasp.