Loaded

part 8

"negative, thank fuck for that"

"Language" mom chastises me as she rips the test from my hands. Mom narrows her eyes as she looks at the test, she lifts the box again and begins to read the instructions again.

"Why does your nose look like that then" she asks looking at my profile.

I shrug "maybe I just have a big nose"

"I would have noticed it before now"

"Maybe you were too distracted by my other flaws" I suggest.

"Are you trying to say I enjoy criticising you, I actually keep negative thoughts to myself"

I can't keep the laughter in. Mom genuinely looks offended, does she really not realise how often she points out my flaws.

"Savannah don't laugh, tell me about one occasion where I have been critical"

"I can tell you at least three times today, 1 your bottom is quite large for someone so skinny, 2 those jeans do a good job of hiding your thick legs and finally your hair doesn't look as frizzy since I gave you that conditioner"

"That's not criticism, it's me complimenting you"

"Mom there back handed compliments at best"

Mom sits on the bed and looks down at the floor, she looks deep in thought.

"I've turned into my mother, how did I not notice this happen. I swore I wouldn't end up like her"

"Your not as bad as gran, but spending time with you isn't exactly pleasant. I dont think you know how to give an actual compliment" I can't believe I'm being brave enough to actually say this to her.

"I will try my best to change "

I nod before throwing the test in the trash, "let's go to lunch, I could use a cocktail or two"

"More sugar, you really don't need" mom stops herself and grimaces.

"Sorry" she smiles making me laugh.

"Come on let's shove some food in your mouth, I think that's the only way to shut you up"

Mom shakes her head "your not going to make this easy are you"

"Nope" I say popping my p.

.................

"Well what do we have here, are you drunk. Savannah is your mum drunk " Darcy finds this amusing it's clear by the smirk on his face.

Mom is leaning on me,her hair is wild with leafs and twigs decorating it. Darcy helps her into the car while removing a stay twig from her hair, he gives me a quizzical look.

"She fell in a bush"

"You were in the mall, what bush"

"A decorative one in the bar" I explain. I try to remain serious but I break out in laughter as I remember her falling into the floral display as she tried to walk to the bathroom.

Darcy treats mom like a child, he fastens her  into the back seat, I head to the front of the car but he stops me.

"No way, your riding in the back with her. If she pukes you had better catch it, I've just had the car valeted" he proceeds to hand me a paper bag.

"Your mean,it's not my fault"

"So Kathleen Gilmore just decided to change her whole personality in one afternoon, just admit you spiked her drinks"

I laugh, I really am innocent. Mom got increasingly depressed as she recalled all rg times her behaviour had had mirrored that of her mom's.

"Savannah tried to make me drink water but the cosmos tasted too good" mom slurs before you thrusting her head back and falling into a deep sleep.

"Apologise" I demand.

Darcy kisses my knuckles before closing my door , I watch as he walks around the car and takes his own seat.

"I'll apologise in bed later" he says as he watches me in the mirror.

"I heard that" mom says loudly before turning her head.

Darcy laughs silently, he doesn't take his eyes off mine. We stare at eachother for a minute until he finally starts the car and starts to drive home.

"I've missed you"

" I missed you, sorry I ran out earlier"

"Sav why did you run out of the house, did I do something wrong. Was it because I brought the dogs with us"

I shake my head "no the dogs haven't been bad , I just needed to do something"

"Mom thought I was pregnant so I went to get a test"

"By the smell of tequila on your breath I assume it was negative"

"Yeah"

"Sav next time let me be there for you, when  we do have kids I want to be there every step of the way."

"You do want kids" I ask.

"Yes but I'm happy it just being us for a little longer, I'm not ready to share you yet"