6463 l.h

t h i r t y

Okay, it took a lifetime and it's pretty shitty but it's an important chapter bc of the stuff will happen later, um, thanks for being patient and the best readers of this world, I love y'all so much. 

xx, Nan

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I think I was 8 the first time mom told me that she loved working more than spending time with us. Dad must've seen it coming because he didn't even flinch when she said "I'd rather spend time at the office than stay here any other second". I swallowed my tears and kept playing with my mashed potatoes.

Today she's coming "home". Zoe got herself ready and stood by the door just waiting for our mother to walk in. Granny baked my mom's favorite cake and I just sat on the couch with Luke playing video games.

"Is she here yet?" Zoe asked for the 100th time

"You tell me" Granny snapped "You've been waiting at the doorstep for an eternity!"

"Take it easy, Gammy" I mutter glancing at her

"Charlotte is impossible, we'll have a serious conversation when she gets here" Grammy sat next to me "She builds that's child's hope so high just to see it turn into dust" She takes a bottle of vodka from the side of the sofa and sips it, she stores her liquor there

"Gammy it's 1pm" Luke says

"Or as I call, drinking time" She smiles and drinks more

"I really don't know how your kidneys work anymore" I give up on the video game and stand up to grab Luke and I some cookies

"I drink just to give'em work to do" she takes a big sip "They should thank me" 

"Yeah, just remember that when they start to fail" I say while grabbing the cookie jar "Do not count with me to donate one of mine" 

"Oh your kidneys, those are real warriors" She laughs and takes the jar out of my hand to take a cookie

I bite my tongue trying to keep myself quiet, Luke smiles and takes my hand bringing me to his lap. 

"I love you" he mutters with his lips pressed against my neck. I'm still upset about the whole faking the pregnancy thing but I do love him to death

"She's here!" Zoe runs into the living room screaming "Mom's here!" 

"Be nice" Luke whispers on my ear before we all stand up to greet my mother

"Hi everyone" She takes her jacket off and bring Zoe into her arms, holding her. 

"Charlotte" Gammy gives her the side eye and leaves the room

"Liza?" Mom looks at me with uncertainty in her eyes 

"Hi mom" I hold Luke's arm to keep myself from saying bad things 

"Hi Luke" She smiles bouncing Zoe in her arms 

"Hello Mrs. Brooks" He's nice, as usual

"We should get going" I say to him "We gotta pick up your sister and meet the boys" I grab my bag by the table and hurry to the door.

Luke says goodbye to Zoe and my mom before meeting me at the door.

"What was that?" He asks me "She's home for like a second and you hush to leave?"

"Just drive" I get in the car and cross my arms 

After five minutes in a deep silence I start to talk 

"She doesn't get to do that, Luke" I say picking the sides of my nails "She does not get to leave for several months then come back like she never left"