"You never told me you're called The DICK," she said out of the blue.
He groaned. "It's just a stupid nickname."
"How did you get it?" Great curiosity appeared on her face, and he hated it because this was something he'd much rather erase in his pas...
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Eva's sleepy eyes fluttered open, not expecting to see Hannah's face peering over her.
It had been a long time since Eva was awakened by her mother to go to school. Eva blinked away the slumber along with the surprise, her auburn eyebrows knotted at Hannah's gigantic smile. Eva supported herself on her elbows, still on her comfortable bed, as she eyed her mother's glinting eyes.
Eva's voice was still thick from sleep, "What's the matter with you?"
Did she know about my sneak-out last night? Eva regretted her spontaneous trip to Trudy's house in the middle of the night, cringing at herself for actually doing it. Eva suspected that her mother was this bubbly because she had a solid reason to kick Evangeline out, finally getting rid of the burden that had been living under her roof for the past seventeen years.
Hannah's smile was so stretched that her lips might have touched her ears. "House is doing well!"
Eva jumped to her feet, the previous laziness gone. "What?"
Hannah beamed, genuine tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks. "Your father is alive," she whimpered, her hands shaking.
Eva humped in her place. "Really?" she squealed. Eva bent, her hand on her knee as the other wiped her red hair off her forehead. "Thank god, I feel so relieved," she exasperated.
Hannah nodded her head furiously, reassurance painting her face a happy picture. She held Eva's shoulder, bringing her to her full height. "Yes. House is going to be fine."
Hannah pulled Eva and buried Eva's face in her embrace, hugging her so tight that Eva felt her ribs being crushed. Eva snuggled in her mother's embrace, cherishing the few seconds she had awaited for so long. Hannah was hugging Eva like a mom would to a daughter, offering the motherly love. Hannah wasn't treating Eva like a burden in the house, and it felt... nice.
Eva sniffed in her mother's sweet smell, triggering her childhood memories. Eva remembered how the both of them used to braid each other's hair, put on Hannah's makeup and clothes - playing dress-up. Hannah didn't like who messed with her things, so everytime she caught them playing with her stuff, the both of them would give Hannah those irresistible puppy eyes and, just like that, they would be off the hook.
The bittersweet memory stung her heart, reminding her of her current position. Where is she now? And how did mom change so much?
No. Eva promised herself she wouldn't go over those memories again. She promised herself she would move on - try to forget, but as she was pressed tight against her mother's warm body, Eva couldn't fight away the painful past from flooding her.
