This Is Me Warts And All

Nora

December 21

I came home from work and make a start on dinner. I was prepping vegetables when Alex came in the kitchen and said let's order healthy takeout instead. I finish up the prep then put the food into containers and place them in the fridge.

Mum and Teddy come over and we just finished setting the table when the doorbell rings. I open the door and see a black hair blue eyed skinny girl who was about 5'1. I know it's my sister Becca we don't look alike at all except for having the same eyes. I'm glad in that moment seeing her again neither of us look like him.

I see Nora standing next to her and she looked good her black hair was now dyed blonde and she seems to be standing up straight. She looks me in the eyes something she never use to do before.

"Hello Cassie you're looking well".

"Thank you Nora please come in let me introduce you to my husband Alex. You already know my mum Margaret and this is her partner Teddy".

I watch Nora smile and introduce her self and Becca. "Please have a seat, what can I get you to drink?" Nora ask for white wine and Becca an orange juice.

"Not to be rude but I'm starving can we get a move on with dinner", says Nora.

Alex and I made the food we were originally going to make Chicken stir fry, prawn stir fry and egg fried rice. Mum went to the bakery and took one of Nick's pies for our dessert and she bought over some fresh cook chips as well.

We were all halfway through dinner when Nick walks through the front door with trays of veg and chicken. Spring rolls and other steaming hot Chinese food.

Nick helped me plan today's dinner I told him I wasn't going to go over board but clearly he went and ordered stuff without me knowing and cooked a lot. He didn't know we were going to get takeout in fact he told me yesterday if we feed Nora well, it would leave a good impressive on her. And she may testify to Steve's character in court. Basically keep her sweet and as she loves to eat feed her.

I thank Nick for the extra food and place the spring rolls on the table he winks at me then leaves. We finish eating and then sit in the living room while we wait for dinner to settle before we have dessert.

"You must be loaded Cassie this place is nice".

"Thanks", Becca I say to my sister.

"It's unpleasant but we need to discuss the elephant in the room Steve", I look at Alex he was right.

"I'm sorry for what happened to you Cassie's but I'm married and I'm happy I'm in a different place right now. You want to drag up the past I left it behind for a reason. It took me years of hard work to get what I have now".

"Nora all we want to do is have you testify to the kind of person Steve was back then", she looks at me with sadness.

"My co-workers and friends know me as a tough no nonsense person. They will see me as weak for allowing a man to beat on me or emotionally abuse me".

I look on her, "No they will see how strong you were to not only leave him but make something of yourself and find happiness again. You're not in bed drugged up to your eyeballs while your child takes care of you because you're a shell of a person".

Out of nowhere my mum ask something that shocks me.

"Did you know what he was doing to our Cassie because you would have told your close friends and new husband about your past. It's what we women do and your husband is looking after your other children so he must know why you're here".

I start to feel sick she couldn't have known and not stop it or kick him out, "Did you know?" I ask her.

I look her straight in the eyes and she starts to cry. Mum slaps her, "Call yourself a mother you're not fit to be one".