Days passes by and it's surprising it's been weeks since her last encounter. Her mind wild around many random things and it's just 2pm. "Today feels like forever" Thalma said softly. Roughly went to campus for lectures and arrange a couple of things that was about 3 hours ago.
She moved closer to her closet to get her clothes right back at their places after a fashion show of choosing the right dress for class . Thalma's phone rang while she was arranging her cloths into the closet. So persistent like a memory that has refused to stay buried. Thalma looked and saw it's 'mom' calling.
For a second she considered letting it ring. Not because she doesn't love her mom, no , that was never the problem but because hearing Evelyn's voice always reopeneda part of her she had learned to keep stitched shut. She answered anyway.
"Hey mom" she said. "Sweetheart" Evelyn's voice came warm and familiar carrying a softness that made the distance between them feel heavier. "I have been calling you for two days straight. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine ,mom" she automatically replied. "You're sure sweetheart?" For a moment Thalma giggled so she can capture her mom's believing heart. "Sure , mom. I'm good just busy lately with school work. How about you , mom?"
"Chilling, sweetheart" Evelyn quickly responded.
"I was thinking", her mom continued "You've been to England for long. Why don't you come over to Morocco for your vacation when the semester is over ?"
Thalma's fingers tightened around her phone. "Morocco" she said but not loud to be heard to anyone.
"Thalma are you there ?" Her mom asked just to be sure network didn't interrupt. "Uhm, I heard you mom, loud and clear".
Sunlight mornings, warm evenings, a house filled with laughter that wasn't entirely hers. A mother who lover her deeply, yet live a life that no longer include a father.
"Uhmmmm, mom, I do not not right way" she said slowly. "I have a lot going on here"
"You always do, princess" Evelyn said. Not accusing, just in a calm and powerful way.
"You need rest too, you need family". Evelyn said.
'FAMILY'. The word landed awkwardly in Thalma's chest.
She thought of her father in Canada, preparing for a future with another woman. Thought of Evelyn's home, her new husband and the children who calls her mom without hesitation. Thought of herself belonging everywhere, fully no where.
"I will think about it" Thalma finally replied. "That's all I'm asking for, sweetheart" Evelyn said softly. "Just think about it, I miss you" .
"I miss you too , mom" she said softly.
When the call ended, the room became quiet than ever. She placed her phone beside her diary and stared at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting; not to Morocco, not in England rather but to the life she was constantly being invited to and yet never fully sure she wanted to accept.
"Some choices didn't come with wrong or right answers, only consequences" Thalma released powerfully.
She reached to her diary. She wondered…was leaving the cure she needed or just another escape?
She decided to pen down her thoughts…
"Dear Diary…"
***
The house smelled of beer and cologne, too much of both.
Lewis was sprawled across the couch, phone in hand. Trevor leaned against the kitchen counter, laughing at something Rodney had just said. Damon sat apart from them, elbows on his knees, staring at nothing in particular.
"So," Rodney drawled, breaking the silence, "are we going to keep pretending Olivia is the love of your life, or are we finally calling this what it is?"
Damon didn't look up. "Can we not do this today?"
"That's your answer," Lewis said with a smirk. "Every damn time."
Trevor chuckled. "Man, it's been months. You're still acting like you're on pause."
Damon reached for his drink and took a slow sip. "She's good to me."
Rodney scoffed. "Good isn't the same as being real."
That got his attention.
Damon's jaw tightened. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, we do," Lewis said. "You use Olivia like noise. Something to drown out the quiet."
Silence fell heavier this time.
Trevor glanced at Damon. "You ever notice you never say her name unless someone asks?"
Damon stood abruptly, running a hand through his hair. "Drop it."
But none of them missed the way his shoulders stiffened or the way his phone lit up briefly on the table.
A notification he didn't open. A name he refused to say.
All looked at each other and burst into laughter that was unexplainable.
To be continued...