Buried Wishes ✔

Chapter 44: O Mother, My Mother!

~ [Evelyn] ~

I woke up in my bed, confused and disoriented. It even took me a moment to blink myself awake and find that the shadow lady was beside me. My mother changed a lot over these past few years, but one thing that hasn't changed is her snores.

With my eyelids low, I cleared my throat and stared at her long enough for her to understand how annoyed I am that she's still here.

"Evelyn, how are you feeling, dear?"

"Stop. Please leave."

"Let me just explain myself, please, and then I'll go if you want."

I pursed my lips, scrutinizing her. Her eyes were soft and green, just like mine, and the more I stared, the more I wondered if I was as pretty as her. Cut from the fabric of her fibers, I grew up to be about the same height, carry the same silhouette, and even brush the same dark brown waves that cascade down her back.

"Fine."

"Evelyn," she soothed, slowly sitting down at the edge of the mattress beside me. "I know that there's no amount of gifts or apologies that would make up for leaving you and Erick. It was a really bad time for your father and I because-"

"Because you cheated," I filled in her words for her, knowing that it must have surprised her that I knew.

With a sigh, she avoided my eyes for a second before meeting them with determination. "Your father and I had drifted apart, and when he found out that I had... moved on, the tension was just too much. I just had to go and find my own happiness. I know it was selfish of me."

I didn't say anything, because I knew that despite having broken my family, she also set my dad free. He took it one day at a time, but he was also no longer locked in a heartbreaking marriage and it gave us hope that he would smile again. Eventually, he did and we were once again a family, minus a mother.

"Okay." I'm saying this word too many times today for too many important conversations.

"I can tell you want to say more, Evelyn, please just talk to me."

I brushed a lock of hair out of my face, ignoring the pool of tears currently building in my eyes. Clearing my throat, I started, "When I was a junior in high school, I fell in love for the first time."

She gave me a curious look, and nodded for me to continue.

"I didn't know what I was feeling, or how to even deal with it. I had so many opportunities to tell him, but I didn't because I had no idea if it was the right thing to do. Dad was busy working and it just didn't seem right to talk to him about it. I really could have used a mother."

"Honey, I'm so s-"

"Don't get me wrong," I clarified, "Dad was a wonderful hybrid of a mother and a father, but there really are some things that only a mother can do. And you were gone."

"I know I can't make up for what I took from you and Erick," she said as she took my hand in hers. I winced, but hesitantly let her. "But I promise I'll be here for you two as much as I can."

"Why now?" I stared at her hand on mine. "Why are you back now?"

She took a deep breath before explaining, "You have a sister. Her name is Ella and she's only two months old. When I gave birth to her, I realized that you deserved to know each other, and I was also reminded of how much I loved and missed you."

"So it took a ripped vag for you to remember me?"

She gasped at my words, which only made me laugh. I continued to laugh contagiously, hoping to hold onto this slight feeling for as long as I could, because I knew that as soon as it was over, I'd have to think about Liam.

After a moment, she joined me and we were stuck laughing at each other's laughter in a loop. Like mother, like daughter.

"I should get you something to drink. Do you have tea?"

I nodded. "On the counter by the fridge."

She smiled gently before walking out, and I was alone in my room. My eyes scanned around for my phone. It must still be in the living room.

I got up and went to sit on the couch, where my bag was. When I got my phone out, it was ringing nonstop.

Liam.

I sat frozen, staring at the screen, which displayed his goofy grin for me to miss him even more. I felt myself whither at the sight of him, reminded of how angry he was when I saw me at Mason's earlier. I just couldn't understand why he had been so on edge lately.

"Why aren't you picking up?" I heard my mother say from the kitchen. She walked out into the living room with a mug in hand.

As I was about to respond, we heard a knock on the door and I got up to open it. Standing there, out of breath, was Harper. She looked like she recently cried, and despite what I know of her and Mason, I wanted nothing more than to hug her and make her feel better. It seems that while I had a huge reason to stay upset, my friendship with her was still very strong.

"Where is Liam?" Her first words surprised me.

"What?" Annoyed by the ringing of my phone, I turned and instructed my mother to answer it.

"Liam said he was headed over here."

"Wh- I... He's not here," I stuttered in confusion.

"Evelyn-" I heard my mother speak up after answering the call.

"Who's that," asked Harper.

"My mother," I responded with a sigh.

"Evelyn, you really must answer this," urged my mother.

"Just take a message," I brushed her off and turned back to Harper, who had a funny look on her face. "What is it?"

"So that's what you'd look like as a cougar," she said with a smirk, prompting my major eye roll.

"Harper, why did you ask about Liam?"

"Because," she took a deep breath, "I told him everything about Mason and he said he needed to see you. He should have been here by now. You know how slow my car is."

"Told him what? Harper, what do you mean everything about Mason? What does that have to do with Liam?" The more questions I asked, the more confused I became.

"Eve-"

"What?" I snapped at my mother.

"That was the hospital. They said Liam is in the hospital and you were his emergency contact. He's been in a car accident," she informed me.

I stood frozen, staring at her. The words made sense individually but pulled no meaning when together. Deep in my mind, I heard a frightened voice shakily translate.

Liam... is hurt. And the last time I spoke to him, I called him an ass.

A/N:

Whew! A few more chapters and it's all over! 

Who wants Liam to die? Mason?

I'm sorry I've been slow to respond. Writer's block is a terrible thing. <3

~My