Astrid is a widow who has a daughter and is struggling to pay the debt her husband left her. Their marriage was not a happy one ever since they began to distance themselves when the baby was born. As if paying for the debts weren't enough, she has t...
I wake and the sun was shining through the cracks of my curtains. I greet Stormfly and I go to the living room but I don't smell or hear anything. All I end up seeing is my mom sleeping. She had a smile on her face which was weird because I heard almost everything that happened last night. I don't really talk to Ingrid much and my mom makes sure it never happens. Last time I even saw her was when I was really little and I only remember her pointing at me and saying something but without a smile on her face. I guess I was scared of her and I still kind of am with what I hear.
I don't think my mom knows that I know what is going on. Ingrid wants to take me away and I don't want to go with her. I want to stay with mom and I am sure she has a plan. There are only a few more weeks of school left, 4 or 5 I don't remember.
I go to my mom and I see a box that is opened. In the box, there were many things, mostly pictures. Bracelets, feathers, rocks, seashells(?), and lots of other stuff. I saw pictures of the sea and sunsets and there was writing written on them. One of them said, "Welcome to Henderson." Henderson? That could be where mom grew up. There were other pictures of mom and other people who are maybe her old friends. Mom looked almost the same as she does now but younger. As I approached my mom to wake her up, I saw a picture in her hand. It was her and a boy.
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He had brown short hair and bright green eyes, and my mom had a braid on one side and I think she looks pretty with her hair that way. But, who is he? Could he be my dad? Wait, mom did say she met him there, but she also told me she doesn't miss him. Now I am confused. If she doesn't miss him and she is smiling now holding this picture, why are they not together then?
I know mom hates secrets and she would tell me she would never keep any from me. Mom has not been with any man that I have seen and I have never seen a picture of my daddy and this is the first time I see a man in a picture with her and smiling. I have to know more because I know mom has a long story to tell.
***
Astrid POV
I wake up to a gentle shake and someone saying 'mom'. "Oh hi, Zephyr."
"Hi. Whatcha doing?"
"Nothing really just.." Then I realized what I was doing. After talking to Iduna I grabbed my memory box and started looking at everything in it. I didn't realize I fell asleep despite the noise Stormfly makes every morning. The last thing I remember is picking up a picture and with that, I dozed off not realizing I fell asleep holding this picture. "..just looking at some old stuff."
"Okay? Who is he?"
"Him, oh an old friend of mine."
"My father?"
"What?"
"Is he my dad?"
I was shocked, it was not my intention for her to see this. I quickly put it away along with everything else and tell her: "no, he was a better person than your father. Anyway come on we have to make breakfast." I quickly said as I got up and put the box away.
Saturday is usually the day we run errands so we were getting ready to go and spend the afternoon together until I get a knock on my door. It was a delivery man. Weird I don't remember ordering anything. "Astrid Hofferson?" "Yes?" "Sign here." "Sure." "Thank you."
I went to my couch and opened it and I could not believe what is in it. "That's it."
At Henderson:
"Iduna, when are you planning on giving it to her, she needs it now."
"I know but with that woman on her and her child, this can go away. I was thinking of inviting her here for the summer and we can go from there."
"Can she now? Remember she has been beyond busy with what her husband has done."
"Oh yes I forgot to tell you, she told me it is done. School will be over soon according to her. I am sure she will be willing to come."
"Fantastic, they will be safe here than anywhere near that woman."
"Precisely Valka."
Back in Pittsburg
"Astrid?"
"I need your help."
"Sure come in," Wendy said. She came back to the living room with crackers and a juice box for Zephyr. "What's wrong."
"We can't stay here any longer, I have had it. I receive in the mail two textbooks that the school uses. I called the school and asked and they said she was admitted, with that I asked for her name to be taken off. It went well but I know that she will strike again and I don't think I want to know what she will do after she finds out."
"Listen calm down. What are you planning on doing now?"
With that, I look at Zephyr and then remember my conversation with Iduna. It is decided, John's bills are all paid for, I owe nothing to anyone, and my job well I enjoy it, but I think it's time to leave.
"Go back home."
Wendy POV
After hearing that, I hesitated but realized it was for the best. Astrid is brave and loving and Zephyr couldn't ask for a better mother. I heard about her life down there and I think that that is where they both need to be. "We will help you."
"Thank you" She whispered as we shared a hug. After that, we got right to work because now time was money.
