Splinters: Part One

Part One | 7

"So, Brayden," she began.

I shifted on the sofa, feeling extremely uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Tell me about who Melissa is to you?"

I lowered my gaze and shrugged. "I guess she's... my new, uh, parent."

"How does that make you feel?"

Again, I shrugged. "I know that she's trying to be the best she can for me, but..." I squinted my eyes. "She's... she's not my mom. She'll never be my mom."

She tilted her head to the left slightly. "And why's that?"

I shook my head. "I already have a mom."

"Would you like to tell me about her?"

I glanced at Dr. Hamelon. Her eyes were pleading. "I don't, uh... I don't really want to talk about her."

"Let's try," she encouraged. "When was the last time you saw her?"

I thought long and hard. I didn't know. I remember the time I last saw her, what the day was like and everything, but I don't remember hold old I was or the year, or anything. All I remember was that it was just before my birthday and what I really wanted was her. I didn't even want a gift. I just wanted her to be home. But she never came. 

"Brayden?"

"I was young."

"Do you remember a lot about her?"

I nodded. It wasn't that I accidentally forgot her voice or her face. I tried to. I didn't spend that much time with her, but I loved her. I still do. If I tried really hard, I could remember the way she talked, the way she looked, the way she acted. In my dreams, sometimes she's there. 

"What was she like?"

I knew what Dr. Hamelon was trying to do, but I wasn't going to tell her about Marie. I wasn't going to tell her anything. I don't want to deal with it anymore. It's over. It's been over.

"Can we talk about something else please?"

Dr. Hamelon let out a small breath. Out of frustration? I wasn't sure. If she was irritated, it was probably because she was really close to getting me to say something about my mother, but I refused.

"Okay. Whatever you want, Brayden." She smiled gently. She picked up her clipboard again and read something off of it. "What's it like at your new home?"

I pressed my lips together and nodded. "I like everyone there."

"Lots of sisters?" she said lightly.

I nodded again, smiling wider. I wondered how she knew about the girls, but I didn't ask.

"Do you have a favorite?"

I shook my head.

"One that you're particularly close to?"

"Probably Ursanne."

"Is she the oldest?"

I nodded.

"How old is she?"

"She's fourteen."

"What do you guys do together?"

"Well, w go to the same school so sometimes she'll help me do my homework if I'm confused."

I always wondered how Ursanne was able to help me. I was a year ahead of her and she always seemed to have an answer for my questions. I came to the conclusion that she was just really smart. I mean, how could she not be? Greg and Melissa were both brilliant, I'm sure those genes had mashed themselves inside Ursanne's brain somehow.