"Are you ready to tell me what's bothering you?"
Eric sighs, shutting the textbook in his lap. He looks up towards me as I cross my arms. His face is still how it was when I left, jaw tight and body stiff.
"Nothing is bothering me, Stacy."
"Uh-huh...and I'm the queen of England with a large palace filled with corgis. What's bothering you?"
"Nothing!"
"Eric. You're studying. There is obviously something bothering you."
He huffs, setting both the textbook and his notebook onto the coffee table. He looks up to meet my eyes as his jaw tightens more. I feel my arms cross as I don't break eye contact.
"Nothing is wrong with me, Stacy. And if there was something wrong with me, I wouldn't tell you."
"Why not? We're friends! That's what friends do!"
He huffs as I throw my hands up. I can hear Mrs. Matthews and Morgan in the kitchen singing and dancing to Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks. They seem ignorant to what Eric and I are saying.
"Is it Kimberly? Did you two breakup?"
I hadn't seen them together since before I went to my audition in LA. Kimberly I always with her group of prim and proper friends while Eric's usually with His friends or the basketball team. I also haven't seen him hitting on any of the female population in Philadelphia.
"Kimberly? What makes you think this has anything to do with her?"
"Isn't that why most teenage boys get mad or upset? Because of a girl?"
He looks almost offended as he stands. His arms cross as he stands before me with his tight jaw on full display. His brown eyes burn into my blue as his body stands right before me.
"Fine. This is about a girl. She is beyond beautiful, caring, funny, and headstrong. So headstrong that she doesn't even see what's right in front of her."
His eyes shift between both of mine, filled with multiple unanswered questions. His eye contact is heavy with emotions that I can't place. Who is he talking about? I know he has said somethings to me in the past, but he can't be talking about me right? Not when he is constantly with other girls, right?
Right?
Before I can say anything, the doorbell rings. Eric breaks eye contact as a breath I didn't realize I was holding is released. I clear my throat as he reaches the door, opening it just enough for him to see who was outside. His body blocks any view I would have as a slightly familiar voice fills the now quiet room.
"Hello..uh..I'm sorry. Is this the Matthews residence?"
"Yeah. What can I do for you?"
It's not hard to miss the snip in his voice as he crosses his arms. The voice I've only ever heard through speakers speaks once more as I feel my body freeze. Unknown emotions threaten to overflow as my breathing stops.
"Hi. I'm Clara Shields and I'm looking for a young woman named Stacy Hunter. Is she here? She should be around your age, actually..."
Eric glances back towards me as I'm knocked out of my shock. I feel myself step forward, as if I'm on autopilot. My arms fold tighter over my chest as her face comes into view. Her smile freezes as she sees me behind the boy I was just talking too moments ago.
Tears well up in her eyes, causing anger to grow within me. She clears her throat, pushing down whatever tears were about to fall as she looks me over. Eric steps further out of the way, still holding onto the door as he watches me as well.
"My...look at how much you've grown..."
She goes to step closer, causing me to step back with a hard look on my face. She freezes, watching me as I wrap my arms farther around me. My own throat is cleared before I feel my mouth open to say the only words on my mind.
"What do you want?"
Before she can say anything else, the swinging door opens to Mrs. Matthews wiping her hands on her apron. She doesn't look up as she speaks, only looking down at her flour covered hands.
"Eric, Hunny, who was at the doo-" she freezes as she finally looks up, seeing who decided to stop by. "Senator Shields? The Senator Shields? For the state of Pennsylvania? Where we live?"
"Hello...you must be Mrs. Matthews?"
She steps further inside, reaching her hand out to the woman who took my brother and I in when she didn't have too. My anger grows as my eyes bounce between the one who gave me up and the mother who took me in.
"Clara Shields. Apologies for dropping by unannounced like this..."
"Oh! No! You are more than welcome! But..uh..why are you here?"
"I was wondering the same thing."
The snip in my voice is obvious as all eyes turn to me, besides the brown pair that were already on me. Mrs. Matthews glances my way, confusion clear as she looks between me and Clara. Clara turns to face me again as she clears her throat.
"I..had to come see you. I had to know you were doing okay. With my own eyes this time."
"What? Don't have any on your team stocking me? Or did you have to do it yourself? How did you even know where I was, huh? Why did you even come?!?"
I feel my voice rising, it even echoing across the house. Taking a few deep breaths, I force myself to calm down enough as I feel another pair of eyes on me. These ones are small and don't need to know what's going on.
"You know what...I've got too much going right now to deal with this. I don't care why you're here or why you care, but just leave me alone. You are a ghost who left me years ago. Let's keep it that way."
She fights back tears, clearing her throat with a nod. She reaches into her purse, pulling out a small card before stepping closer to me. I just stare at her as she speaks.
"Okay..uh..if you change your mind, have any questions, or ever need anything..just call. Here's my card with all the numbers that you would need to get ahold of me. Please take it."
I stare down at the card, not moving a muscle as the room goes quiet. My eyes move back up to her face as a lone tear falls from the same eyes she gave me. She extends her arms further as she almost begs me with her blue orbs.
"Please..."
Ignoring her, I turn to Mrs. Matthews instead. She seems to have an understanding look on her face now, filled with concern as she looks between Clara and I. I can see Eric doing the same beside her and Morgan watching with curiosity and confusion from the little shelf area that separates the living room and kitchen.
"I'm sorry for yelling, Mrs. Matthews, and I'm also sorry that I'll have to miss dinner. I believe I need more time to myself right now."
"It's alright, sweetie..take all the time you need. I'll take care of Shawn when he and Cory get home."
"Thank you..."
I sigh at her words, feeling slightly better that I have her in my life right now. Without sparing another look towards Clara, I turn and walk back through the kitchen and out the back door. I make sure to grab my keys and purse, not knowing where I'd end up to blow off some steam.
——
A/N
How're y'all doing?
Everything going good? Y'all need to talk about it?
It's okay if you do....
Drink water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love
-the Author
Younger Linda Carter as Senator Clara Shields