Page 43 of Expressionate
“I don’t care about Anne,” I say, “I’m here for you, nother.”
Trish focuses on her lap, refusing to meet my gaze. “She asked to seeyou.”
I sigh. “I’m still not here forher.”
Trisha sucks in a shuddering breath and I reach for her. “Hey—”
“Am I interrupting something?” My hand freezes midway across the table as Anne’s cold voice penetrates themoment.
Trish jerks her head up. “Oh, no, Mom,” she answers quickly. “Love wasjust—"
Anne flicks her hand as she retakes her seat. "Nevermind."
I slowly pull away and place my hands in my lap, keeping my face passive. Inside, I'mfuming.
The waitress returns with our drinks. Anne remains quiet as the woman asks if we need anything more. Trish mutters a polite, "No, thank you," and the three of us are left alone oncemore.
I'm here for Trisha. Not Anne. But being near this woman brings back memories I don't want to think about. It’s like phantom pains from my past are crawling out of my pores, reminding me of the trash dump I clawed my way out of before throwing myself to the wolves. I let them tear me to shreds before I finally had enough. I don't want to think about any of that, but one look at Anne's cold, calculating expression brings it allout.
Surprisingly, Anne and Trisha make small talk and other than a few sideways glances in my direction from the both of them – one gaze concerned, the other imperceptible – the lunch is not as bad as I had expected. It isn't until after our meal that the true bomb explodes in myface.
As we're walking out of the restaurant, Trisha pauses and pats her sides. "I think I left my purse," she says. “I’ll be rightback."
I turn around. "I'll go with you," Ioffer.
"No, that's okay, it'll just be a moment." I watch as she disappears back inside, and I'm left standing in the parking lot, the scorching summer sun on my neck andshoulders.
"Tattoos are unbecoming of ladies," Anne says. The condescending tone of her voice is all too familiar and I realize that is what was missing atlunch.
"How unfortunate," I say, "because they are also forever, and I already have them." I turn around and stalk towards the parked cars. Let her see my back. The dark ink stains on my skin are nowhere near as dark, cutting, or brutal as the scars beneath myflesh.
I pause at the end of my car and hesitate. I really should wait for Trisha. The whole reason I came was to convince her to stay with me. Lawrence left me feeling raw and wrong. No matter how much she denied it, I knew something was goingon.
"I never expected that you'd be back here, trying to insert yourself into Trisha's lifeagain."
I whirl around, pressing back against my trunk. I hadn't realized Anne had followed me. She stood tall, her lips curled into a sneer as she looks at me. Why? I think. Why does she hate me so much? What had I ever done to her? I had been nothing more than a child when she had come into my life, but never once could I remember a kind word from her. Not unless we were in public and it was expected, or in front of myfather.
Why do I care? I inhale, close my eyes, and turn my head away. I can hear her well; if she moves, I'll know. I don't need to fear an attack. Not in broad daylight. Not in public. That's not how people like Anne work. They wait for moments of weakness, for signs of strife. And she doesn't control meanymore.
Carefully, I open my eyes and face the woman that might have broken me once. Shattered, was more like it. Yes. She had shattered me. A small child in need of a little kindness and even worse than turning the other cheek and ignoring me, she ridiculed me, forced me away. I had taken that step to leave and she had badgered me about it – telling me there was no way I could make it on my own. It was because of her that I had done so. Because of her that I had found Danny. Because of her... that I had fallen down the deepest, darkest well I could have ever found myself in. I had ruined myself in that well, let it consume my body and my mind. But it was also because of Anne that I had forced myself to crawl out. Even as I am now, dripping in ink and old scars, I'm stronger because of thiswoman.
I look at her. "Trisha said you wanted mehere."
Anne raises a brow. "That'sright."
I nod. "Go ahead and say what you asked me here tosay.”
"Not going to play games then, are we?" she asks, pursing her lips and tilting her head back to look down atme.
"You were the only one who played games,Anne."
"Hmmm." Anne folds her arms across her chest and taps her manicured fingertips against her elbows. "Well, then, if you insist. It has come to my attention that your presence in my daughter's life has brought with it...unfortunateinfluence."
"Oh?" I have no clue what she’s talking about, but I hope she talks quickly. It’s already been a few minutes since Trisha had gone back for her purse. Certainly, she wouldn't be much longer. I want this conversation over and done with before she gets back. I need to get away. I can call or text Trish later to try and convince her to come stay withme.
"Trisha has been having doubts about Lawrence," Anne confesses. My gaze jerks back to her. This is good news. I'm surprised. But Anne isn’t finished. "Lawrence is from a good family. His father is a doctor, a pediatrician. His mother and sister do well for themselves too. They co-own a little business I suspect won't be little for much longer." None of this is important and I'm wondering what Anne is gettingat.
I shake my head and decide to just cut to it. "What does Lawrence and Trisha's relationship have to do withme?"
