Chapter 73
FREDA WHITLOCK
I couldn’t stop myself from brewing in anger as I navigated the car through traffic. After Georgina’s accusation in Dad’s ward, I chose to leave and Lyra came along. I couldn’t stand it. It had been days since this accident happened and for whatever reason, me and my son were taking the brunt.
On my knees, I apologized. Word would soon be out there about my assumed wrongdoing. People would glare at me and look at my son with disdain. They would think I brought him up as a troublesome boy whereas he was not close to that. All this was because of a baseless accusation made by the Luna. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth and my grip on the steering wheel tightened.
Safiya’s ploy to defame me had finally pulled through. That sick woman! The hatred toward her steamed in my chest leaving a painful tug. I had never hated someone before and the feeling was more like holding tightly onto thorns and I wasn’t comfortable with it one bit. But she had it coming. She deserved it for all her interference in my life.
wore
My mind wandered to the string of past events. Things happening so fast and not in my favor even though I was in the right. The weight of the situation on my shoulders was causing me to have a m**l breakdown. I was worried for my son. He was my top priority and I failed him.
Tears stung my eyes and I gulped down the painful lump in my
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throat as I blinked them back. I didn’t want to break down before Francisco. There was a lot that had happened before him already that shouldn’t have. He was a child but I knew he was traumatized by the myriad of events.
First, he had been involved in a life-threatening accident and then was blamed for it at every single chance. How much more would he witness? There was more, my heart knew it and it worried me.
Returning to this place was the worst decision I had ever made in my life even though I did so for Dad’s sake. Now, I felt like a terrible daughter for thinking that way.
Goddess, I’m a mess!
My hands were trembling slightly against the steering wheel as tears welled up in my eyes. I sniffled silently and blinked them back yet again quite aware of Cisco’s gaze boring holes at the side of my face. My eyes caught Lyra’s through the rearview mirror and she nodded at me, motioning me to smile. She had seen through my facade of keeping it together
I gulped down with difficulty and forced a smile. She leaned forward and rubbed my shoulder. Her touch left warmth in my chest. I couldn’t say anything because I knew if I let my mouth open, I would be bawling my eyes out.
She leaned back against the chair, seething with anger. Cisco was in the passenger’s seat in front. Initially, playing games on my cell but now, he was staring at me with all concentration.
N pulled the car over when we caught up with traffic and forced a cheery expression before looking at him.
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“What level are you on?” I was making small talk to distract him from whatever he was thinking that was making him worried.
Lyra and I exchanged glances and she nodded. She knew I was trying to distract myself. She knows everything and I couldn’t love her more. “Fifteen? That’s impressive!” I was wowed when I peeked into my cell to see the level he was at in the game Lyra had downloaded for him.
“That was fast, kiddo. I’m at twenty” Lyra chimed in, gasping dramatically as she pulled out her phone.
Cisco didn’t seem phased by the talk, his eyes were still on me.
“Mom, my teacher says it’s not good to hold back one’s tears” He stated, the worry wiped away, replaced with a relaxed smile.
My breath caught in my chest and my lips parted. There was a brief exchange of glances between Lyra and I before I spoke
“Well, your teacher is right but why did you suddenly bring it up?” Surely, he hadn’t seen me trying hard to contain myself, right?
“You look like you want to cry Mom” His voice was quiet but his smile unwavering. The tears I had pushed back resurfaced and threatened to spill. How come? How come he saw through me with that much accuracy? My hands shook as I moved them from the steering wheel to my lap.
I shook my head and wore a huge smile, “I don’t want to cry dear. Something just got into my eyes” A faux smile
accompanied by a lie. Classic tales for a child, except my big boy didn’t buy it.
He grinned, “Mom, there’s nothing in your eyes. If something got
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in there, you would ask Aunt Lyra to check but you didn’t – If you want to cry…” He paused, “Cry. It’s not a bad thing. I do that a lot” He frowned as though he remembered something unpleasant and I knew what. In the past few days, he had cried a lot, I feared he’d fall ill but here he was, healthy, giving me the one advice I never thought I’d need.
My tears dropped in torrents as I nodded frantically. I would do anything for my son including letting my tears out if he wanted. He was always thoughtful of me but today made me see how perceptive he was. He had the mind of a wise adult. He wanted what was best for me and everyone. My thoughtful boy.
One of the best things I had in life. Fransisco.
“Aww… Kiddo” Lyra also seemed to catch on to the emotions and she wiped a stray tear from her face as she rubbed my shoulder. “You’re the best son ever. I envy you, Freeds”
Her remark made me chuckle through the tears and she laughed.
Traffic began to move and I quickly returned my attention to driving. Now, more composed than before. No more thoughts were racking my brain. I felt better, free even.
Cisco suddenly spoke, “Mom, I promise I didn’t push Harper. It was an accident. And when she’s awake, I’ll ask her to tell the truth so her mother will say sorry to you”
His words were a warm pat to my heart but at the same time, made me recall something and I hit the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt by the road.