7- Mama and Chloe
“Mrs. Mason! You are certainly glowing.” Abigail loved teasing her mom.
“Oh come on, Abi.” Geena dismissed her daughter’s remarks with a slight wave of her hand,
“Seriously Mom! What’s the secret? If I were half as beautiful as you, the whole town would be after
me.”
“Go for quality sweetheart. Not for quantity….. Now tell me what should I cook for you?” 1
“No mom. Actually, I am late for work BUT we can have dinner tonight.” she picked up her purse. “I was just here to check on you,” Abi said while going through her Mom’s medicine box.
“So how is the feeling to start your job at Levisay? Or should I say dream job?” Geena was teasing her. Abigail did not tell about her confrontation with Chloe.
Geena had already warned Chloe never to show her face. No matter how much she suffered.
“It’s going good, mom. You do know how much I enjoy anything related to wood furniture. Most women in my team and as much passionate about their job. Levisay has got a great working environment. You should visit my apartment someday.”
“I hope it’s furnished?”
“Oh yeah, mom. Not only furnished but there is a cleaning lady available. It’s up to me if I want to cook my food or order it.” Abigail never shared with her mom about her struggles of remaining hungry for long hours.
But what she did not know, her mom already figured that out. Her thinning waistline and her slimmer face were telltale signs.
Her mom did try to hand over her money but Abigail never accepted it. Though it was her father’s money but it was rightfully Geena’s share. Abi already used hers when she started her furniture business. The business was owned by Kyle now. Through treachery
Geen a looked at her beautiful daughter who was not related to her by blood. She sighed thinking o f Chloe. She was the one who was born from her belly. Her own flesh and blood. Every time she thought of her she felt nauseated.
But looking at Abi always made her proud. Not even once she blamed her for her daughter’s deeds. Though she thought she deserved it. Abi gave her a quick peck on her cheek. 1
“Bye Mom! See you at dinner.” She waved and started to leave. “And Mom please don’t forget to take your noon medicines, please. Take care”
Geena wanted to stop her. Wanted to ask her to attend the dinner with a guy, someone who can love her, cherish her, and most importantly see her inner beauty.
After Chloe’s elopement, she had a heart attack Abi never left her side. Molly was there too, but she blamed it on Geena. She never said that out loud, but Geena just knew. She could see it in Molly’s eyes.
But she could not blame Molly because she was also convinced that she was responsible for it Why she didn’t see it coming? There were so many signs that she ignored at the time but they
were there all the time.
How could she misjudge her daughter? Guilt was slowly eating her. “You should have taken me with you.” She told her husband’s portrait silently.
