Runaway (Chapter 14)

Chapter 14
Getting to know each other

The next day... We had a 'chat.'
It was mostly Mum talking, but anyway.
She asked me how I got here. Which I replied: "I walked."
How I got her address. "Facebook."
How I found food. "Peterson's and a cafe."
Why I wanted to see her. "I hate the Peterson's and your my biological mother.
Where's my clothes. "In my backpack."
How I found Rex. "He's a stray."
And finally why I didn't call her. "Mary doesn't let me talk about you."
There was a erie silence.
In the end I asked her something.
"Do you love me? I mean REALLY love me?"
Mums eyes looked into mine. Her hands enclosed around mine.
"Of course I love you! Why do you ask?"
"Well it's obvious isn't it? Why did you leave me? Couldn't you look after me?"
"Jessica I was young. I don't know. 18 years old maybe?"
"You was 16 when you had me!"
"How could I manage? I was 16... I still had 10 more years to think about marriage and a child. But then I was pregnant! I didn't want to kill you; so I went along with it! When I was 25 I got married. You was already with Kate then. Your father died a year after we was married. To me... I had nothing else to live for! No family left. No husband. No house. No job. I will confess. I completely forgot about you. It had been years since I had last saw you. I'm so sorry Jessica."
She let out a sigh and burst into tears.
I wrapped my arms around her.
"It's alright. Don't worry about it!"
I feel guilty for making Mum sad.
"I'm the worst mother in the world!"
"I'm sure that the worst mothers wouldn't admit to it! Look it's ok. I get it. I would of done the same thing. Come on. Let's get some breakfast. You look like you havn't eaten in months!" I exclaimed.
"Thats sort of true. I mean I have been eating. But not much."
I take her to the kitchen and search for some bread. I put it in the toaster and meanwhile make a hot cup of tea.
I get myself a bowl of cereals and cold milk. The toast popped out of the toaster and I butter it and put it on a plate that was chipped all the way around. It was the only plate that wasn't broken in half!
"When my inlaws came around I needed to use it," Mum giggled childishly.
I looked at her in amazement.
"Only kidding! I'm clumsy. Drop everything!"
I let a sigh of relief. Rex had finally woke up and was jumping around the kitchen waiting for a delicious bone.
"You don't mind if Rex stays here. Do you?"
"I've always wanted a pup! I'll buy some proper dog food later. You can give him a bath too after eating. I think I have a few pieces of chicken left."
"Thanks Mum!"
Rex swallowed his chicken under the stairs, then went back upstairs.
After breakfast Mum and I went upstairs to give Rex a 'bath.'
It was more like Rex-jumping-in-and-out-of-the-tub. AND splashing soapy water all over the bathroom floor.
While I dried Rex, Mum cleaned up the bathroom.
"So what do you like to eat? I havn't cooked in a while... but I'm sure I can make a dinner!"
"I guess I like pizza!"
"Thank goodness I don't have to make that! There's a pizza takeaway 5 minutes away! They sell the BEST pizzas!"
I smile.
"Don't you have work? On your Facebook page it said your a waitress!"
"Who cares about work! My long lost daughter has come and found me!"
I'm lost in yet another embrace.
"So... Do you like anyone.. I mean your only 29!"
"Hahaha! Oh Jessica your funny! I have no time for boys! I have to work. Clean the house. Actually make myself eat something. There's shopping to do. I have a job on Saturdays and Sundays too just to pay the rent."
"Oh, we'll I thought..."
"Thought what?" She was nearly snapping.
"Never mind." "What about friends and stuff? Your Facebook page has a picture of you and a couple of other girls at a shiny hotel."
"There just people I work with. I'm not that rich Jess... You don't mind if I call you that do you?"
"No. I like it better than Jessica!"
"Well.. Jess... That's the hotel I work at. It's called ,'The Old Swan."
I nods my head. I check the floor. I could see my face almost clearly in it. Rex had already gotten bored and ran outside, in the backyard.
"I think that's enough cleaning now huh?"
I laugh and think of something to do.
"Why don't we take Rex for a walk? If it's ok with you!"
"Anything to make you happy darling!"
"Mum.. Yes honey!"
"Rex hasn't got a leash!"
"I'm sure we can buy one!"
We get changed out of our PJ's and hop into the car.
I'm confused:"Mum.. I thought you said you wasn't rich."
"What do you mean?" Mum got the car started and reversed into the road.
"You have a expensive car."
"This thing? My mate Phil gave me it. Only for a week. He said it's my 'birthday present.'
We reach the store and go inside.