It’s then that I really see her for the first time. Normally, the woman is flawless. Right now, bags and dark circles mar the areas under her eyes. Her hair is ratty, her clothes are stained and hang off her slight frame.
Blue narrows her eyes, but steps back, allowing her mother to enter.
“I didn’t want to do this. I want you to know that,” Pixie says. She runs her fingers through her hair, and I see exactly why her hair looks like an animal’s nest.
“So why did you?”
“Because I was scared not to.”
“Scared of who?”
“Battle’s people.”
“What?” Blue shouts.
Her mother shrinks back. “Kings aren’t the only people pissed at me.”
“What’s going on, Mom?” Blue asks, sounding worried.
“Battle’s people have been in contact. Telling me I need to get his grandson back and if I don’t, they’ll make sure I regret it, and Calla suffers.”
“How does that make sense? She’s his child, I’m sure they want her on their side,” Blue says.
“I know, but how could I risk it?”
“You should have told Stone immediately,” Blue says harshly.
“How? He can barely stand the sight of me, and I think they’re watching the house.”
“Jesus. See what lies get you?” Blue hisses.
“I did the best I could with the situation. I know I screwed you over, and I’m sorry. I was just so worried about her. I knew you’d be fine. You always had a good head on your shoulders, and a father who’d do anything for you. I didn’t have to worry about the past coming back to haunt you.”
“That’s all you have to say? You know what? Sit down, and don’t say shit. I’m going to make some calls,” Blue snaps.
Pixie slinks off to the couch.
“Do you want us to go?” I ask.
“No, please stay and keep me from killing her with my bare hands. I’ve just reached my threshold of what I can take with her,” Blue seethes.
“And no one blames you for that, trust me,” I reply.
“Yeah. I should never have let it get this far. I hate the way I used to be. I took way too much, because I was trying to keep the peace.”
“It’s an admirable trait. Don’t beat yourself up for trying to be the one who always took the high road,” Ruthie says.
“I look around now though, and I can’t help but think, sure it was admirable, but at what cost? Would this have gone down the same way if I’d just stepped up?”
“We all know you can’t live in the past like that. It’s not good for anyone,” I remark.
“Yeah, you’re right. Let me hit up Stone,” Blue says, stepping away to grab her phone.
Ruthie and I cross our arms over our chest and glare at the bedraggled woman on the couch.
“You’re a pitiful excuse for a mother. If you want to make this right, you’ll woman up and withdraw the suit. Consequences be damned,” I say.
“This is my life we’re talking about,” Pixie whispers.