Disclaimer: This story may trigger some as it involves topics of grief.
Although brushed upon lightly, I don't wish to cause anyone harm.
While I was working on this, I got snagged by some grammatical errors along the way. I did try having someone else edit my work, but they changed too much in their editing that it made me feel like the story was no longer mine. I think it's important to give my readers both sides to this story, so back to my original draft I went, editing the best I could. My apologies for the delay.
P.S. Thank you to those who sent personal messages. I appreciate your attachment to knowing what comes next and your encouragement.
The next installment is in the works, expect it around Halloween. Thanks for your patience. xxx Lila
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- Continued-
Talia:
"She still hates me," I muttered to myself. My self-esteem absolutely shattered.
It took everything in me to not just fall on my knees and cry. I was sick to my stomach. Out of all of the times I would imagine reuniting with her for a real chance to explain what happened that day, I didn't think I would see so much hate exuding her body. It wrecked me... This was the woman I loved. Despite everything, and her not giving me the benefit of the doubt, I still yearned for her.
I had made so many small mistakes.
Unintentional ones, but they changed the course of my life completely.
The day of the accident, Everly had changed.
She was distraught (understandably so), but it wasn't just sadness. This was an anguish I had never seen before. I truly hadn't realized just how close she was to her mother. I thought I knew, but the reality was so much greater. Seeing her that fateful day made me realize how badly this was going to go.
Pain and solitude had embraced her like a warm blanket in the winter. To me, it seemed as if she had snuggled deeper into that feeling and let go of everything that held her balanced to the world of the living. It was hard to see, and even harder being pushed away.
To make matters worse, this was mixed with rage. She completely blamed me for her mother's death. Despite knowing exactly how the accident happened, I was the culprit in her eyes. All because I didn't show up to pick her up from that bloody airport.
If I would have known, I would have dropped everything and gone with the original plan... Who knows then what might have transpired.
"This is impossible," I said aloud.
All I wanted was her forgiveness. But I don't think that will ever happen now.
It seems that with her working here now, I would be running into her. As much as I knew the answers to my own ponderings; I could only hope that eventually she would want to talk.
Realistically though, I knew she would not. Her petty introverted ass would want to avoid me at all costs. As nice as she may be, she's stuck on not forgiving me. There was a stubborn side to her not many knew about. They were lucky they never had to deal with it. Besides, her sister also warned me that this could happen.
"You may not have caused that accident, but you didn't keep your word, and that's what she holds onto," my mouth found itself speaking softly to no one in particular.
My mind wandered to the last thing she said to me.
---
-6 Months Ago-
"Youuuuu!!!" Everly shrilled loudly.
She was pissed at the sight of Talia walking to the doors of her Mother's Hospital Room.
Nervous and frightened by a loud and angry Everly, Talia took in her surroundings. She had never seen Everly like this.
Talia walked slower towards her destination, unsure of what to say, but apologetic, nonetheless.
"I am so sorry, Everly..." Talia groveled.
"Get out!" Everly projected, "Now!"
Exasperated, Talia nervously said, "But I need to be here for you, I know how hard this must be..."
Everly swiftly cut her off, "You know how hard this is for me?! Do you? You know how hard it is for you to get a call from a stranger, saying there was an accident! How you were nowhere to be found..."
Everly, rising in tone, "How I called you and you weren't with my mom like you said you'd be. That you were somewhere else completely and in the opposite direction of the airport! Are you serious right now? Fuck you."
Everly had spoken so loudly, she drew in stares.
"I can explain..." Talia started once more only to be cut off a second time.
"Absolutely not, you had one job! One thing. I have never asked you to do anything for me the entire time we were together, and now my mother is dying. All thanks to you. You can leave. We are done."
Everly continued, "I will have Jack get my stuff from your place."
"Everly... Don't do this. Please baby, don't do this. Don't shut me out. This isn't my fault..." Talia pleaded on deaf ears.
"This IS your fault! My mother is in Hospice fighting for her life... I never want to see you again! Am I being clear?" Everly shouted.
Upon hearing the commotion, a hospital security guard walked up to them.
"Is there a problem here folks?" he stated in a matter-of-fact way, knowing it was not a real question.
"No. She's not family. She was just leaving..." Everly dryly said. Contempt written across her features.
Talia winced, realizing the magnitude of Everly's words. The words 'She's not family' striking her with a massive blow. They took the air right out of her lungs. Enough so that she could not speak.
She nodded to herself, took one last glance at an Everly she could not recognize, shrunk and turned around. Maneuvering the halls on autopilot, she rushed to get away. Fast walking to the parking garage, tears streamed down her face. Her pace quickened.
Entering the elevator, she hastily pressed the button for the 2nd underground level.
Her reflection looking back at her. Messy bun trying hard to let itself loose. The dirty blonde curls pushing the elastic hair tie to its limit. Salty tears created slight deviations in her makeup as they made their way from the pools of her eyes, down her face, and dropped to the tile of the elevator floor.
"Ding," came the sound as she reached her destination.
She raced to locate her vehicle before the monsoon of tears arrived. She could feel them bubbling inside of her, ready to explode.
As she got to her car, she opened her door and barely entered when she finally let go.
Sobs.
Red faced and heaving she slammed her hands on the steering wheel.
"This wasn't supposed to happen..." she cried.
