Because of Haven Beach

2 | druxy

druxy (adj.)

something whole on the outside, but rotten inside; of timber, having decay in the heartwood

* * *

I counted to twenty before slipping out of my room. Knocking on the bathroom door, I asked, "Mom, can I come in?"

The lock clicked. I twisted the doorknob and slowly opened the door.

She was sitting in the empty bathtub, hands covered in blood and shards of glass from the vase she threw at my father. A river of tears streamed down her face, smudging her eyeliner and mascara. Despite her state of immense sadness, she still looked beautiful.

Grabbing bandages and wipes, I sat next to her and got to work. As she sobbed uncontrollably, I cleaned her cuts and removed the shards of glass. When her sobs turned into hiccups and silent tears, I gently removed her makeup, wiping each and every tear away.

The whole time, I racked my brain for something to say. I didn't know if it was too soon to start bashing my father, so I started by repeating her near-famous words of wisdom, "Everything will be okay... Without the rain, we would never feel thankful for the warmth of the sun."

But this wasn't just a gentle rain shower; it was a full-fledged hurricane that was coming to destroy everything in sight.

Upon my words, a heavy sob escaped her mouth as she took in a ragged breath.

I inwardly cringed. My words were supposed to help her, not make it worse. Although, I had always been the tissue box holder, never the consoler when someone was feeling sad. It just wasn't in my nature to give comforting words of wisdom.

"Is there anything I can do to take the hurt away?" It physically hurt me to see the pain the cheating bastard brought upon her. She suddenly became so much stronger in my eyes. Ten years of knowing her husband was cheating hadn't broken her until now. That took tremendous strength.

"Yes," she hiccuped, reaching for her phone. "Can you- can you call your Uncle Ricky?"

I was expecting something more along the lines of getting her water or making sure he left, but I was happy to oblige. "Of course. Is there anything you want me to tell him?"

"J-just ask if we can stay with them for a while."

I nodded, already searching her contacts for his number. "Sure. I'll be right back."

I pressed the call button and paced up and down the hall as I listened to the dial tone.

"Michelle?" Uncle Ricky's voice flooded through the phone.

"Hi, Uncle Ricky. It's actually Charlotte."

"Charlotte! Hi, how are you? It's been what, a year? Two years?"

"Um, yeah. So—"

He cut me off, "How is school going? You're a senior, right?"

"School's okay... Listen, my mom and I need a favor."

There was a brief pause. "Sure. Is everything okay?"

I sighed, "Not really... My mom is finally leaving my father. She, uh, wanted me to ask you if there is any chance we can stay with you guys for a while?"

"Wow. That's just... wow. Of course, you guys can. Can I, uh, talk to your mom?"

"She's... indisposed at the moment. Physically fine but emotionally beaten up. They just had a huge argument."