So I was out of those terrible, terrible camping clothes and back in my familiars. I was back at my family home, the home I grew up in. Even though it looks massive, it housed my mum, dad and 5 kids, so there really wasn't that much room. I wondered if my big brother Nathaniel was home, although I knew that was unlikely as he's recently had a baby daughter with an alien and he's spending time in his own house.
My father, Randy, let me in.
Randy: "Audrey! My baby girl, so good to see you! I feel like it's been forever!"
Audrey: "Hi Dad! Sorry I haven't visited in a while."
Randy: "No worries, I'm just glad you're here. Your mum isn't home from work yet, so make yourself comfortable."
I still hadn't told my dad about splitting up with Cannon. He really, really liked Cannon. He always used to say things on the sly, like calling him "son-in-law" even thought we weren't even close to getting married. They got on like the best of friends, telling my dad that we split would literally kill him!
I took a nap on the sofa whilst waiting for my mum to come home from work.
It didn't take too long for my mum, Iris, to get home, I greeted her at the door.
Audrey: "Hey mum!"
Iris: "Hey sweetie! Nice to see you finally!"
Audrey: "Mum..."
Iris: "I'm joking, where's Hannah?"
Audrey: "Oh, we went camping this weekend, I came home a day early. She's still there."
Iris: "Cannon not with you?"
Audrey: "Well, about him...funny thing really! We broke up!"
Iris: "Oh dear lord. Don't let your dad hear you."
Audrey: "I won't. But I'll have to tell him eventually."
Iris: "Just...don't tell him yet. Not during football season."
Audrey: "I won't, mum!"
Iris: "So what did you do?"
Audrey: "What did
I do? Mum...are you crazy?"
Iris: "Well you do have a big mouth sometimes, so what what happened?"
I told my mum the entirety of what had happened, including my heat-of-the-moment drink throwing.
Audrey: "...then I went to his apartment and he wasn't there. He just...left without saying a word. No-one knows where he is now. He didn't even try to talk to me. I thought I would've at least been able to catch him at home and apologise."
Iris: "Oh, Audrey..."
Audrey: "I still love him though, is that normal?"
Iris: "It is, sweetie. It is. What an absolute...moron."
Audrey: "Mum!"
Iris: "I'm sorry, I...he reminds me of Nathaniel's father. I've never really told you this, but he got me pregnant with your big brother very young, even younger than you, and when I told him...he just left the country, never to be seen or heard from again. Randy was a godsend. I met him whilst I was 4 months pregnant with Nathaniel, he cared for me and raised the baby as if it were his own son. You'll find love again, sweetie, don't worry."
Audrey: "Yeah but there's no baby involved here, trust me!"
My mother pulled me into a tight hug.
Iris: "You know we're always here for you, right?"
Audrey: "Thanks, mum."
Iris: "I know you're hurting right now, but things will get better, trust me."
I felt so lucky to have such loving parents. My mum always knew what to say to make me feel better.
Iris: "Your sisters are home too, you should go say hi."
Audrey: "Do I really...have to?"
Iris: "Come on now, Audrey, don't be like that."
Audrey: "Okay..."
My older (non-identical) twin sisters were in one of the bedrooms. They seemed to be giggling and gossiping with each other. When I walked into the room, my dad greeted me, he was drinking some milk. My sister Noelle noticed me first. She gave me a very menacing side glance.
Noelle: "Well, look who we have here, Athena."
My dad knew something was going to go down, so he quickly left the room. My twin sisters - or the ugly sisters as Hannah and I call them - are a few years older than me. They still live with our parents, and are somehow bitter about it. Hannah and I took the leap, and the risk to move out, and because Athena and Noelle are still at home, that's our fault for some reason. Plus we're also the reason that they're always single. Nah, I would put that down to their toxic personalities...and lack of decent fashion sense.
Noelle got up off the bed and walked over, looking me up and down as if she'd not seen me in 20 years.
Noelle: "Well if it isn't little Audrey!"
(Randy: "See ya!")
Audrey: *yawns* "Wow, is that the time? I'm sorry Noelle, I don't have time for your rubbish!"
Noelle: "You know who else doesn't have the time? Cannon. For you."
Audrey: "Who...who told you?"
Noelle: "No-one, luckily Athena was walking past you and mum when you were crying about it. It's quite funny."
Wow, what a burn!
Noelle: "Come sit down and have a chat."
Audrey: "I'd rather not..."
Noelle: "Come on baby sis! Pull up a chair."
Every bone in my body was telling me not to, but I
had promised mum I would talk to them, even though I'm convinced they both own a squad of flying monkeys.
Athena: "Well, you should probably stay single forever now, Audrey. Men are just idiots anyway."
Noelle: "Yeah, all idiots. Especially when they're always asking about you and Hannah instead of spending time with us."
Athena: "Probably why we're still single to be honest, you're the problem."
Aaand, there it was. The topic they bring up every, single, time.
Audrey: "It was one time. In school. A boy you brought home said I was pretty. That's it. I haven't ruined your lives!"
Noelle: "Hmph."
Audrey: "They were wanting to go on more dates with you, but because of that one comment, you dumped him! I think you're the idiots."
Audrey: "Plus, I'd appreciate you not saying anything about this thing with Cannon. I'm still processing it myself and I don't want dad to know."
Athena: "Oh...bless. My heart bleeds for you little sis!"
The sarcasm was strong in this one. Wow. I really try to avoid violence, but I was close to kicking their butts, sibling style.
Audrey: "No need to be a cow!"
Athena: "I knew it wouldn't last anyway. He was much too good for you. I wonder if I still have his number..."
Noelle: "Share it with me, Athena!"
Audrey: "Good luck with that, no-one knows where he is."
Athena: "Ahh, just shut up Audrey. If you keep up this attitude, you'll be lonely forever, haha."
Noelle: "And that's a bad thing?"
Athena: "And this fancy house in Windenburg you have?"
Noelle: "Haha, how on earth did you get that house?"
Audrey: "Hard work?"
Athena: "You and Hannah don't have jobs. You're bums. Did daddy give you the money for it? Or did Cannon? Is that why he left you?"
Audrey: "No. Hannah and I work darn hard for what we have. We don't need help from anybody. We don't have much, but we're happy."
Athena: "You keep telling yourself that, Aud. How do you get the money then? Stripping? That wouldn't surprise me with all your tattoos."
Audrey: "I'm too tired for this."
Noelle: "Probably swinging round that pole too much, dear."
I didn't have the strength to keep up with them. Usually I would burn them with flaming insults, but...the spark just wasn't inside me. I just watched as Athena's lips flapped as she barked her usual nonsense. At that moment, I was thinking deep...like...how Athena would suit a more subtle lip colour than bright red. Yeesh. Oh yeah, I was also thinking that I didn't need Cannon to be happy. I could go out, have fun and do whatever I want. I still love him, yes, but I have to move on. It would be the only way to heal.
