Chapter Seven: Confrontation

The following morning, Nina was trying to prepare some much needed coffee when Daniel surprised her. 

"Morning beautiful." He whispered as he embraced her. Nina giggled softly.

"Morning." She replied. She felt much better today after they had gotten everything out in the open. She even felt closer to Daniel. The only thing missing was sleep, but that's why they invented coffee. 

When the coffee was finished, Nina was preparing to fill her mug when Daniel swiftly took it away. 

"Daniel!" Nina gasped. Daniel just winked and went to sit at the breakfast bar. 

"Thank you." He said jokingly as he took a sip. Nina squinted her eyes at him and began to fill another mug. 

"So that was your mission all along? to distract me and steal my coffee?" Nina joked before she took a sip of her coffee. Daniel laughed. 

"Maybe." Daniel joked back. The two sipped their caffeinated beverages in silence for a few moments. 

"Is it casual Friday?" Nina asked. She had just now looked at what her husband was actually wearing.

"Yes Thank God. It's torture wearing a suit and tie everyday. Especially when you're just at a cubicle." Daniel answered. Nina smiled at his response. It wasn't a day that went by when he was complaining about his workplace attire. 

"Are you heading in early?" He asked. Nina was caught briefly off guard.

"Uh yeah. I have a 9 o'clock session." Nina answered. She took another sip in case he further inquired. 

"Alright." Daniel said. He didn't notice his wife's sudden change. Nina finished her coffee and grabbed her briefcase. 

"No breakfast?" Daniel called out as he watched her head for the door.

"No time." She yelled back. "Love you." She said and left. 

"Love you too." He replied even though she was no longer in the apartment. 

Nina was thankful that Daniel didn't ask anymore questions. She really hated lying to him, but she didn't want  him to know the truth, not yet. She wasn't actually going into work early. Instead, she was paying her sister-in-law a visit. She tossed her briefcase in the backseat and started her poor excuse for a car. 

After weaving through the morning traffic and dozens of pedestrians, Nina found herself closer to their side of town. The little brown building was getting nearer and nearer in her sight. She flicked on her right turn signal and parked her car.

She had to walk back around to get to the entrance so she did. As she was approaching the door, she spotted old newspapers. She shook her head in disgust. Once inside she tried to remember their apartment number. 

I'm sure I could just follow the trail of beer bottles and crack pipes She thought. No I came here to help, not judge She reminded herself. 

She asked a tenant if they knew where the Harrison's lived and the older woman politely helped her. Nina thanked her for her help and entered the elevator. 

Nina exited the elevator and began to knock on the tan door. She got no answer and so she started up again. 

I know someone is home She thought.

Veronica was passed out in bed as usual. In her slumber, she thought she heard knocking. She assumed it was just her pounding headache but she came to realize it was the door. 

"Who the hell is that?" She asked herself out loud. She slowly began to sit up. As she did it felt like she had just gotten off a roller coaster. Her head was spinning and she couldn't maintain her balance.  

Veronica nearly slipped on the beer bottle as she stood. She sighed and continued to get up. She glanced over at the other culprits of her hangover, her cigarettes and her "borrowed" pills. 

"I gotta stop this shit." She said to herself and stumbled out of the room.

Veronica reached the door at last and swung it open. She didn't care who was on the other end, she just wanted to knocking to cease.

"Do you know what time it is?!" She yelled at her visitor. To her surprise, it was Nina.

"Twenty-five minutes to Nine." Nina replied. 

"What the hell are you doing here?" Veronica barked. 

"I was in the neighborhood." Nina said with a shrug. She slide past Veronica and walked towards the living room. Her nostrils were immediately hit with the smell of smoke. For a moment she wondered if she had actually walked into a smoke joint. 

"I did not invite you into to my home!" Veronica reminded Nina rudely. She didn't appreciate the lack of respect she was showing.

"I didn't need you to." Nina snapped back. "Besides I'm not here for you, I want to speak with Jeremy." Nina added.

"He's at school obviously." Veronica said.

"Obviously." Nina repeated. "I was hoping to leave earlier, but the traffic got in the way." Nina responded.

"That should have been a cue to turn your ass around. What do you want with my son anyway?" Veronica asked. 

"It doesn't concern you." Nina replied. Veronica narrowed her eyes at the woman in front of her. She didn't care that her head was pounding and her stomach contents were threatening to make an appearance. 

"You've got some fucking balls coming to my house disrespecting me." Veronica said. She stood back and eyed Nina, daring her to respond. 

"Why should I respect you?" Nina tossed back. "You don't even respect yourself, your kids or your home. Look at you!" Nina replied and gestured her hand at Veronica's body. Nina took the moment to really look at Veronica. The decaying of her teeth, the skeleton-like frame she had, the permanent dark circles under her eyes, the premature wrinkles she was beginning to have, it was all clear signs that she was using again. 

"You look like you just finished a crack-binge or something." Nina commented after her inspection was over. 

Veronica's eyes widened. 

"I don't do crack." Veronica responded. "And you interrupted my sleep, of course I'm going to look tired." She tried to explain.

"Sure, that's it." Nina replied sarcastically. 

"Well look at you. At least I don't look like I'm pregnant when I'm not." Veronica said bitterly. She knew it was a sore spot for Nina and it's exactly why she brought it up.

A hurt look spread across Nina's face and for a moment she didn't know what to say.

"When was the last time you were pregnant anyways? How long did that last?" Veronica continued to insult Nina. The words stung like they had came to life and turned into little darts, each aiming for her heart. 

"I didn't come here to talk about me." Nina said as she fought back the tears. "I just need to know if the boys are alright." Nina replied honestly. And it was the truth. Her sole purpose for this visit was to hear from Jeremy, that he was happy living here and safe.

"Why don't you have your own kids and worry about them? Mines are fine." Veronica said smugly. That was the final straw for Nina. She had no reason to continue to be nice to this bitch in front of her. 

Nina inched closer, closing the space in between them. 

"I came here because I care. Because I have a heart and can't bear the thought of those boys watching you kill yourself everyday. They don't deserve it and you don't deserve them!" Nina yelled. Her voice was raw with emotion and through her rant, a tear managed to escape. Veronica tried to back up. She put her hand up and tried to speak, but nothing came out. 

Just when it looked like Veronica was going to reply, Nina slapped her. She couldn't take another smart ass comment and wouldn't give her the chance. 

"The next time you want to bring my kids into this, it will be more than a slap." Nina threatened. "I was a better mother in a few months than you have ever been in decades." Nina pulled herself away and forced herself to leave. 

"And clean this shit up, the whole house stinks and so do you." Nina said before she slammed the door shut behind her. The whole apartment shook briefly. Veronica touched her cheek and fell back onto the couch in shock and fear.

**Question: Are the pictures too small?

Chapter Six: Stuck in the middle

Daniel left his sister's apartment shortly after she finished cooking. He suddenly didn't feel much like having breakfast with her after the shots she took at his wife. They had never gotten along and he couldn't say he didn't understand why, but it sure put him in a tough spot. Why did someone always have to be right? Why did he have to pick sides? Couldn't he just be neutral? Apparently not. He was off today and was determined to enjoy it despite his day not getting off to the best start. 

He opened the door to his apartment and wondered where his wife was. She was off today as well and usually spent her time catching up on her favorite TV shows. He glanced to his right and didn't see her in the living room. He walked around the corner to their bedroom and she was no where in sight. 

He was ready to call his search off until he spotted her in the doorway of a particular room. He told himself to just turn around and walk away, but he couldn't. He shook his head at himself and headed for the room. 

As he approached Nina, he could tell her attention was fixed on something as if she was magnetically drawn to it. Actually you could say she was just drawn to the room in general. He didn't have to follow her eyes because he already knew what the object was, a crib. An empty crib. 

"Honey?" He called as he tried to reach out to her. She didn't respond to him even though he was so close by.

"Nina?" He tried again. She blinked but continued to stare at the crib. 

"Yes?" She answered softly all the while never turning to look at him.

"What are you doing in here? I thought we agreed to keep this room locked." He asked. 

"I did no such thing." She replied defensively. "You agreed to that." She said. 

"Well I think it's best for us." He clarified. It wasn't good for her to constantly worry about the children they had lost or would never have, not of their own anyways. Adoption had been his suggestion but Nina always dismissed the idea. 

"Why don't we go out or something? It's a nice day out." He suggested desperately wanting her to be anywhere but this room. 

Nina broke her trance-like state and turned towards her husband at last. 

"Why do you always do that?" She asked. Daniel looked dumbfounded. 

"What do you mean?" He asked in response to her question.

"Try to change the subject or avoid it all together!" She answered angrily. 

"I don't." Daniel replied. He didn't want to feed into whatever this was becoming. He just wanted to salvage his day but it looked like he just added fuel to the fire. Nina squinted her eyes at him. She often did that when she was upset. 

"Ignoring it doesn't make it go away!" Nina yelled. She hated when he acted as if she was crazy for remembering, crazy for being hurt, for actually feeling something. While Daniel on the other hand seem to just put a wall up and refuse to feel anything about it. 

"I don't." He said. He realized he repeated himself and knew that she would probably think he was coming off as an insensitive jerk. He wasn't or at least had no intention of sounding that way. 

"I just hate seeing you get depressed over it." He said trying to explain himself.

"I am not getting depressed." She fired back defensively. "I am feeling like a normal human being!" She shouted. Things were going so far left, Daniel regretted not turning around now. 

"But the therapist said this behavior isn't healthy. We have to move on." He reminded her. Nina held her hands up as if she couldn't believe what he was saying. 

"If there was a baby in that crib would you tell me to move on, to forget?" She asked. He looked at her confused. 

"Of course not." He answered. 

"Then don't tell me to move on now. I will grieve however I damn well please." She stated dismissively. She wanted to end the conversation there and be left alone.

"Honey you can't forget a child when it's literally here..that's crazy." Daniel said. 

"Veronica certainly has no problem doing it. She has two kids that she ignores constantly." Nina said bitterly. Daniel sighed loudly. 

"We are not talking about my sister." He said. He was beginning to feel exasperated by all of this, by the constantly putting one another down his wife and sister did with one each other. 

"Why not?" She asked. Nina folded her arms and rolled her eyes. "Did you even talk to her?" She inquired. 

"About what?" He asked and held his hands out. He was becoming mentally drained because of these two and it wasn't even noon yet. 

"About her addiction and her seeking help!" Nina yelled. He could be so oblivious. Nina thought he must be blind if he couldn't tell she was using again. 

"She doesn't have one." He replied in his sister's defense. At least she didn't to his knowledge. 

"Yes she does." Nina insisted. "And those boys deserve better." Nina said. 

"What is better, here with us? Is that what this is all about?" Daniel asked as his tone rose. Nina gasped as if he insulted her. 

"Don't try to make this about me. Don't insinuate that I only care because I am so desperate for a child." She said. Her face fell and the hurt was evident. 

"You are twisting my words. I never said that." He said. Daniel was at the end of his rope. If he took his sister's side then his wife would be hurt and upset. If he took Nina's side, then Veronica felt as if he was breaking some type of family code. "Blood is thicker than water" She'd always say. He never understood what that meant. Nina was his family, they were married for goodness sake. He couldn't win for losing and he was sick of it. 

"Not directly." She said softly. "But you still made your true feelings painfully clear." She said as her voice began to crack. Daniel's arms dropped to his sides. He felt defeated and just stood there as Nina walked off. 

                                                         _____________________

Daniel wasn't sure how long he stood there as if his feet were glued to the floor, but he went to seek out his wife. She hadn't went far. He found her sitting on the sofa and her face looked as if she was in deep thought. 

"Nina?" He said softly. Like before, she was continuing to looking straight ahead. 

"I deserve that." He said in response to her ignoring him. "But I am sorry. I don't mean to sound nonchalant when it comes to the miscarriages we've had. I care Nina. You don't know how many times I've had to sneak off and cry." He explained. She turned her head briefly to look at him but still remained silent. "I had to. If I cried in front of you then how could I be any help to you? One of us had to be strong." He answered. She hadn't asked him to but her look said enough. She looked at him understandingly. Nina knew deep down that he cared too she just wanted him to say it once in a while. 

"And about Veronica." He started. Nina turned away at the mention of his sister's name. "I am not as blind as you think. I just want to give her a chance. I can't go accusing her without proof. What if that just makes her start up again? That would do nothing but hurt the boys. I have to just observe and if I see anything out of the ordinary then I'll act on it." He finished. Nina wasn't completely happy with his answer but she understood. 

Nina slid closer to him and placed her head on his shoulders. Tears began to fall from her face, but not because she was sad. She felt like she finally broke through the barrier he had put up. She wasn't alone in remembering their lost children and he wasn't totally blind to his sister's behavior. She just wished he was more observant. But she felt like something was accomplished and didn't want to push it. 

The couple stayed in the living room for the majority of the day. The day was spent watching movies and laughing and just enjoying being in one another's company. 

Night had soon approached and they were calling an end to their day. Sleep quickly overtook Daniel, but Nina was left wide awake. Her mind wouldn't let her rest. She kept thinking about a conversation she had with her mother-in-law before she got sick and took a turn for the worst. They were having lunch at a small sandwich shop downtown. The woman had confided in her and told her a secret, one that she had been keeping from Daniel ever since. She had told Nina that Veronica was back to her old ways and if something was to happen to her that she wanted them to take the boys. Nina of course promised to do whatever she could to make sure the boys were safe. However at the time, No one expected her to fall ill so fast. Nina never thought she would have to fully uphold her promise. 

Chapter Five: Meeting Her

Jeremy pushed out of his apartment building as fast as he could. He hated exploding at him mom like that, but he felt as if it was uncontrollable, like his anger was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. And it did. He worked on trying to calm down by taking deep breaths but it wasn't doing the trick. He still felt as though he wanted to scream. He just wanted her to understand how he felt for once. Was that so hard? so wrong? He loved Malcolm like he was his son and he'd take a bullet for him any day. He would do whatever it took for his little brother. Why was it so hard for their mother to have the same commitment? That was something he'd never understand. 

He sighed loudly. His mind wandered to his grandmother and what she would say to him right now.

"Jeremy she's your mother." She would have said. 

"I know grandma." would be his reply.

"You have to respect her, love her. And she'll get better." His grandma would respond.

"But how? why? She doesn't even love me!" Jeremy would want to say but wouldn't. He'd just be silent and it was like she could read his mind. His grandma would give him a hug and repeat herself, "respect your mother and love her." 

And the conversation would have been finished. His grandmother didn't support Veronica's habit but she didn't argue and fight. She felt as though it would only push her daughter away more so instead she hoped and prayed for her daughter to get better. 

"Grandma I'm sorry. I lost my temper." He spoke softly into the air. He knew she wasn't here, but he hoped somehow she would hear him. It also helped ease some of the guilt he was feeling. 

He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. His thoughts took over and he didn't try to stop them. He felt deeply bothered by yelling at his mother. In the moment he felt justified, but what if his grandma was right? What if it just made her addiction worse, what if she actually died? He couldn't handle that. He was barely holding on as it is without his grandmother. He couldn't make it if he lost Veronica too. He could feel a lump forming in his throat and he swallowed it down. 

His walk to school had came to an end and he was entering the double doors before he knew it. He was glad he walked, it was obviously the longer route but it helped clear his mind. 

_____________

Meanwhile, back at home Veronica had managed to put Malcolm back to sleep and take a shower. She decided she should eat something but was surprised to find an empty fridge. 

Shit. She swore. How long had it been this way? She thought. Did Jeremy even eat before leaving? She wondered. She was reminded about their argument and once again she found herself thinking that she was the worst mother in the world. 

She wiped out her cell phone and dialed her brother, Daniel's, number. His wife answered the phone and Veronica simply said "We're out of groceries." The other woman paused for a moment before she woke her husband. He mumbled an "Okay" as he began to get out of the bed. She replied that he was on the way and hung up. Veronica rolled her eyes at the phone screen as it noted the call had ended. The two weren't the nicest to each other for obvious reasons. Her addiction and the fact that she lost her job. However, they weren't aware that she had started using again. 

Daniel arrived about twenty minutes later. He asked to be buzzed in and Veronica went downstairs to meet him. She hated this arrangement. Their mother had died knowing Veronica was back to her old habits and hated knowing she was leaving her grandchildren in her care. The only thing that eased her mind was knowing they would be taken care of. And the only way she could be sure of that was placing Daniel over her will. He handled her funeral arrangements and the left over funds from her life insurance. He used it to help his sister financially, but never directly gave her anything. 

Together the siblings brought up the groceries and in return Veronica offered to make him breakfast. Daniel was reluctant to stay, but he agreed. 

"Veronica have you been looking for a job?" He asked. Veronica knew the topic was coming up. She would have preferred if he just came out and said he was tired of helping her. 

"Danny...of course." She replied trying not to get irritated. 

"Mom's money won't last forever and I have a household of my own to take care of." He said. 

 "I know that!" She said a little too loudly. She sighed. "Providing for your wife must be so hard." She said in a quieter tone. 

Daniel grew quiet. He wasn't one for fighting, much like their mother. 

"Veronica I just don't want to see you and the boys struggling." He said. 

"We'll be fine. I will get a job." She said and continued to chopped the vegetables for the omelet. Daniel knew that she wouldn't. As long as she had some type of crutch, she would never want to stand on her own two feet. He was torn between carrying out his mothers wishes and helping his family, and taking crap from his wife. She never believed his sister would change and wanted him to just take the boys away. Veronica was aware of this and hated her because of it. They couldn't have children of their own and Veronica never missed an opportunity to throw it in her face. 

______________

Upon entering the school, Jeremy was still somewhat distracted by his thoughts. He was on his way to his locker when he noticed someone kneeling in front of it at the last minute. He almost stumbled back when he tried to prevent tripping over her. 

Crap. He thought. 

"Sorry." He apologized. The girl looked slightly shaken up by their almost collision. 

"It's okay." She said in a soft spoken voice. "I was in the way." She said. Jeremy shook his head. 

"No I wasn't watching where I was going." He said. 

The girl stood and nervously avoided eye contact. 

"I'm Jeremy." He introduced himself.

"I'm Lauren." She replied shyly.

"Nice to meet you." He said. A small smile crept across her face.

"Uh you're new right?" He inquired. Lauren nodded. 

"Is it that obvious?" She asked. 

"Well kinda when you've seen the same faces for three years." He joked. She gave a small nervous laugh. 

"Are you having trouble with your locker?" He asked. He could note the frustration on her face when she was beginning to stand. 

"Yes. I'm not very good at opening them.." She answered. Jeremy offered to help her. 

She stepped to the side and called out her locker combination. He soon popped it open. She thanked him and pulled out her book bag. Because of her not knowing how to open it properly and no one being around to help yesterday, she had to leave it here overnight. Thankfully it was only the second day of school and the only homework they had were getting their syllabus's signed. 

"Thank you so much." She said with her book bag now back in her possession. 

"No problem." He replied. 

"Could you help me with one more problem?" She asked. 

"Sure." He answered. 

"I'm looking for Room 116, I believe it's my homeroom." She explained. He nodded his head. It was his homeroom as well. 

"It's straight ahead, you can follow me." He said. She placed her schedule back in her pocket and followed him to the classroom down the hall. 

Chapter Four: Anger unleashed

Unable to separate herself from the sleeping bear, Veronica reluctantly stayed the whole night. She barely got any sleep however, most of her night was spent regretting not being home with her children and mentally trying to block out the loud snoring. The sun had began to rise and Veronica managed to pull away successfully.

The cold air surrounding the house hit her body hard. She shivered and quickly made her way to the dresser in front of the bed. She was sure her "friend" wouldn't mind if she borrowed a shirt. But honestly, she didn't really care. She slipped on a shirt that was a dozen sizes too big and barely covered her chest, but it would do she decided. 

She glanced over her shoulders to make sure he was still sleeping. Yes, she mentally checked off in her head. Veronica crept out the bedroom as silently as possible, even though she was sure an earthquake wouldn't wake him up.

Veronica had finally stumbled into the bathroom in no time. It wasn't really hard to find places in such a tiny house like this. She sighed in relief when she noticed the bathroom was mirror less. She didn't need to see the smeared makeup and heavy eye bags for the millionth time. You could swear she was tired of it, but apparently not tired enough. She groaned as she replayed last night. Why did she even leave her home? and worse, why did she come here? She thought.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the bathroom door swinging open. Foot prints were followed and she could see who had joined her from the reflection in the window. 

A body was pressed against hers and arms made their way around her waist. Veronica resist the urge to shudder and run. 

"Morning." He greeted. Veronica returned his greeting with a false sense of happiness. It was easily believed. She soon untangled herself and told her companion that she had to get home to her kids. 

He offered to ride back with her, but she turned down his offer. He seemed a bit hurt, but didn't push the topic further. Before she walked out of the door, he slipped a few bucks into her hand. She was taken back at first. She had never received money after a one night stand, as if she was a prostitute. But Veronica assumed that's what he thought. She mumbled a thank you and hailed down a cab. 

The Taxi stopped in front of her apartment building, she paid her fare and walked inside. As she pushed the corresponding button for her floor, she prayed her kids were gone or sleep. She didn't need to see the disappointment in their faces too. 

She stepped into the apartment and was heading to the bathroom when she heard the refrigerator door shut. She knew it was Jeremy so she went to greet him. 

"Jeremy what are you doing up so early?" She asked. She noted that he was dressed too, he must have been leaving for school. 

"What's it to you?" He snapped at her when he turned to face her. 

"Wha--t?" She sputtered out. Jeremy and her rarely talked these days, but he never flat out took such a tone with her. 

"Why do you care?" He repeated. "You're just coming in yourself!" He said and gestured over her. 

Veronica was about to apologize, when he cut her off. The look on his face said enough, but it didn't stop him from expressing his anger verbally. 

"What kind of mother does that, stays out all night without worrying if her children even made it home ok?" He yelled. "

"While you were out whoring yourself around do you know what I was doing? I had to make sure Malcolm was taken care of all while doing my homework and getting what little sleep I could before work!" He went on. Her behavior wasn't anything new, but he had hoped she'd change once school opened back up. But no, she disappointed him yet again. He really should be used to it by now, but everyday he woke up thinking, hoping she'll change. Hoping she'll be the mom he used to know. 

Veronica took the verbal abuse in silence. She deserved to hear this even though each word was like a knife in her heart. She blinked backed tears and continued to listen. 

"I just fucking hate you. You have no sense of responsibility and could care less what happens to me or Malcolm. I just wish you'd drop dead already, because then I would't have to worry anymore. I would know you're never coming home and wouldn't spend half of the night tossing and turning or consoling Malcolm when he can't sleep!" He finished. His voice had began to crack, he was shaking and turned a a slight shade of red. He exhaled in one big huff before finally pushing past her. He yelled out that she could at least watch Malcolm while he went to school before slamming the door behind him. 

Veronica stood there unable to move until she heard a cry from the nursery. She wiped her own tears before making her way to Malcolm. He was standing to be picked up. 

"Shh" Veronica soothed and reached down to scoop him up. 

"It's okay." She said and he soon grew quiet. 

She bounced him up and down until a smile shot on his face. She smiled as well and for a moment she didn't feel guilty. She didn't feel like the worse mother in the world. 

"You still love me huh?" She asked Malcolm softly. The toddler just laid his head on her shoulder in response. 

Yeah, you love me because you don't know the monster I am yet. She thought.