9. Flora
Flora
Before we can go again, pounding on the front door interrupts us.
“Stay here, Honey,” I tell Jaz as I dart out of bed. I toss on one of my silk flower robes as I make my way down the stairs.
When I reach the bottom step and pull the door open. Zee stands in my doorway, two men behind her, both appearing to be around my age.
“Mom, can we come in?” She glances over my shoulder, like she is looking for something, or better yet, someone.
“You can, but they can't." I nod to the husky men behind her.
She gives them a little nod, then passes by me into the house.
I follow her into the den, where I have a wall of plants with big glass windows, a plush sectional couch, and a TV. It's the one room in the house I love being in because it reminds me the most of my greenhouse.
Zee sits down on the couch, then pats it, indicating she wants me to sit next to her, but I don't.
“What did you need to talk to me about?” I ask, sitting down in the green chair next to the fireplace.
She takes a deep breath, sucking air into her lungs, then releasing, saying, “I’m pregnant, a month and a half along.”
My mouth goes dry at her news, rendering me unable to respond, just rapidly blinking.
“But Mother, my condition stays between us. I only told you because I’m moving in with those men, and leaving New York once and for all.”
She darts to her feet, giving me a wink and a little wave before she heads for the front door.
“Wait a second,” I call after her, stopping her before she can pull the front door open.
Zee spins on her heels, with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.
“We may not be close, but I want to be part of your life and the babies. Zee, you need to know that Jaz has been living here and working for me.” She takes a step back, putting her closer to the front oak door.
She laughs, holding her belly, yelling, “You think I'm going to let you near me or my child after you're sleeping with my ex-girlfriend? Do you think I’m that fucking naive?” She huffs, pulling the door open, stepping out onto the porch, saying, “Enjoy my sloppy seconds.
She is nothing but a little needy whore. You deserve each other."
My mouth hangs open as she stomps off the porch, leaving me in the doorway. But before she makes it all the way down the sidewalk, she turns to face me again.
“Don’t contact me again, Flora.”
I watch her climb into the black SUV and speed off with two men that I know nothing about. My mind races as I replay her words, causing me to wonder why she even came here.
Why would she come to just tell me off? Or is it to tell me she knows and that she doesn't need me anymore?
I’m pulled from my endless questions when footsteps pad down the stairs behind me.
“Is everything alright?” I don't have to be looking at her to tell that she is concerned, along with worried, about the yelling she most likely heard.
When I turn around, a little giggle escapes me as I spot Jaz in one of my silk robes that's a mile too long on her.
“I heard yelling.”
I kick the door shut behind me, giving her a warm smile. “Don’t worry about it, Honey; everything is fine.”
Her eyebrows squish together, giving me a quizzical glance, saying, “What happened, Flora?”
I will be damned if Zee destroys the rest of my night, not after that little show she just put on.
“Don’t you worry about it, Honey. Let's go.” I take her hand, clasping it in mine, guiding us back up the stairs to my room. “I told you I wasn't done yet.”
TO BE CONTINUED…