Chapter 29
Okay, so a bit of a longer authors note here.
While I was writing chapter 28, I decided that I wanted to have the majority of chapter 29 finished as well, so I wouldn't leave yall hanging for too long.
That's why this one was able to come out so soon.
A little double update as an apology for how I'm not able to update as often (as mentioned in the a/n)
Also.... I would like to apologize in advance for this chapter.
Speaking from personal experience, it's supposed to show the not so bright side of autism (especially in girls) and it's really the first time you will see Elowyn in the state she will be in.
I'm not sure if I should add a trigger warning or not...
so I think that speaks for itself?? Read at your own discretion because this chapter is definitely a bit hard to get through.
So yeah... again, I apologize in advance.
Bye???♀????
~Y??
"Why do you look so shocked," her mother scoffed, pushing her way into the house.
"Um," Elowyn stood there frozen, not knowing what to say.
It had been three years since she had last seen her mother.
She had shown up to Elowyn's high-school graduation after hearing that her daughter was graduating with honors.
Janelle had spent the entire afternoon telling anyone who would listen how bright and intelligent her daughter was.
But once they were alone, she had criticized nearly everything about Elowyn.
Her hair, the way she had hurried across the stage with her head lowered the whole time.
Even the noise-canceling headphones she had worn throughout the ceremony.
Janelle had found something wrong with all of it and didn't hold back, leaving Elowyn with the distinct impression that even graduating wasn't something she could manage to do correctly.
"How did you get in here?" Elowyn asked, genuinely confused and uneasy.
"With a fucking key."
"Yes, I know that, but how did you get the ke-"
"You still haven't grown, huh?" Janelle snickered as she eyed the girl up and down. "I don't understand why you're so damn small. Both your father and I aren't exactly short."
"I grew half an inch," Elowyn murmured shyly.
"Speak up."
"I grew half an inch last year," Elowyn repeated slightly louder, making Janelle laugh.
"Half an inch? What an accomplishment, I'm so proud of you," she said sarcastically.
"Thank you," Elowyn gave a small, genuine smile.
"Still slow as hell," her mother shook her head, brushing past the girl. "And put your hair down," she reached out and pulling the ribbon out of Elowyn hair. "Those damn ears make you look even more retarded."
"Oh. Sorry," Elowyn ran her fingers through her hair, effectively covering her ears.
"Janelle, I don't think he's here yet," a deep voice boomed from the doorway.
Elowyn looked back, watching the large, balding man walk in with heavy steps.
He looked gross.
"Ah, are you Elowyn?" He asked once his eyes landed on the girl.
"Yes. Who are you?" Elowyn whispered, stepping back when the smelly man tried getting closer to her.
"Alan, pleasure to meet you," he smirked, holding out his hand.
Elowyn stared at his crusty hand, eyeing the dirt underneath his finger nails.
"Have some manners Elowyn," Janelle came up, roughly grabbing the girl's wrist and forcefully putting her hand in the man's.
"No," Elowyn tried to squirm her way out of the hold, feeling her eyes begin to sting at the unwanted skin on skin contact.
"There, that wasn't so hard was it?" Janelle said when their hands finally detached.
All Elowyn could do was just stand there. Her hand felt filthy even though it physically appeared the same as it always was, her wrist was now stinging harshly where her mother had grabbed her, and all she could think about was how she desperately wanted her dad to come home already.
"This is the one?" Alan turned to ask Janelle, to which she just nodded. "Wow. You're far to pretty to be a retard," he smiled, showing off his yellowing teeth.
"Where is your father?" Janelle snapped at her Elowyn, pulling her by her by the same wrist.
"I don't know," the girl hissed at the sting. "How did you know he's not here?"
"When will he be back?" Her mother ignored her question, walking to the kitchen after dropping the girl's wrist, the strange greasy man following close behind her.
Elowyn winced as she watched their shoes press against her clean floors with every hurried step.
"Can you please take your shoes off and leave them at the door? Seraphina bought a nice coat rack with shelves. You can place them there. Please."
"You're still with the shoe thing," Janelle sighed. "There's no need for all that fuss."
"It's not a fuss. I'm asking you politely to please respect my home and remove your shoes," Elowyn clarified.
"Your home? This isn't your home child. You don't work or do anything for that matter. You just leech off your father like a begger."
"I-"
"And who the hell is Seraphina? A new doctor? Or has your father found a woman willing to settle for him?"
Elowyn could feel herself getting worked up and overwhelmed with all the questions thrown at her back to back.
"For question number one, yes, this is my home. Dad-" she took a deep breath to collect herself when she felt her voice tremble.
"Dad always says that this is my home no matter what. And I don't have a normal job, I know that, but I do keep the house clean and... and I do contribute. I... um, I cook, and I-"
"I don't need to hear your explanations with all that stuttering. It pisses me off."
"Sorry," Elowyn cleared her throat quietly, he fingers digging into the sensitive skin on the back of her hand. "For question number two, Seraphina is my friend. A very nice friend who makes me feel comfortable."
"Wow, you can distinguish your feelings now? Answer me this, how would you feel if I told you that Seraphina is not really your friend?" Janelle crouched down to Elowyn's level.
"You know Seraphina?" Elowyn tilted her head, rubbing her aching wrist.
"No. I don't know who this Seraphina is, but I do know one thing. She's not your friend."
"Yes she is, I asked her."
"Elowyn, no one willingly befriends someone like you. You're difficult to be around."
"Seraphina said I wasn't difficult. She said she enjoys my company."
"Do you really believe that?"
"She told me."
"Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but she's lying. She probably just pities you."
"No she's not, she doesn't lie-" the words died in Elowyn's throat before she could even finish the sentence.
The trail mix.
Seraphina lied about the trail mix. She had deceived her before and Elowyn would have never found out, had the woman not confessed.
Seraphina can lie.
"Looks like you've finally come to your senses," Janelle stood up again with a chuckle.
For unknown reasons, Elowyn felt tears begin to form in her eyes. She had delt with plenty of people befriending her for laughes or as a bet with their own friend groups. It always stung, but never like this.
Why was this time different? Why did Elowyn feel as though something inside her had shattered, the pieces scattering and settling somewhere too deep for her to reach?
"Did you make these cookies?" Janelle asked from the kitchen as Elowyn made her way over there.
"Yeah, they're for dad," whispered. "Actually," she walked over to the kitchen counter to retrieve the banner that was still in its stubborn packaging. "Can you help me open this please, I need it before he gets here," she held the package out to her mother.
"Have you tried opening it yourself?"
"Yes, I tried several times. I can't get it open."
"Try again," Janelle walked away.
"Mom-"
"Try again, Elowyn. You don't need to be asking for help with every little thing."
Looking down at the package, Elowyn sighed and started trying again.
I don't need help for every little thing.
She repeated to herself as she tugged harder.
It wouldn't open. The last thing she wanted was to get a knife and accidentally cut into the banner. So she continued pulling and tugging at the plastic, only stopping when she saw Alan grabbing some cookies of the plate.
"You can't eat those!" Elowyn ran up to the tall man whi was grabbing cookies. "They're for my dad when he gets home."
"Then make some more," Janelle mumbled, walking over to grab several herself.
"I- I made those for dad!" Elowyn raised her voice in frustration. "They're his cookies and you're just taking them!"
"You act as though they're the last cookies on earth," Alan said with a mouthful of the chocolate chip treats. "Is that like a side effect of the disorder?"
"It's not a side effect of anything! They're just not yours!" Elowyn grabbed the plate before the pair could steal anymore.
"Stop raising your voice Elowyn, I'm still your mother," Janelle scolded.
"Okay," Elowyn looked down feeling guilty, trying to calm herself. "I'm sorry to you. But not to him," she turned stared at the balding man, who was now sitting his greasy ass on one of her clean kitchen chairs.
"Who are you?" Elowyn asked him again.
"I just answered that baby," he eyed her up and down.
"Okay, Alan. Who are you, really? Like are you a friend of my moms or..." Elowyn muttered.
"I'm her boyfriend. Have been for the past year."
"Her boyfriend? Elowyn whispered in genuine confusion. "You?"
"What do you mean by "you" Elowyn?" Janelle cut in.
"It's just that... dad is a very handsome man. He's a hard worker, is very patient and takes care of his family. He has hair and smells nice... and he is very hygienic," she said, genuinely trying to assess the situation. "He's a good, kind man. How do you go from someone like that to- "
A sharp slap rung out in the house.
Elowyn was now on the floor, clutching the side of her face as Janelle stood above her.
"I'm tired of you running your damn mouth!" Janelle shouted, making Elowyn flinch. "You never learn, do you?
Elowyn remained on the floor, one hand pressed against her cheek as tears gathered in her eyes. She stared up at her mother, too frightened to move.