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“All she was trying to do was give her condolences. What did that poor girl ever do to you for you to talk to her in such a horrible way? This isn’t like you. I know things are difficult for all of us now. That’s why we must stay strong. Be there for one another. Not lash out at every person who is trying to be kind.”
“Verity has continuously lied. She has manipulated and twisted so much, and to top it off, she said some unpleasant things about Serena I won’t stand for.”
“Oh? And where is Serena? I thought you’d have her here, making a show of being with her as you seem to be doing it nonstop,” she spat with pure venom.
I took a few deep breaths, knowing I couldn’t lose it with my mother today.
“I’m not sure what your issue is with her. She makes me happy. She isn’t here as I didn’t think it was the right time.”
There was no way I would tell her what had happened last night. I was beginning to wonder how deep-rooted my mother’s hatred for Serena was.
“The right time for what?”
“For her to meet everyone. Not here. Not like this.”
She huffed and then retrieved a handkerchief from her pocket. My patience with this entire day was beginning to wear very thin.
“Well, at least you’ll be able to focus now on stopping Julian from drinking his body weight. I’m barely getting by today. Please promise me you won’t make things any worse?”
She went silent and walked over to a picture of her and my father. It had been taken while she was pregnant with me. Father had surprised her with a trip to Miami. Walking over, I look at the picture. I couldn’t help but smile. The way they looked into one another’s eyes, they were clearly madly in love.
“I miss him so much. I go to bed, and it feels so empty. Every night, I wake up in the middle of the night and forget for a few brief seconds. The pain goes away for those brief moments. Then, it all comes back to me. Every time.”
“I miss him too.”
She turned and hugged me. After a few moments, she walked over to the mirror, wiped away the faint streaks of her mascara, and both made our way back outside.
I stayed for a couple more hours. Trying my best to help stop Julian from making a drunken fool of himself. But it was to no avail. Finally, I knew I had to go.
***
Once home, I changed into something more comfortable, made myself a drink, and went and sat on the balcony.
I wasn’t sure how long I had been out there when I heard a noise from inside.
As I made my way in, I found Verity standing in the middle of the room. The door to my apartment was wide open behind her, and she stood there, looking as if it was both expected and okay for her to be there.
“What are you doing here? How did you get upstairs?”
“The doorman was on his cigarette break and talking to someone outside. Your mother was worried when you left. I overheard her asking your sister to check in on you. So, I pulled Heather aside and offered to do it myself as I had to pass by your apartment to return to mine. And given how tired and emotional everyone was, it was the least I could do, she was grateful for my offering to help and gave me your spare key.”
Verity was the last person I wanted to see or speak to right now, but I was so drained that I didn’t even have the energy to fight back. Walking over to the kitchen, I started looking for something to eat. I heard her follow me. As I turned around, I saw she took a seat on one of the bar stools.
“I won’t stay long. Unless you want me to?”
Her attempt at flirtation was an absolute waste on me.
“I’m tired. I want this day to be over already, and you are pretty much the last person I want to see. You’ve clearly come here to get something off your chest, so can you either get on with it or get out.”
In the fridge, I grabbed a beer and a leftover pasta salad from the deli.
“I need to talk to you about Serena,” Verity said her name as if it pained her.
“What about her?”
My hackles went up once again.
“She’s not right for you. She never will be. I’m not the only one who thinks so. I’ve tried to explain to your mother that you’re only going through a phase, and it’ll all be out of your system soon. But she’s worried, and the way you snapped at me earlier, I’m starting to get worried, too.”
