Page 82 of Her Faithful Protector

“Stuff it Nic, this is my fight.” Camilla turned back to her mother. “If you think you can waltz right in here and tell me what to do? You’re out of your ever-loving mind!”

“Camilla—”

“Shut it, Mother. I’ve had enough of your shit to last a lifetime. You did your damndest to ruin my life. I cannot believe that you sent back the letters that Nic sent to the house.”

“I did no such thing!” Enid Ross’ hand fluttered against her necklace. Camilla was familiar with that tell; she always did that when she was lying.

“I said shut up. I’m talking this time. But for the grace of God, I would have traveled this earth without having the man I love in my life. All because of your elitist venom. I have never, not once, understood what I could have possibly done wrong to not earn your love as a child. But I eventually resigned myself to it. At ten years old I realized that you just didn’t have any love to give. Then I started to want your respect, and I tried to mold myself into the perfect little Ph.D., hoping one day I would be good enough for you. But when I wanted one ounce of happiness for myself, when I found someone who could love me, you set out to destroy it.”

Nic was now at her side. She reached out her hand and he clasped it.

Enid took a steadying breath. “Camilla you’re overwrought. Perhaps it’s best if I come back at another time. Next week maybe.”

“I’m not overwrought. I’m thinking very clearly. If at some time in the future, I want to reestablish a relationship with you, I will let you know.”

“Camilla, that’s unacceptable. You’re my daughter. Of course, we will talk.”

Camilla laughed. “For God’s sake, Mother, we’ve never really had a conversation. All that you do is talk at me. I’m sick of it, and I won’t deal with a woman who tried to destroy my life.”

“And your father?”

“Give me a straight answer. Did he know about the letters?”

Enid shifted and her eyes shied away from her.

“Mother, I want an answer, did Dad know?

Enid gave a small nod.

“Then the same thing goes for him.”

“We were only doing what we thought was the right thing.” She said, her voice devoid of emotion.

“One little, tiny part of me knows that, Mother. That’s the only reason I’m saying it is possible that I might one day open the door back up. But don’t hold your breath.”

“I—” Enid started.

“Let me walk you to the door,” Nic said as he stepped in front of Camilla.

When she looked at Nic she again looked like she was sucking on a lemon. “I can see myself out.” She turned and walked out the door. As soon as she was gone, Nic turned back to Camilla and took her into his arms.

“Are you all right?”

She nodded.

“Words, baby. I need words.”

“Nic, I wish I could say I really feel something, some kind of loss, you know? But I would feel worse if I had lost one of my teaching assistants. And I’m not even worrying that there’s something wrong with me. I basically said goodbye to my mother, in my heart, years ago. I just did it in real life this time, does that make sense?”

He touched his forehead to hers. “Yes, it does. And your father?”

“I cared about the image of him, but he was never really around. He was always out of the country on some dig or another. But knowing he was complicit in keeping us apart? Nope, I can’t do it. He’s in time-out with Mother.”

Nic chuckled. “You know I’ll support you no matter what. If and when you want them back in your life, I’ll be able to be civil to them, you know that, right?”

“You’re such a nice man. Yeah, I know that.”

“But if she’s a bitch to you, the gloves come off. There’s no picking on my Cami.”