Page 90 of The Making of Marnie Jones

Yeah, a good day.

Maybe new beginnings?

Chapter thirty

Afterdinner,MarnieinvitedOlivia into the library. She waited until they were both settled into the hard-backed chairs. “How was your visit with your uncle?”

Olivia’s face lit up. “We went up the CN Tower, and then for a walk up Yonge Street to the Eaton’s Centre.” Her enthusiasm was infectious. “Next time, we’ll all go together. I enjoyed spending time with Jake, you know?”

“I’m so glad to hear that.”

The younger woman shifted in her seat. “What's wrong? You look strange.”

“Olivia, how do you see the next few weeks and months going?” Marnie held her breath, trying to school her features and not telegraph her anxiety.

“I'm not sure what you mean.” Olivia’s head tilted.

“I mean what are your plans? What are your goals?”

Her eyes lit. “Well, you said I can get started on my education. You said I can stay here with you and Matilda and your dad. Uncle Jake will come to visit…is that what you mean?”

Damn.As she suspected, Olivia believed Marnie was sticking around. “I have to go home within the next couple of weeks.”

Olivia's look of confusion ate away at her. The young girl had undergone so much upheaval—she cringed at causing more.

“Why do you have to go home?” Olivia’s whine was guilt-inducing.

“I have to go home. I have a life to go back to.”This is going to be so much worse than I thought.

“What about me? You can't leave me.” Petulant. Begging.

Damn.“I have to. I'm sorry.”

“Take me with you. I have nothing here in Toronto.” Her lower lip was quivering.

“Olivia—”

“No, it’ll work. I promise I won't be any trouble.” Panic increased the speed of her words. “You understand. You get it. I'll do whatever you want…justpleasetake me with you.”

Marnie ought to argue. Except the young woman was simply putting words to thoughts she entertained herself. How would living with her be better than living with Matilda? She wouldn't be able to supervise Olivia unless she considered leaving her job, and if she was going to do that, why not stay in Toronto?

And she had to make her own mental health a priority. Helping Olivia to the detriment of her own progress wasn’t a solution. It’d taken her five years to get where she was, and she couldn't afford to lose whatever progress she’d made.

As she took the young woman’s hand, she marveled at how right it was to make a physical connection. She squeezed Olivia's hand and her heart contracted.

You’re the adult.

She could do this. She wanted to do this. She would do this.

“I’ll consider this, however, there are a lot of things which we need to address, the least of which is a serious conversation with your uncle.”

“I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions.” Olivia’s tone was defiant, and her eyes blazed. “If you don't take me with you, I’ll run away again. I have to be with you—I can't do this on my own, and Uncle Jake has to see that. I need to make my own decisions. I don't need Uncle Jake's permission.”

“That may be true, but you owe him respect and consideration. He cares about you and wants your happiness.” She again squeezed Olivia's hand. “You also need to consider your mother might come back.”

“I've taken all that into consideration. My mother claimed some of the drugs were mine. You know they weren't, don't you?”

An easy one. “I know they weren’t your drugs. Your mother had no right to bring you into this, and clearly the police didn't believe her either. Even though she implicated you, she’s still your mother. You might change your mind about her.” But hadn’t she learned, through her own experience, that blood didn’t trump all? She was closer to Matilda and Loriana than she’d ever been to her father. That might be changing, but clinging to dysfunctional family dynamics wasn’t always the right decision.

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