Page 156 of Tarek

He didn’t argue, he didn’t demand to know what was going on. I am thankful for that because my mom can be a lot. He turns and walks into the bedroom without another word.

I turn to my mom. “What is going on?”

She goes to my water dispenser and grabs a glass. My anger lessens when I see her hands shake.

Tarek comes back into the room dressed, he looks at my mom and says, “It was nice meeting you, ma’am.”

He places a small chase kiss at the side of my cheek. “Buzz me later and I will come for you.”

I nod as he quickly leaves.

The door closes behind him and I turn to my mother as she rubs her forehead pacing.

“I should have never come back here. This place is cursed,” my mom cries.

“Mom cursed? That’s a little much.” I have never seen my mother look this worried.

“I tried to keep you and your brother away from this place, and it’s like you two don’t listen,” she says with her hand on her hip the other on her forehead.

“Mom? What’s going on?”

“Why wouldn’t you both listen? I tried so hard to protect you both,” she screams.

“I have no idea what’s going on. But you can’t just come in here and kick out Tarek.”

She presses her palm onto the counters. A slight tremor runs through me.

“Mom, I am pregnant.”

She lifts her head and shakes it. “No”

I don’t know why, but for some reason, her rejection hurts.

“Tarek is my children’s father.”

My mother stops and brings her shaking palm to her mouth. “No, Penelope.”

“Mom, I am happy. Tarek is a good guy, and.”

“And he is a Fairisles. There is nothing good about a Fairisles man, honey. Trust your mother.”

My body feels heavy with dread. “Mom you have to tell me what’s going on?”

I take in her cream tailored suit and her hair wrapped in a low bun, not a curl was out of place.

“I will fix this. I came because Archie wants us to meet his sponsor tomorrow at the Glasshouse for lunch. I mean dinner.”

I wonder if I should tell her Tarek owns the Glass house. But I don’t bother.

“I will be there. Can we talk for a minute?” I approach her like a wounded animal.

A tear slips out of her eyes. “I tried so hard.”

I have no idea what is going on, but she grabs me into a hug and rocks me like a child. “I need to talk to my therapist then I can talk to you.”

“You? You are seeing a therapist?” I pull back in shock.

“Yes, I think it’s about time that I start to heal,” she says.

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