Page 57 of The Explorer
Aubri was quick to run the ten steps and swing the door open. She screamed with joy when her mother Laura stormed in to embrace her.
“You silly, silly girl,” Laura said and lifted Aubri from the ground despite Aubri’s being a few inches taller than her mother.
“Mom, I can’t believe that you came.”
My mother Christina followed with Aubri’s aunt Pearl.
“Indiana.” My mother’s eyes teared up as she reached for me.
“Mom.” I wrapped her in my arms and kissed the top of her head where strands of silver-gray hair had replaced the brown hair she’d had when I grew up. “How long can you stay?”
“Just for today. When we landed, we were met by armed guards who refused to let us set foot off the drone. After Victor came, they let us go, but we have to leave by nine tonight.”
When my mom was done hugging me, Pearl was next and then came Laura.
Victor stood stiffly by the door and cleared his throat. “I’ll leave you to catch up with your family.”
“Did you buy the croissants?” Aubri asked him.
With his upper lip curled, he said, “I told you; I’m not your servant. It’s bad enough that I get dragged into your family visits. I have important work to do.”
Aubri rolled her eyes, but Victor left before she could get the final word.
“Never mind the croissants, we’re here to see you,” Pearl comforted us. “Now show us your apartment.
Aubri and I exchanged a quick look as I felt bile rise in my throat. Laura wouldn’t understand that we’d chosen to share the same bedroom. She was raised in the Northlands and cared about traditions.
“Okay, so this is the kitchen and living room. As you can see, it’s small.” Aubri waved a hand to the windows. “But we’re lucky to have a view at least. Belle lived all her life underground because there aren’t enough apartments above ground. I think that’s why the parks are always full of people.”
Pearl, Laura, and my mother walked over to our floor-to-ceiling windows and took in the city view that was so different from back home.
“Look between those two buildings and you’ll see the park,” I instructed.
My mother nodded and then she looked up to the top of the building in front of us. “We were told you were given the best accommodation possible.”
“More like the best accommodation available,” I said.
“Hmm…” Laura turned to Aubri. “Show us your rooms.”
“Right. Yes, it’s ehh, this way.”
I watched in horror as Laura, Pearl, and my mom walked into our small bedroom. Pearl opened the door to the bathroom and asked, “Are there other bathrooms than this one?”
“There’s a guest restroom by the entrance.”
“You know, this reminds me of my first apartment. It was tiny as well, but I made it quite cozy with artwork and plants.”
Aubri and I stood in the doorway to the room watching them investigate.
“We haven’t gotten to that part yet.”
“So, who sleeps in the bed and who sleeps on the couch?” Laura asked with a displeased expression.
My neck had to be red from the heat I felt. If Laura knew that her daughter had just been naked with me twenty minutes ago, I’d be in serious trouble. Laura was from a time when touching an unmarried woman meant the death penalty.
“We take turns,” I said before Aubri had a chance to respond. “I started off on the couch but with me being grumpy from poor sleep, she took pity on me and now we take turns when we’re here.”
Aubri and I stepped aside when all three women exited our bedroom.”
