Page 27 of Sold to the Highest Bidder
“Sorry doesn’t cut it,mom. I understand that your heart is broken, but it’s been years since dad left. It’s time for you to start living your life again. Drowning your tears in alcohol doesn’t help at all.”
“What am I supposed to do? I gave this man the best years of my life and a child. He left me with nothing.”
Dina was almost crying now. Nazalie felt her eyes well up. “He left me too Mom! Don’t you think I am hurt over his total abandonment? Do you think I should start drinking to numb my pain as well? Dad didn’t leave you with nothing Mom, he left me with you. Am I not worth having a mom who loves me and has an interest in my life? Mom, dad left us both, and newsflash, I lost both of my parents when Dad left. You abandoned me as well.”
“I’m sorry Naz. I didn’t –
She cut her mom off. She was sick of her excuses. “Mom apologies and crying won’t erase all the pain you and Dad caused.”Her mom’s head turned downwards and Nazalie knew she needed to finish all that she needed to say. “Mom, I can’t continue to have you in my life. I am tired of getting telephone calls from bars in the middle of the night. I am sick and tired of worrying about your whereabouts, thinking someone hurt you. I can’t do it anymore. I love you, Mom. You’re my mother, you’ll always be my mother, but I don’t want to be around you if you’re going to continue drinking. I can’t keep supporting you financially and emotionally with nothing in return.”
“I’m your mother Naz. I gave birth to you. You can’t just get rid of me!”
“I can mom and I will, as long as you continue to drink. I am done.” Nazalie felt relief but sorrow as well.
“Okay....” Dina whispered, sniffing. “I’ll try to get sober. I will.” She was nodding. Dina seemed sure of herself.Nazalie wasn’t so sure.
???
The following day, Dina had asked Nazalie to drive her to the nearest AA meeting. Her mom had continued to attend meetings for the past two weeks and hadn’t picked a drink since.
Joshua was a great help during the past few weeks. He helped get rid of all the alcohol without making her feel bad about it. He even made jokes about how he’d stick to orange juice and milk.
Dina and Joshua got along pretty well. Dina was always producing one embarrassing childhood picture after another. It always seemed to amuse Joshua, and that made her smile. Nazalie wondered how she even got the time to get those pictures.
They had only gone back to their apartment once, and she didn't remember her lugging a giant album with her. The way she unveiled it to Joshua made it look like she was prepared to embarrass her. She couldn't even remember seeing most of them. She couldn't remember her and her mum talking or looking at family photos together. That was the one thing her father did not take; the album. What did he need it for anyway? He left them behind. He wouldn't want to take a reminder of his past, as sad as it sounded.
"Okay, that's all the pictures I have of Nazalie."
"Thank you, Dina. It was … enlightening." Joshua said, smirking towards her direction. She had finished baking a dozen cupcakes. Hearing them laugh and talk made her feel nostalgic "I've actually been meaning to ask anyway. What kind of name is Nazalie? I mean, it's a beautiful name, unique; I’m curious. Since you're her mum, I thought I should ask."
Dina laughed. Nazalie noticed that she looked happier. She didn't have any makeup on, but she seemed to be glowing. Her brown eyes no longer looked lifeless.
"Well, I liked the name Natalie and my husband liked the name Nazia. I played around with both names and came up with Nazalie."
Nazalie was actually surprised that she mentioned her father without cussing out or busting into tears. She was proud of her.
"So, my whole life was decided at that moment," Nazalie called, bringing in the cupcakes. They were chocolate flavored, her mom's favorite. She hoped Joshua liked it.
"Wow, you’ve been busy," Joshua said, immediately taking a bite out of one. Nazalie rolled her eyes. It's not like he didn't notice her in the kitchen for the past hour. What did he think she was doing there? Turning into a fork?
"These are great. I see why you want to own a bakery."
Nazalie fell silent. What Joshua said was like a jolt back to the real world. This wasn't real, all this wasn't real. She was in a contract that lasted two months. A deal that was almost over.
"I think it's time I leave you two lovebirds to each other. I have mooched off you for long enough." Her mum was munching on a cupcake. “These cakes taste great, by the way. Your skills never disappoint."
"Thanks, mum," she replied monotonously. Nazalie was still thinking about what Joshua said. It was apparent from the way he was happily chewing on the cupcake that he didn't mean it that way.
She watched him with a tender smile. The crumbs fell all over him as he ate.
"Well, I'm off. Back to the apartment.”
"Will you be okay?"
Dina was already at the door, carrying out the medium-sized duffel bag she brought with her. Nazalie was sure the album was in there somewhere. She was off to spread more embarrassing pictures of her somewhere else.
"Of course. Which one of us is the mum again?"
"I want you to be fine, mum."
