I missed Pandora so much. I had been so busy in recent times, barely even having any spare time for myself.
The search for the secret passageway that the bandits and rogue wolves use had not been found yet, and the crimes kept increasing by the day.
Wilson was always tired all the time now and seemed to snap a lot. We had disposed of Kirsten’s body and that of her grandmother, no one had also asked for them, which made things a lot more bearable.
My mom spent all her time in the hospital or at the corner of a wall in her room, mumbling some words to herself. I informed Wilson of her strange attitude, but she had seemed magically better and back to being her usual calm self by the next day.
Wilson disregarded my fears and assured me that nothing is wrong, and we should let all our suspicions aside. He had said this after having a conversation with a therapist, who told him that mom could just be acting this way because of old age.
I knew the therapist could be right but after the way she had murdered Grandma Kirsten, I was forced to believe that there is more.
She had also increased the dosage of our drugs, so I felt weak and tired all the time, but today, after about three weeks of failing to honor the promise I made to Pandora to come and see her.
I called her earlier and informed her that I was really coming, so I could commit wholeheartedly to it. I made up my mind to throw out my dosage for the day, so I could carry out the itinerary that I planned out.
By the time it was almost noon, I was all dressed and ready to leave the house. I also packed most of my clothes as I planned to spend the week at my apartment downtown. I needed a break and space from all the mess that was going on in my mind.
“You look gorgeous, Ashley. My very beautiful daughter.” Mom hailed me as soon as she saw me from the kitchen.
I laughed, her words lifted my spirits and I doubted my decision to go to my apartment for some time.
“Hey mom” I greeted calmly.
“I did not want to wake you up, heard you come downstairs for water around three in the morning, so I figured you did not sleep early. I will ask Wilson to reduce your workload and stop stressing you out so much.” She said and handed a cup of warm coffee to me.
I thanked the moon goddess for my mom when the smell of the freshly made drink wafted into my nose.
“Oh this smells so good, mom. Thank you very much. This is precisely what I needed.” I said, genuinely grateful. I set my bag on the chair beside me and the sound caught the attention of my mom.
“Are you going somewhere?” She asked me, dropping the used ground coffee in the trash.
“I want to go and see Pandora. Then, I will go to my downtown apartment from there. I need some time away from all the work.” I explained, hoping that she does not stir up drama about this.
“Do you not feel comfortable here? I can ask Wilson not to stress you with work for now, while you stay here, and I will take care of you.” She cajoled.
“I just need some time to clear my head, mom. It has been a lot on me. And it will hurt me if I have to stress you to relax properly. I will not suffer mom. I can take very good care of myself. I am a big girl.” I teased her and smiled gently.
“Well, that is fine. I will set out your pills and some cooked food for you to give Pandora. You will eat some?” She asked me.
“Yes mom. Thank you” I thanked her knowing fully well that I just agreed, so I do not offend her anymore than I fear that I already have.
“Take your pills for today. I already set that out” she ordered me.
I stood up and picked the pills from the table, as I yanked open the fridge to get a bottle of water, I slipped the pill in my pocket and pretended to have swallowed it.
She met me, taking a huge gulp of water and nodded her head gently.
“Take it easy darling. Make sure you do not choke.” She cautioned me gently and continued to fix the food for Pandora and me.
“Do you feel okay?” She asked me after a few minutes.
“Yes mom. Thank you very much” I said and bid my time to leave.
“Alright. Did you inform your brother about your intention to go to your downtown apartment?” She asked me, looking at me quizzically.
“No mom. I will call him when I get to the house. He has been really busy and unavailable, I do not want to compound it anymore than it already is.” I explained to her, taking a sip out of my now warm coffee.
“Well, I feel you should have still told him. Help me say my hello to Pandora. Tell her I missed her so much, and I would come and see her during the weekend.” She said, and I laughed.
“Why are you acting like a lovesick mommy? You spoke to Preggo more than twice today, and it is not even noon yet.” I said and she smiled at me.
“Preggo is my sweet little miracle, and evidence that I can be a good person.” She said solemnly, and I began to wonder if we were still having the same conversation, or she had shifted.
“That is fine, mom. I guess since I do not have a mate or kids yet, you picked Pandora as your favorite.” I said and we laughed.
“Mom, do you think we should look for Pandora’s family? Someone could be out there, really looking for her.” I asked
“Until Pandora agrees to that, we cannot do anything on our own.” She answered
A few minutes later, I had moved everything I needed to my car and kissed my mom goodbye. My mind was a bit better, and I hoped that it would stay that way.