Veracity: The Veracity Diaries

by E. M. Bernal

I knew that was a lie, but I just ignored it.

  “What are you drinking there?” I asked with a sigh.

  “Oh… I went and got myself a bottle of vodka with club soda. I thought I would have a movie night alone. You’re welcome to join me, but I know you have plans.” She finally looked up and forced a smile.

  “Okay, as long as you’re okay…” I attempted to be compassionate.

  “O, City, you never want to hear what happens with me, nor do I want to upset you. So, let’s just not talk about it, okay?” She responded that way because she knew deep down this conversation was fake.

  No matter what she said, I wasn’t going to let it upset me. Besides, I think she was giving me sound advice, so I decided to take it and change the subject.

  “Hey mom, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Getting the house, moving and all.” Her look changed to surprise. “I’m sorry that we haven’t been getting along…” I continued but

  she interrupted me, “That’s not the way I want it to be. You know that right?” I looked at my her with a long stare and I wanted to believe that but ultimately her depression never lets her be a woman of her word, so, I decided to lie back.

  “Yeah, I know… I understand you’re going through a lot.”

  She kept flashing through the photos and the paperwork from the box through the entire conversation. I figured she wanted to just get back to her pity party, so I decided to ask for the money and head out.

  “Hey mom?”

  She looked up at me and back down at the photos while she sipped on her vodka cup.

  “Yeah, honey?”

  “I need some money because me and Melissa are going shopping. Do you think that I can have some? I wanted to buy some new clothes for school. Everybody dresses really nice there.”

  “Yeah, I have a good savings going now and I just got paid today, of course.”

  I didn’t doubt that she’d give me money, I just wished she could give me love the way she easily gave me money. But, you can’t get real love from someone when they don’t love themselves very much I guess.

  “I really appreciate it mom.” I smiled but she didn’t look back up. I turned around to head back down the ladder.

  “Do me a favor? Unity suddenly said as my back turned.

  “Yeah?”

  “Can you go downstairs and look in my purse and just get it for me? It is in my black wallet. There’s a couple of hundred dollars in there. Go ahead and take it.

  I was happy that this conversation went well in the end, but she didn’t notice that I was going out for the first time. I actually had friends and she didn’t even blink about it. Vodka and photos do that to her I guess.

  I ran down the stairs to get the money. Her purse was sitting on the kitchen counter next to a picture of us where we look like a good team together. I grabbed our photo before I grabbed her purse. I wish I understood her, but she was in love with a horrible man and I don’t understand that at all.

  I put the photo back in its place to let the thoughts go.

  I grabbed the money from her wallet and zipped her purse back up. I had to run back upstairs to get an overnight bag ready to take over to Melissa’s house. I packed as quickly as I could. Once I got to the door to leave, I stopped and thought about the money Unity just gave me.

  “Hey Mom, I’m leaving! I love you!” I yelled.

  “Okay, have a good time!” Her echo came down from the roof.

  “I’ll be back on Sunday!”

  “Just be careful, you guys have fun, and make good choices City!”

  Beneath my breath I mumbled, “I wish you would make better choices about Luke.” I slightly slammed the door to run to my car because I just remembered I had to pick up the pizza. I know, it’s probably cold. Thank goodness for microwaves.

  ******

  When I arrived at Melissa’s house, I wasn’t surprised that it was quite quaint with a red door and shutters. Even though she told me her parents were out of town for the weekend, I avoided her driveway, parking on the curb. She had text me a few minutes earlier letting me know she was running behind schedule.

  I grabbed the pizza box and put it on my lap. I debated on whether to just be rude and eat a piece without her. I was starving and I didn’t want to look like a pig in front of her, but I closed the box deciding against it. I grabbed my cell and started going through my social media, but as usual there was nothing interesting in there. Most of the people I’m connected to are my family boasting about somebody’s birthday, or other connections talking about absolutely nothing. Considering I’m an introvert, they don’t get much response from me other than likes. I think I wasted 20 of them waiting.

  Melissa drove up in a black convertible with pink stripes, Volkswagen Beetle, which suited her well. I had seen it a couple of times before, but this was the first time up close. Stylish, I thought, unlike my old black Corolla. I grabbed the pizza and my overnight bag to get out and greet her.

  “Hey girl! Melissa started speaking before I could close my car door.

  Excited???We are going to get you some clothes, some food, and some teenage activity in your life!” She kept talking.

  “Oh yeah, I’m stoked.” I responded with a little bit of sarcasm.

  “Oh, come on it’s going to be great. After shopping tomorrow, the group is going to the theater downtown and then to the Menon Garden, if you want to come after.” She indirectly asked.

  “What’s that?” I wanted to sound interested.

  She was digging through her purse trying to find her house keys. “Ah! found them.” When we walked in she forgot to answer the question and gave me directions instead.

  “Just put the pizza on the kitchen table.” She pointed. It looks like her parents had a bad case of OCD when I walked in. Everything was perfect in its perfect place with a very modern set up. Again, reminding me of Melissa in some way. Most of the group at school were also that way. They all have different styles but with hints of perfection like her.

  “Where can I put my stuff?” She pointed me to her room on the left and down the hall. It was a one-story house, but it was still a large amount of square footage. It didn’t seem like I could get lost, so I walked over to her room. She yelled out where the restroom was as I approached her room. It was dressed in black and pink, just like her car.

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Yeah, I see it!” “Hold on, I’m going to put my stuff down. And, I definitely have to go!”

  When I came out of the restroom Melissa was stuffing pizza in her face.

  “You’re not going to wait for me?” I said with a laugh. She grabbed some of the cheese that as falling from her mouth to quickly respond but it wasn’t working. “Yeah, I’m sorry. I was super starving.” She finally muttered.

  I smiled and rushed to the pizza box.

  “You’re not the only one.” I grabbed a large supreme piece. I was standing across from her at the kitchen table, and we both went silent for about 5 minutes.

  “So, I know we kind of chit-chat at school, but we really haven’t caught up. How is everything going? Melissa started the conversation after our third slice.

  “Everything’s going really great, making really good grades. I’m excited to graduate and get the heck out of there.” I stated while Melissa was nodding yes in agreement. We both laughed with our mouths full.

  “And you? How’s everything going for you?” I prompted myself to show interest back.

  “I’ve just been promoted on the dance team to dance-leader.”

  “On the dance squad?” I asked surprised. I guess I didn’t hang around with her enough because I didn’t even know she was a part of the squad. But then again, I never went to any of the rallies or talked about anything other than classes, homework, and teachers.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were part of that. I mean I knew you were a part of something because you’re always telling me you had to head over to the gym practice, but I never asked why.”

&
nbsp; “No, no… no worries, I get so busy too, I don’t have time to think about the small things. I have been a part of the team for the last three years and I finally got promoted as head squad leader. I’m really excited about it but it takes up a lot of my time and that’s why I’m always rushing through the halls.” Melissa explained.

  “Well, that’s good for me because I barely talk at all.” I said, trying to crack a joke. Melissa silently confirmed. We were both leaning over her kitchen table like two wolves trying to finish the entire pizza. But, we only got through half of the box.

  “So, where did your parents go?” I asked.

  “Oh, my mom has to go see my grandma. I think she’s passing along and she is in a nursing home right now. We’re not really sure. But when the time comes they’ll let me and my older brothers know. They don’t tell me too much right now because they want me to concentrate on school.”

  “What do you mean? She’s passing away?” I asked with a sad look.

  “Yeah, I think so, she’s got some issues with Alzheimer’s disease and she can barely walk now because of some type of kidney failure.”

  “Oh, I’m really sorry.”

  “Yeah, I appreciate it, but I was never really close to her.” Melissa assured me she was okay.

  It made me think of my grandma and grandpa who I loved dearly. I finally decided to share a little something about me that was personal for the first time with Melissa, considering the moment.

  “I was really close to my grandpa and my grandma. My grandfather died a few years ago. But, my grandma is alive and well.” I said to give her insight about my family, without saying too much.

  “Oh, do you talk to your grandma?” Melissa asked.

  “Yeah, her name is Amelia. We text from time to time. I love her very much.”

  “Who does she live with?” Melissa seemed curious.

  “Well, she’s lives by herself, which kind of worries me but my mom always tells me that she’s going to be okay. Nothing I can really do besides call or text, I guess. I need to text her more to be honest with you. But, she’s not a big-texter.” I said with a smirk.

  “How are you liking it over here in Portland?” Melissa changed the subject.

  “It’s been good so far.” I wanted to say with the exception of Drexy, but I stayed quiet. I told her one thing that was personal already. At least it was a start.

  “I’m just glad my grades are good. And I made a new friend.” I pointed and smiled at Melissa.

  “Yes, you did.” Melissa winked back at me.

  We started to clean up the mess on the table. I made sure I had every little crumb cleaned up, considering the whole house look exceptional. Last thing I wanted to do was look like a messy person. While those thoughts were crossing my mind, Melissa went over to her room and I turned to wash my hands in the sink. A minute later, I could hear loud music coming from the back of the house where her room was. A popular pop-artist was playing from one of her earlier hits and the music vibration ran through the house.

  “Say, Say, You You!

  I need to be your girlfriend!”

  I started grinning when I finally reached her bedroom door and yelled, “Hey girl!? Good music!” She turned around to my direction after folding a dress. She pointed at me, jumping up and down, while lip syncing. The beat hit her and I at the same time. We started dancing and simultaneously singing while bobbing our heads back and forth. It felt good.

  After a couple of songs, dancing, we ran out of energy. I asked if I could take a shower.

  “Yeah, it’s right there… …go right ahead.”

  “Want to watch a movie after?” She asked before I dashed off.

  I headed over to her restroom and yelled, “YES!.”

  I undressed and ran the hot water. When I got in the shower, my alone time felt needed.

  ******

  We got in our pajamas and curled up on the couch with some blankets. She opened up Netflix on her big screen in the living room. She started flipping through some horror movies, but I made it clear that I couldn’t stand horror films.

  “No problem.” She quickly moved on to the romance genre. “I will find something else scaredy-cat.” She responded with joking-sarcasm.

  Melissa finally debated between two movies, The Notebook and Twilight. They came out years ago and were apparently big hits but I was clueless. I wasn’t a big movie buff, but we finally agreed on Twilight.

  “So, what is it about?” I asked non-chantingly.

  “WHAT! You have NOT seen Twilight???” She practically screamed at me.

  “Nope.” I quickly replied with some shock and confusion at the same time.

  “OMG! We have to really get you out more!”

  “Sorry, I’m not into romance or fantasy stuff, not my thing.” I replied.

  “Is anything… YOUR THING?” She rhetorically asked.

  “I guess not. I’m not big into anything besides studying and sleeping.” I answered anyway pouting.

  “Yeah I noticed you don’t talk to anyone and completely ignore the guys that hit on you.” She agreed.

  I was surprised she noticed that but quickly switched the conversation back to her.

  “Well, what about you? You’re absolutely gorgeous and I don’t see you with a boyfriend either.”

  “Oh, that’s because my boyfriend is in college.”

  “Really, who? I asked with surprise.

  Melissa went through her phone to find me a picture of them. “Ethan Pitt. My dream-guy.” She handed me her phone to show.

  “Right now, he’s trying to finish school and I’m trying to graduate so we can be together again. Plus, he is 20. We met when I was 16 and he was 18. We didn’t want any type of legal problems. My parents told us to relax until I turned 17 but then he had to leave. We talk everyday though. I really love him.”

  I smiled. I was happy for her.

  “Are you going to stay here after?” I asked.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “Yeah I think so.”

  “What do you want to do?” I was genuinely interested in her as I learned more and more.

  “I’m planning to be a nurse.” She replied with no hesitation.

  “Nice!” I could tell Melissa was a go-getter from the start. In fact, I was surprised she didn’t say doctor.

  “You City? What do you want to do?” A big sigh came out while I leaned my head back on her couch.

  “I don’t really know. Sometimes I just wanna move to Canada.” We both broke out in a laugh. “No, really!” She immediately shoved my calf with her foot to encourage me to be more honest. “I think I want to be a writer. I read a lot and I love books.”

  “Really! She seemed interested. “What about?”

  “Definitely not love stories.” I answered sarcastically, rolling my eyes. “I don’t know, I’m thinking action or self-development books if I study journalism in college. I guess love stories could fall into place with that, but I think I want to give some kind of inspiration. Teaching confidence and believing in themselves type stuff.”

  In the back of my mind, I thought of how so many relationships could be like my mothers, and how I wish somehow I could help them, but I need my insecurities to vanish first.

  “Well, that’s really good. I wish you luck with that.” She smiled. Melissa always had a comforting way of making you feel good without saying too much. She was definitely an extrovert, but a very easy-going one.

  The opening music with a deer appeared across the screen. I was eventually watching a make-believe love story where some guy tries to prevent himself from killing his girlfriend. That was strange. Silly books and movies making millions, go figure.

  After the movie was over, we decided to head to bed.

  “Do you want to sleep on the couch, or you can sleep in my parents’ room? I’m sure my mother won’t mind.”

  “No, the couch is fine. I’m totally good.” I confirmed.

  “My dad uses the guest room as an office otherwise I
’d give you your own room. Sorry girl.”

  “No problem. The couch is cool. It’s good just to get out of the house to be honest with you.”

  “Well, get some rest, I’ll make some breakfast and we’ll head over to Enchanted Mall after 10 am. Okay?” Melissa said with a yawn. I nodded back.

  I turned over to my side and laid on the pillow she gave me. She yelled out good night and shut

  her door. I fell into a deep sleep right away.

  ******

  All of a sudden, I was in a gorgeous garden. Flowers were colorful and beautiful, glittering from the moon light. I knew it was unusual but I it was almost normal at the same time. It was very dark, but the moonlight was shedding some light across the garden brightly upon me. I couldn’t understand how I was all alone, but I wasn’t scared. In fact, I had a peaceful feeling even though I had no clue where I was, or how I got there. I heard some type of leaves crackling, or something shifting behind me. I remained unfrighten and turned around. Robert West was standing there staring at me. He looked different. I knew it was him, but he didn’t have all black on and his earring was gone. He looked so beautiful in the light. It was like he wasn’t human. He was only in jeans but I couldn’t lower than that. A colorful halo surrounded his back, but I couldn’t see what it was. My body started to feel the goosebumps take over me with no fear. He put his hand out, signaling me to come to him. I felt compelled to but suddenly became fearful, realizing this was a strange encounter. I shook my head left to right letting him know that I didn’t want to go.