“So, what happened between you and Reuben?” My question fills the silent car as Maria drives us to God knows where. Natasha sighs from the passenger seat as if the mere conversation exhausts her, but she still begins to explain.
“I told you that I met Reuben at a strip club but that’s not true. Truthfully, I met him before then, at a diner where I used to work part time. He wasn’t as much of a big shot, just this sweet, charismatic, and charming man that gave me the time of day.”
“So it wasn’t toxic as fuck.”
“In the beginning it wasn’t, we went on dates, he’d spoil me. I’d skip work because he swore up and down I didn’t have to work because “he’s got me”. My constant absence cost me both jobs, but Reuben stayed true to his word.”
“It was nice and I caught feelings quickly and deeply. I thought he felt the same. Unfortunately, in my naivety, I told Reuben how I felt. He dropped my ass so quickly it left me reeling.”
The bitterness returns to Natasha’s voice but she doesn’t sound angry, just tired. Maria reaches over and holds her hand and I turn my gaze back to the woodsy area. We’re about 30 minutes outside of the city and an hour in the opposite direction of the Stone estate.
“I was jobless and my savings wore out fast. A lot of places didn’t want to hire a high school drop out that stopped showing up at the old job. I sold the shit Reuben gave me but within a month I was out on my ass. I was homeless, got hooked on drugs, and wound up at another strip club. Fast forward a few years, I wasn’t stable but I had an apartment and I was making good money. Then I met Reuben again.”
“How old were you?”
“I was 18 when we met the first time and 21 when we saw each other again.”
“What happened?”
“Well, what naturally happens. I was hurt and in love, we argued and had sex in the private room of the strip club. He would stop by a few more nights after that, each time the same. Then 2 weeks later, I started getting sick. Melissa forced me to get a pregnancy test and it was positive so she took me to her sister’s doctors office. When I saw Reuben again, I told him that I was pregnant.”
“That was the first time he beat my ass. He called me a whore, said you weren’t his, and to not go around spreading lies that he knocked me up. Reuben threatened to take everything from me once again.” I saw those messages myself, so far she’s telling the truth…
“Fortunately for him he didn’t have to. A pregnant stripper simply wasn’t an option at the time. I worked my ass off for about a month and a half before I got fired. I managed to survive long enough to keep my apartment for about 3 months after you were born. When I lost that place, I turned to Melissa. Without her neither of us would have made it.”
“You were a baby and getting sick and there was no other option for me. I worked in the brothel and made my way back to a strip club. I was young, an addict, a shit mother, and brimming with hatred for Reuben.” We pause at a stop light and I look around realizing that we’re 1 ½ hours away from the city.
“That man became impossible to track down and nobody dared speak against Reuben Stone. Life was shit for a few years, I was homeless for the most part, you spent most of your young years with Melissa and her sister. When you were 4 years old, I bumped into Reuben’s first wife, I told her everything, from the beginning. She was surprisingly understanding, even offered to help, but I refused. I didn’t want anything from Reuben again.”
“A few days later, 2 men came to the brothel and beat my ass until I got the message loud and clear. I was sure they were going to beat me to death. They put me in the hospital for a couple of days. It was a warning from Reuben to keep my mouth shut.” A lump forms in my throat, remembering finding my mom passed out and bloody in that room. I cried for Melissa and it was the only time Lue acted like he gave a fuck.
“I remember that” I mumble, staring at the side profile of my mom’s face. Her brows furrow as she shakes her head.
“You shouldn’t have seen any of that. You were just a baby. Looking back, you probably would’ve been better off with the state, but I didn’t want to risk Reuben finding you. I wasn’t sure what he’d do.”
“To cope, I’d shoot up, that night I overdosed, I was pronounced medically dead for about 30 seconds. Maria was the one to revive me actually. I was rushed to the hospital and thought you’d be better off with me being dead. So instead of reaching out, I spent my time building all of this.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Natasha gestures around and I look out of the window to see us closer to the mountains. Maria stops the car on a trail and they both get out, prompting me to do the same. Natasha stretches her arms out wide before letting them fall to her sides.
“This is yours kid if you want it. The property itself is 3.387 acres, about 4.5 miles wide. The house up the road is 17,493 Sq ft. Surrounded by 20 acres of land. It’s a large ranch with everything you could imagine. Barn, deck, granite countertops, guest house, horse facilities, library, security system, tennis court, tile flooring, walk-in closet, billiards room, hardwood flooring, indoor pool, in-home fitness center, media room / home theater, stables, staff quarters, steam room, marble flooring, courtyard, caretaker house, 4+ fireplaces.”
“Is all of that really necessary?”
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I had it built with everything I could think of at the time.” The property is beautiful, expansive, and even better than Reubens. It’s an empire indeed, but I can’t help but be a little bitter.
“Is this where you’ve been the entire time?” Natasha scoffs out a laugh, turning to face me as she tosses me a pair of keys.
“Of course not. You thought I was living it up while you were struggling? I was in and out of jail and rehab for the most part. Homeless shelters, Maria’s on occasion, but for the most part, I lived the same. I worked as an assassin but I just could never get comfortable. I’m too used to watching my back.” I glance at Maria who nods in confirmation. If that’s true then I guess I can respect that.
“You know Winter, I did what I did for 2 reasons. I wanted to be better for Maria, she’s literally saved my life on numerous occasions and has been by my side since the day we met, without fail or question. But most importantly, and more than anyone else, I wanted to improve for you. Because I knew you deserved better than me as a mother. I can’t make up for the time I wasted or for being a coward. But, I can make sure you don’t have to worry about much else when I’m gone. These are the keys to the entire property. Come on, we’ll give you a tour.” Maria, Natasha and I get back in the car and they drive us around the entire property that I apparently own with a signature.
It’s beautiful, the kind of empire I’d dream of obtaining for myself one day. My mother did it, and she’s saying she did it for me. There’s a pond, a lake, stables, everything she pointed out earlier and finally we go up the driveway to a grand mansion that takes my breath away. It’s stunning. I’ll have to change up a few of the decorations and make it more my own, but it’s absolutely incredible. After the tour, we end up in the office where Natasha goes to the desk, pulling out a few papers.
“This is all of your account information, the deed, property information, vehicle paperwork, everything to make all of this yours.” Natasha puts the papers down along with a pen, leaning against the desk. The offer is tempting, too tempting, she’s my mother, but can I trust her? Really? All of this for me? After abandoning me?
“What do you want in return?” My skepticism is clear as I cross my arms, looking between her and Maria, who’s remained quiet this entire time. She’s completely different around my mom, she follows her like a lost puppy, doing whatever Natasha wants without question or complaint.
“I don’t want anything, Winter. This is the least I could do, isn’t it?” Natasha shrugs, her attitude so similar to Melissa’s I can see why they’re friends. They try to hide their emotions, probably due to their old jobs, but I’m older now, and I can read them like a book. Natasha wants to rectify her actions, but if what she said was true, then I can’t stay mad at her. Not forever.
“What’s the catch?” Natasha rolls her eyes, briefly looking hurt before shaking her head again. Her walls are up and she’s hiding her emotions again. She’s always been like that, but truth is as fucked as Natasha is, she’s still my mom and I love her.
“No catch. The only time I’ve touched the money I’ve made was to build this place and pay the bills on it. It’s not enough to say sorry, but I am Winter. I was a horrible mother and you deserved better, but you made it in spite of me and I’m proud of you.” Natasha is right, she’s never been much of a mother, but I never blamed her for that. I never thought of it that way, all that mattered when I was younger was taking care of her. Her warm arms wrap around me a few seconds later and I only hesitate for a moment before hugging my mother back.
It’s been years since she’s wrapped her arms around me, the comfort that overwhelms me causes the dam to break free. My tears flow silently on her nice shirt but it only lasts for a moment before I swallow them and step back.
“Are you sure? You’re giving all of this to me without wanting anything in return?” Natasha finally smiles, as if a weight is off her shoulders and nods.
“If I wanted something in return that would just make me the same selfish mother I was and I don’t want that to be your memory of me.”
“So, what will you do? You said something about leaving.”
“I can’t tell you where but I’m ready to retire and we both need a long much needed vacation.”
“Will I see you again?” Natasha sighs, running her hands through my hair before kissing my forehead for the first time since I was 4.
“No, you won’t.” The bittersweetness settles in my belly as I nod, understanding that this time my mother will remain dead.
“I donated as much blood as I could to Milo’s hospital, but please, try not to get shot again. Or else I won’t have a choice but to come back and out of retirement.” Natasha smiles, going to grab Maria’s hand and motioning for us to go.
“Come on, so I can get you back home. There’s some people I want you to meet.”