The Fated Match

“you missed it Elle, it was right in front of you” Theo complained from his position on the floor of the airport. We were waiting for our suitcase to come round.

“since when was it my responsibility to look for it, it’s mostly your stuff anyway” I groaned at him.

He groaned as he stood up, finally wanting to help me out.

Theo decided that he wanted to join me in going to see my mother. I realised that I would need to go and find my mother and force her to explain to me what the actual hell is going on.

When we finally removed our suitcase from the conveyer, we headed straight to a taxi to start our 1-hour journey to the house where my mother and brother both live. My brother was the only one to know what we were coming.

Even though he doesn’t really want to try with our father, he does want some truth from whatever happened between our parents before.

We didn’t even have the time to look around because both me and Theo needed to get back before the competitions start. Tina and Ryan were keeping it together over in England, but I was needed back at training tomorrow at the latest.

“Well your folks must have done well for themselves, because this place is where all the rich people live” our taxi guy says as he leads us into a private neighbourhood.

It baffles me how I have never been here before, but swimming did sort of take over my life.

“she had a good inheritance” I shrugged. It would have been more impressive if my mom was a hard-working adult but in reality, she got a big inheritance.

“not that close with your mom I guess” he added.

“not really” I said shrugging it off. This taxi man was very talkative, well compared to the taxi drivers we have in England.

You’ll think they are talking to you but soon realise the earpiece in his ear.

“well here we are, have a nice day you two” he said parking up on the side of the road.

Both me and Theo rushed out of the car. As we removed our bags the gates opened and from a far, I could see my brother standing with his sweats on.

“you go, I’ll get these” Theo said pushing me out of the way.

I walked through the gates and met my brother. “Didn’t know you were bringing your boyfriend” was the first thing he said as he hugged me briefly.

“he wanted to; he’s got a cousin in the next town too” I explained to him.

“where is she?” I asked him as I stepped inside the house.

He pointed to the room at the end of the hallway. “go easy on her Elle, she’s very fragile”

I glanced at him for the last time as I walked inside.

I walked into the master bedroom. Mom sat at her dressing table, applying lipstick to her lips as she watched housewives on the Tv. She stared at me as I walked in and closed the door.

“you do know I don’t get a lot of free time right; all this would have been solved if you had answered my calls” I said leaning against the door.

She slowly closed her lipstick and reluctantly turned around to face me.

“your tone right now is exactly why I didn’t answer you” she replied.

“just tell me what happened. I said I wouldn’t involve you but its hard to when you hid things about my father to me. Did you know about his mental illness when you were together?” I asked her. I wanted her to give me an honest explanation.

“mom, you can’t just stay silent” I pressed on again. When she stayed quiet.

I knew she was stressed with this all, but I just needed something to give me an idea of what she knew.

“it’s like you’re forgetting that he beat me Elle, why are you so angry at me when I am the victim” she shouted at me, her hand pressing down on the chair.

“I’m not excusing that, but he has an illness and you knew didn’t you. Why didn’t you fore him to get help. You made us hate him because we thought he was a pathetic excuse of a dad when all he needed was some help” I shouted back.

Can she not see both sides of this story?

“he didn’t deserve the help Elle, he beat me till I was lying on the floor, you saw it why are you siding with him”

I pressed my lips together; my annoyance was increasing with every word. She just didn’t want to admit her mistakes.

“everyone deserves help mom. You would have seen signs earlier. Its not like he beat you up more than once mom. After noticing his change in his behaviour, you would have done something”

I knew that I had to lower my voice, I didn’t like shouting, especially at my mom.

“I was scared, what was I supposed to do. I barely had money, how was I going to feed you two” she cries out, tears falling down her cheeks.

My heart ached for her.

“you should have reached out mom. You had so many people that cared for us”

She scoffed “and embarrass myself in front of everyone, I would be the towns joke Elle” This was always the problem, she cared about her pride too much and what people would think of her.

“and what about what everyone thought of dad after. He had friend’s mom, people who admired him” I was shocked to hear my brothers voice. Theo stood behind him silently.

Mom stuttered. “I, I couldn’t just sacrifice myself from him, I’m sorry okay I really messed up, but I was so scared back then”

She sunk down in her chair; her shoulder hunched. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to walk over and comfort her or walk away and not speak to her again.

But even I had to put myself in her shoes. Nobody teaches you about what you should do next when your husband abuses you.

“it’s not me who you should be saying sorry to mom, both of you need to apologise for your past. Not run away from it” I said to her as I offered her a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“I wanted to so many times, but I’m worried he will be angry, I don’t know how I would handle another fight with him” she said softly.

I knelt down at her side. “Dad is better now, if it makes you any better, I won’t let you do it alone. Jay can come” I said. I knew if Jay was there, she would feel safe. After all, when mom was dealing with the pain before, jay was the only one she trusted enough to confide in him.

She looked up at me. “so, you’re not mad at me then”

I grinned. This seemed to be a reoccurring thing for me.

“I was but I’m not anymore mom. This is why you shouldn’t hide things from us, because we can help each other” I said wrapping my arms around her shoulders.

She laid her head on my shoulder. “you know, you’re exactly like your grandfather” she says after letting me go.

I smiled.

“he would be so proud of you” she adds.

I felt Theo place his hand on my shoulder. “I’m really sorry I forced you both out here. Please let me take you to dinner” mom says standing up. I stepped to the side and looked at Theo.

“you guys go, I need to visit someone first don’t let me stop you” Theo says as wraps his arm around me.

“are you sure?” she asked him, Theo nodded.

“alright, we will get ready” my brother says as he turns and walks out the room.

“Theo, do you want a lift?” he called from the hallway.

“sure, if that’s alright, it’s 30 minutes from here” Theo called back.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“no worries man”

My mum walked into the bathroom as both me and Theo walked downstairs.

I walked him out to the car. “that went considerably better than I imagined” Theo said leaning against the car door.

“what did you imagine”

Theo smirked. “I just thought you were pissed so when you literally just spoke to her, I was surprised” he explains. I scoffed at him. “you make me sound like some type of monster”

“that’s because you are” my brother commented as he stepped out. My mother locked the main door behind her.

“Stop bullying your sister and get in the car” Mom said, whacking him around the head.

I had to laugh as he sulked as he got into the driver’s seat with mom in the passenger seat. Me and Theo got in the back.

“He played?” Mom asked surprised as Theo told her all about the charity event.

“yeah, we were all surprised too” I commented.

“He did love sports, it’s kind of what made me so attracted to him when he played. Because he had a purpose”

It was strange to hear mom speak about day like this. She’s always tried to avoid talking about him even if it was just a comment.

“it was lovely seeing you again Theo, I’m really sorry of I wasted your time” mom says as we arrive at the address where Theo would be meeting someone.

Theo smiled at her. “no worries, I’m glad we came, hopefully see you soon” Theo said as he stepped out of the car.

“call me when you’re done” I said into Theo’s ear as he kissed me on the cheek.

He squeezed my thigh “of course”

I watch him walk towards a small house and knock on the door.

I didn’t really know much about his cousin; I do know that he was dropping off some football equipment for some boys. Which explains the big suitcase we brought for a day trip to Australia. The passport checker at London Heathrow was confused at first.

Before we explained to him why.

“He’s really good for you Elle, I really like him” Mom says as we drive off. I turn my head to face her.

“yeah, he makes it really easy to have a boyfriend when I’m coaching”

I don’t think I could have had a normal boyfriend out of the centre because I just would never have the time for them.

But since Theo works with me and we practically see each other every day, it really doesn’t matter.

“if only your brother thought about dating instead of playing with those girls, I would be a happy and content mother” She said, her eyes flicking to my brother.

He groaned” I’m too young to be tied down mom, just let me be”

Typical.

“fine, I’ll just have to rely on Elle to give me my grandbabies” she mumbles.

I widen my eyes. Now I was the one groaning. That is not a conversation I was willing to go into right now.

Babies, with Theo?

Nope, I am not ready for that. I already have 10 kids that I have to take care of, I couldn’t possibly do any more.