The next morning, Zareah is woken up by Seraphina jumping on her bed. The little girl has always been a morning.
"Uh! Seraphina Jude, what have I told you about jumping on the bed?" Zareah asked in a firm voice
"Not to because I could fall off and get hurt. I'm sorry, Mimsy." Seraphina apologized as she plopped and sat down.
"It's okay, little dove. Just don't do it again." Zareah replied
Seraphina nodded, "Okay Mimsy. I won't."
"Look at the clock and tell me what time it is." Zareah said
Seraphina turned to the clock on the wall and looked at it, "The short hand is the hour hand and it's on the six. The long hand is minute hand and it's on the three, so it's 6:15 am."
"Good job." Zareah praised as she sat up and smiled at her sister "Now let's get up and get ready for school."
"Yay!" Seraphina cheered "I made a friend yesterday after you came. Her name's Violet."
Zareah smiled, "That's great, chipmunk. I'm so proud of you."
"And next week we have a mommy-daughter day at school. The moms come in and the kids talk about their moms." Seraphina explained
Zareah sighed softly, "I see. I'm sorry, baby. I wish our mom could have been who we needed after daddy died."
Seraphina shook her head, "No, I want you to come. You're my Mimsy. You take care of me like a mommy."
"I'll be there, chipmunk. I promise. I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world." Zareah assured. Seraphina smiled brightly.
While eating breakfast, it was quiet until Seraphina talked.
"Mimsy?" Seraphina spoke
"Yes, little dove?" Zareah wondered
Seraphina took a breath, "Can I call you mama?"
"Why do you want to call me that, baby?" Zareah questioned
"Because it's who you are. You're my mama. You take care of my like a mama does." Seraphina explained
Zareah nodded, "Okay. You can call me mama. I'm fine with that." She thought, 'What's the harm? I'm doing all the work. It's not like our mother is here.'
Later at school, Seraphina is sitting in class. It's just after snack recess. She didn't know that she felt nauseous or that she'd throw up. She just knew that she her stomach hurt. Seraphina rose her hand.
"Yes, Seraphina?" Mrs. Dubois called
"I don't feel good. My stomach hurts." Seraphina said
Mrs. Dubois gave a nod, "Okay." She turned to another girl, "Violet, can you walk with Seraphina to the office."
"Yes, Mrs. Dubois." Violet replied
On the walk to the office, Seraphina threw up. She started crying.
"It's okay, Sera. You don't have to cry. My mommy says being sick isn't your fault." Violet assured her friend
Seraphina just cried harder and sat down on the ground with her back against the building wall. She pulled her knees into her chest, "I…I want my Mama!"
Violet sat by Seraphina, "The principal will let you go home. That happened last year when I got sick at school."
"Okay Vio." Seraphina agreed as she sniffled and then wiped her tears.
Meanwhile during lunch, Zareah is sitting and eating with her friends. They are talking amongst themselves when Zareah's phone rings.
"Who's calling you?" Veronica asked
Zareah shrugged as she answered the phone, "Hello?"
"Hello. Is this Zareah Christensen?" The voice asked
"Yes, this is she. How can I help you?" Zareah wondered
Zareah heard through the phone, "This is Ramona Boone with Riverdale elementary. I'm calling to let you know that Seraphina Christensen is sick and needs to go home."
"Okay. I'll be right there." Zareah replied before hanging up the phone.
"What's wrong?" Betty questioned
Zareah looked at Betty, "My little sister is sick. I have to pick her up from school."
Josie furrowed her eyebrows, "Why can't your mom pick up your sister?"
"She's working. Her boss is mean. She can't leave work." Zareah explained as she lied
"I'll go with you." Jughead told Zareah "Taking care of a sick kid alone can be hard. I would know. I used to take care of my younger sister."
Zareah gave a nod, "That's a nice offer, Jughead, but I can manage." She wanted to add: 'I've been taking care of my sister alone for the last three years.', but she didn't.
"I insist." Jughead replied
Zareah responded with a small smile, "Okay thanks."
"Betty and I will check on you and Sera after school, Z." Veronica informed
Zareah nodded, "Thank you, Veronica."
Zareah and Jughead stood up and left the school grounds and headed across the street to the elementary school. During the walk, Jughead spoke to Zareah.
"Zareah, there's something you need to know about me. I'm best known for keeping secrets and lying. I can tell when someone is lying, so how about you tell me the truth about your mom." Jughead said
Zareah took a breath, "Well my father was killed during a home invasion when I was ten and my sister was only a couple months old. My mother and I were traumatized by the whole ordeal, but I was able to overcome it for my sister's sake, whereas my mother became depressed and she started to drink. When my sister was three, my mom raised her hand to her, so that night I packed up and left with my little sister. We've been living on the run ever since, but you can't tell anyone."
"I'm so sorry, Zareah." Jughead replied "Your secret is safe with me."
Zareah smiled softly, "Thank you."
Upon arrival, Jughead waited outside while Zareah walked inside the office.
"Mama!" Seraphina exclaimed as she hugged Zareah
Zareah hugged the little girl back and then picked her up, "Hi chipmunk. I hear you're not feeling well."
"I threw up, mama." Seraphina admitted
"That's no fun." Zareah replied. Then she turned to Jughead, "Sera, this is my friend Jughead. And Jughead, this is my sister Seraphina."
"Daughter." Seraphina corrected "You're my mama, so I'm your daughter."
Zareah gave a nod, "Okay. Sorry, baby. You're right. You are my daughter, and I am your mama."
Jughead smiled, "It's nice to meet you, Sera."
"Jughead? That's a funny name." Seraphina commented
"Seraphina!" Zareah scolded
Jughead shook his head, "It's okay, Zareah." Then he looked at Seraphina, "It is, but it's just a nickname. My name is actually Forsythe."
Seraphina nodded, "Oh okay."
"Is there anything you want on the way home, little dove?" Zareah asked
"Ginger ale and saltine crackers." Seraphine said
Jughead spoke, "I can go to the store and get those items."
"Uh sure I guess that would be fine. Thank you. I'll give you some money. I also need baby Vicks rub, apple cider vinegar, and honey." Zareah informed
"Okay. You're welcome." Jughead responded
After arriving home, Zareah carried her sister inside while Jughead held the door open for her. She laid her sister down on the air mattress in the living room and kissed the little girl's forehead.
"Get some rest, Little Dove." Zareah told her sister and then she headed over to her backpack. She pulled out a twenty and handed it to Jughead, "Here. It shouldn't cost this much, but keep the change for helping me so much. I appreciate it."
"It's no problem. That's what friends are for, and I will bring you the change." Jughead replied as he accepted the money and then left to head to the store.
Zareah headed over to the mattress, she changed Seraphina into pajamas, and then laid down by her sister. She stroked Seraphina's hair as she sang softly to the little girl. She sang a different song than the one that she usually sang.
"Christopher Robin and I walked along. Under branches lit up by the moon. Posing our questions to Owl and Eeyore. As our days disappeared all too soon. But I've wandered much further today than I should. And I can't seem to find my way back to the wood." Zareah sang softly
Seraphina's breathing was raspy as she breathed out through her mouth, because of her stuffed up nose. She listened to Zareah's singing and soon fell asleep. Zareah stayed by her Seraphina, stroking her hair and rubbing her back.
Jughead head returned from the store with Betty in tow.
"Hey I'm back." Jughead whispered as he walked into the door "And I brought Betty with me."
"Veronica will be here later. She had to check in with her parents." Betty added
Zareah stood up from the mattress, took the bag from Jughead, and smiled at Betty.
"Thanks for being here, Betty. I know that you don't have to, because we barely know each other." Zareah commented
Betty gave a nod, "You're welcome. It's no problem. How's your sister?"
"She's sleeping." Zareah replied as she placed the bag on the counter and took out the baby Vicks.
Zareah opened the little jar of baby Vicks, moved back over to Seraphina, and gently rubbed some of the Vicks on her chest, back, and the bottom of her feet. Then she headed into the kitchen.
"Do you need any help with anything?" Betty offered
Zareah shook her head, "No, I'm good. Thanks for offering."
"You know, I have to go…um..help my dad." Jughead spoke as he made up an excuse. He wanted to allow Betty and Zareah to have some girl time and bond.
"Okay. Thanks for all your help, Jughead." Zareah thanked him. Jughead smiled and then left.
Betty walked into the kitchen, "So what time does your mom get home?"
"Oh…um..not until really late." Zareah replied while she poured one-fourth of a cup of lemon juice, one-eighth of a cup of apple cider vinegar, and about four tablespoons of honey in a mason jar. She screwed on the lid and shook it up to mix all the ingredients together.
Betty nodded, "I couldn't help but notice that there aren't any moving boxes."
Zareah finished shaking the herbal medicine she made and placed it on the counter, "Yeah. We travel light, since we move a lot. My mom likes to see knew cities."
"You don't have any pictures or postcards out either." Betty stated
"What are you trying to say?" Zareah questioned
Betty pursed her lips, "This is none of my business, but judging by this house and the lack of a car as well as other stuff, I'm guessing that your mom isn't here."
"Mama?" Zareah heard her sister's little voice
"You're right, Betty, it is none of your business. Now if you excuse me, I have to attend to my sister." Zareah responded as she walked around Betty and over to Seraphina. She knelt down by the mattress and stroked the little girl's hair, "Mama's here, baby. What do you need? Are you hungry?"
Seraphina wrapped her arms around Zareah, "Kitchen. Carry me."
"Okay. Are you hungry, chipmunk?" Zareah wondered as she held Seraphina, stood up and then headed back to the kitchen.
"Crackers and ginger ale." Seraphina said with her face buried in Zareah's neck.
Zareah sat Seraphina down on the kitchen counter so she could grab the crackers and ginger ale, but Seraphina clung onto her.
"No, mama. Hold me." Seraphina cried
"I have to get the crackers and ginger ale." Zareah explained
Betty spoke up, "Zareah, I don't mind helping. You can sit down. I'll get whatever you need."
Zareah sighed as she held Seraphina. She didn't want to, but she gave in to Betty, "Okay. Thank you."
"Who are you?" Seraphina wondered as she looked over at Betty.
"I'm Betty. I go to school with Zareah." Betty informed before Zareah carried Seraphina over to the makeshift couch and sat down.
Zareah cradled Seraphina on her lap and stroked the little girl's hair while humming 'Baby Mine' by Bette Midler. Soon Betty appeared with a bowl of saltine crackers and ginger ale in a playtex sippy cup.
"I found this cup in the cupboard. I hope it's okay that I put it in this." Betty stated
Zareah nodded as she took the cup and the bowl, "It is. The cup is Sera's for when she's sick or if she wants water at night." She handed the bowl to Seraphina, "Here's your crackers, baby."
"Ginger ale?" Seraphina questioned as she took the bowl
"I have it in your hello kitty cup." Zareah replied.
Seraphina held out her hand for the cup, but Zareah shook her head, "Eat some crackers first, Little Dove." Seraphina pouted but she picked up a cracker and nibbled on it.
An hour later, Betty went home after getting a call from her mom. Zareah called in sick to work and then started on her homework while Seraphina slept beside her on the couch.
Many hours later, Zareah heard a light knock on the door. She turned her head in the direction of the door, saw the doorknob turning, and then she saw Veronica step inside.
"Veronica." Zareah uttered in a whisper "You scared me half to death."
"I'm sorry." Veronica apologized "How's the little princess?"
Zareah smiled, "She's doing a little better. Currently sleeping and snoring, because she's still really congested."
"I hope you don't mind, but I got her a little gift." Veronica stated as she pulled a little stuffed angel bear out of her backpack.
"That's so cute. Thank you. Sera's going to love it." Zareah replied as she accepted the gift and then tucked it under one of Seraphina's arms.
Veronica smiled as she gave a nod, "No problem. Your sister was a joy to watch yesterday. Also would you mind if I spent the night. My father and I aren't getting along and I just don't want to go home."
Zareah thought for a moment, "Uh…I don't know. My mom might not like it. She'll be getting in really late and she'll be exhausted." This was a lie. Zareah just didn't want Veronica to find out that she didn't actually have a mother.
"She'll barely know I'm here, and I can help with Sera so that you can get some sleep too." Veronica responded "We can take turns getting up with her."
"Uh…okay. I guess that's fine." Zareah agreed
Zareah starting working on her homework again, but soon Seraphina woke up with cries of 'mama'. Veronica told Zareah that she got this as she rushed to the little girl's side.
"Hey Sera, what's wrong?" Veronica asked the little girl
"Ronnie!" Seraphina exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around the teen's neck "I want my mama."
Veronica picked up the little girl, "Your mama's at work. It's just you, me, and your big sister." She thought that Seraphina was asking for her actual mother.
"No, mama's here. Mama is mimsy." Seraphina replied
"Oh okay." Veronica stated understanding now "Well your mama is doing homework. Maybe I can help you."
Seraphina thought for a moment before uttering, "My tummy hurts, Ronnie. I want some Ginger Ale."
"Alright I'll get you some." Veronica assured as she carried the little girl into the kitchen.
Veronica sat Seraphina on the counter while she looked in the fridge for Ginger Ale.
"Put it in my hello kitty cup. It's on the couch by mama." Seraphina stated
Veronica nodded and then headed over to Zareah, "Hey. Sera wants Ginger Ale in her hello kitty cup. She said the cup is on the couch."
"It is. Make sure that Sera eats a little something before you give her the Ginger Ale." Zareah replied as she picked up the sippy cup and handed it to Veronica, "Thanks for helping out. I really appreciate it."
"No problem." Veronica said as she took the cup and then headed back into the kitchen.
Veronica poured Ginger Ale into the sippy cup, but held onto it.
"Your mama says you have to eat something before you get the Ginger Ale, so what would you like?" Veronica wondered
Seraphina thought for a moment, "Uh..banana."
Veronica nods, "Okay. Banana it is." She saw a banana on the counter, " Can you peel it yourself or do you need help, princess?"
"Help." Seraphina stated
Veronica opened the banana and started to peel the side with the stem down a little. Then she handed it to Seraphina, "Here you go."
Seraphina took the banana, "Thanks Ronnie." She nibbled on the banana.
"You're welcome." Veronica replied
About an hour later, Seraphina was fast asleep again. She stayed asleep for many, many hours. And as the clock ticked closer and closer to midnight, Veronica grew more and more curious about when Zareah's mystery mother would show up. At around half past midnight, Veronica finally said something.
"Okay. I've had my suspicions all night, but now I have to say something." Veronica stated "Your mother isn't coming home, is she? In fact there is no mother, it's just you and your sister. Am I right, Z?"
Zareah looked at her sleeping sister as she gave a sigh and then turned back to Veronica. She gave a small nod, "Yeah. You'd be correct. We've been on our own for three years."
"Why'd you lie?" Veronica asked
"You can't tell anyone. I don't want my sister and I do be split up. I'm all she has." Zareah explained dodging the question
Veronica nodded, "Of course. Your secret is safe with me."
Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.
What would you like to see happen next?