Chapter 7: June 6th, 1998
Nancy ran through the dining room, finishing the last decorations of her daughter's tenth birthday party. She knew that she was being off timing but it bothered her that Alyssa didn't get to have her party on her birthday. Nancy already was borrowing hundreds of dollars, and she felt guilty about it.
"Nancy." Dick said, looking over at his daughter. "You don't need to worry about money. We have it. You don't have to work, I have told you..." he said, trying to comfort her. Her know his daughter, and how she is constantly worried.
"But, dad... I want Alyssa to grow to be an honorable adult." Nancy said, as she lad out plates and utensils. She toke a few steps back and looked at the table. This room looked like Alyssa was going to have fun. Alyssa was at school, inviting her friends to the house. This will be the first day any of Alyssa's friends will be over at the Hamilton house. Nancy knew that Alyssa was just going to love it. She was going to have the most fun she has had in a long time.
"Well, now that this room is done, Nancy, you really should go rest. Alyssa wont be home for at least a few hours, and so you have a little while to take a nap, and just.. relax a little. Please take my advice for once, Nancy. You look like you haven't slept in weeks." Dick said, a frown written across his normally relaxed face.
"Dad, I must be here to say happy birthday to Alyssa when she comes home from school." Nancy said, stubbornly.
"Nancy... I will wake you about 20 minutes before she comes home so you can get ready for her arrival. Just, please... At least go lay in bed?" Dick insisted. He walked to his daughter, and patted her back, "Come on, now, off to bed you go." he said, as if she where the child.
"Fine, I will go. But only so I can be very cheerful for Alyssa. Remember that I am an adult now. I'm twenty-eight years old! I can care for myself." Nancy said, a small, childish pout on her face.
"Can you? Remember, you are disabled..? That claims that you cannot care for yourself." Dick said, directing her to the door.
"I still don't understand how I'm disabled. I just get upset sometimes, and sometimes I cry. Everyone does. Sometimes I get harmful, or sometimes I am so scared of everything. That doesn't mean anything. I'm sure I can still earn a living and raise Alyssa with no issues." Nancy said, though she did sound unsure.
"No, you cannot. Sometimes you scared Alyssa when you scream for no reason, sometimes, in the middle of doing something, you'll stop and cry. That isn't normal. You are sick, you know you are. I just wish I knew what has caused it. Your mother was nothing like this. She was scared of dark corners and vulnerable areas, but never cried like you do, or gets so scared of the world.
"Me and mum are not a lot alike. I loved her dearly, but we disagreed about everything. We couldn't even decide on what to have as a snack after training. I doubt we ever had the same mental states." 'Or the same tragedies.' her thoughts finished the sentence. She let out a sigh. "I guess I shall follow your advice and go take that nap. Wake me 30 minutes before Alyssa gets home so I can get the cake out of the fridge."
"Okay. Sleep well, my dear daughter." Dick smiled at her, and followed her out the door, just to make sure she was going to her room. Last time she said this, she lied, and had ended up crying herself to sleep in front of the balcony door, obviously mourning over Philip's death, once again. Dick wasn't going to follow her all the way down the halls. He knew that her room was so close to Philip's grave, but he couldn't comment. She liked that room, so he let her have, even though he knew it probably made her mentality worse, passing by the balcony door every time she decided to go to her room.
Nancy had been awoken by her father, approximately forty-five minutes before Alyssa's return, and she quickly shooed her father out of her bedroom. She went to her wardrobe, and opened the right door. Se looked at the mirror and sighed. When she slept, she woke looking even more tired then before she went to sleep. It upset her that her daughter would have to look at her like this, but she couldn't change it. She grabbed the brush, from the desk behind her, and began running it through her semi shoulder-length hair. She flinched when it pulled, and nearly whimpered when it brought images to her mind. She hated when something, anything, reminded her of that night... It made her feel like Alyssa was a complete mistake, even though she wanted Alyssa. But Philip was just protected Nancy, not Alyssa. Dick would have probably preferred if they had gone with an abortion instead, even though that it had a very high chance of killing Alyssa and Nancy.
She put the brush down, and studied herself some more. She could see features of her mother in her face, and made her eyes water. She didn't need to think of her mother, or Philip or that matter, right now. It was only a few minutes until Alyssa's arrival, and when her small party would begin. Nancy really hoped that Alyssa would appreciate it.
She looked down at her clothes and sighed. She looked mangy. Oh, well. She needed to do last minute preparations. She didn't know how long she sat here in room, staring at herself, getting lost in thought. It could have been five minutes or twenty-five minutes. She didn't know. But she needed to get downstairs.
She rushed her way down the stairs and into the dining room. She smiled at her father, "Hey dad. Can you help me get the cake out onto the table?" she said, normally, she would have never asked for help, but she knew that this cake was extremely heave for just someone of her small frame to carry.
"Sure." Dick said, nodding a little. He was setting up the Happy Birthday sigh outside of the dining room doors, and putting balloons everywhere.
Nancy heard the front door open and a smile lit up her face, "Dad, hurry with that. Alyssa's home!" she exclaimed, hurrying to the door to the lobby of the house.
"Mummy!" Alyssa chimed, less then a yard from the entrance of the dining hall. "I got a few of my classmates to agree to come. They are on their way, they went home to change out of the uniform. I hope that they really show. Some seamed unsure. I don't want to be alone my first birthday party..." Alyssa trailed off into thought.
"You won't be alone, dear. Even if your friends don't show. You still have me and your grandfather." Nancy said. She was trying to cheer up Alyssa, but in the process of comforting herself. She worked so hard on that room, she prayed someone would love it. She know that Alyssa would love it, because it was over decorated with purple, Alyssa;s favorite colour.
"But I really want my friends to come the one time you're okay enough for them to come over. All the other times, you weren't feeling well when they could come. So I pray that my friends will come. Even just one. None of my friends believe that I live in a big house. Some still think I'm lying about daddy being dead. I hate them thinking that I'm lying." When Alyssa finished talking, her hair was slightly at ends. Her fingertips were also letting off a small bit of light.
Nancy noticed this right away and frowned. Her daughter really was going to be a Rooder. A strong on at that. Most of the time, young Rooder powers begin to be noticeable at about age 12, though her have the power by age nine. Alyssa, however, wasn't ever ten and already showing the signs of a twelve year old, almost thirteen year old Rooder. That worried Nancy more then anything. How was Nancy supposed to hid Alyssa from her Rooder power or even the Ritual of Engagement.
"Mummy, are you sure that this is all okay? If it isn't, we can cancel if and do it next year." Alyssa commented even though she wanted this, but if her mum wasn't well, she didn't want to stress her worse.
"No, no, I'm fine. you have already invited your friends. Everything is all set up. Do not worry about your old mum. I will be just fine." Nancy said, looking wryly at Alyssa. She smiled a little and looked at her daughter. "I was going to surprise you with the party room, but since the room is already set up and you must wait for your friends, you can just come, and settle in." she said, putting her hand on Alyssa's back, and escorting her to the dining room facade. She pushed the door open, and looked at Alyssa. "Do you like it?"
Alyssa's face lightened significantly, and she had a huge smile going from ear to ear. "I love it, mum!" she nearly squealed, taking a few steps forward, her eyes in awe. "You worked all day on this, just for me?" she asked, her eyes still wide.
"Mmhmm" Nancy said, nodding slightly. "I'm glad you like it. It took a lot of work. Though your grandfather did the most of it. I was up in my room, resting since lunchtime." Nancy said, stepping inside, admiring the room with Alyssa.
"I'm glad to hear that you got a little rest. That's good. You need to sleep more, and worry less. I'll be fine, Grandfather will be fine, everyone is fine, mum." Alyssa said, nodding more to herself then her mother.
"Hmm." Nancy said, in a little of a disapproving fashion. "I guess you must be right. Just... So much happens when you're not watching... Anything could happen." she said, looking over at her dad, Who was asleep in that chair again.
"Mummy.. Just take a breath, and let's enjoy ourselves, okay?" Alyssa said, giving her mum a grin, and pulling her fully into the dining room. "It's a very happy surrounding. I love it, mum. You did a brilliant job on it." she said, smiling. She pulled out the chair on the far right hand side of the dining table, and sat down.
Nancy laughed, "You look like the Queen." she said, smiling brightly. "You look like royalty, my dear Alyssa." she said, a little calmer. "Makes me feel proud, I gave birth to someone as beautiful as you." she said, smiling-though her stomach twisted. The Entity was the cause of Alyssa. Nancy regretted that night... Did that mean that she regretted Alyssa as well?
"Mum? You've spaced out again." Alyssa said, now standing right in front of her mother, waving her hand in front of Nancy. Alyssa had just noticed how short her mother was. She was already at her shoulders, and she hadn't even started puberty. She was a little curious of how that worked out.
"Hmm?" Nancy looked down at her daughter and smiled. She quickly wrapped her arms around her daughter and laughed. "You're mine, Alyssa. I've decided that. You are no one elses. Just mine." She said, almost sounding crazy. But Alyssa was used to her mom, and so it didn't frighten her at all.
Alyssa laughed and hugged her mum back. She cuddled against her mother's neck, and let that warm, safe feeling take over her. But just as she got truly comfortable, the door bell rang across the room.
Nancy jumped back, and almost tripped over the table, before she realized that it was just the front door. She recomposed herself, and looked at Alyssa, who was snickering slightly from watching her mom freak out. "Come on, Alyssa. Let us go get the door." She said, though she knew very well that she wanted to go, because she was paranoid, though she knew it was probably going to be one of Alysa's friends coming.
"Okay." Alyssa rushed to the door, without waiting for her mother. She then unlocked the front door, and turned to her mom, "May I?" she said, looking almost eager.
"Fine." Nancy said, just now crossing the hall. She was worried of something that knows about their Rooder bloodline coming to the house, and tricking Alyssa into letting them in. So, Nancy never let Alyssa open the door. But today was a celebration of Alyssa's tenth birthday, so Nancy cut her a little slack.
Alyssa opened the door, and her face lit up in surprise. About a dozen young girls were at their door, all still in uniform, but with a present or two each girl. "I'm so glad you guys came!" Alyssa exclaimed.
Nancy was happy to see that Alyssa is going to get the birthday she wanted. That was like a music to her ears.
"Come in, please!" Alyssa said, happily. She had a smile from ear to ear, and she was laughing, cheerfully accepting happy birthday's.
Nancy smiled at them, "Come right this way. Set the presents down in the far left hand corner from the table." she directed, before following the swarm of girls that had made their way to the dining room.
Nancy walked over and shook her father awake, "Dad, the girls are here." she said.
"Okay.." Dick sighed, and opened his eyes. He began to force himself from his chair, but Nancy shook her head
"Dad, me and you sit along side Alyssa. You're right there, I'm across from you, and Alyssa's in the middle." Nancy said, elegently taing her seat, and relaxing. She sat up a little and chimed, "Girls, it's time for the party to start."
Alyssa smiled, and took her seat at the end of the table, looking very proper and eloquent.
Once everyone was seated, Nancy smiled. She forced herself out of her seat, and announced, "Now, it's time to sing Happy Birthday to Alyssa." She smiled, and started the song. Alyssa watched in awe, as everyone was wishing her a happy birthday. It made her feel honoured.
When the song finished, Alyssa was smiling brightly, almost as if she was brightening the whole room. "Thank you everyone, for coming." she said, happily. "It means a lot."
"Well, we all love you, Alyssa. At school, you're what makes the day interesting. Those days you are absent, we sit around all day, bored." one of the students chimed in.
"Really, Elizabeth?" she said, her face reading surprise.
"Yes, Aly. Really." she said, nodding to confirm.
Nancy smiled at that. Alyssa had friends in school. That was wonderful. She cocked her head to the side when she noticed something. Where was Dennis? He often came over and played with Alyssa in the front lawn and sometimes in the back. Nancy sometimes let him in to get a drink because his face would turn red enough to match his hair.
"Now, Alyssa, you must blow out the candles. Father, can you do the honors?" she said, looking at the cake sitting in between them.
He nodded and stood up. He went through the door to the left, and came back a few seconds later with the lighter. He lit one of the candles and picked it up to light the rest. "There you are." he said, waving the lighter a little to get the tip to cool.
Alyssa stood up, and sucked in a deep breath, just in time for a rapid knock on the front door echoes throughout the house.
Nancy chimed in, "I'll get it." she stood, and went around Alyssa and her father to the lobby. She hurried to the front door, not wanting to postpone the party much longer. She turned the doorknob, and the first thing she saw when she opened the door was bright red hair, "I'm sorry I'm late, Ms. Hamilton..." a huffing voice said.
"Oh, it's fine, Dennis. You sound tired. Shall I get you a glass of water?" she asked, noting that the boy's face was bright red, and he was flush.
"No, thank you. My mum's car broke down, and I knew Alyssa would be disappointed if I didn't show, so I ran." he said, his breathing calming down a little.
"Okay, dear. Well, the party is in the dining room. Just go and find yourself a seat." Nancy said, giving Dennis a warm smile, trying to make him feel a little better about his late entrance.
She followed him back to the dining hall. "Alright, everyone, now that we have Dennis here, let's get the show on the road. Alyssa, you may blow out your candles." she said, gesturing to the cake sitting in front of her daughter.
Alyssa took in a small breath and blew. A much more powerful gust of air came out of her lungs then she had gathered, and it blew all ten of the candles out in an instant. She looked over at her mum, and gave her a 'What just happened?' look. Alyssa looked at all of her friends. As far as she could tell, no one else had noticed it. Just her and her mother.
"Well, it's time to cut the cake!" Dick announced, trying to distract them for what just happened.
"Yay!" All of the girls and Dennis chimed. They all scurried a lot and watched as Dick began to cut the cake. He gave the biggest piece to Alyssa and began to spread the rest out throughout the table.
Most of the night went like this, and Nancy was getting more and more exhausted by the minute. By the time the girls left, Nancy was about to pass out.
"Well, goodnight, Alyssa. I'll see you at school tomorrow." Dennis said, about to leave the house.
"You too. Tonight was a lot of fun, thanks to you and the girls." Alyssa said, smiling. She turned to her mum, "Well, we should rest. Good night." she said, closing the door.
"I'm glad you had fun, sweety. Well, I'm off to bed." Nancy said, nodding a little before turning to the staircase. "Please ask your grandfather to clean up, and I'll finish up cleaning tomorrow."
"Yes, mummy. I should be heading off to bed too." she smiled at her mum, who was very obviously tired out. The day seamed to have drained her completely. Alyssa felt sorry for her mum. She rarely ever looked this exhausted, and Alyssa felt like it may as well be all of her fault. Her mum had pushed herself almost to her limit, just so she could have a birthday party. Alyssa knew she should have just called it off when her mum looked exhausted earlier that day.
She drugged herself to the dining room, "Grampy, mum wanted to know if you would clean up for her, and she'll finish up tomorrow?" she said, looking at her grandfather, who was eating a little bit of cake he still had left over.
"Yes, I will." he nodded and got up, starting to gather plates.
"Thank you, grampy." Alyssa flashed a smile, and started to her room. She got there quickly, really ready to sleep. She closed her door behind her when she did get to her room, and immediately went to her bed. She sat down, and looked at he ceiling. "Dear God... Today was hard. Mum was really pushing herself. I was scared fur her most of the night. I tried to be happy. I opened presents, ate cake, laughed, talked... But mum looked so sick... I wish she wouldn't push herself... Please help, God. She needs it. Thank you... Amen." Alyssa sighed, and laid back on her bed. Goodnight.
Dear Reader,
I'm extremely sorry about the late post! I've been having writer's block, and a lot of stress of school and other crap. :/ I'll write the next chapter soon. I'm also sorry about the bad quality of this chapter.. I might revise it later when I have more of a right mind to type something so boring . I'm really sorry about that.
Anyway, I will try to update quicker, and have better quality. And if you guys have idea, please tell me :) I am always open to new idea, but not long term. I have those already planned, but I mean two or 3 chapters advanced, you know? So please, give me ideas! I love you guys!
I still am very sorry for the late update!
~~Bri.
