Jessica found Louisa sulking on the fire escape outside the bedroom window.
She wasn't alone either.
"-don't like her."
"Give her a chance, Louisa." Jessica leant on the windowsill. "Good evening, Jessica." Poseidon smiled.
"And to you." Jessica smiled. She looked down at Louisa. "You OK, Lou?" Louisa nodded, hugging her knees to her chest. Poseidon put an arm around his daughter.
"You are welcome to visit anytime you wish, Louisa."
"Thanks Dad."
"I will leave you to talk." He smiled kindly and melted into a stream of water and a sea breeze, twisting through the air and was gone.
Jessica sat next to Louisa. They sat in silence for a short while.
"Don't turn out like ya mom." Louisa said. Jessica smiled and pulled Louisa into a hug.
"I won't."
"Thanks." Louisa rested her head on Jessica's shoulder. "Does she pick at everythin'?"
"Yeah."
"How the hell did ya live with her?"
"I moved out as soon as I could." Louisa nodded.
"Jessica?"
"Mm?"
"Why-? Why didn't-?" Louisa looked pained. "Why didn't my real mom want me?" Jessica had been expecting this conversation.
"It's not the case of not wanting you. She could have had financial issues, was too young or was too scared. She had the heart to put you into care instead of… well, aborting you." Louisa winced. "She wanted to keep you, Lou, but knew it would be better for both of you to place you in someone else's care." Worry stabbed at Jessica's heart. "Why?"
"Roxy was goin' on 'bout me bein' adopted again." The worry evaporated quickly, replaced with relief.
"Don't listen to her, Lou. She's a cow."
"Ya got that right." Louisa smiled.