Chapter Five

Memories

Kay kept a steady gaze on the tv, thoroughly bored with the evening news. It had hit the point in the night where they were just recycling stories from earlier. She wasn't sure how much longer she could take it. With a lack of positive response from everything aside from pain medicine, there was a chance she'd be stuck in the hospital all week.

Whenever Cynthia got back she would have to be sure to beg her to bring her something else to entertain her.
With a grumble and grunt, she adjusted how she was sitting. Laying in bed for nearly four days sounded great in theory, but was downright terrible in practice. With the remote once again out of reach, she resigned herself to her fate of evening news.
The sound of the door opening caught her attention. She lulled her head to the side, instantly brightening up when she saw her daughter and sister walking through the door. "So, how was brag about my kid day?" She asked, laughing to herself as Avery rolled her eyes at her.

"Good," Cynthia answered, standing at the foot of the bed while Avery took the chair next to her mother.

Kay raised an eyebrow. Her tone and body language was far too tense for it to have been good. "That wasn't very convincing," she pointed out, looking to her daughter. For a split second, she worried they were going to have bad news about her grades.

Avery laughed nervously. "Turns out you guys know one of my teachers!"

She looked back to Cynthia, who was now very exasperated. "Did you even look at Avery's schedule? Like, the full names of the teachers?"

She was taken aback. "Pretty sure I did? But I mean, I don't think I saw anyone that sounded familiar?"

"Gardner?"

Kay searched her memory, but she couldn't recall whether or not that rung a bell.

"In mom's defense, I'm pretty sure her name is listed as Ann, not-"

"Diantha."

In that instant, everything clicked. The stars and planets themselves had aligned and it all made sense. Ann Gardner. Diantha Ann Gardner. A laugh almost escaped her. It hurt to hold it in. "Oh my fucking god, you're kidding me."

Cynthia shook her head. "I wish I was. It was her. Plain as day. My ex. She's teaching your daughter. Of all the luck." Her forced monotone really sold it.

Kay covered her mouth, biting her lip to try and avoid laughing. "Oh my god, Cynthia…I'm so sorry! I had no idea! I-I mean, also in my defense, I forgot she changed her last name but—" she stopped, finally unable to resist laughing. She looked to her daughter. "You even told me that she had an accent," she said, imitating Diantha's accent.

Cynthia looked on, at least glad to see her in good spirits. "I'm going to run to the restroom. I'll be back."

"Don't get lost," Kay said, watching her leave.

Avery waited a few seconds, not wanting to risk Cynthia overhearing what she was going to ask. "Mom," she began, refacing her, "did aunt Cindy and…Mrs. Gardner or…Diantha? Have a bad breakup? Because I've never seen Mrs. Gardner that freaked out, and Aunt Cindy looked really unhappy to see her."

She rolled her eyes before forcing herself to sit up. The simple motion stung. "I want you out of her class. That woman…she messed Cindy up. I mean…" She sighed. "I didn't want to have this conversation with you yet, but oh well. Here we are, I guess. She walks back in though, I'm changing the subject."

"Okay," she agreed.

"You obviously know I had you when I was sixteen. Cynthia was dating Diantha at the time, and they're both pretty much the reason I was able to finish high school. When they weren't in their college classes, or doing something for her stupid filming, they were helping me with you, that way I didn't have to put a lot of it on Gram. I thought they were gonna get married, honestly. As far as I could see, everything was heading in that direction." Her voice almost sounded wistful at that. "But then, one morning, Diantha showed up at Cynthia's door, told her they were over, and wouldn't explain any more than that. Then right around the time Gram died she got engaged to some shitty guy, and I dunno. It was all weird, and I've never forgiven her."

It felt odd to know these things about her teacher. Especially when her previous opinion of her was positive. She almost didn't want to believe her mother. Surly her sweet-natured teacher wouldn't just walk out without explaining. Maybe Cynthia hadn't explained everything. Maybe her mother had missed something…

"How old was I when she left?"

"About three, I think. Why?"

The whole ride over to the hospital, she had been trying to piece things together better. While doing that, she remembered something from when she was really young. Though, it was one of those memories that might have been a dream she had as a child that she was now passing off as a memory. "I…I think I remember her, actually. Not clearly. I've always had this weird memory, but I wasn't sure who it was about because I had to be little." It would also explain why Mrs. Gardner had always been so familiar to her.

She gave her a confused look. "You can remember something from when you were three?" There was no way.

Pulling her glasses off, she wiped the lenses on her shirt. "I…I mean, maybe it's just a dream I had, but I dunno."

"Well, go for it." Couldn't hurt anyways.

"I remember walking up to a tall woman—" Diantha wasn't tall so strike one "—and throwing my arms up like this." She shoved her glasses back on before demonstrating. "She picked me up, and then I looked at you and aunt Cindy, and then smiled while she laughed."

Suddenly, she wasn't so sure anymore. That was something Avery liked to do as a child, but only for Diantha. "Do you remember what you would call her?"

The door opened right as she asked that.

Avery was quick to try to change the subject. "But all my grades are good and—"

Cynthia chuckled. "You called her Dan for the longest time." She looked to her sister. "C'mon, I'm not stupid. I knew you were going to talk about this when I left."

Kay started laughing, figuring it wasn't worth avoiding. "Yeah, this tiny, very feminine woman, and you'd just call her Dan."

Cynthia shrugged, running a hand through her bangs. "Eventually it turned to 'Dannie'. It was really cute, actually. The second we would come see you two, there would these little feet running across the wood floor, and then at the top of your shrill little three year old lungs, 'Aunt Cindy! Dannie!'" Thinking on it, it really was one of her favorite memories.

Avery's cheeks went red with embarrassment. "Can we not?" She groaned while her mother and aunt continued to snicker at her.


Diantha moved about her home, trying to distract herself from her night that was far more eventful than she had anticipated.

Sure, she had expected some arguments with parents who would believe their lying student over her. She had expected not seeing the parents she really needed to see, and seeing many parents she didn't really need to see.

However, never would she have anticipated seeing Cynthia of all people.

It had been thirteen years since they last saw one another —as Cynthia had so bitterly reminded her. The look of fire in her eyes was hardly any different than it would have been from when they were younger. Even if her features had matured just as hers had, there was still so much there that was still the Cynthia she had known years ago. Noticeable even in just a few minutes.

Sitting at her table, it was almost haunting to have seen her. The fire that was in her eyes instantly upon seeing her. It hurt in some ways, but in others, she couldn't blame her if she still bared a grudge against her. She had left abruptly, and only once made the motion to ever contact her again.

Then again, Cynthia had never reached out. But that hadn't been in her nature.

Her phone vibrated against her table, pulling her from her thoughts.

Siebold: I'm home. Call me whenever you are ready

She smiled, more pleased than ever that he was home.

Adjusting herself, she hit the video call option. Within a few rings, he picked up.

"My dear Siebold!"

He smiled at her. "Good to hear from you, Diantha."

"How are you doing? I've been so busy with schoolwork that I can't remember the last time we were able to talk!" They hadn't had a full conversation since her visit over the summer.

"It has been awhile. I'm doing very well. The new restaurant is running smoothly. Cress should be home here soon."

She smiled. "How are the two of you doing?"

The camera finally stopped moving as he settled himself on his couch. "Excellent. He was handling things at Apple of the Earth tonight."

"That's so good to hear."

He gave her a look. "What about you, though? You normally wait until the weekend to ever call me."

She looked away. He still knew her better than anyone.

"You seem troubled? Are you alright?"

She almost smiled at his tone. It was his tone that said, "I will fly out to see you if you need me to".

"I…how do I even begin…" she laughed, trying to play it off as lightly as possible. "It was parent teacher conference tonight, and…I ran into Cynthia."

He looked taken aback. "Cynthia? As in your ex girlfriend?"

She smiled while rolling her eyes. "No, the Cynthia who ran the flower stand— yes, as in my ex!"

He laughed at her briefly. "It's been well over 10 years since I last saw her. She has a child?"

She shook her head. "No, no. Kay's daughter, Avery. She was about three when we last saw her. I don't know the full story, but Kay's in the hospital right now, and Cynthia's helping out. It was…oh dear lord it was surprising to see her."

"I…I don't know what to tell you, Diantha."

"It's just…I don't know how to feel, honestly."

"Did you not realize upfront she was Kay's daughter?"

"She has a different last name than when I last saw her! It's Beecher now, not Jenness. I'm sure there's a whole story there, but…I guess I'll never know." And if there was one thing she was dying to know, it was about that.

"You won't get in trouble for teaching her, will you? Since now that you know you, well…know her?"

She shook her head. "No. Once Augustine calmed me down, he went with me to talk to the principal and a few others. They're just going to move her from my class tomorrow. Such a shame, too. She really is a wonderful student…"


Cynthia stood in front of the dresser, placing her phone atop it. Hitting speaker, she pulled her hair out of its ponytail while waiting for Steven to pick up. While she had been texting him of how things were going, everything she had to say would go much quicker in a call.

"Cynthia! I was wondering when I was going to hear from you."

"I'm just glad I finally have a chance to call you." A hairbrush. She needed a hairbrush.

"How's Kay doing?"

"As good as she can be, right now. She's still not responding well to any of her medicine, so no clue how long it will be until she can come home. Hopefully by the weekend." Her fingers would have to suffice as a brush. Even after a brief organization, she could still never find anything in her sister's room.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I know this must be difficult. Again don't worry about work, okay? I meant it when I said take as much time as you need."

"Thank you, Steven. But, hey…I know this is completely unrelated, but can I complain about something real quick?" She asked as she sat down on the bed.

"Of course."

"So, I had to take Avery to parent teacher conference tonight, right?"

"Yes, I think I remember you mentioning that. What? Is she secretly a terrible student?"

At that, Cynthia laughed. "No, not at all. Kay was right when she said it was 'brag about my kid night', actually."

"Then what's up?"

"You'll never guess who I ran into…"

He paused for a second. "Who could you possibly know out in Easton?"

"Diantha." Saying it to him solidified it. She had seen Diantha. Thirteen years had passed, and there her ex was, looking almost exactly as she had the morning she left. Up until that moment, she didn't want to believe it had been real.

Another pause, this time, much longer. "Diantha Ruston? Your ex?"

"Diantha Gardner. Remember, she married Mel?" She tried not to sound too bitter about the correction, but she knew it wouldn't get past Steven.

"Oh, right. Wow…Where…Where did you run into her?"

"She's one of Avery's teachers. She's apparently listed as Ann Gardner, and that went completely over Kay's head at the beginning of the year." Granted, maybe it would have gone over her head, too, but right now she just wanted to be angry.

"Oh…wow…I…that's…"

She laughed again. "Yeah. This has got to be one of the most awkward nights of my life."

Steven laughed on his end. "Worse than the night you spilled red wine on your white dress?"

Falling back on her bed, she snorted at the memory. "It wasn't all white, but yes, okay. They're probably tied at this point."

If there was one thing Steven was good at, and there were definitely many, but if there was one thing, it was helping her take her mind off whatever was troubling her.


Tuesday morning rolled around all too fast for Avery. After a four-day weekend, her desire to go to school was at an all time low.

Reaching for her phone, she pulled it off its charger, squinting at the bright screen. A few too many notifications from Snapchat. Whatever drama she had missed from her old school friends would have to wait. For now, all she wanted to do was sleep again until the snooze ran out.

That also rolled around too fast.

Hitting the snooze button once more, she contemplated actually getting out of bed. Her blankets were warm. It also would put her one step closer to figuring out how she would face her aunt's ex girlfriend. Surly today would be the day she died of awkward.

Even though Cynthia was going to be talking with them about getting her moved from the class, she would still have to see her in the halls now and then. Not only that, but there would also be questions from everyone she knew of why she got moved. She now held all the answers about their teacher with crazy rumors. Yes, she had a film career. Yes, she was famous out in the Wisteria Region. No, her name wasn't really Ann.

But could she even tell people that? Would it jeopardize her career any? Would anyone even believe her?

Her alarm went off again, and by now she was awake. "Let's just get this over with," she grumbled to herself, reaching around the nightstand for her glasses.

She was about halfway through her bowl of cereal by the time Cynthia came out of her mom's room. She looked like she hadn't slept well, and her outfit was off from what she would normally wear. It wasn't often she wore a short-sleeved shirt. Even during the hottest months of the year, she always seemed to wear something that would cover most her arms.

"Morning aunt Cindy," she said, checking her phone for the time. Still quite awhile before they had to leave.

"Morning," she responded, making her way into the kitchen. "I've been thinking," she began as she worked on setting up the coffee maker. "I know I'm going to see about getting you moved from—" she wasn't sure how to address her. Mrs. Gardner? Diantha? Ann? "—her class, it's probably best you don't tell anyone you know her name or anything. I mean anyone, okay? She's obviously making a big deal out of hiding who she was if she's going by her middle name, and still using Mel's last name." She reasoned with herself that she wasn't trying to protect Diantha. She was trying to protect Avery.

Avery nodded. "Okay, but…what am I going to tell everyone? I knew a few people in that class, and I know they're going to ask me why I got moved."

She hummed in thought, leaning against the counter. "I would just tell them that you found out that your aunt and her knew each other from a long time ago, and you got moved to make sure there was no risk of grading bias."

"Okay," she again answered. It didn't solve her dilemma of then answering what she knew of the rumors, but she would burn that bridge once she got to it.

Her phone's text tone went off after a few minutes of silence. Opening the message, her face broke into a smile, which caught Cynthia's attention.

"You won't need to pick me up from band practice, today."

"Oh?" She said, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"My friend Maggie said she would give me a ride home today." She looked up to her aunt, who was now covering her mouth to hide a grin. "What?" She asked, feeling her face get warm.

Cynthia laughed to herself, joining her at the table. "Nothing, I won't bug you." Though, the smile she had seen from her niece made her want to pester her. "But who's Maggie? Can I trust her?"

She nodded. "Yeah! She's a junior, in the color guard! She was my first friend, here. She would usually give me rides home during band camp."

With a shrug, she sipped her coffee. It needed more cream, but she would tough it out. "Okay. Just let me know when you're leaving the school, okay?"

Nodding again, she grabbed her bowl, taking it to the sink. As she rinsed it out, she realized now might actually be a decent time to talk about something that had been on her mind. Cynthia had practically caught her, anyways. "Actually, aunt Cindy, can I…talk to you about something?" She asked, looking over at the stove clock. They still had some time before they had to leave.

"Sure."

"I, uh…I've kinda wanted to talk about this for awhile," she began, resuming her spot at the table. "Especially with you, but with everything that's been happening, I haven't really thought it was a good time and…"

Cynthia's expression turned to worry. Avery was doing her nervous habit of playing with the ends of her hair, and now wasn't making eye contact. "Don't worry about anything that's happening. Your mom, Diantha —whatever is bothering you is important, too."

"It's just…I feel kinda weird because I haven't told mom yet, but I'm…more okay with telling you."

That only increased her worry. "Tell me what?"

"I'm gay." Her heart was racing at that point. It didn't necessarily make sense to herself. Coming out to her gay aunt shouldn't be stressful, but there was always the background fear.

Cynthia's heart dropped. "You know I'm gay, but you know your mom is bisexual, right?"

She nodded, still refusing to look at her. "I know but…it's just…" did she dare tell her aunt? Her mom would be upset, that was for sure, but she didn't like lying to her aunt like this. "Oliver…"

With that, Cynthia had a slight understanding. An understanding that made her burn. "What about Oliver?" She asked.

She shifted around in her spot. "He would just get really weird if mom even said anything about a girl being pretty. Like, really weird."

She set her cup down, leaning forward. "Avery…Oliver never hurt either of you, did he?" She prayed she answered no, because if she answered any other way, so help that man.

"No!" He got lucky. "He would just get…I don't know. Weird. Like, he didn't like her saying things like that, and would start getting kinda mean, and eventually mom just dropped it all together. I've known I like girls for forever, but with how he was, I just…didn't feel okay saying it."

Heart dropped and shattered. "Avery, I am so sorry he made you feel that way." Oliver was lucky he lived in a region that was over a day's drive away. Otherwise, she might just have to show him a thing or two for making her own niece afraid to come out to her, a gay woman, and her own mother, another gay woman.

"It's just…that's not even all of it." She finally looked up at her. "There's a lot about Oliver mom doesn't want you to know about. She told me not to tell you because she didn't want you to worry, but…I don't like lying…" she admitted.

Now she was just sick to her stomach. Pushing it aside as best she could, she figured it would do them both some good to change the subject. "Well, how about I bug your mom for all that? I won't let her know you told me anything. I'll just say I put some things together. For now," she said, standing up from the chair. "Let's get heading to the school, and you can tell me more about Maggie if you want."

She laughed nervously. "I'm an open book, aren't I?"

Cynthia shrugged, smiling at her. "Let's just say, I don't smile like that when someone who is just a friend texts me…"


It was practically perfect. They were both practically perfect. So much so, Diantha found herself unable to contain her excitement. She looked to the two men with her, grabbing both their arms. "Siebold, Steven, again, thank you so much for coming with me!" Jewelry shopping was never her favorite, but thankfully having two men with her seemed to make the process a little better. Especially when one of them knew better than the salesman.

"Of course!" Steven said, looking down at her. "She's going to love it. Promise."

"It's very much in her taste," Siebold added.

She hoped so, at least. Sure, it matched Cynthia's style, but would she love it? An obsidian ring with two, thin, gold interlays. Simple, yet elegant, enough for both their tastes.

Her phone rang from in her purse. Pulling it out, it was Cynthia calling her. She really had the worst timing. She stepped away from the counter to answer it. "Hello, my dear!"

"Hey, where are you?"

"I had to grab something from the store." It wasn't a complete lie. "Do you need something?"

"I'm stuck on campus, and Kay's stuck at her dentist appointment. Is there any way you could pick up Avery before you and Siebold come over?" She sounded stressed.

"Of course!"

"Ma'am, are you wanting to set up a payment plan?" The salesman asked, leaning over the glass counter.

She put the phone to her chest, doing her best to cover the microphone. "I plan on paying for them outright." Her response might have been a little uptight, but honestly, just who did he even take her for?

There was a laugh from the two men, and Cynthia as she put the phone back up to her ear. "So, what are you out buying?"

That she couldn't really avoid. "Oh, don't worry, I'll tell you later! I need to finish up here. I'll let you know when I've picked up Avery."

"Alright. Thank you so much, Diantha."

"It's no problem, dear. I love you, and I'll see you soon!"

She turned back once she was done to see both men smiling at her. Siebold maybe more so than Steven.

Ignoring them, she gave her attention to the salesman. Handing him her card, he gave her a look over before taking it, almost as if he was sizing her up. She might not be famous, but surly he knew better than to think she wouldn't pay for them that second.

She looked at her men once he turned away, rolling her eyes and earning a chuckle from them. "You both know your next job is to make sure she doesn't look into getting a ring, right?"

"Of course," Steven answered. "Though, hopefully, I won't give away your plan in doing so."

"I trust you'll be able to do that." She then looked to Siebold.

"I'll just tell her I'm busy." To which she laughed. A very Siebold answer.

Avery planted herself in front of Siebold once out of the car, looking up at the tall man expectantly.

He looked down at her, trying not to laugh. "Let me guess, you want me to carry you?"

She nodded, giggling as he hoisted her up.

"You're going to be taller than your aunt at this rate," he told her, pretending to struggle with picking her up. Her giggles filled the air, a wonderful sound to Diantha.

She looked at them, grabbing the bag from the jewelry store from the backseat.

"Piggyback ride!"

Siebold shook his head. "We're about to go inside. Do you want to bonk your head on the doorframe?" He asked, making her giggle all over again. "Didn't think so."

Her attention turned to Diantha. She leaned around Siebold to see what she was doing. "Dannie, what's that?" She asked.

Hiding it under a change of clothes in her car's trunk, she shut the door, looking up at her. "A surprise!"

"For me?" She asked, leaning further around Siebold.

"No, silly," she said, walking up to them. "For Cindy!" She gave a light tap to her nose, earning a few more giggles.

No sooner did Cynthia's car come into view. Handing Siebold her keys, she told him to wait inside with Avery.

He gave her a look. "You're not going to now, are you?" He asked, earning a laugh.

"No, no. I plan on taking her on a trip before I give her my surprise. Now, go on, you two!" She followed them to the stairs so she could wait for Cynthia, bouncing on her heel from excitement.

They were in the door by the time she was out of her car, and no sooner did she find herself with Diantha wrapped around her. She couldn't resist a laugh. "Missed you, too, Diantha."

"It's so good to see you, my dear." She said, burying her face in her neck. She was wearing the perfume she liked. She still wasn't sure of it's name, but it always made her think of white lace.

"You're not normally this excited to see me," she pointed out.

She pulled away, still bouncing on her heel a bit. "I'm just happy to see you is all. Can't I be excited to see my girlfriend now and then?" She asked.

"What makes today so special?" She was up to something, but what that something was she couldn't figure out.

She shook her head. "Nothing, really. Just feeling it today, I guess," she said, pulling her in for a kiss. A little more rough than she intended. Her emotions were getting ahead of themselves, but hopefully that would all work itself out soon enough.

With a laugh, Cynthia was the first to pull away, a little frazzled from the kiss. "Does this have anything to do with what you were out buying earlier?" She guessed, putting her forehead to hers.

She shook her head. "No, no, nothing at all." It didn't sound convincing, but Cynthia found herself far too captivated with the soft look she was given. It had been awhile since she looked at her like that; the look with all the love in the world that was just for her.

"Now, come on! Avery was completely confused as to why it was me and Siebold picking her up from daycare," she said, now pulling her along with her.

Cynthia laughed. "I bet she was happy to see Siebold though."

Diantha laughed. "He's pretty much the only man in her life, so yes. She was thrilled to have him carry her to the car…"


Unfortunately, Cynthia never did find out what that surprise had been…