Author Note:
After 48 reviews, I received the first sort of negative review . But, constructive feedback is great. It helps me get my story on track. Thank you chinadoll for that .. Oh and for telling me about the anonymous reviews. I had no clue about that.
So, with that saying, I have no idea what to expect now that the floodgates have opened. :P All I can do is be true to the story and myself
Thank you for the reviews I hope you all stay with me, give me pointers and lots of praise (don't forget praise.. that's important :P) Here is the new chapter. I hope you like it.
Chapter 11: School days Shopping"Time to go! Rise and Shine! Get up, Get up." Hannah yelled, as she flew into Allison's room. Already dressed and ready by 8 A.m., Hannah was ready to go shopping.
"Oh god, make it stop!" Allison cried, as she pulled her pillow over her head. "You're not my child, leave me alone. It's too early to get up on a day off."
"Time to buy school stuff!" Hannah said. With that, she jumped on the bed and pulled the pillow away from her mother. "Come on. Come on. Get up Get up."
Allison just looked up and rolled her eyes. Monday was an important day for Hannah. The first day of school, meant buying clothes and supplies. What better way to spend your first day off in months?
But, before Monday could come, Friday had to. This line of thinking caused her to look at the small piece of paper on her nightstand.
House had made himself scarce the whole day yesterday, hiding in an exam room watching soaps with Wilson. In fact, every time that she ran across him yesterday he was with Wilson. It almost seemed that House was purposely avoiding her. What else could she do but be ready for anything and everything on Friday?
But, that was Friday. Today was Thursday and she had a child planted on her bed, wanting to go shopping. Sighing, she ruffled Hannah's hair and pulled herself out of bed. A quick shower and 3 cups of coffee later, they were off to the mall.
"Where do you want to go first?" Allison asked as she got in the car and put on her seatbelt.
"We can go to Target for school stuff and go to the mall for clothes, shoes and a cool bag!" Hannah said, as they pulled out onto the street. "Maybe we can eat lunch somewhere in the mall?"
"Sounds like a plan. I'm surprised that you don't have a list written somewhere. I carry a notebook every I go, it's sometimes the only way I get anything done." Allison said, smiling at Hannah.
"You mean this one?" she said, holding a pink Hello Kitty pad with her small writing on it.
"My faith is restored! You are truly my child."
Hmd Hmd Hmd Hmd Hmd Hmd Hmd
School "stuff", clothes and 15 pairs of shoes later. The two collapsed in the closest chairs near the food court. Breathing heavily, they looked at each other and sighed, time for food and a rest before starting again, Hannah wanted to go to Hot Topic and F.Y.E before they left, while Allison wanted to get some things at Bath and Body Works for both of them.
"Wow, I can't believe we aren't done yet. I won't have to worry about buying you anything for Christmas, I think you bought everything." Allison said between breaths. "Where did you get the money to buy all the clothes from the Limited Too? Do you have a job that I don't know about?"
Hannah paled and looked up at her, should she answer her? "Dad gave me money before I left to come here."
"Ah. You still talk to him?" Allison asked, as she looked at her. Hannah nodded her head slightly, still looking down at her feet. "That's good. I had always hoped that he would be a part of your life."
Allison looked at Hannah and sighed. "I think we should talk."
"Here?" Hannah asked, looking around.
"No, not here. Let's eat something, finish shopping and go home. I don't think this would be a good place for us to talk."
"Ok."
The two quickly got food and stopped at the last two stores. Allison was dreading the trip home just about as much as she was to actually get home. The 'talk' could go really bad or ok. But Allison knew that if they didn't get it out in the open, then it would just come up later. There would be crying, and she had no idea what her child would throw at her. The fact that her father had more interaction with her than she did made a sick feeling of guilt settle in her stomach.
Beside her, Hannah was not doing any better. While she loved her dad, she really wanted her mother the whole time. The deep feelings of abandonment will take some time to get over. Hopefully, if they could get this out of the way, it would make it easier.
The ride home came too soon for the duo. They trudged their bags upstairs and into the living room. The next few minutes were spent changing and thinking. So, here they sat across from each other. Both were looking at their feet, not knowing what to say to each other.
"So." Allison said.
"So." Hannah replied.
"Chicken Nuggets and Strawberry Ice Cream." Allison blurted out. When she looked up, she saw Hannah looking at her with confused eyes.
"I hated those foods. Then, one day after my birthday. I had to have them. Your father and I had just started dating, but we really grew up together. It just seemed right, then I found out I was pregnant. Your grandparent's were furious. I have never seen them that way before. Your father disappeared, leaving me without saying goodbye and pregnant. I moved with your uncle and graduated early. Then, you were born." Allison said, stopping and looking up at her. "That is another day that I will never forget. You were so tiny, like a doll. I would just think, "Wow", when I held you. I was hooked, nothing could take your place in my life."
"Why'd you leave then?" she asked in a small voice.
Allison looked out the window and sighed, "I didn't know what to do Hannah. I'm not saying it was right or it was fair. It's just the choice that I had to make. I wanted to earn a life for us, I couldn't do that and give you my fullest attention."
"But, you had years! I am 15, mom. Not 5 or 6! I feel like I wasn't good enough. Like you didn't want me. And dad said .. "
"I could only imagine what Daniel said to you."
"Actually, he told me that everything you did was for a reason. That you never did anything without a purpose." Hannah said, stopping her mother from her rant, the tears already starting to gather in her eyes. "It hurts."
"You weren't the only one hurting. The things I went through from then to now only made me realize my mistakes. I only wanted us to have that life. A normal family, then Michael died and I lost the baby. I realized that I missed out and I will forever try to make it up. I know that it will take time, but I'm going to try just the same." Allison said looking at her. "Remember, you weren't the only one abandoned in all this. Now, that doesn't excuse what I did. But, at least we have one thing in common."
"We have more than that in common." Hannah said, wiping her face in a hurry. She didn't want to cry in front of her. Her dad always told her about the strength of her mom. How, even through the worst, she could still hold her head high and smile.
It was then that she felt two arms encircle her slowly. Allison had moved from the chair across from her to the sofa. It was a strange feeling to have someone nestled in her neck and holding her tightly. It felt nothing like a lover, but much more powerful. She sat there holding for hours, it seemed. Finally, the cries slowed and the hiccups started.
"We didn't do much talking, but I hope you are feeling better." Allison said looking down at her, pushing her bangs out of her eyes. "You have eyes like your father, but I can see a little of me in there too. I'm sorry for not being there, but I promise to try my best for us now."
Hannah just slid off her lap and nodded. The two sat there, lost in their own thoughts. Allison stood up and began to walk towards the hallway.
"I'm going to take a bath. When I get out, we can look at everything you got. I want you to show me what you got at Hot Topics and F.Y.E." Allison said, turning to her before walking to her room.
Hannah just nodded happily and went to her bedroom to get ready. As she tore into the bags, Allison stood at her door and watched her a minute before turning to her room.
Once in the bathroom, she turned the water on and sat down on the edge of the tub. Just like the running water, her tears began to fall from her blue eyes. Allison stood in front of her mirror and watched as her mask of strength slipped to show the hurt woman underneath.
Note:
Ok I hope this was not too cheesy. Also, I have no idea if any of the stores are in Princeton, N.J. But its my story and I love those stores Feedback is greatly appreciated.
I'm on a roll and next in the 'date' plus some major drama before school starts. evil grin