It was strange.
On the entire way to the bus stop I kind of felt like someone was following me.
I looked around once more but couldn't spot anyone.
Apparently I was starting to see ghosts already.

The bus came, I got on and slumped into one of the seats. Just like the sun outside the window, my mood was sinking with every meter we got closer to my house.
Secretly, I wished that my mother would be gone when I was back.
It would be best that way. For everyone involved.
After we had started yelling at each other from being in the same room for ten minutes I didn't even want to imagine how much the situation would escalate over the next few days. In regards to bitching, I was definitely her daughter.
Grams wouldn't be able to deal with it if we went on.
She always hurt when my mother and I were fighting.
I decided to not get this aggressive anymore, for Grams sake.
But I couldn't promise anything.

Suddenly, something caught my attention that even managed to banish my mother from my thoughts.
A black motorcycle, with a red lighting streak painted on its side, was driving closely behind the bus.
The driver was also clad completely in black and was wearing a helmet with a reflective visor.
The strange thing was that he didn't attempt to pass us.
The machine definitely had like 200 PS.
Why did he stay behind the bus?
Probably for a good two miles now.
Anyways, that wasn't important now.

I turned around again, but still felt weirdly uneasy.
Even though there wasn't a real reason.
Didn't matter if that guy was driving behind us!
But I couldn't resist and turned around again.
Somehow, I had this stupid feeling that his gaze behind the helmet was fixed on me.
Again, I turned my back on him and actually managed not to turn around again until I reached my destination.
When I got outside, the first thing I did was look towards the motorcyclist.
He was gone.
I took a deep breath.
He'd probably just turned onto some other street.
The way I was acting was just silly.
Since when was I that much of a chicken?

Still shaking my head I went home.
Apparently, Grams and Mum had already eaten dinner.
My table setting was still there and when Grams noticed my appearance she brought me bread, different spreads and sat next to me, focusing on a needlework she was handling.
"Where have you been?", she asked while pulling a thread through the eye of a needle.
"In the rehearsal room. Afterwards I went for a coffee with Jason.", I answered while taking a bite of my sandwich.
Grams simply nodded.
Then there was a silence.
I tried to look as occupied with eating as possible while asking casually "Where's Mum?"
"Upstairs in the guest room."
"Is she asleep already?"
"I don't know. Why don't you go and look? She'll be happy about it."
"Whatever.", I said, letting my anger out on the bread I was still clutching.
"She'd only be happy when her grand thug would be standing on our door mat. I don't mind not having to see her anymore today."
Grams seemed equally glum and chiding.
"Kylie, don't be so harsh to her. You know, your mother is… sick. She… I'm sure she'd want to act differently if she could… but she can't. She's obedient to this man."

I sighed.
"I get it, this isn't the first time I've heard this. But it's not as if she was really trying to get away from him, right?"
"You're wrong. Every visit of hers was a try. A part of her is still fighting, even if it's weak. This man has enormous power over her. If we don't help her, she doesn't stand a chance. My poor, little girl… ."
Grams dried the corner of her eye with a tissue.
"I'm often asking myself what we did wrong, your grandpa and I.
What were we not able to give Harleen that she thinks she can only get from this man? Or… ?"
"Stop it.", I bid empathically.
I stood up, wrapped my hands around her and said with a reassuring tone
"You and grandpa definitely didn't do anything wrong. It was Mum's decision."
Grams hugged me tightly and whispered
"Still, Kylie… try to reconcile with her. Please. It breaks my heart to see the two people, I love more than anything, like that. Please go to her. I know that she misses you. Just like you do too."

Grams distanced herself a bit and smiled through her tears.
She gently stroked my cheek, her hand shaking noticeably.
"Go to her, my girl."
I sighed quietly and gave Grams a brief kiss.
I'd do anything to never see her this so sad again.
I owed that to her.
It was because of me that she'd that so much trouble over the last years, but she'd always remained by my side.
I straightened up, left the kitchen and walked to the end of the hallway were the guest room was located.