Page 45 of Poetry of Flowers

Stop fighting and start thriving.

We are in control, not our fears,

Our lungs fill with air and we become still.

The darkness disappears,

We realize we have the power in our will.

ChapterFourteen

MATILDA

“Maman, can we watch the parade tomorrow?” I asked my mother as I ran down the stairs and up behind her.

Her hair is always so pretty with those natural curls, I wish I had those too, but I got Dad’s hair.

She didn’t react.

“I’m sorry, are you reading? I didn’t mean to interrupt you.” I apologized as I ran around the couch, being careful not to trip over again. Just yesterday I bust my knees open because I was keen to learn skateboarding, it was a disaster, but Nash took time to teach me, so I didn’t mind. The wounds would heal, they always did, it just needed time.

When I looked at my mom, she was staring straight out of our window.

I followed her gaze, but there was nothing, not even the mailman.

I walked up to the window to get a closer look. Maybe our neighbors were walking their cute dog again. Outside there is nothing but fog, which is weird because just a minute ago I remembered being able to see into Kayden’s room from my window.

Now everywhere I looked it was just... white.

“Maman, why is it so foggy?” I asked when I turn around again but my mom didn’t react.

Why wasn’t she looking at me?

Oh no, did I do something bad again.

I hated when she was mad at me because when my mom was mad, she stops talking. Dad was completely different he yelled sometimes but mostly apologized right afterwards.

“Maman?”

Please Maman, say something.

“Maman!”

Leaning forward, I touched her on the shoulder and to my surprise she turns her head to me immediately.

“Oh, mon ange, I didn’t see you coming in,” she smiled at me while her cold hand brushed my hair behind my ear.

“I can tell,” I mumbled.

This was so weird, like I was invisible until I touched her.

“Can you promise me you’ll be there for Remy?”

“Of course, I’m always there for Remy, Maman.”

My brother is just two, he loves playing peekaboo with me, it’s fun.

“No, Mon ange not like that.”

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