The Only Exception

Chapter One: Welcome, Welcome.

 

Two Years Later

“Welcome, Welcome, Elizabeth Everson, right through here.”

 

From my spot at the large balcony between the elegant coordinating stairs, I observe the polite mingling in silence. I watch blankly as my mother greets guests, as my sister shamelessly flirts, as my brother talks to the high rollers about his plans for the company.

 

I grind my teeth, and clench the wooden railing, attempting the breathing activity my therapist had introduced. Still, I couldn’t stop the thoughts. Thoughts of what he’d be doing.

 

Roland.

 

My eyes go glassy and I actually smile at the thought. Of course, he’d be with me, hiding out and surveying the crowds, poking fun at the guests. You know those moment were you feel like you’re having a breakthrough? Like you can genuinely be happy even though bad things have happened to you? Like a small shift in character?

 

Then surely, you know the moment that follows. As your basking in this new found light, you don’t realize the dark foreboding nothingness creeping up on you. Swiftly, it attacks and then like nothing at all you’re dragged into the menacing abyss, without even a scream.

 

Well, today, this dark shadow came in the form of my mother.

 

“Rosalind,”

 

Immediately, I stiffen and slowly turn to see my mother scanning my attire with ever observant eyes.

 

“Mother.”

 

I say in greeting; my tone void of emotion, filled to the brim with a cold indifference. This was how it was now, polite and pointless. She pretended she didn’t hate me and I pretended not to have an aching hole in my heart.

 

“Is this,”

 

She gestures to my outfit.

 

“Really appropriate?”

 

I glance down at the ensemble I’ve created. Black lace stockings, black and red stilettos, a black dress that met just above my knees, and sleeves to my elbows. With my eyes still downcast I take a deep breath before glancing at my mother with an almost sadistic smirk.

 

“What isn’t?”

 

I stifle laughter by biting the inside of my cheek at the stormy haze that has taken over in her cold blue orbs. She steps forward, grabbing my elbow roughly and pulling me closer so she can whisper threatening things in my ear, away from any standbys hearing range.

 

“Stop this. You will not ruin this per-”

 

“Don’t use that word around me.”

 

I say curtly, cutting off her little show of dominance, and roughly yanking my arm out of her grasp. Her emotionless orbs narrow as she takes a threatening step towards me.