The Contract

I gently placed down the tea on the side table beside Bella, I took the seat and she took a sip of it and shot me a little smile.

"What did the doctor say was the cause again?" My mother asked, she was on the bed beside her. She sighed and answered, "irregular chromosomes"

"I don't think it's best we talk about this" I spoke up.

"I told you how important it was to stay healthy in your first trimester, I told you how fragile it still is—"

"I was healthy, this doesn't have anything to do with staying—"

"Did you drink the tea I gave you? Did you listen to anything I said?"

Is she being serious right now? I stared at my Mom in disbelief. "You aren't supposed to lose the child, Bella. This is a strange occurrence in this family, it has never happened before"

"It wasn't my fault"

"I'm not putting the blame on anyone! You had the child in your womb and all you had to do was take care of it and yourself"

"Are you serious right now?" I interjected and her eyes shot to me. "Are you seriously putting the blame on her? The cause of the miscarriage wasn't anything on her and you're seriously gonna sit here and say all this?"

"Pearl, stay out of this conversation!"

"Why would you say that to her? That's how you console your daughter in this situation?" I asked in disbelief. "Pearl please" Bella pleaded and I glanced at her.

My Mother stared at me with wide eyes. "You seem to have a lot to say, Pearl"

"Mom—"

"If you know too well, perhaps you should have been a good adviser to her. But since you can't even put your family together, I don't think you can help others"

"Mom!" Bella called out.

"I don't even want to talk you and your nonsense, so just shut up and sit still!" She lashed at me before turning back to Bella.

"Do you know what this means? What are people gonna say? The Wayne's couldn't make it but they will be here tomorrow, Derrick is devastated. This is your first child, you should have been more careful!" She continued scolding.

I stared at her, how can this woman be my mother?

Bella leaned down, wiping her eyes.

"Do you know what he's going through? Natalia carried that baby for 9 months and she delivered"

"Mom please"

"This was what I was trying to avoid! This was the one thing I didn't want to happen—"

"What kinda mother are you?" I blustered and she turned back to me again. "I knew you were judgemental but this...this is cruel. How can you be so—"

"Don't you dare speak to me in that manner!"

"How can you be so heartless! I'm used to you hating me but this is messed up! Do you even care about us? Why do you only think about yourself? Why are you so selfish?" I yelled, getting up, I couldn't take it anymore.

"Where have you been this past years? How dare you speak to me in that manner?! I gave birth to you"

"I'm beginning to doubt that"

"Pearl, please just don't—"

"Why should I sit here and watch her say all that to you? She should be a mother and not being so judgemental "

"I see you've grown wings, Pearl "

"Why is it so surprising? Go ahead, Mom. Say your mind, I know how big of a disappointment I am to you, I know how much you hate—"