Page 2 of Wicked Lies Grow Wildflowers

CHAPTER TWO

MAEREN

Pulling into the park, I spot Sage on a bench by the pond.

I send her a wave before getting out of my car and walking over.

I close my eyes and bask in the cool breeze on my face, inhaling the scent of drying leaves, welcoming the change of season and the way it makes me feel.

I detest summer and the brutal heat it always brings with it; it seemed to stretch on for ages this year.

The leaves are now turning gorgeous, rich shades of orange, red, and yellow.

It’s the best part of fall and it makes me feel a little less hopeless; if they can change, wither, and grow anew, so can I.

“Happy Birthday, Bitch!” Sage yells out, standing up to give me a hug.

Hugging her back, the words sink in “Oh, shit! It’s my birthday?!” It slipped my mind completely in the chaos of the last twenty-four hours. Who forgets their own birthday?!

“Um, duh?! You’re officially twenty-eight, my Virgo baby. And here, I have your favorite spiced cider and donuts.” She plucks the white paper bag filled with my favorite treats off the table.

“Ugh, you didn’t have to. Thank you so much. You’re seriously the best.” My voice is thick with emotion as I absorb how much Sage cares about me. Meanwhile, my mother spent last night telling me she wished I was never born, an added insult considering the day and all.

“Girl, you know I’ll always bring a pick-me-up when you need it,” she laughs.

“I know, but you know your kindness will always amaze me, despite its normalcy.” I sit down and grab a vanilla frosted donut with sprinkles. I take a sip of my cider and smile because it really is my favorite fall beverage.

“So, what happened, Maeren? Beginning to end, tell me everything that went down this time and don’t downplay it either.” Sage narrows her eyes at me, knowing how often I leave out the nastiest of details surrounding the relationship with my mother. Better just get this over with.

“Well, last night my wonderful mother asked me to come over for dinner. She goes silent for a couple of months and then pop out of the woodwork to talk to me as if she cares. But I was tired after work, so I said no. Plus, you know I don’t like going over there and she’d likely make me do the cooking, and I really didn’t want to bother.

” I take a big inhale to calm my emotions before continuing, focusing on the warmth of the to-go cup clutched in my hands to stay grounded.

“I told her I was tired and maybe we’d catch up another night and she blew up on me.

It was the usual routine: calling me worthless, a waste of space, a terrible child, that she’s ashamed of me and wishes she wasn’t my mom.

” My eyes are downcast as I continue to explain.

I’m picking at the lid of my cup for a distraction while Sage clutches her own cider and stares at me with wide eyes, fully enraptured with my story.

“So, I called her out on it. I told her that the response she gave me is why we don’t have a good relationship and that she can’t talk to people like that.

Being family doesn't give her a free pass. I went to bed crying because she always upsets me, no matter how hard I try to ignore her emotional manipulation tactics, and then I woke up to more nasty messages as a result. They were horrible. She’s always the victim, always spinning everything on me.

” I finish taking yet another deep breath before biting into my donut to keep from crying.

My jaw wavers anyways and I choke down the pillowy sweetness.

“Oh my God, Mae, I’m so sorry she’s dragging you under again. I wish she would just stop with the bullshit and drama. She is such a fucking bitch and I swear to God that one of these days I will be the one to call her out on it. And you know that won’t end pretty,” she threatens.

I laugh at the last bit because I know Sage is telling the truth. She’s one of the most bold and confrontational people I know, the polar opposite of me. A total Aries through and through.

“I know, I know. I just don’t know what to do, I don’t know how to get away from her.

I don’t love her, but I feel the responsibility to be there for her, even though she never treats me well.

I can’t explain it, you know? It’s like I have this familial obligation, even though it’s never been reciprocated.

Part of me thinks that if I was never here, maybe my dad wouldn’t have left, and maybe my mom wouldn’t be this way.

Because it used to be good, I swear it was, but ever since then it's been a living hell.” My voice cracks on the last few words.

“No. Listen to me right now. She isn’t your responsibility. None of this is your fault.” Sage cocks her head at me, pinning me with a pointed stare. “God, when am I going to convince you of that? You’re my best friend and I am so sick of you being treated like shit.”

“I know, believe me. I know how fucked up it all is. I mean, I’m twenty-eight, for fuck’s sake, and I still don’t feel like my own person. Sometimes I wish she’d just die so I could be free of her forever. And maybe that makes me a horrible person, but it's true,” I confess to her.

“No, Mae, it doesn’t make you horrible. It makes you honest. You’ve been trapped and hurting for so long and you’d actually be at peace for once,” Sage reasons, trying to soothe my worry.

“Yeah, I guess so. Uck, okay. I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” I say, licking the donut frosting off my fingers and finishing the last sip of my cider, regaining my composure.

“Understandable. Topic change it is.” Sage claps her hands together.

“We are turning your birthday around and luckily for you, it falls on a Friday this year soooo… I was really hoping you’d let me take you out tonight,” she trails off, biting her lip.

She knows I hate going out, but honestly, it could be a really good distraction for me right now.

After the shit storm of last night and today, I could absolutely use a drink. Or three. It is my birthday, after all.

“Sure,” I tell her, biting back a smile because I know she’ll be so happy she didn’t have to beg. “But only if you pick me up?”

“Deal! Plus, I need a wing woman, I’m hoping to bring someone home tonight,” she proclaims with a wink.