All Chapters of Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚The words play out in my head, but none of it makes any sense. One minute we were here for some ice cream and the next I'm getting another emotional dump in my lap. Why can’t my life follow a straightforward plan for once? What now, do I have another foster family somewhere else and maybe a half zebra surviving in the wild?“I hear what you’re saying, and to some extent I understand you, but I’m fine with just one mother. I'm sorry to say this but I don’t care about any story; I don’t want to hear it, at least not for now. Thank you for whatever you did for my mother but we’ll be leaving now.”“Aretha, honey. You shouldn't speak to her like that, you were trained better.” My mother says, a slight reprimand in her tone.“By who exactly?” A sarcastic laugh bubbles out of my mouth. “I grew up in a home where no one cared one bit about me and in a family that only kept me as a means to an end by the way, then when they were done with me, you and Dad popped out of nowhere like

𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚The sound of the key fitting into the lock and twisting turns my stomach inside out; but I sit still, watching Yemaya’s form fill the doorway, her eyes closed, and a heavy sigh falling off her lips.She kicks her boots off in a distracted manner, and flings the keys into the bowl she glued to the wall because she is always losing her keys. With her eyes still closed, she drags her feet to the open kitchen, leans over the table and buries her fingers into her hair.The moment looks too fragile to interrupt, and I eye the door of the bedroom, ready to flee. It is okay to admit I want to run; but I can’t run from this moment or this woman who needs to hear the truth.Maya jumps when I clear my throat, turning bloodshot eyes my way. “If you’re trying to kill me, do that again.”“I didn’t mean to interrupt. Did you have a bad day?”Yemaya doesn’t respond, causing an uncomfortable silence to descend, her eyes not straying from mine, and I fight hard not to squirm, not used to h

𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚Marcos and Cameron quickly carry Nathaniel back indoors and into his bedroom, leaving me standing outside awkwardly without knowing what to do.The woman who had answered the door with him watches them until they disappear into his room before her eyes eventually fall on me.Raw instinct almost makes me take a step backward because everything about her screams danger, and the part of me that has been briefly exposed to that part of the world recognizes the glaring red signs.“Do you need me to give you permission to come in? Are you a vampire or something?” She says, tucking something into the back of her jeans. I try not to think too much about what that might be. “Or perhaps, are you mute?”“What? No—I—” Shaking my head to clear the mental debris, I walk into the apartment, shivering and rubbing my arms. “It’s so cold in here.”“So, you’re not a vampire or mute, that’s good to know.” She smiles, backing the door. The very image she exudes is that of a predator that has

𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧“You know I used to believe that seeing a shrink was the same as accepting that you are insane.”Doctor Theo doesn’t roll her eyes or give me any form of physical reaction, but I smile either way.“I don’t think they call us shrinks anymore and you’re not mentally unstable. If you were, you would be in a mental asylum, but since you’re here, it means I can help you get back on your feet.”Her words are always flat and measured. “Shall we begin today’s session or is there any other thing you want to get off your chest?”“There are a lot of things I want to get off my chest but can I ask you a question first?”“You can, but questions about my personal life are off the table. And please keep the sarcastic questions to a minimum.” One glance at the clock behind me, she continues, “We only have one hour together, let’s try to make some progress today.”“Ouch.” I place a hand over my heart. “There goes half my questions. Anyway, I have never seen you smile, I thought female p

𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚Breakfast is an exhausting affair. The only sound in the room is one of cutleries and chewing. My eyes dart to the head of the table; it's void of an occupant, like it has been for several days now.Dad has been absent from every little family gathering since the night of our argument, and the snarky voice in my head keeps trying to convince me he's been avoiding me. I'd pushed his buttons and some harsh words had been said, but if anyone ought to avoid the family, it should be me, not him.“Is something wrong with the chicken?”I jerk in my seat, meeting my mother’s tired gaze. The shadows under her eyes have deepened since that dreadful argument. “No, there’s nothing wrong, mom.”“You were glaring at it.” She slices into her chicken neatly, cutting it into small chunks. “What are your plans for today? I adore Winifred, but I think there’s a reason she’s your assistant; try taking her calls today.”“Is that your way of saying Winifred talks your ear off?” I smile, trying