12-02-2024, 03:21 AM
Cadence watched as Juls went to talk to Liv. She listened as she heard Juls say the words her mom had said to her. She say Liv’s sad eyes. The same eye Cadence had seen when she looked in the mirror as a girl. The look and interaction brought up memories. Memories of a father who blamed her for her mother’s death and when give her food only to take it away from her and eat it while she watched hungry. Memories of beatings and abandonment. And suddenly those images were replaced by the love of two women who had refused to give up on her.
It didn’t prevent the tears. It didn’t prevent the fear from coming into her eyes. It didn’t prevent her breathing from speeding up. Cadence reached and found Ilesha’s hand again. She squeezed hard, needing this support right now. She embraced her light again, trying to summon her mother’s love to dispel the darkness, but it was still hard. So very hard.
Be brave, Cadence.
Cadence knew that Liv had a hard life. She didn’t know what it looked like. But she had to do something. She moved to Liv, pulling Ilesha with her. She knelt down so she could face the other women. ”I don’t know what you’ve seen and I don’t know what terrors you’ve faced. It may have been easier than mine or worse - I don’t know, but I know you’re loved and safe and no one will hurt you and if someone tries, your family and friends will protect you.”
The words spilled out, and Cadence was immediately embarrassed. ”I…I’m sorry… she said, feeling her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. ”I went a little crazy there…I was just…reminded of things…” Everything in her wanted to run away. She had just screwed up everything again.
It didn’t prevent the tears. It didn’t prevent the fear from coming into her eyes. It didn’t prevent her breathing from speeding up. Cadence reached and found Ilesha’s hand again. She squeezed hard, needing this support right now. She embraced her light again, trying to summon her mother’s love to dispel the darkness, but it was still hard. So very hard.
Be brave, Cadence.
Cadence knew that Liv had a hard life. She didn’t know what it looked like. But she had to do something. She moved to Liv, pulling Ilesha with her. She knelt down so she could face the other women. ”I don’t know what you’ve seen and I don’t know what terrors you’ve faced. It may have been easier than mine or worse - I don’t know, but I know you’re loved and safe and no one will hurt you and if someone tries, your family and friends will protect you.”
The words spilled out, and Cadence was immediately embarrassed. ”I…I’m sorry… she said, feeling her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. ”I went a little crazy there…I was just…reminded of things…” Everything in her wanted to run away. She had just screwed up everything again.
Sometimes - People Are The Monsters