The Moment of Truth

• Okay, Madeleine. - I turned to her.

Please, Nicole, you know I don't like being called that. I

am your mother. - She came closer, stroking my face with her fingers. Red fingernails were well painted and there was no ring on her fingers.

• Sorry, Mom," I replied, looking down.

• Now, let's go! - She patted my cheek twice. - I have business in town.

It was so strange to be near her. I sat next to her in the car, more like two strangers. We didn't talk, we didn't even look at each other. I didn't know that woman. The car stopped and she got out without even saying goodbye.

• She asked me to drop her off at the address. - A driver I didn't know stated. I nodded my head in reply. The trip continued in silence.

I walked towards the large house in a residential neighborhood. It had been a long time since I had been there! I typed in the gate code and walked the entire length of the gardens. As I approached the door, it opened by itself. A tall, artificially redheaded woman stood on the other side.

• You must be Nicole! - she said, giving me a big hug.

I groped her back lightly, unamused by the welcome.

• I'm Summer," she said, squeezing my hand. - I'm your mother's personal assistant. We've known each other for about eleven years. - She opened the door for me.

• Hello, Summer," I said with a false smile as I passed her. - I remember you. - I frowned as I spoke, not amused.

It was true. We met on a day I will never forget: the day of my father's funeral. Madeleine couldn't come, so she sent her assistant. I remember that she was a bit lost and didn't know what to do when I had a nervous breakdown and didn't let them take him away. It was terrible. It was a foggy day, not many people were there, just Matthew and Summer. She bought me an ice cream, the most expensive toy in the store, felt my back and told me that the pain would pass with the days. I can't blame her, after all. She wasn't supposed to be there. Madeleine was supposed to be there.

• She's all grown up! We have prepared all kinds of menus for you, from pancakes to fruit salad. We have cake, orange juice...

I walked towards the kitchen, which was still the same. I kept looking at every detail. This space filled me with memories, good and bad... my

father... I remember my father. I felt my stomach clench as I inhaled the smell of coffee.

None:

*"Hi, how are you?"

"I'm glad she didn't die."

"What a shame I haven't seen you in nine years, only by videoconferences."

"Lucky you had business in town, it wouldn't be to my advantage to come here because you had a 'malaise'.

• Okay, Madeleine. - I turned to her.

Please, Nicole, you know I don't like being called that. I

am your mother. - She came closer, stroking my face with her fingers. Red fingernails were well painted and there was no ring on her fingers.

• Sorry, Mom," I replied, looking down.

• Now, let's go! - She patted my cheek twice. - I have business in town.

It was so strange to be near her. I sat next to her in the car, more like two strangers. We didn't talk, we didn't even look at each other. I didn't know that woman. The car stopped and she got out without even saying goodbye.

• She asked me to drop her off at the address. - A driver I didn't know stated. I nodded my head in reply. The trip continued in silence.

I walked towards the large house in a residential neighborhood. How long since I had been back there! I typed in the gate code and walked the entire length of the gardens. As I approached the door, it opened by itself. A tall, artificially redheaded woman stood on the other side.

• You must be Nicole! - she said, giving me a big hug.

I groped her back lightly, unamused by the welcome.

• I'm Summer," she said, squeezing my hand. - I'm your mother's personal assistant. We've known each other for about eleven years. - She opened the door for me.

• Hello, Summer," I said with a false smile as I passed her. - I remember you. - I frowned as I spoke, not amused.

It was true. We met on a day I will never forget: the day of my father's funeral. Madeleine couldn't come, so she sent her assistant. I remember that she was a bit lost and didn't know what to do when I had a nervous breakdown and didn't let them take him away. It was terrible. It was a foggy day, not many people were there, just Matthew and Summer. She bought me an ice cream, the most expensive toy in the store, felt my back and told me that the pain would pass with the days. I can't blame her, after all. She wasn't supposed to be there. Madeleine was supposed to be there.

• She's all grown up! We have prepared all kinds of menus for you, from pancakes to fruit salad. We have cake, orange juice...

I walked towards the kitchen, which was still the same. I kept looking at every detail. This space filled me with memories, good and bad... my

father... I remember my father. I felt my stomach clench as I inhaled the smell of coffee.

• ... everything has been prepared now," Summer added. I didn't even realize that she was still talking, until my morning sickness took me by surprise.

• Yes... - I put my hand over my mouth. The table was full, with all kinds of bread, cake and pancakes. - Thank you very much, it must have been a lot of work to cook all that....

She let out a hysterical laugh. - No, I ordered everything this morning.

Oh, right.

• I'd rather not eat anything. I'm tired, if you don't mind, I'll go to my room.

• Madeleine won't like that at all," she replied.

• Look," I said. - You don't have to pretend to be my mother. - I snorted, stamping my feet and climbing the stairs.

I spent the whole day thinking about what I was going to do. Vivian was right, there was no way out of this situation without committing an abortion. I hoped that at least one of them would call me and help me, somehow, at least with a friendly word. Silly me. What kind of support would they give to a lying friend.

I sat down on the small bed that was mine as a child and pulled out the small box I used to keep pictures in, looking at each one of them. The summer before my father's illness he had given me a Teddy bear. The photo showed me happily holding him around a Christmas tree. It is one of the few good memories I have before he became ill. I thumbed through each photo, feeling the tears streaming down my face. The memories were painful, which is why I never went back. The house reminded me of more bad things than good. Moments later, I put everything in its place and lay uncomfortably on the bed.

I had a terrible night. Summer knocked a few times on the door and we had dinner together at the large dining table. Madeleine, on the other hand, didn't show up. I felt sorry for Summer, she had packed up everything. Even though the food had been bought, she had taken the trouble to set the table. But, by the looks of it, she didn't care when my mother cancelled the dinner. I realized that this was something she was used to. Being stepped on by Madeleine.

• She's very busy," she said, sitting down in her seat. - But once you go to New York, you can spend more days together. - She smiled sweetly.

Later, when I went upstairs, my cell phone vibrated on the dresser. I answered it immediately,

it was Alice.

• Err... uh... Nicole... It's just... um...

• Hi Alice - I answered sadly.

• Hello dear. She sighed then. - I can't stay long on the phone, I'm driving. - She stifled a smile. - It's just that if you still want to work that out.

It took me a while to understand what that meant.

• Ah... uh... the b... b... - I added clumsily.

• Yes...uh... I won't beat around the bush, Luck is leaving town to accompany his father on the campaign trail. Which means that if you don't talk to him today, you probably won't be able to. They have opened the cottage again for a cocktail party for Dad's political campaign. It's only for party members, but I don't think he'll have a problem getting in there. After that, he's going on board. If you like, I can come with you.

• I appreciate it, Alice. This is important to me. I mean, your call. Your help... - I blushed, as if she could see my nervousness on the other end of the line.

• It's okay, Nicole, we're friends and that will never change. Vivian...she's

she's difficult, she's been through so much, but she shouldn't have treated you like this.

• Have you seen her? - I asked, almost speechless.

• No," she laughed. - She won't take my calls.

• I'm sorry, Alice, I didn't mean to upset you like that.

• No. Don't apologize for Vivian's temper, just give her a break. And about Luck, if you want, I can accompany you. I got his friend, the less idiotic Antony, to put you in through the employee wing. - I can feel her giving a sad smile, the disappointment clear in her eyes. - Sorry, it's the only way to talk to him. I've been trying all day to find a way to get us inside. We can go together.

• I really appreciate it, but I need to go alone.

• É... I understand. - Sighs sadly. - Just don't forget that I am here.

• Never - I whisper.