L A K E

Getting back to the café I didn't expect what's waiting for me when I make my way inside. The place is deserted, which is weird as the opening times on the far wall say that the café should be still open.

It couldn't have been more than one o'clock. Olive and Grandma are occupying the one square table before the counter top waiting for me.

Tightening my lips, I move over to the opposite side facing them. I purposely slide the chair back making sure it grated across the floor. I see Olive wince and I smugly sit down, folding my arms. I stare at them in turn.

On the table there's three mugs, two of which filled with coffee. Olive has hers between her hands. She's currently looking away from me while Grandma's left hers untouched in front of her. Her watchful gaze taking in my form.

In the centre of the table there's a wooden bowl of cookies which made me realise I haven't ate anything since before climbing aboard the plane, and a pitcher of water.

When without making a sound, Grandma picks up the water and fills up the empty cup and pours in the water till it's full.

"Here."

She reaches out with mug and I tentatively took it from her grasp. I lift it slowly to my lips and drank almost half of the refreshing drink before putting it back down. I notice that while I drank my drink, a single cookie was placed before me. I didn't know what to make with the silence. It was kind of freaking me out... I didn't want to be thankful for the cookie but I was hungry. I was waiting for the third degree to happen. Olive didn't look impressed and I haven't seen my Grandma since my father's funeral, I was hoping she'd be bitch so it would be easier for me to hate her, but from what I've seen so far... I'm not so sure I can.

"Do you feel better now Lake?" questioned Grandma.

"I guess."

"I know you're overwhelmed Lake, but you can't just run away. Thankfully David, a police officer who was here when you left followed you to make sure you were safe."

I frown. "You had me followed?"

"Yes." Grandma smiles kindly. "This is a new place for you Lake, we didn't want you to get lost."

I nod, breaking apart the cookie, noting it's white chocolate before placing a piece in my mouth. Cookies got me in this mess in the first place.

"So, you're going to be meeting with your new lawyer tomorrow to take you through your options." Just great, terrific... probably some power hunger leach just like the last one. "You'll be staying with Olive and me. We're having your bedroom refurbished so I hope you don't mind bunking on the couch for a short time."

I more my gaze over to consider Olive. She looks lost in her gloomy thoughts. "What about her." I gesture to Olive. Olive snaps her head around to realise we're talking about her.

"What about her, Lake?"

"She evidently doesn't want me here." Olive face turns red in anger at my reply.

"Who told you that Lake. Of course, I want you here... you're my little sister... I love you." I huff as she finishes. Yeah, well you have a funny way of showing it.

"Lake."

"Yes?"

"There'll be rules for you to follow now that you're here."

I roll my eyes in frustration. "Look, I've basically been living alone for years now, and I appreciate you guys taking me in but..."

"No buts Lake, you're not living in New York anymore and you'll be under our care." I rack a hand through my hair as Grandma continues. "We feel terrible that we didn't try hard enough to find out what kind of situation you were satiated in while living in New York with Patricia." No shit. "You are not alone anymore." Grandma states serenely. But why do I feel more alone than I've felt before?

"What are these rules?" I ask finally.

Olive spoke up then, sitting up, pushing her blonde hair back. "Curfew is eleven O'clock sharp every night. No excuses. Pick up after yourself because we won't be cleaning up after you. No swearing. Chores will be assigned. If you want to borrow something ask or replace it." Well it's what I expected so I nod. Curfew. I might have a problem about that.

Olive took on the look of Surprise. Yes, I'm agreeing with you, it's a crazy miracle. Gazing over to Grandma I see that she's smiling huge. Why's she always smiling? It make her look younger.

Grandma blinks, getting to her feet. "Now that's established, Olive, please take Lake home and show her around, and I'll be home later. I've got a café to re-open." I stand as Olive nods, getting up herself. She moves over to Grandma and kisses her cheek.

Lost for words is how I feel watching them together. While I was living at home with Patricia without any affection. Olive was getting a bucket load every day.

As I was putting my hands in my jacket pocket, Grandma says my name softly. I lift my worked-up gaze to her warm ones. "Can I have a hug?" Hug? I feel the anger drain from my body... I didn't understand the concept of the word. She takes a step around the table but, I step back on impulse and shake my head before spinning around to wait for Olive outside. I hear Grandma shushing Olive when she tried to call me back and for that I was thankful.

***

Kicking a stone across the sandy ground. I hear the 'DING,' of the door open again. I lift my eyes to watch Olive come over to her car. She gestures for me to get in and I do. Olive starts the engine, but stays still for a couple of seconds looking endlessly outside the window before turning her slender body to face mine. She looks me over making me raise an eyebrow in question. What is she doing?

"You look just like dad you know." I blow a tight breath in and slowly exhaled before nodding.

"I know you hate me." She whispers, sadly.

I clear my throat. "I don't hate you Olive..." Disbelief shines through her eyes as I continue, "I just don't know you."

Her lips tremble and she smiles miserably, replying, "I guess that's fair." And she pulls out of the parking spot.

AUTHORS NOTE

HEY GUYS!

Please comment any mistakes, I'll be grateful.

Comment what you think, I love it when you do.

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QUESTION. What kind of trouble do you think Lake's got herself into in New York to get herself a Lawyer?

A bit of a filler chapter. The next one will be better. :D