Her past

" it was written in the stars,
that history repeats itself
that change and chance is,
defined by choice... "

Part Two

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' Pardon me ma'am? '

Claudette took a questioning glance at this old lady unable to understand why she would ask her that.

' I am Laura Michelle Cresta? '

' I never asked you to tell me your name, I asked you who you are child? '

Claudette opened her mouth slightly. She was was confused.

' Um...I am a twenty-five year old and...'

' So! I am eighty but that is not who I am. Who are you Miss Cresta? '

Laura now fully open-mouthed stared at Mrs Reynold struggling to pick up on a clue that would entail some sort of joke being made but throughout her scrutiny not even a twitch of the lips or blink of an eye showed signs of amusement.

' Mrs Reynold, I an failing to understand your question. ' She diplomatically put it both afraid to offend her by mentioning that she was a bit psycho and also irritated by how hard it was to answer a simple question.

Mrs Reynold remained silent forcing Claudette to try again, ' Okay I am a girl who has been passionate about her career, athletics that is,and it has influenced me to delay having a personal love life. I am an only child and am blessed to have both a loving father and mother and was able to live a fortunate lifestyle but I needed space so I moved down here too try and see what life was without that perfect image.' Trying to hide in my perfect made up past, she meant.

Mrs Reynold looked down at their entwined hands. She felt the pain ease into her soul. She thought of her dead husband lying peacefully in his grave and recalled all that they had been through together. A small smile appeared as she realised that she had no regrets when she thought of the life she led, all except one. But that smile was sad also, not just for herself but for this fragile young woman that sat before her. It was sad because she did not know or did not accept who she was.

' Stories have history, history is time but some histories take longer to pass because they are still in the present, thus the story is still being formulated. Each story however has chapters and each chapter make the book. It is neither the title of the book nor is it the cover that make up the story. It is not the age of the book but simply it's history,' Mrs Reynold explained, her fingers tightening ever so slightly around Laura's palm.

' You still have time child do not waste it for it is one gift that diminishes the fastest. Make the most of it and leave no room for regrets. '

Laura stirred uncomfortably in her chair. This woman made her uneasy and she didn't want to step out of her comfort zone. She was not ready to do so because the last time she did it came back to bite her. And just to think of the times she had her guard done was simply sad.

" Mrs Reynold. If you say I am unaware of whom I am then what is your analyse? Who am I ? "

" Well all I can say is that you are your mother's daughter. A lost soul searching for revenge. You living your life based on other people's mistakes. "

" Did you know my mother ? " Laura squeezed Mrs Reynolds hands in hope. Her heartbeat quickened in anticipation,

" Please say you do ? "

' Well then it is late now, now that I mention time, ' Mrs Reynold said more light heartedly as she freed Claudettes hands and got up to take the empty teapot to the kitchen.

" Please Mrs Reynold. I need to know ! "

" Not yet child. You have to much rage and detest for the world around you. I will tell you when the time is right, " Mrs Reynold said as she walked towards the kitchen.

" Ma'am please , "

" Go Miss Cresta. Find your husband and find out his truth. Then I will tell you about my truth. Go child, "

Laura looked up at the big oak clock frame hanging above the fireplace and startled herself when she saw that the small hand was at two aftermidnight. She dutifully picked up the saucers and cups following Mrs Reynold to the kitchen. Together they silently rinsed out the dishes and packed them away in the cabinets.

' I best take my leave now ma'am, ' Laura said as she headed for the door. Mrs Reynold followed her, ' Stay safe Mrs Reynold and thank you for the coffee ' She said as,she was about to leave.

' Child I am only but a street away from you if ever you need a cup of coffee, '

Mrs Reynold watched from her doorstep as the young woman walked off into the wee hours of the morning and turned on her porch light a few houses across the street. Miss Cresta was no longer a mysterious stranger to her but now a lonely and lost girl that needed a friend and a whole lot of coffee. Years had past, Mrs Reynold thought. And she feared that she was about to lose her last chance to reconnect with her past. There wasn't much that she regretted except infact just one action, but she hoped she could fix whatever was left of that one mistake she had pretended didn't exist.

Across the street two houses away Letti blindly dragged herself to the kitchen and turned on the kettle. She didn't feel like sleeping anymore. There was so much running through her mind and she knew better than to attempt falling asleep.

So as she poured herself a cup of coffee she mercilessly drifted back to all the events of the past day starting with the squabble with the girls to the first personal conversation with Mrs Reynold who was the only link to her mother.

What predators or thieves where out there lurking in the shadows?

What did Mrs Reynold mean when she asked her who she was?

Better still why did tell her to use her time wisely? Or the statement about running to or away from doom.

Or that whole statement about stories being history and it not being a cover or title?

Why did Eve have to be so nasty? Laura was no saint but her demons appeared in the dark not in public.

As the questions tore her apart she heard a noise coming from upstairs. She climbed the staircase to check if perhaps she had left the windows open. Scolding herself under her breath she pushed open the door.

Laura suddenly stopped and stared at the door her heart rate picking up. She gripped onto her mug tightly as one question rang loud sirens in her head,

It cannot be?

Am I having a nightmare now ?

Time seemed to pass, the hands on the wall moving in rhythm the long hand a full rotation faster and after three rotations the light seemed to seep into the sky. A new dawn breaking the complete darkness but still Laura stared fearfully at the silhouette staring right back at her.

" Laura ? "

Automatically Laura was pulled out of her trance. Putting down her mug which held her long forgotten and now cold coffee, she s and walked up to him . Nothing could prepared her for the voice she heard on the other end of the room . In less than five seconds her face went paper white and her spine shivered.

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17/06/2020

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A/N : Guess who is finally joining the party of the hurting club ?

Love Dee