Chapter 338: SS2 05: Goodbyes are Not the End

"I can't believe Mr. Brunner sprung that pop quiz on us!" Andie ranted. She marched down the sidewalk, the sleeves of her button up plaid shirt wrapped around her waist. It draped over her bum and hips. "He just taught us the lesson for five minutes and expected us to get a perfect score?! What kind of day did he have to take it out on us?"

She stopped and whirled her head, mouth poised open.

Whatever she else had to say died in her throat.

Eve had fallen behind. She hugged her books close to her chest while she stared at the pavement. A million things occupied her mind, transporting her out of the real world much like a book would—except there was no life in her eyes.

Andie dropped her frustrated expression. "Eve?"

"Hm?" Eve blinked, breaking out of her reverie. "I'm sorry. Can you repeat that?"

Her best friend sighed and shook her head. "It's nothing important. Come on, I'm sure the twins are excited to go home this weekend."

The girls walked up to the Summers' household. It was a small house near the edge of Cornelia town made of mostly wood and white paint. It reminded Eve of a cottage, only slightly larger. They had just reached the porch when small footsteps echoed from the other side of the door.

"EVE!" Eri and Ede greeted as soon as they opened the door.

"Hey, munchkins." Eve grinned. It was like the dark clouds that hovered above her head parted, revealing the sun. "Are you ready to go home? Packed up all your stuff? You were good to Aunt Georgie, right?"

A chuckle came from behind the twins. Aunt Georgie joined the group, rubbing her hands against her apron. "Oh, give them a break. They're always lovely company to have around. "

"I have to agree with mom," Andie piped in. She scrunched her nose cutely at Eve. "They are much better than me when it comes to annoying Gin. I already hired them for future purposes."

Her mother squinted her eyes in suspicion. "And what future purposes are those, Andie?"

"Nothing dangerous, mom. Just a surprise." Andie smiled, fluttering her lashes. When Aunt Georgie didn't lighten up, she cleared her throat and made her escape. "See you tomorrow, Eve. Take care on your way back."

Aunt Georgie shook her head as her daughter ran up the stairs. Then, she turned to Eve and the twins. "Are you sure you'll be alright? You can wait a little and Ariel will be home soon. He can drive you back."

"It's okay, Aunt Georgie," Eve declined. "We like to walk. Maybe stop by the park or a store we'd pass by. Thank you again for looking after twins this week. Mom wouldn't let me skip school."

"I wouldn't have let you either! There are plenty of people who would lend a hand. It's not as big of a deal as you think. In fact, you'd be doing us a favor if you reach out. It makes us worry less about you all."

Warmth seeped inside Eve's chest. It has been a while since she had this feeling. Other than her own mother, only Aunt Georgie could make her feel this way. It was like having a second mother—a figure she was grateful to have in moments like this.

"Thank you for everything, Aunt Georgie," Eve said, lacing every word with pure sincerity.

"Any time."

Eve, Eri and Ede made their way back to their own home. It wasn't too far but it did exercise them significantly. Their pace was slow and unhurried. The apartment would be empty. Their father would be working late again. Since their mom was at the hospital, he needed to pull extra shifts just to make ends meet.

That only left the problem of medical bills.

If only Evangeline would tell Eve how to contact Madison. Then, they'd have a solution.

"When will mom come home?" Eri asked. Based on the tone of her voice, she hadn't intended to say it. The thought had weighed heavily in her mind that her subconscious spoke it aloud.

"I don't know, Eri," Eve confessed. She didn't have the strength to make a white lie. "But what's important is that she's being cared for in the hospital. She'll be back once they make her better."

"Gin said cancer kills people," Ede shared. She squeezed her older sister's hand. Her brown eyes look up, fidgeting and unable to focus. "Mom doesn't have cancer, right? She just needs lots of rest. She's overworked. That's all."

Eve pressed her lips together. She had made a promise not to tell the twins the truth. She wouldn't have kept that promise if their mom hadn't insisted. Any time she felt tempter, Evangeline's voice would echo in her head.

"Mom is Superwoman," Eve reminded Ede. "She's not 'people'. She's a superhero."

"Yeah, and heroes always win!" Eri exclaimed. At the sad tone in her twin's voice, she had pushed away her own troubles. "So mom will win too!  We have to stay happy too so mom doesn't get worried about us. That would only make her condition worse."

"Look at you acting like the big sis," Eve joked. The apartment building was only a few steps ahead. They only needed to ride the elevator before finally reaching their destination.

"I am the big sis!"

"Only for 3 minutes! And we're the same height!"

Before it could turn into a fight, Eve cut in and pressed the button for the elevator. "Until either of you are taller than me, I am the big sis."

All three remained quiet as the lift brought them up to their floor. They had a short walk towards their front door. Eve let go of their hands so she could get the key. It slipped right in the knob but no sound came when she turned it. 

Eve widened her eyes. "The door's unlocked…"

Alarm bells immediately rang in her head. "Get behind me, girls."

She pushed her sisters back. The twins watched her in confusion. Their gaze darted between Eve's face and the front door. The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Their heartbeats drummed in their ears.

"What is it, Eve?" Ede whispered.

"It could be a robber. Shh."

Without a moment to lose, Eve kicked the door open.

"Gah!" Evangeline exclaimed, dropping the opened packet of WnWs on the floor. She pressed a hand over her racing heart. "And here I was planning to surprise the three of you. But you're the one who surprised me instead."

"MOM!" 

Eve, Eri and Ede dashed inside, tackling their mother to the ground. Evangeline had zero time to move. All four of them crashed to the floor but the pain was bearable. The three girls buried their face on whichever body part they could reach—such as the shoulders and the stomach.

Evangeline chuckled and hugged them tight. "I missed you too, girls."

"Promise not to get sick again, mom," Eri cried. She looked up and exposed the tears that pooled at the corner of her eyes. "You always tell us not to get sick so you should stay healthy too."

"Aw, baby girl," Evangeline cooed. She cupped her daughter's cheeks and wiped the tears away. "Don't cry. I'm here now. Everything is going to be alright. No one is going to get sick. Not even during flu season!"

"Promise?" Ede hiccuped. She rubbed the back of her hand against her nose.

Evangeline kissed her forehead. "I promise."

The memory replayed in Eve's head like it had only been yesterday instead of years. 

Her scarlet hair fluttered in the wind as well as the hem of her dress. She stood before her mother's grave. Spring had finally come and Evangeline was surrounded by deep red peonies. They not only reminded her of her mother's hair but they also symbolized honor and respect—two things she would always have for Evangeline Hart-Spinster.

And so she planted them on each side of the tombstone.

"Hey, mom," Eve whispered. The back of her eyes became wet. She blinked but it did little to help. "It's been a while, huh. Well, if I was going to visit, why not your favorite season, right?"

Nothing but silence reached her ears.

She pressed her lips together, thinking of what to say.

"It's been a crazy past few months. Well, more like three-fourths of a year but who is counting? You wouldn't believe it even if you were alive. Andie is getting married to Jarrett, you know. They actually did that high school romance dream, marrying your first boyfriend."

Her throat clogged up. She had to clear it before speaking again. "Sounds like you and dad, huh? I haven't seen him since you…"

Eve trailed off. She averted her gaze and saw the rows of tombstones. A deep breath exasperated out of her lips. She closed her eyes briefly before shifting her attention back to her mother's grave. 

This wasn't how she pictured this would go.

What she wanted was to share the good news but now...

"I know you would have wanted us to stick together," Eve began to say. "But… it's not possible, mom. And I'm sorry I couldn't do it."

She sniffed, unable to hold back anymore. Her trembling hands clenched into fists. "I didn't know what else to do. He was out of control. He could have hurt Eri or Ede… I wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to them."

Eve's knees gave in. She kneeled before the tombstone, trying to catch her breath. These visits never became easier over the years. The sense of loss would hit her like a strangle to the heart. 

"But it's okay now, mom," Eve breathed out. A humorless chuckle escaped her lips. "It's funny. Do you still remember Noah? I met him again. And on a dating site no less! He and his family have taken us in like we had always been this way."

She placed her hand on top of the tombstone. "You don't have to worry about us anymore and get that beauty sleep. I know you'd want to look your best for my wedding."