Eighty-Nine

Lenora

I expected some form of hostility from my new family members after CJ went on the trip. But they surprised me beyond my imagination by avoiding me like the plague. I didn't realize how lonely I was until now. I tried to dismiss them as unworthy of my attention, but it sucked to be cut off. No one, not even the maids, was talking to me. I used books, TV, and the Internet to escape, and I often talked to myself.

I knew that being too friendly would come across as desperate as if I couldn't do without them. So, I resigned and ignored the ache in my heart. They went shopping together, had dinner together, and even celebrated India's daughter's birthday without inviting me.

The only person who had a semblance of remorse was Mariselle. She was not a bad person, and I knew that deep down, she truly cared about me.

If I were in her shoes, I would do the same and pick my mother over a friend. Whenever I walked past her, she couldn't even look me in the eye. And the few times I caught h