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 Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:36 pm
Sometimes the simplest kindnesses were the most important ones. Not many people were willing to accept Tara, flaws and all. Having Yvette tell her that it was okay to be herself, even when that wasn't necessarily a good thing- even when it felt like the world was falling apart all around her- was amazing. There was no real way for Tara to put it into words, but she smiled fully for the first time in... well, months, considering she'd been asleep for most of that time.
Before she could try to say anything, Melanie's voice came into the room loud and clear. "I can't imagine why he wouldn't have simply waited... and where on earth did your father disappear to?"
"He's got other patients, Mother." Kent's voice was almost pleading, and quite a bit more distant. "We could look for him, though. Maybe he went-"
"No, I'll have none of that. If either of them needs us, they know where to look." Melanie breezed back through the door, stopping short as she was reminded of their visitor. "Oh yes... er, what was your name again, dear?"
Tara groaned audibly. "Her name is Yvette, Mom. Yvette Weaver. My friend from school." And fellow survivor of the so-called organ ring, but there was no reason to bring that up. Her mother was worked up enough as it was. "She came to visit me a lot while I was under." Yes, that was the best way to put it.
"Is that right?" Melanie's expression softened slightly, and she took a seat in one of the free chairs in the room, leaving Kent to lean against the doorframe, watching critically. "That was very kind of you, Yvette."
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:18 pm
Her friend's smile, it was all she needed to see to allow her own lips to form a slightly larger smile of her own. However, the sound of voices approaching again seemed to spook that smile off of her face. Her eyes also seemed to sink pretty quickly as all forms of basic comfort seemed to escape.
Fortunately, Tara was familiar with protocol in such trying situations. The other dark haired girl was a good friend. One who knew when to speak for the other quieter girl. So all Yvette had to do was nod her little head just a smidge to agree that, yes, yes Yvette was indeed Yvette Weaver. Her eyes for a moment flitted up to Tara's, as if apologizing for the silence, but then they sunk again.
All she could offer the woman in the chair was a simple "...thank you..."
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Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 12:36 pm
"My, aren't you polite?" Melanie warmed up a bit, leaning forward in her chair. "I do hope some of that will rub off on-"
"So what, now I'm rude on top of everything else?" Tara interrupted. Trust her mother to make something as simple as a visit from a friend as uncomfortable as possible. Never mind the fact that she had just escalated the situation, probably making things worse.
Melanie pursed her lips. "If you're interrupting polite conversation, then I do think you could do with some of your friend's manners." With that, she dropped the issue, either deeming the matter closed or deciding that she'd had enough for now. "Anyway, I'd like to hear more about Yvette. I'm so glad that Tara's making some good friends," she gushed. Then she hesitated. "That is... well... you're not another rocket fanatic, are you?"
"Mo-ooooom," Tara groaned, burying her head in the hospital sheets.
"What?" Melanie asked defensively. "Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course, but you just don't seem the type, dear."
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Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 12:57 pm
At the moment, Yvette wished she could join Tara in covering her face with the hospital sheets. The obvious friction was enough for her to want to hide, but on top of that, now the dark-haired girl had somehow become the center of attention without meaning to. The small girl seemed to shrink a bit more in her chair in an unconscious manner of trying to hide.
It obviously was not successful though. She was still there and she was still center of attention. "I'm not really a science-y person... uh... um... I guess you could say I am more artsy..." Her eyes were having a wonderful time looking at her own shoes. Her lips seemed to button up a bit, since it really was a bit awkward to talk about herself in such a tense environment. Even under normal circumstances it was a bit tricky.
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Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 1:46 pm
Tara kept her face covered. This was a disaster. Yvette was nice enough to visit her, and was rewarded by having to face her mother. Who wasn't angry anymore, fortunately. But her curiosity had to be just as bad for a girl who didn't like being in the spotlight. If Tara tried to answer, it would just lead to another argument. So she kept her head down, so nobody could see her pained expression.
"An artiste?" Apparently Melanie found artists more interesting than scientists. "How very cultured. Tell me, what medium do you work in? Paints? Charcoal? Clay? Or is it something more modern, like photography, or graphic design?" She leaned back in her chair, nodding her approval. "You know, I fancy myself something of an artist myself- though I admit, my husband is the one with real talent in the family."
Tara bit her lip, not that anyone could see. By the door, Kent dropped his head suddenly, resisting the urge to facepalm. "I think that might have been a poor choice of words, Mother."
"Oh, was it?" Melanie didn't appear to think so, and shrugged, waiting for Yvette's answer.
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Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 2:37 pm
Yvette was a floor mat. Pure and simple. There must have been a sign on the back of her head that said to walk all over her emotions. Where as she might have disagreed with many of the things Tara's mother had said, her lips remained buttoned shut.
Even though there was silence that the guest was supposed to be filling with her own answers, Yvette did not seem all that anxious to fill in the blanks right away. Considering how much the eldest woman in the room seemed to like to talk, it was a bit surprising that she had managed to wait long enough for the quiet girl to finally reply.
"...well... I like fashion design... so I work with pencil, color pencil... sometimes chalk pastels... and then a sewing machine..." She was still jealous that Tara was allowed to hide under her sheets.
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Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 3:51 pm
In the silence that followed her question, Melanie waited, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She was a bit confused at the time it took for the guest to reply, but was quite pleased with the response when it came. "Fashion! Oh, how perfect. I've dabbled in that myself, you know. When Kent was a boy, I made a number of outfits for him."
This time Kent couldn't control his impulse. He knocked his head against the doorframe. Having to wear his mother's homemade outfits, many of which were based off of historical designs, was not a fond memory for him. Especially when the other boys down the street saw him.
"I wasn't able to do that for Tara, unfortunately. And look what's happened! The only thing you'll find in her closet, I bet, are jeans and T-shirts. I try to buy her a few ladylike things from time to time, but does she wear them?" Melanie sighed. "There's a time and a place for all manner of attire. Even in the twenty-first century, jeans can't take you everywhere, honey."
Tara's only response was to nod dully from under the sheets. What else could she do?
Oblivious to the effect she was having on the room, Melanie turned back to Yvette. "You simply must show me some of your designs sometime. Is that what you want to pursue as a career? Fashion? It's a cutthroat world out there, from what I can tell."
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Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 7:26 pm
Tara's mom was amazingly intimidating. AMAZINGLY so. The girl's lip remained buttoned again as the woman rambled on, speaking in a manner that reeked of a large ego. Her opinion was the most important it would seem, and there was no way to argue with her. At least not without her probably talking down to the individual some more and then resuming her obstinate spouting of opinions.
This was not the sort of conversations she enjoyed. It seemed too formal, too strained, too forced. And yet, Yvette was the center of attention right now.
It sucked SO MUCH.
"I wouldn't mind going into it... but... I don't think it'll happen any time soon..." Or ever in all honesty. Yvette did not exactly have the confidence thing mastered yet.
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Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 9:24 pm
Melanie meant well. It was hard to tell sometimes, with her abrasive and brash way of talking. But in her own, misguided way, she was trying to look out for her children- and, now that she had seen what a nice, polite girl Yvette was, her children's friend. Kent knew that, even as he knocked his head against the wall and tried to drive away memories of being the only boy on the street whose daily attire was made of velvet with lace frills because his mother liked period drama.
Tara knew it too. Not that she would ever admit it. Such thoughts were repressed, replaced by the sound knowledge that her mother had no idea what she was doing and only wanted a daughter if she could be used as a puppet. Maybe to further her own ends, or maybe as a twisted way of living vicariously. Either way, it was something that Tara had no intention of helping with- whether that was Melanie's true goal or not- and she had reached her limit for the day.
She raised her head, but it lolled weakly on her neck, and she sat back in her pillows with a light thump. "Moooooom," she moaned, covering her face with her hand. "I don't feel good."
Something shifted in Melanie. The seemingly politely interested manner vanished, replaced instantly by the worry from earlier. "What's wrong? Are you tired? Sick? Should I call the doctor? Oh, why didn't he come earlier? Where on earth is Gregory?" She leaned forward anxiously, then stood up. "Really, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."
Tara relaxed slightly, but kept her face covered. Why hadn't she done this earlier. Her mom would go for the doctor, she could talk to Yvette some more, and everything would be-
"Yvette, dear, I'm so sorry, but I really think it would be for the best if you called it a day. Tara clearly needs her rest, and I simply must find a doctor."
- not the way she'd planned. Tara sighed and shut her eyes as Melanie went into Hyper Mom Mode. Still, it was better than being in that suffocating situation any longer. And she could talk to Yvette later, provided that her mom hadn't totally ruined their friendship. When Melanie's back was turned, Tara looked over at Yvette and winked.
"Kent, you stay with your sister in case she needs something. Come along, Yvette dear. It was lovely to meet you, but it's really enough for one day." Melanie waited by the door, not budging until their guest had left.
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Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 9:58 pm
Yvette's lips formed a small frown as Tara chimed in about how she wasn't feeling good. That wasn't a good thing. It was actually a bad thing. Had she managed to cause all of this to happen? Her mind was already spinning into a spiral of self doubt.
Not only that, but now she was getting kicked out. She glanced up in preparation to leave and managed to catch a reassuring sight. The wink of the eye from Tara.
"Oh... um..." Tara really was a good friend. Before turning away, she mouthed the words 'thank you' at her.
"I hope you feel better soon, Tara." Grabbing her belongings and her remaining flowers meant for Eva, she made her way to the door. In a polite (but overly quiet tone) she managed to get out a simple "It was nice meeting you." The small girl then made her way out. It was now time to go visit Eva, the last visit for today.
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