Page 22 of Dreaming
“I hope you die. I hope you die screaming, Nia.”
Nellie gasped behind them. “Wh-what is wrong with you? I-I don’t even know who you are, Nicole.”
“I’m your youngest daughter, Mother. The pretty one. The normal one. Good luck with your favorite. You’re both going to regret messing with me.”
Staring into eyes that held nothing but hatred, Nia tried to find a trace of sanity, of the girl Nicki had once been.
There was nothing.
“No, Nicki. You’re the one who doesn’t understand what you’ve done.” Releasing her, she stepped back. Without looking away from her face, she told her mother, “Pack your things. I’ll call a service for the rest.”
Nellie whispered, “Maybe…”
“Mom. Look at her face. She’d kill us herself right now without regard for the repercussions if she could. She has zero impulse control and she’s lost the ability to hide it. You aren’t safe here. Pack your stuff.”
Nellie turned and walked rapidly to her bedroom.
Nicki whispered, “You’re gonna get it, Nia.”
“Bring it.”
Flipping her long hair over her shoulder, Nicki turned to walk to her room on the other side of the condominium. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with, big sister.”
A moment later, her door slammed and Nia said softly, “No, Nicki. You’re the one who doesn’t know who you’re dealing with.”
Taking out her phone, she made two calls and received a text from Dennis.
We’re out on Dad’s boat today. I wanted you to see this view. I wish you were here, Nia.
“So do I,” she whispered. “You have no idea.”
Instead of telling him about her family drama, she took a selfie, kept her response light, and relaxed because that’s what she wanted desperately.
That view is stunning…almost as stunning as this gorgeous pendant. Thank you, Dennis. I absolutely love it...and you.
Nia continued to text him while she moved her mother into a secure hotel suite with her valuables. They sat in the living room with glasses of wine.
“I have a trip out of the country this week and then I’ll start the ball rolling on finding you another place to live when I’m back in Chicago. You need to stay here.”
“I just…I don’t understand, Nia.”
“Something isn’t right and we’ve known that for a long time, Mom. Ignoring it hasn’t helped and if we keep ignoring it, she’s going to hurt one of us. You know that.” Reaching out, Nia took her hand.
Tears slipped over Nellie’s cheeks. “I’ve feared her for weeks, Nia. She got mad when I wouldn’t give her money to party and used a chair to destroy my curio cabinet.”
Eyes wide, Nia asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You’d already dealt with so much of her terrible behavior. I thought I could handle it.” Lifting her eyes, she swallowed hard. “I was wrong. She’s getting worse.”
“Distance first for your safety and I’ll work on finding someone to help her.”
Reaching out, Nellie cupped her cheek. “You’re just like your father. Always taking care of everyone else. I’m sorry to be a burden, honey. I should have done something…”
“Don’t worry, Mom. It will be okay.”
* * *
Nine days later, Nia’s flight landed in Chicago ahead of schedule. At her house, she showered, changed clothes, and drove her Jag to the bar.