Chapter 9

Linda Warner 'Is that everything?" Melissa said to Roxanne, who put a large bag in the boot, grunting as she exerted herself. The bag was quite heavy. Other than the large bag, there were two boxes which weren't so large and fit into the boot of the car. 'Pretty much" Roxanne said dryly. She walked past Melissa and entered the car, refusing to make eye contact with her mother. Melissa remained standing as she signed to herself. 'Looks like she's still mad, uhn?" She reasoned within herself. But, she wasn't going to give in just yet. She had to remain strong and keep up the serious and strict mother vibe. Roxanne would let go of everything soon enough, but for now she needed not to show any weakness in front of her daughter. She closed the bumper of her car and went to the driver's seat to start the engine and begin their journey to see Roxanne's grandmother in the woods. 'I'm counting on you… Mom" Melissa thought to herself. Roxanne stared at her mother as she started the engine, though subtly. 'She's not going to try to apologise again? Or try to plead with me? Is this really my mother" Roxanne thought to herself. Her mother was always gentle, kind and understanding. It was her father who was sometimes rough with her, but even then he always showed restraint. The fact that her mother maintained minimal conversation with Roxanne and even gave her a somewhat cold shoulder shocked her. But… 'This is perfect. If it continues like this, we'll never make up until I've spent enough time with grandma." Roxanne smiled within herself Unknown to the other, the both of them wished for the same thing, Roxanne spending time with her grandmother. As the awkward drive continued, there was an uncomfortable silence in the car. Of course, Roxanne had her phone with her, allowing her to chat with her friend, Betty, who was still trying to convince her to come to the party by hook or crook. 'Just apologise to your mom already. You're both adults" Betty pleaded in text format, going further to put two pleading eyes emojis as a bonus. Roxanne let out a little laugh as she shook her head. 'Not. Gonna. Happen." She responded. Melissa glanced over at Roxanne ever so often as she drove and felt a tad frustrated. Unlike Roxanne, she had to focus on driving, and the entire journey was too boring for her. She could try the radio, but she was never one who enjoyed it in the first place. In fact, their entire family disliked the radio, and so during drives they all talked to keep the other company. But that wasn't possible this time. 'It's fine Melissa. It's fine" Melissa muttered to herself in order to cool her nerves. She had the temptation to talk to Roxanne, but that would defeat the entire purpose of her act. The drive didn't take more than an hour, but for Melissa it was so stretched that she was already exhausted when she got to the woods. Since there were so many clusters of trees, and people hardly lived around there, a makeshift road was the only path that existed for them. It was too bumpy and small for a car, so from thereon out, they moved on foot. Melissa parked the car at a corner and came down from it, Roxanne also followed suit. She opened the bumper, revealing the compact luggage they had to carry. In a way Melissa was happy Roxanne packed such a little load. If it was more, she wasn't sure how they would cope. Roxanne carried her large bag, while Melissa carried her two boxes as they both walked down the path together, with. Melissa leading the way. After a walk of 20 minutes, breaks included, they finally arrived at the cottage where Roxanne's grandmother lived. On top of the exquisite wooden house, a plaque which read ‘LINDA'S HOUSE' was evident. That was her name, Linda. 'Finally" Marissa huffed, with cold smoke coming from her mouth. Out in the woods the weather was much harsher than in the town where they lived. The snow was more, and the heat supply was non-existent. Unlike the electrically powered fireplace, one needed firewood and manual labour to be able to generate enough heat to keep warm. There were no electric cables connected to the cottage, so for a moment Roxanne panicked, thinking of how she would charge her smartphone. 'She has a solar panel," Melissa stated, reading her daughter's mind. 'O-Ohh…" Roxanne said, having a relieved expression on her face. However, another thought suddenly came to her mind. What about connection, she wasn't holding her phone currently due to the heavy bag she carried, but there was no connection in remote areas such as this. How was she going to 'She had Wi-Fi installed not so long ago" Melissa answered her worries again. 'A-Ah…" Roxanne muttered. There was stable electricity, Wi-Fi, and the quiet atmosphere she was looking for. The whole package. 'Is this paradise?" She thought to herself. Eventually, after a total journey of 30 minutes, counting rest, they arrived at Linda's abode. Melissa proceeded to knock the door, giving it a few pounds with her hands, before a voice came from deep within the house. 'Oh, you're here already? That was quick!" An old woman sounded. Before long, the door opened and there she stood, Linda Warner, Melissa's mother and Roxanne's grandmother. With blue and grey strands of hair fluttering about her head, the old lady appeared before them. She was shorter than both Roxanne and Melissa, but one could see the resemblance between the three of them. She wore a white winter coat and wool trousers, with flip flops on, but it was clear she was dressing to go out. 'Good morning Mom. It's so nice to see…" Melissa started off when she saw her old woman. 'Oh my, oh… Is that you Roxanne? My, how you've grown!" Linda cried out, ignoring Melissa's greeting as she proceeded to hug Roxanne. Melissa was stunned by this, but swallowed her saliva to contain herself. Her own mother was more excited to see her daughter than her. 'Oh, look at those cheeks, and this figure. Oh boy, you must be the talk of your class" Linda grinned widely. 'Oh, grandmom, stop it" Roxanne laughed at her grandmother's compliments. 'But I'm so serious. I mean, look at you… Tell me, do you have a boyfriend yet?" Linda suddenly asked. 'Mom" 'Grandmom" Both Roxanne and Melissa said this at the same time to express a sense of caution to Linda and the strange question she asked right off the bat. 'Whaaaat?" Linda said with a mischievous smile. 'Mom, won't you at least invite us in? It's cold out here" Melissa said to her mother as she gave a knowing stare. 'Oh, you're right Melissa. Nice to see you too by the way" Linda said, turning to her daughter for a moment. 'But you'll soon be on your way, so why should I keep you waiting here? You should get going. I'll take care of Roxanne and everything else." Linda said with a smile to Melissa. 'W-Wha…? Not even a cup of coffee or something? Mum?" Melissa said with surprise and disbelief at her mother's cold treatment. 'Nope. The weather isn't even that cold. Besides, it's not like you'll need a cup of coffee to keep yourself warm" Linda said with a knowing smile. Melissa grinned a bit but was still clearly not okay with how Linda was handling things. 'Let me get that for you," Linda said, stretching her hands to carry the box in Marissa's hands. She picked them up easily, despite her old age and smiled at her daughter. 'Well, now that there's nothing holding you down… Byeee" Linda said with a wide grin. 'Alright, Alright, I get it already. I'll get out of your hair now" Marissa said. 'Wait. Hold on Roxanne, won't you tell your mom goodbye?" Linda asked Roxanne, who merely kept quiet the whole time. Roxanne looked away and shook her head. 'There's no need," She said. Melissa shot her mom a questioning look, which Linda merely waved away. 'Okay then, why don't we go in for a cup of coffee?" Linda said to Roxanne. 'Sounds great." Roxanne replied. They entered the house as Linda closed the door. Before the door was completely closed, Roxanne gave her mother one last look as her back was turned to the house and she walked back to where the car was parked. 'Will she really be fine by herself?" A thought appeared in Roxanne's mind, feeling worried for her mother. Linda caught her stare and smiled. 'She'll be fine, don't worry. I didn't raise her to be so weak that a soft wind like this would be too much to handle. She's tougher than that" Linda said with a grin. Roxanne wasn't sure how to respond to that, or even think about it, so she just kept quiet. 'Follow me, I'll show you to your room so you'll unpack and get freshened up while I make some coffee." Linda said, moving across the living room, with Roxanne following from behind. As Melissa got back to her car and glanced back to the direction of the cottage, she smiled to herself. Her mother had not changed at all since the last time they met. 'Still the same eccentric nature, that woman" Melissa smiled. However, she was confident… If anyone could help Roxanne through this period and open her up to the truth she had been too afraid to tell her, it was her mom, Linda Warner…. Also known by her other name... Linda Boise Warriors.