We own the night

Chapter 17

Haunting memories

Roxanne

I woke up for the ringing of my mobile. I groaned and started to curse until I saw the name on the screen. I sat up immediately and picked up the phone.

- Good morning honeybee! Did I wake you up? - I yawned and said.

- Oh, not at all Granny! - I heard her chuckle from the other side of the phone.

- Well since you are already awake, tell me how are you doing? - suddenly I felt really sad. My grandmother didn't know that I worked at a Burlesque club... Honestly I had no idea how to tell her and how will she react. I was afraid of losing her.

- Lately a little rough to be honest.

- Don't worry! I'm sure that everything will solve quickly! How is your friend Clarissa doing?

- She is great actually, she met a really kind boy.

- I see, how about you honeybee? Any gentleman around? Should I clean the dust off my dance shoes? - I giggled when I imagined my almost seventy years old grandmother dancing. I wish she'll be able to see me on Broadway before she leaves me...

- No Granny, but when I'll meet one, you are going to be the first to know!

- That wasn't a question ever. Have you talked to your parents lately? - when she asked this a cold shiver ran down on my spine.

- I don't even know their number, but neither I want. You are my only family Granny and Clarissa. I don't need anybody else. - I heard a soft sigh and she said.

- I'm sorry about how things were back then.

- Don't be silly, it wasn't your fault! Now tell me how do you feel?

- I'm great! I love this place and I even got a suitor! His name is Ernest and he used to be a tailor! His wife passed away ten years ago and he decided to move to the retirement home. His kids visit him every week and he had got a lovely grandson around your age!

- Granny... Don't play this game! I don't need a man in my life now! - she chuckled.

- Okay! Okay! But if you change your mind about it just let me know. We could have a double date! - I felt how I blushed and busted to laughter along with my grandma, while we imagined a double date. We talked a little more and after an hour we hang up the phone. I laid back into my bed and felt a tear run down on my cheek. I loved her so much. I still remember when I decided to leave my previous life behind and knocked on her door.

*Roxanne's flashback*

I arrived with my backpack with my last dollars to my grandmother's house. I haven't seen her for a long time now. Mom and dad used to say that she wasn't interested in meeting me and I stopped asking about her. I took a deep breath and prayed in my mind that the life which awaits me behind that door is better than the one I escaped from. The door opened and a small, thin lady smiled at me. She had brown hair, woth a few already silver lines in it. It wasn't really long only touched her shoulders. She had the same eyes as my mother, beautiful, chocolate brown eyes. Her skin was white as snow. I felt cheap compared to her.

- Hi! Can I help you with something? - she asked and I felt how my hands were shaking. If she throws me out that is the end. I'll be a homeless girl because I won't go back to that hell. I swallowed and gathered all my strength.

- Good evening! My name is Roxanne, and I'm looking for Emily Stewart. - she smiled at me and I felt suddenly safe.

- That's me. What can I do for you? - grandma asked and I said with a shy smile that wasn't my usual way.

- My name is Roxanne Martin, and I'm your granddaughter. - she gasped and held my face in her hands. She studied my features and I saw a fat tear ran down on her cheek while she embraced me in a huge hug.

- I haven't seen you since you were a toddler! Come in Honeybee and tell me everything! - we walked in and the scent in her house immediately calmed ally nerves. I felt comfy, safe and alive. The tea pot whistled and grandma rushed to the kitchen motioning me to follow her. Her style was simply breathtaking. The walls and furniture were in perfect harmony, the color white, beige, different shades of green and gold were paired so well that every detail captured my eyes. I walked into her vintage kitchen and I remember that I felt dirty to sit on her chairs. So, I just stood there while she made us some tea. Grandma took seat and noticed that I was still standing.

- Why are you still standing? - I smiled and answered.

- Because I'm looking like a true survivor. - grandma grinned at me and asked.

- Are you feeling like a little kid? - that was the question that made my tears fall uncontrollably. Grandma stood up and hugged me to her chest. She didn't say anything just held me and that was my best experience about love. When I calmed down she pulled out a chair and I took a seat. I told her about everything. How I've been bullied and what my parents are doing with me. She looked really disappointed and her hands clenched into fists.

- I knew it! I knew it that, that bastard won't be good for my daughter! But no, my sweety needed to be smarter all the time and now what? I'll call the police and send that fucker to the prison! - she screamed but I grabbed her hand.

- Please don't, if you do that they'll know that I'm here. - she caressed my face.

- If I send him to prison he can't lay a hand on you ever again! - she said with a bright smile.

- Can't I just stay here with you? - I asked and grandma sighed.

- You had a rough day, what if we talk about this tomorrow? - I nodded but I didn't really want to talk about it. I just wanted to leave my past behind and start a new life. From tomorrow it became next week, next week turned into next month but at the end we never talked about it again. I started school where my grandmother lived and also joined a prestigious dance academy when my grandma found out about my passion. I worked really hard but, I got bullied there as well. Now instead of hiding, I fought back and became the prodigy of the academy. But just like all wonderful dreams, this one also ended pretty quickly. One day a year later that I ran away from home, grandma fall ill. I stopped going to school to take care of her but her condition wasn't getting better. After seeing a specialist it turned out that her joints got really weak and she'll might need special care. We went home and sat down in the kitchen, the day had come and we needed to talk about it.

- Roxy, I'll need help.

- I'll help you with everything! - I said and she chuckled while she caressed my hair.

- I know you want to, but you need to live your life! So I'll move into a new place, but I'm afraid I won't be able to take you with me. Which means...

- That I have no other choice than going back to them...

- Maybe things have changed and I'll report your father. Without him, your mother might find her way back to her old self. - she said and grabbed the phone to call the police. I'll never forget that night because that night changed my life and put me on the road I'm going on right now.