Court of Ambrose

Dinner

{Celeste’s POV}

[Reader discretion is advised. This episode contains themes of alcoholism, and depression.]

I pulled my long brown hair up into a ponytail, and put on a little makeup. Then, I grabbed a pale yellow sundress from my bag, along with a white, floppy hat. I paired it with a pair of white heels, and a white purse. I quickly packed everything I needed for the day and headed out to town. I hopped into my car and quickly drove to town. I went to the electric company office first, and signed the papers. The woman at the front desk told me that the electric would be turned on before long. After that, I went to the water company, and signed the paperwork for them to turn on the water. Then I headed to the store, I grabbed cleaning supplies, and groceries, before driving to the furniture store. I bought a new bed for my room, a sectional for the living room, a new desk, and a desk chair. They said that they’d deliver it to the house by 3:00pm today. Once I was finished with everything in town, I headed back to the house and flipped in the lights. I smiled as they turned on, before returning to the car and bringing in the things that I bought.

I quickly changed into a pink, button up shirt, and a pair of jean shorts. I slid on my pink wooly socks, and a pair of house slippers. I put away the groceries before grabbing a bucket and a mop from the closet. I filled it with water, and floor cleaner, then made my way through the house with a broom first, before following it up with the mop. I cleaned each room, and got the old couch out of the living room and into a side room by the time that they arrived with my new furniture. They got to work, taking apart my grandmothers bed, and putting mine together. They placed the mattress on my new bed and placed my nana’s bed frame in the side room. They then put together the desk in my room, and the new sectional in the living room. It was about 5:00pm when they finished putting up all of the furniture, I paid them for their time and they left.

Once it was just me, I locked all the doors and windows and walked into the kitchen. I grabbed some pots and pans and started making dinner. I made chicken Parmesan, and garlic bread, and a nice spring salad. I grabbed a bottle of red wine then I set the table, looking at the empty place where Nana used to sit. I poured her a glass of wine, and filled up three more glasses setting them around the table. I made plates for myself, Dayus, and Veryn. Once the table was set, I felt that same pang of anger.. of fear.. of bitter sadness.. and I found myself unable to eat. I sighed, walking to the liquor cabinet and grabbing a bottle of whiskey before making my way to my room. I closed the door behind me, locking it, and sliding down the side of it.

How am I supposed to do this without her? I had finally gotten my life on track, I just wanted to make her proud.. instead, I broke her heart. I grabbed the whiskey, tears pouring down my cheeks, my makeup smearing down my face. I chugged down half the bottle and wept bitter, broken tears. I looked around the room, seeing how much I had changed it with my new bed, and new desk. “Nana.. I’m sorry..” I whispered, taking another long drink from the whiskey. “Please.. forgive me..” I chugged down more of the foul tasting liquid, it burning my throat on the way down. I had never liked strong liquor, but I found myself at the bottom of a bottle more often since everything with Mason.. and even more so now with my nana being gone. I looked across the floor, seeing myself in the floor length mirror. I looked terrible, probably better than I feel though. Most days I can’t stand to even see my reflection. After Mason, I was diagnosed with PTSD, and chronic depression, I was sent to a therapist, and put on antidepressants, but no matter what I did, the pain, and the fear never left. It was draped over me, like a cloak that no one else could see. I smiled, and waved, just like they needed me to, but inside, my mind, my body, my soul, was completely shattered. I downed the rest of the bottle, and once it was empty, that bitterness began to sink in again. I cried out, throwing the bottle across the room and shattering it against the wall. I pulled my knees to my chest and wept, allowing my emotions to flow from me, and soon, I found myself asleep on my bedroom floor.

{Dayus’ POV}

When I woke up, I could smell food being cooked, I knew it wasn’t Veryn, he usually didn’t wake up until the sun was completely down. It was about 6:30pm, and the sun was usually out of the sky by 7:30pm. I sighed stepping into my bathroom and undressing. I quickly took a shower, and got dressed. Looking at the time, it was now 7:00pm, and I thought I might go take a peak to see if the sun had set. Then I heard Veryn coming from his room, “Mmm.. something smells good!” He groaned as he stretched.

I scoffed. “Yeah, as if you deserve a nice home cooked meal after the way you acted yesterday!”

Realization finally hit him, and I could see the frustration in his eyes. “I know.. I was harsh.. I was going to apologize tonight.” He said, turning back to his room. I heard him getting dressed before he stepped back out and pointed to the stairs. “Should we go on up?” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes, but carefully walked up the stairs. I made my way out of our doorway, and into the living room looking around and noticing the new couch. “Looks like she’s updated some of the furniture.” I smiled, the couch was nice, it was a deep grey color, which matched the grey and white walls nicely.

Veryn rolled his eyes and headed into the kitchen, I followed in behind him, and half expected to see Celeste. Instead, I saw four plates, four sets of silverware, and four glasses of wine. There was a big bowl of salad, and a platter with garlic bread. I looked around, noticing that Celeste was nowhere to be found.