Chapter 220 (2/2)

Stella had been about to mention her need for help with her hair, when her mother threw in that last bit, and she closed her mouth again . This woman had no relations.h.i.+p with her . She was her mother, but that was it . She gave birth to her, and then left her for all intents and purposes .

”It would be nice if you attended . Do you mind? I can have Joseph pick you up,” she said, making her mind up . There were some things that she could do, that would still stay in tradition .

”Oh, that would be fantastic! I'll need to get a dress! What color should I pick out?” she asked, turning in delight .

Stella sighed inwardly, as she glanced around the small cla.s.sroom, where her mother spent most of her days . It was clean and neatly organized, a far cry from the filthy hovel they had lived in during her young childhood . Looking back at her mother, she saw the faint traces of lines forming along her eyes from all of the smiles she had to give out to the children around her now . She was glowing and happy .

”Tradition states that the mother of the bride should wear red, to show that she would kill any who tried to prevent the marriage,” explained Stella, watching the delight drain out of her mother's face . Should she have left off that last bit?

”Oh, dear! What tradition is that from? I'm afraid I don't remember it,” stuttered her mother, turning back to start was.h.i.+ng the dishes with a bit of a rush .

”It's an ancient tradition that dates from before the time of corruption that plagues the world tree . If you don't want to wear red, that's fine, but Joseph will still come to pick you up,” said Stella, turning to leave .

Her mother was quiet as she made her way to the door, but then spoke up before she could leave .

”Stella? Do you need anything? Perhaps help getting dressed or maybe your hair?”

She didn't want to turn around and see the look on her mother's face, because the tone of her voice was so warm, and she just didn't want that warmth she shared with the little kids directed at her . It should have been hers from the beginning .

Swallowing the roiling emotions, she turned and smiled . ”Maybe you could help me with my hair?”

”I'm not very good, but I would love to help you out! There's not going to be any magic involved, is there? For some reason I just haven't been able to understand any of it . Everyone has tried and tried to explain it to me, but I just don't get it . ”

Paused in shock, she shook her head no .

”I don't get magic either,” she said in a soft voice .

”Fancy that! We have something in common after all! I've wondered and wondered about that, since we never really spend much time together . ”

Her mother smiled sweetly at her, and Stella felt a warmth . She wanted to fight it, and hold on to that anger and frustration, but that would be childish . She was supposed to grow up and get over her issues, not hold on to them and form grudges, right?

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