“Elizabeth.” Thinking about her reminded Erica that she hadn’t been to see her sister in some time. “She put me through college and forced me to take a job in your building.”
“She sounds like a real smart woman.”
Erica frowned, thinking about her older sister. She couldn’t tell Chris that because Elizabeth had spent a great deal of time off school, she didn’t know how to read and write much more than her own name and address. The shame went through Erica at her lack of support.
“She is the best woman I know.”
They spent the night at the house, carrying in her stuff that she’d packed for her vacation. The following day they went to her apartment. Her rent was paid for the next three months. She’d see how everything went. Erica packed up a few belongings to stay with Chris.
Chapter Eleven
They settled into a routine together. She saw Chris off to work before she went off to her own. She was doing some secretarial work at one of the local law offices. Every morning, they’d make love before she cooked him breakfast. Their time together was the best part of her day. When she was at work most of her thoughts were what she’d do when she saw him again.
The weeks passed, and summer was behind them. Autumn was upon them. The cold mornings let her know how much time had passed. She missed her sister and felt guilty at the lack of communication. Chris and his family were happy to have her in the fold. Erica had demanded that they get a prenuptial agreement. Chris had refused. She had informed him that it was for her peace of mind. The whole world would see her as a gold-digger, but for her, the document gave her the security that she wasn’t. Strange logic, but it was her logic.
Chris made her feel loved every day. She found herself growing addicted to his sweet talk. They’d planned for a summer wedding next year. They went shopping for rings. She accepted a small diamond ring and insisted on buying a wedding band for him.
When her lease was up at her apartment, she paid the rent for another three months. She didn’t expect to leave the haven she’d created with Chris, but it felt right to keep her apartment.
During some time off work in November, Erica phoned her sister, Elizabeth, and arranged for a visit. Her sister warned her about her mother’s deteriorating condition.
“She drinks all the time, Erica. I don’t think you should be bringing your man friend here.”
“I want to come and see you,” Erica said.
“I know. I miss you, too, but I don’t think you should see this.” There was scuffling and shouting.
“What’s going on?” Erica asked.
“Nothing. Let’s just say before you left was like a haven compared to how it is now.”
Her sister hung up. Erica wasn’t happy. Her sister didn’t deserve to live that kind of life. Chris found her in the sitting room, curled up and looking at the fire.
“What’s the matter?” he asked, lifting her feet over his lap.
“I called Elizabeth today.”
“Your sister?”
She nodded her head.
“How did she take you being engaged?”
Licking her lips, she turned to look at him. He began massaging her feet. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell her. She doesn’t want me visiting. Apparently mum has gotten worse.”
“You’re worried?”
“Yes. I feel like an awful sister. Elizabeth sacrificed everything for me. She didn’t want me growing up in that shithole, and look at me. I’m sitting in luxury with a man who loves me while she has to clean my mum up from the floor.” Her rant left her feeling drained. Her head pounded from the migraine her situation had created.
“How about we go up there this weekend? If the situation is as bad as your sister says, we leave.”
“I can’t leave her there a second time, Chris.” She remembered getting on the bus without looking back. The pain inside her built. Her own problems seemed so unimportant compared to those of her sister.
“You’ve still got the lease on your apartment. We’ll take her with us.”
“You make everything sound so simple,” she said.
“Because life is simple if you look at it from different perspectives.” He kissed her.
****
Chris saw how nervous she was when he packed the car for their trip. He wondered what could be so bad about her mother. Erica’s hands were clenched into fists at her side. She looked pale, and she’d been quiet all morning.
He typed their destination into his GPS and then helped her into the car. Most of the journey was spent in silence. She looked out of the window. After a two hour drive and a stop to use the bathroom and eat, they were driving down her street. Chris knew this was part of the worst areas that had been hit by the recession. He’d seen on the news the term “ghost towns”, and this place qualified for one. There were buildings boarded up. People in dirty clothes walked the street.