Third Person's POV
*** Flashback ***
It was after Jared rejected her request for money when Colleen decided to see her mom the next day. She thought that she will be dying soon so she will have to at least know how she was.
She knew her mother's house because she went there only to be pushed away and told her that it would be better if she was with her dad but she insisted on staying there with her. Lucy thought that she was daddy's girl so she sent her there and told her that she reminded her of her father's inability to support his family.
Now that she is in front of her mother's new family's house, she can see how they are. It was a small two-storey house that had a small lawn. She could tell that they were having some financial problems as the grass grew in the front yard as if no one was actually paying attention to it.
She went to the window and she saw her step-dad in a wheelchair and she thought that Lucy was having a hard time. Then I heard them say, "I really wanted to study in the city. I am going to study harder if you let me." Diane said.
"As much as I want to but I can't. Your dad needs medication and you still have your little brother. My salary is not enough to get you an apartment there." Lucy replied. They had been talking about that for months and Diane was still trying her best to persuade her.
For Lucy, she wanted to give Diane what she wanted but she knew to herself that she couldn't make it. As Colleen heard everything she couldn't help but feel sorry for Diane. She felt that she was eager to study for college so she made a decision.
She waited outside and when Diane went out of their house while her mother was trying to call her back, Colleen hid and followed Diane secretly.
"Diane," she called her when she noticed that there were no other people around. Diane looked her way trying to recognize her.
"Do I know you?" she asked and Colleen smiled at her, nodding.
"Can we talk for a while?" Colleen asked and Diane agreed. They went to a small park and sat on the bench. There, Colleen introduced herself to Diane and told her about her apartment.
"Are you sure that you are going to lend me your apartment?" Diane asked with wide eyes.
"Yes. But what are you going to do? You will be alone there and living was really difficult because of the expenses." Colleen told her. She didn't want to discourage her but she had to tell her about life.
"I am big now and I can work while I study. I am not a genius but I am studious. I wanted to finish my study and get dad better and mom to relax after. Even if she wasn't my real mom, she took care of us and tried her best to give us what we needed." she said and Colleen was glad to hear that.
"But, you don't have to tell her that you were living in my apartment and that I offered that to you and keep it a secret." Colleen said,
"Why? It will be better if she will know. I'm sure that she will be happy if she finds out that you're helping us." Diane replied but Colleen shook her head.
"Please, I didn't want to have any more communication with her. I just want to do something that will somehow help her and her family." She replied.
"I don't get you."
"Just do as I say and were good." Colleen said. "All you have to do is make up some stories to go to the city. Text me when you're there and I am going to hand over the keys to you. Come on save my number." Colleen instructed. Because Diane really wanted to attend College in the city, she agreed with her. She thought that it would favor her and Lucy so there's nothing to worry about.
As Diane accepted her offer, she made a promise to herself that she will try to return the favor to Colleen and study harder than before so she will achieve her goal.
*** End of Flashback ***
"You should have shown yourself when you visited us." Lucy told her. "Thank you so much for not getting mad at Diane. She was a good kid, stubborn and hardheaded but definitely good." she added.
"I'm glad that everything was OK with you." Colleen replied.
"Dear, are you sick?" Lucy asked. "Don't get me wrong, but the last time I saw you, you weren't like this. Are you not taking care of yourself lately? Are you overworking yourself?" Lucy asked continuously.
"I am fine." Colleen replied.
"You didn't want to come with me and you are by yourself so you have to take care of yourself and tell me if you need anything." Lucy told her, sincerely.
"All right, just relax because everything's OK with me." colleen replied. She didn't want to worry her mom about her condition so she had no plan on telling her about her health. They still talk for a few more minutes before Lucy decided to leave. She still had long hours of traveling going back to their house and she was worried for her husband as well.
"Call me always, OK dear?" she said before leaving and Colleen was left alone but not too long because Dr. Gerard came in after.
"Well, well, well.. what are you doing here?" he asked, smiling and then sat on the vacant seat taken by Lucy earlier.
Colleen smiled at him and replied casually. "I met my mom just now." Dr. Gerard looked at her in disbelief but he was happy that finally, a family member appeared before her.
"I can see that you are happy." Dr. Gerard commented.
"I am happy. We get to know and understand each other." Colleen simply replied.
Dr. Gerard stayed with her and Colleen didn't notice the time. She was too overwhelmed with the fact that her mom still cared for her. She had been wanting to feel that and actually feeling it gives her even more motivation.
Colleen was too occupied and she didn't even notice the car that was parked not too far from the café where Jared was with a hardened and dimmed face. He was angry seeing Colleen talking to Dr. Gerard again, happily and full of life.