Opus Veda

"Happy Birthday! Where are ya? Evie?"

"Blaow!"

"Christ!" Kasia flew back, "you shitbag!"

"Where's me breakfast!?" Eva crept from her hiding place.

"Your breakfast's right here," Kasia pointed at her middle finger, then reached into the fridge, pulling out a shrink-wrapped surprise.

"Look Evie! American breakfast! It's a... sausage and egg 'Mac Muffin'."

"Blimey!" Eva looked daunted, "is it real sausage?"

"It's a substitute but apparently they're popular in the States. I think you just have to microwave it for a bit..."

"Well it's a start…" Eva looked around as the microwave hummed. Kasia followed her eyes.

"Oh you're expecting presents? On my 13th my mum threw up from a hangover, then complained how my birthday put pressure on her."

"Oh!" Eva gripped the table, "is that what you got for me?"

"No! But I'll have to collect your present after work, if you can wait that long?"

"Yea fine. I wish you'd taken the day off though..."

Kasia pinched Eva's finger.

"I'm sorry Evie. I'll be back this evening and we'll have a great time!"

Eva shrugged but she appeared happy. Kasia smiled and shrugged.

"What did your friends get you?"

"I got loads of messages, look," she held her phone up, displaying an impressive wall of attention, cosmetics, and loot crates gifted to her.

"You have great mates Evie don't you!? Are you gonna chill with them while I'm gone?"

"Yes..." Eva grinned and swayed, apparently nervous, "I'll play with them while you're out."

The microwave dinged. Kasia gave her the steaming muffin.

"I have to dash, so your second present, my little teenager, is washing up after breakfast."

"Dziękuję bardzo…"

In reality Kasia would be back sooner, and though she still felt guilt leaving Eva alone, the surprise would be worth it.

She had wanted to get the rabbit from Mayfair Bazaar - the one Eva longed for. Finances were too uncertain. Kasia picked the local pet shop instead. A bored but easygoing shopkeeper showed her their calico - not as sumptuous as the one at Mayfair, but a third of the price. Kasia patted it with a sense of pity, partly since it looked lousier than Eva's favourite, partly since she didn't want to hurt its feelings. It faced her and went wide-eyed.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

She walked home to spare the new family member a tube ride. It scampered in its box; it's hutch and supplies swung from Kasia's shoulder. She cooed it in Polish whenever nobody was around.

She made it home and opened the door.

Kasia knew the sound; had heard it plenty of times. The smell too was familiar.

Neither should have been here. This was her home. It didn't make sense.

It was impossible.

She stiffened with confusion, unable to tell if it was real.

Her eyes landed on the floor. Her heart shook her. The tangled skin beneath her had no explanation.

"Mama!" Eva writhed free. The man whipped upwards, zipped his trousers, and tried to walk out.

The sight of his dumbstruck face gave Kasia her senses.

She attacked. Wild and uncontrolled, too furious to land anything. Eva pulled her away, giving the man time to escape. Kasia hyperventilated against the kitchen counter.

"What the fuck is your problem!?" Eva screeched and thumped Kasia with her fists. Kasia needed a new target, and Eva was there. She screamed.

"You deceitful skank! Is that what 'playing with friends' means!? You fucking liar!"

"And you lied to me! You told me you were at work!"

"I went to get your present! I got you a rabbit I wanted to surprise you!" tears flew from Kasia's face, for a moment she sounded pleading.

Rage prevailed. A harsh hacking sound pushed through her teeth.

"I wasn't going out so you could whore yourself off! You slut! How dare you do that behind my back!"

Eva shrivelled. Kasia raved until her voice ran coarse. She doubled over and gulped for air.

"How old was he… tell me…" her voice softened but it was no less furious, "you will tell me how old he was Eva."

"18…"

"Like fuck was he 18! Even if he was! Is this what you wanted for your birthday!? Is it!? A fucking paedophile!? Well!" Kasia lifted her shoulders and cocked her head side to side, as if casually interested, "why didn't you say? We could have popped over to a nightclub and bought you one for less than this fucking rabbit!"

"He is not a paedophile!"

"You've been 13 for five fucking seconds."

"Aw yea!?" Eva summoned all her courage, "well I love him and I'm not leavin' him. So you better fuckin' well get used to it!"

"Had I now?" Kasia stepped over her. Eva stood her ground and sniffed shakily.

"Yup! I'm not gonna piss around with the boys at school. I want a man."

"You want a man for a boyfriend?"

"Yup! And now I have one."

"You have one?"

"You're catchin' on! We've been speakin' online for ages. He waited for me."

Kasia's face darkened more than Eva had ever seen, her eyes stabbed her like never before.

"What do you mean 'he waited for me'?"

"What do you think I mean!? I'm not a fuckin' bus stop!"

Kasia's eyes flickered down, her resistance wavering.

"You're a disgrace."

"Am I!?" Eva's voice broke, tears finally flowing, "were you a disgrace to your mum when you started matchin' with 'boys your own age'? Just the two abortions was it? Or were those after you ran away from her!?"

Kasia fumbled for the counter behind her.

"You don't understand-"

"That's why I'm here isn't it!? You were too ashamed to get a third one, that's my great origin story! You fuckin'-"

Eva started flying her fists into Kasia's chest. When Kasia turned, Eva yanked handfuls of her hair. And when Kasia shielded behind her arms, Eva whacked them too. With each hit Kasia shrank into the corner. Eva saw her mother's fear and stopped, turning her fists into soft hands and resting her forehead on Kasia's shoulder.

"I'm sorry mama… but I'm really into him! I waited so long, and you came and scared me shitless! I feel so embarrassed…"

Kasia pulled herself up and shoved Eva aside.

"Call him back then!" She spat on the floor and pointed to the rabbit's box, "you can enjoy your birthday present with him. Try to make sure he doesn't fuck it."

Kasia blasted through the door and ran away. Eva stomped the ground.

"Where are you going!? Mama!?"