one.

By: Kaylyn C.

"Mates aren't real, babygirl."

My mama told me that when I was just ten years old. She's living proof considering my father left her when I was still in the womb.

Mama never talked about him. Like ever. The only thing she told me was his name and she told me to always remember it and that he was a bad person.

Of course I believed her. I mean I never met the man. He was a bad person to me because he never tried reaching out me.

Here I was at twenty-one years old. Not one letter or phone call from him. Mama always told me when I'm older if ever I get curious as to where to find him she'd say,

'Tequila, don't ever put your energy into lookin' for that heifer because he ain't no damn good.' And mama meant just that.

So I made no move to look for him because whenever he's ready he'd come find me. If he's ever ready..

"Tequila, where are you? You have to get ready for work!" Mama calls from her room.

It was only six o' clock and I didn't have to be at the diner until seven. Plus we literally live down street so how could I be late?

When I turned fifteen mama got me a job at aunt Rose's diner. Mama and rose been best friends since as long as I could remember. Apparently, they grew up together in the same pack.

They had been inseparable since kids. "Mama, I've been waitressing at the same place for six years. Never once was I late for work!" I yell, tying my apron around my waist.

I hear mama walking down the steps, the wooden stairs creaking as she walked. "I know you aren't being smart, girl." She comes around the corner then stops at the foot of my bed.

I turn to my mom and smile. "No, mama. I wasn't, I'm sorry."

Mama was forty-two years old but in the face she looks around her late twenties. I really never understood how she does it. I have most of mama's features. We both have a ridiculously long amount of dark hair that can't stay straight.

We have the same down turned light brown eyes with thick lashes. Not to mention our full round lips. I would say that we're identical twins but I could never be as beautiful as her.

"I have to go in a few mom. Aunt Rose says I can come in a little early. Did you take your medicine?" I ask her.

Mama has had two heart attacks in the past year. Our pack doctors don't know what's caused them. Most days mama is okay, other days she's laying on the floor throwing up blood.

Too many times I wanted to quit my job and take care of her but she's so stubborn she wouldn't let me so she hired her own nurse from another pack. Mama told me she never want to see me stop living my life to save hers.

"I did, you know Aileen made sure I took them before she left. When is her next day off anyway?" She asks sarcastically. Mama seen I was struggling getting my hair in a bun so she came over behind me and started tying my hair.

Aileen is the nurse mama hired and ever since she started caring for her, mama has been less stubborn. Meaning Aileen obviously knows what she's doing with patients who has a habit of not cooperating.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled. "Mama, now you know Aileen is good for you. You not wanting her here as much is actually telling me that she's doing her job right."

Mama finishes with my hair. I smiled because she placed it in a neat bun as always. "I told you before that I didn't need anyone to take care of me. You act like I lost my memories or something. I know I'm sick and I also remember to take my medicine, child."

I groan placing my hand on my hip. "Mama, you don't only need to remember to take your medicine. I tried letting you take care of yourself the first time and you didn't cooperate much. You weren't eating, sleeping or taking your pills." I turn around to face her with a concerned look.

"I don't know, mama. Maybe it is time to quit my job then. Aunt Rose will understand. You don't want Aileen to help anymore, then I'll do it. You need someone here with you everyday mama." I felt tears spring the corner of my eyes.

Mama sucked at her teeth and waved her finger at me. "Don't start that again. I'm just talking out my mouth, Tequila. I'm still getting use to it, alright? I miss doing everything by myself. After your daddy left me, I told myself I wouldn't need anyone for anything." She smiled.

"It's okay to have a little help sometimes, mama. Besides you're gonna get better in no time. I promise." I wrap my arms around her tightly.

"I know, babygirl. Now go on to work, before Rose gets to worrying." I feel her kiss my forehead before placing her chin on my head.

"Bye mama, I'll see you when I get off." I laughed, rushing to get my jacket and purse.

I headed out the front door and down to the diner. Oh lord, tonight's gonna be a long night.

➖ ✴ ➖

"Tequila, table three is ready!" Aunt Rose calls from behind the counter. I rush over to grab the tray of food and quickly took it to the customers. It was Friday, meaning tonight was gonna be extra busy.

I kind of loved when we had a big rush because it keeps me busy from thinking about mama. I placed the tray of food in front of the couple on table three. They thanked me and I gave a short nod in return.

I looked over at the counter and noticed there wasn't anyone else in line so I went over to Aunt Rose. "Crazy night, huh?" Aunt Rose nudges my shoulder.

I shrugged grabbing a band of cash from my apron and placing it in the register. "I don't mind a little crazy Aunt Rose, you know that."

"Remind me of your mama, you know. She was the same way." She chuckles.

I look over at Aunt Rose and smile. Aunt Rose is forty-two as well. She has her hair cut in a curly afro, she has big dark almond brown eyes and full round lips.

Aunt Rose was married to her mate Robert and they both had three children together. One is around my age and his name is Darius and he works here at the diner too. The other two are Kila and Kevin. They're twins and I don't see them much at the diner anymore.

Sometimes I wish I had a family like theirs. They actually have a dad. If my father hadn't left I'd probably have more siblings, like I always wanted.

"You okay, Tequila?" Aunt Rose looks at me with a worried look.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine! Just thinking about mama is all." I lie through my teeth.

"How is she? Did something happen?"

"I- what, no, she's fine. I just worry after her more now. Aileen says it's like she's going back to phase one. Mama doesn't want her there, she often yells at her and tells her to leave. I just.." I sighed. "I don't know what to do."

"Hey, hey-" she grabs both my hands. "Your mom's gonna be fine. You know she means well..she's just sick right now and she's missing her mate now than ever."

What?

"But, it's been years. I know I never met the man but, I thought.."

"Tequila..no one's ever lived this long after they get rejected by their mate. Some die days after they're mate leaves them."

I shook my head repeatedly. "No. Mom would tell me that if that's the case. Mama didn't need his sorry ass then, she definitely don't need him now." I growl harshly then walked away to the kitchen and out the back door.

The cold wind hitting my face first is the only thing I feel when I storm outside. I clench my fists, my fingernails digging into my palms. Mama would tell me if that was the case.

Mama always talked so bad about my father so there was no way in hell that she wanted him back.

"Tequila!" I hear Aunt Rose calls behind me. "Tequila, I'm sorry honey. I didn't mean to make you upset. I shouldn't have said that." She says with emotion in her voice.

I sigh turning around to face her. "No, I'm sorry Aunt Rose. I didn't mean to take it out on you. Knowing that, that man is still causing her pain after all these years just makes me so angry. Knowing possibly that she's sick because of him I-"

"Don't let him get to you, Tequila." She said giving me a warm hug. "We'll figure this out, we always do."

I rest my head on her shoulder closing my eyes. 'I just wish that were true..' I thought to myself.

I could feel something bad was about to happen.

Please protect us, moon goddess..

➖ ✴ ➖

To be continued. ♥