Ancient Debts

I could explain how the next few days go, but honestly, there's not much to say. Andi's off school while her foot gets looked at, I explain the plan to Echo who seems to think it's some type of meeting the parents type deal, despite my explanation, and Poppy and Ty are back to being love's young dream, it's sickening really, but then it turns out Poppy thinks she has some pretty sick dispositions, so I suppose it fits.

All of this to say that the time until our weekend visit is little but a long calm before a terrifying storm. My spirits only lift when I hear from Andi. "Of course I'm coming with you two." She tells me over the phone as we look out of our bedroom windows to each other. "Echo's my girlfriend too, and I can tell how nervous you are, I can be your knight on shining crutches!" She states cheerily.

"Uh huh." I answer, not acknowledging the attempt at humour. Yes, that was meant to be a joke, her sense of humour is just that bad. "It wouldn't have anything to do with Echo's mother getting her comeuppance and you wanting to witness it?" I smile, even if she's too far away to really see it.

Andi gasps dramatically. "I can't believe you would suspect me of such a thing! I wouldn't want to see the woman who made my best friend turned lover's life Hell for years face to face with the two most intimidating women I've ever met. That's just crazy talk, you should apologise." She informs me, failing to hold back her excited giggling.

Finally, the day itself comes and the five of us arrive outside Echo's home, those four being Me, my parents, Poppy, and Andi. Rosie had hitherto unheard of plans and couldn't join us. If I had three guesses as to where she's going, then my third would be something Sora related, and my first two would be to ask not to have to think about what she's doing. I've learned far too many personal details from far too many people this week.

Echo emerges from the building to invite us inside, and I'm taken aback by her appearance, her new red hair contrasting against a lacy black dress that was only a few inches away from being a négligée. I'm wearing a black and white combo of a decent shirt and a dinner jacket to be presentable, but I still feel under dressed. Andi had opted for a burgundy skirt and blouse combination, but given she's getting around with crutches under her arms, it's doubtful anyone would criticise her for her dress sense anyway.

My family went a bit of a different route, Poppy was fully casual with jeans and a hoodie, presumably hoping to fade into the background after her last visit. My parents, meanwhile, opted for pantsuits, my Mum in a dark red, my Mama in a sleek black, they really do stick to their colour schemes, not that I can blame them, they look ready to party and ready for battle at the same time.

"Hi... All." Echo says nervously, giving a half-hearted wave. "This is... I mean, come on in." She decides, opening the door wide for everyone to enter, my parents take the lead, thanking Echo as they go in, followed by Poppy, giving me and my girlfriends the chance to convene.

"Any chance we could take a separate lift? Maybe one that breaks for five or ten minutes?" Andi asks, ogling Echo's cleavage. It's hard to resist doing it myself, but given the situation I'd rather stay focused on everyone leaving here with all their limbs intact.

Echo just rolls her eyes at Andi's advances. "This girl, give her a couple of days without getting pounded, and she's ready to jump me in the middle of the street." She sighs, gesturing for us to enter. "Come on, the sooner this starts then the sooner we never have to have our families in the same room again."

The journey in the lift is eerily silent, making it feel like it lasts far longer than the minute or so it takes to reach Echo's floor, and even longer for us to walk down the hallway, to the flat that will serve as the location of the world's most uncomfortable summit. As we enter, I see the place is tidier than the last time I was here, but I suppose Ty has been here to stop his mother from trashing the place. Poppy seems to almost sneak over to hug him, while Echo takes Andi over to some foldable chairs that are serving as overflow for the lack of seating in the joint living room and entryway.

"Mum, these are Poppy and Rufus' parents." Ty explains, offering my parents the other sofa seats before sitting next to his mother. "This is Scarlet and Elise. Mrs and Mrs Monroe, this is my mother-"

"You don't need to introduce us." My mum cuts him off. Her tone is kind but direct, and Ty stops mid-sentence at her command. From where I'm sitting with Poppy and my girls I can't see well, but it looks like she's scared stiff of the two women across from her, she's murmuring something under her breath, but I can't make it out. "It's been a long time, I'd actually forgotten your last name until Rufus mentioned it. You've changed so much, but that face is still the same as I remember." Mum continues sweetly, her hand reaching out and patting Ms Birch's knee. Mama doesn't seem as willing to be civil with the disturbed woman, folding her arms and leaning back, while Mum smiles at her.

"It's good to see you. Amanda."