Kendra heard a loud slam and crying in the living room. she ran almost tripping along the way. "Abby" she gasped. she didnt care what was wrong, she didnt care what the deal was, all she cared about was the crying. Kendra wrapped her arms around Abby and held her while she cried
Abby jerked her head up. She dabbed fiercely at her eyes, "Kendra, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
"Whats wrong. Girl have a reality check. Whats wrong with you" she said, pulling away at arms length.
"Also yes i see and hear your crying. no im not blind or deaf. and what i assume to be the laptop slamming closed was a dead give away"
"Forget about me. Are you okay?" Abby asked, examining Kendra.
"Im fine. im not going to forget about you. you take care of all of us so someones gotta take care of you too. this is what were here for. this is what family is for." she paused, "Now spill the beans, let the cat out of the bag, tell me whats going on"
"I have to make a phone call," Abby said, reaching for the landline on the desk.
"Abby" she said, putting a hand over the phone. "Talk to me"
Abby's eyes shone, glossed over with tears that she was holding back. "I have to - I can't - You won't - It's… complicated."
"Complicated is my entire life. I'll be alright" She used her free hand to grab a tissue and hand it to Abby
Abby took it gratefully. She looked at the digital clock that sat on the corner of the desk. "Would they even be open at this hour?" she muttered into the tissue.
"Who?"
Abby's heart leapt. Stupid. This is why you forget yourself! "The bank," Abby whispered.
"You're lying through your teeth"
"I'm not!" Abby insisted. She'd read the email. Call within 24 hours.
"and i wouldnt understand this why?"
"I never said that you wouldn't understand."
"And your stuttering wasnt you trying to say i wouldnt understand?"
Abby looked away. "I protect you. All of you. That's all I'm trying to do. I don't want you to worry."
"I dont need you to protect me Abby. im not a little kid anymore, maybe one of these days ill get treated like an adult" she stormed off to her room and half slammed the door. she dived into bed and sat there, ticked off.
Abby sat, stunned, shattered. She kept her crying quiet. She choked, softly.
Kendra tossed and turned for a couple minutes, got comfortable, and fell asleep
Abby checked the time again. She picked up the phone and dialed the number. It rang.
sleeps
"Hello, Discover Card."
"Abby Xao-Ling."
The woman paused.