Lydia- The Pet Communicator

Chapter 6

"Wake up, honey, it’s time for your medicine." My dad shook me from my sleep. I felt like stretching my rigid muscles or maybe getting a body massage to loosen myself up a bit. 

"What time is it? I mumbled, while searching for my table clock.

My father spoke immediately, "It is half past six, baby girl."

"I slept a lot, it seems. I don’t feel very comfortable—can we try walking?” I asked slowly. “I feel smothered.”

"First take your medicine. Here, you can swallow the capsules with this orange juice." I nodded and gulped down the medicine, consuming three capsules of different colors and sizes in one go.

My dad gave me his hand to help me stand up, but when I tried to get out of bed, it wasn’t possible. My body weight felt like a burden on my knees, and it hurt a lot.

"Ouch! I can't stand up, Dad," I moaned in pain.

"Do you need a body massage? Your mother can help you with that, eh?" I nodded, deciding that that was the best option.

"Grace, come here for a moment, please," my father called out.

"Yes, love, what is it? Is there something I can do for you?" my mom asked my father nicely.

"Can you give Lydia a massage? The massage oil is in that cabinet in our room, if you can bring that, too." She nodded and went to retrieve the oil.

"Okay, your daddy will be outside, watching television. If you need anything, give me a shout. After you feel better, we can all have dinner," he said, ruffling my hair.

In a little while, my mother set foot in the room, locking the door after my father left. She poured some oil into her palm and began to give me a massage, which felt really good.

"So, mom, what did you make for dinner?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.

"Some chicken salad, an apple pie with vanilla ice cream, and veggie wraps," she replied dully.

"Wow! That's awesome," I said excitedly. “And who’s been watching over my pets while I’ve been gone?” I chuckled, knowing that my mom had watched them despite her disinterest.

"I did, who else? Your father was busy with work, and he’d always sleep in the chair next to you at the hospital. He hardly ever came home—he hated it without you here, even though I was home, too. He didn’t even remember me."

"Mom, try to understand him. He loves you a lot. I’m his only daughter, so he tends to worry about me. Anyway, you’re always complaining whenever we talk. It's hard having a conversation with you these days."

"Yes, right. I think I know exactly what’s going on with your father, and it’s not that," she replied, getting up off the bed and shutting the massage oil’s lid impatiently.

"Thank you for the massage, Mom, I love you." She didn't answer back, but helped me put on my clothes and left the room without delay.

I couldn't hold back my tears, and soon I felt them running warm down my cheek. I suspected there was something my mother was hiding from us. She hardly ever talked to us, and when she did, she only complained. But what could her secret be?

"Lydia, sweetie, are you feeling any better?" My father burst into my room with a grin. I quickly wiped away the tears and turned my face away so he wouldn't notice me crying, then gave him a big smile.

"Yes Daddy, much better."

"Want to have dinner now, baby?" In a matter of seconds, Lucky came in, barking, "I’m hungry, too!" He climbed onto my bed and started licking my cheeks.

"What do you want to eat, and where were you?"

"Biscuits would be great. I got bored when you fell asleep, so I went back to the shelter," he growled.

"Has everyone in the shelter had their meals yet?" I asked as I rubbed his back.

"Yes, but we didn’t get enough food,” he woofed.

"Lydia, what are you talking with him about? Whenever you say something, it looks like he’s answering," my dad muttered.

"Dad, he says that he’s hungry and that there was less food today."

"Yeah, that's true. We did give them their meals, but the food was enough," my father responded.

"Let me show you how he understands me and how I understand him. You want proof, right? So here, whisper a dirty little secret of yours in his ear and he will tell me what he understood, okay?" My father nodded; his trust in me gave me confidence.

"Lucky, can you help me show Father that you can understand me?” Lucky barked a yes, so I asked him to go and pull on my father’s trousers. Whatever my father said in his ear, he had to come and tell me.

Lucky did as I’d told him to, and my father played along, too. When he returned to me, he barked, "When you were little, your father threw away your milk bottle and lied to you about it, saying that an eagle took it. He wanted to break your habit."

I turned to my father and said, "He told me you threw my milk bottle away and lied that an eagle took it, right?"

My dad nodded and gave me a tight hug. "I always had trust in you, Lydia, but now it's stronger. You really are gifted." I felt a tear roll down my cheek, and my father wiped it away and added, "Don't worry, baby, I will help you prove it to everyone, though for that, we’ll need better proof. Now I can truly see you becoming the best veterinarian in the world."

I had the best father in the world, and mother, too. However, I still wanted to know what was wrong with my Mom. Was she acting like that because we weren’t giving her enough attention, or did she have a secret?

"Dinner’s ready, Peter! Lydia can eat her food after we’re done."

"Bring my food in here. I’ll eat with my daughter."

"Dad, please go,” I said to him. “Mom needs you—she’s been complaining a lot, and if you don’t eat with her, she’ll probably hate me for no reason. Please eat with her. Once you’re done, you can come back." I gave him puppy-dog eyes, and he nodded, smiled, and left.

In no time, I heard my father and mother quarreling from the dining room, their voices loud enough for me to hear.

"Lydia needs a psychiatrist! You’ve been spoiling her, and it’s driving her insane. It's your fault."

"Shut up, Grace! She proved it to me, I believe her. She can prove it to you, too."

"No way! I won't fall for this rubbish, okay? I’ve had enough of this."

"You don't even want to give her a chance? Is something wrong?"

"When was the last time you slept with me, huh, Peter?"

"Hey! Where did that come from?"

"Give me an answer! You’re crazy after Lydia, aren’t you? Or maybe you won't have sex with me because I can't have more children!"

"Shut up, Grace! The only thing coming out of your bloody mouth is nonsense!”

"I’ve been seeing someone, Peter. I’m sorry."

"So sex is more important than our love? You’ve been acting as if Lydia is your stepdaughter!"

"When have you ever loved me? It's just you and Lydia all the time!"

*SLAPS*

"You dare to slap me, Peter? It's over!"

"It is over! Get out of my house!"

I wanted to tell my mother how much we loved her, but I couldn’t move to stop her, and my heart broke into pieces. Why hadn’t I died in the accident? Their relationship was over because of me. I tried to get up to stop my mother, but fell to the ground with a loud thud. My vision grew blurry. I wished I could never ever wake up again.

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Aww, poor Lydia! I hate such mean mothers. What will happen to Lydia now? :(

Anyway, to tell you some good news. My story was on #7 Fanstasy #22 Sci-Fi! It means a lot to me, and the reason for my achievement is only you. My wonderful readers and supporters!

Comment please, and if you liked this chapter.. Don't forget to vote. A tiny biny litte wittle vote .