I stood in the kitchen while folding clothes into the washing machine. My mind was full of clouds, eyes void of movement and sucked in the dreamy scenery that painted outside the window. An inkling of sunset seeped under the ashy gray clouds that smoked through the darkening sky.

It warmed a smile on my face as I could proudly say I was two years clean from smoking. Going to prison made me spiral down into a terrible relapse. But once out and reunited with my kids, I wanted to see them grow and be successful.

So I tried stopping again. Throwing away my last packet as I stepped out of those prison gates, leaving behind all the terrible memories wrapped inside that stick. It became easier since I had no guilt to extinguish or desire to mourn Xavier.

What started off as a way of fitting in with my friends at Pharmacy school, later relieved me of the stress that each puff carried into the air.

When I had enough of my clients abusing me as a prostitute, I finally brought a gun to defend myself. And before they could think of running off, I raised it against them, screaming while my fingers danced nervously around the trigger.

It never had to end like this. It never had to be like this, I kept repeating to myself that day. Never did I want it to use violence but they left me no choice.

All they did was viciously laugh at me...

Until I pulled the trigger.

That's when they finally showed me respect. When their taunting turned into pathetic cries for mercy. Their blood-curling wails filled the air as my shadow towered over them. I should have been happy but instead I felt knots of guilt twist and churn inside my belly like vomit. Panic arose like a fiery alarm in my head and my eyes melted with tears as I knelt beside them.

"I'm so sorry..." I whispered apologetically, "but I need this," I mumbled under my breath. I swiftly took solely what I was owed and nothing more. Then I sped home and spent the rest of the evening locked in the bathroom. Their screams haunting me all night as I shook uncontrollably.

"Should've finished them off there," I mumbled sharply under my breath, flinging another piece of clothing into the machine. "If only I wasn't so weak," I said as I ripped through the washing tablets. I scowled while thinking about how my younger self laid pathetically on the floor, crying rivers when those monsters didn't deserve a single drop.

I tossed some trousers into the machine and wiped away the strands of hair that laid leisurely over my forehead. I threw in Reina's underwear and was about to throw in another when I noticed some dried blood stains. I froze and slowly picked it out.

I laid it in full view, my eyes widening.

Is it that time already? Has she already gotten her first period?

"Hmm that's probably why she's been so distant lately..." I said and placed it on my lap, staring at it in disbelief. I felt terrible for not noticing anything different about her. She must be so frightened and confused about what's going on.

I called out her name but no answer. I continued folding some clothes and called her name again but still no answer. I sighed and went to find her in the living room. I thought she would be watching TV with Raiden, but she wasn't anywhere to be found.

"Ray, have you seen your sister anywhere?"

"I think she's in her room. I tried getting her to come watch Spiderman with me, but she wouldn't come out," he said and stuffed a handful of popcorn into his mouth. His focus was on the flashing colors of Spiderman that popped out of the TV like fireworks.

"Alright I'll go check there," I said and swiftly passed the couch. "By the way are you still feeling alright?"

"Da mami!"

"That's good. I'm glad to hear that," I said and kissed his forehead and affectionately ruffled through his tousled dark brown hair. I let him be and went towards Reina's room. I stared at my shadow that followed me along the peachy dim wall. It distracted me from my hands that suddenly jittered with fear. A sickly feeling crawled in my stomach with each step I took.

I was far from prepared for this conversation. My head was still a conflicted mess about my father's dishonesty. Now I'm worried I might say something wrong since he taught me everything I know. Unable to separate the truth from the lie.

I began muttering to myself that I can just explain the relevant stuff now... not everything all at once, just at least till I get prepared.

"Just explain it's a period and everything will be alright," I kept telling myself and gulped down the saliva that filled my mouth.

"It will be alright, just say it's your period, nothing else," I said. I took in deep breaths and when I reached the top step, the pounding in my chest lessened and I felt slightly better.

I stood outside her door and gently knocked. I listened for a response, but I didn't hear anything, just some muffles and sniffles.

"Reina, are you in here?" I said as I slowly opened her door. Her room was in pitch darkness with the hallway light lighting up a path to her bed, where a giant lump moved around.

I slowly crept towards the bed and poked the sheets. "Reina, I need to speak with you about something," I said and lifted up the covers where she hid like a caterpillar. She laid on a damp spot where her face was puffy red and her eyes flooded with tears. They glanced down at her bloody panties, and she burst out another set.

"I think I'm going to die..." she loudly sobbed.

"O my poor Reina," I shuffled a bit and held her hand. "It's okay, I'm here," I said and gently tugged her out. Her lips trembled but she crawled out and we sat on the edge of the bed. I pulled her close and patted her back to ease her into the conversation.

"Is this why you were upset this week?" I asked and showed her the bloodstains.

She stared at them and broke out in uncontrollable heavy sobs. "It just won't stop... it just keeps on coming." Her head sunk hopelessly into her arms. "What is happening to me..."

I sat up and briefly closed my eyes to gather my thoughts. I held my hands together, feeling like everything was coming down to this one moment, hoping I can get this.

"It's because..." I stuttered, feeling bile rise up my throat but I choked it down. "It's because you're having your period, Reina," I managed to say. And with that, the air around me suddenly became lighter as if a heavy weight lifted off her shoulders.

"My period...?" She stuttered out as tears ran down her cheek. "What's that?"

"It's when..." My voice tightened with fear again, but I swallowed my fear and pushed through. "It's when blood flows out from your vagin at the start of menstruation," I said slowly with caution. "It's completely normal and just means you're starting puberty. Which is a part of growing up."

"So I'm not going die?" She muttered and stared straight ahead.

"No Reina, you're completely fine," I said and smiled as the words easily glided out now. I rubbed her back as she coughed with her cries subsiding.

"I'm sorry you had to be going through this on your own. I remember when I first got mine when I was the exact same age as you." I smiled warmly to make her feel more comfortable. But it slowly started fading away with the memory resurfacing.

"Serios?" Her eyes continued glistening with surprise searching through me. "You had it at my age?"

"Da I did. I remember being scared about what was happening, and I was in a lot of pain. But my tată helped me through it and I'm going to help you through this too."

"Mersi Mamă," She thanked me and finally stopped crying and a sunny smile blossomed, like a rainbow after a rainy day.

"No problem honey, I'm always here for you." I tucked her into a hug like my arms were a blanket wrapping her tightly. She eagerly hugged me back and melted into my arms with a calm sigh.

"I didn't want to tell you because I thought you wouldn't care," she softly admitted while rumpling her shirt.

"No sweetie, I understand perfectly."

She didn't say anything but rested her cheek on my arm. Her stunning green eyes mirrored mine like I was looking at a water's reflection.

"I'm sorry for not telling you Mamă," she mumbled.

"It's okay Reina. You don't need to apologise. I know how difficult it could be." I said and caressed her hair back.

"I was really scared when I saw the blood. I tried texting Jenny about it but I didn't see her message until now so I just replied to her." She wiped her face and sighed heavily.

"O you talked to Jenny about this?"

"So what did she say?" I asked through a struggling smile.

"She asked me what's wrong, so I told her that I saw blood on Tuesday when I went toilet."

"So it was on Tuesday that you first started bleeding?"

"Yeah but I think it's starting to stop now." She looked down at her lap and then back up at me.

"Da that's right. It usually lasts for five to seven days, so it's not a long time that you're bleeding for." I was now fully relaxed since this conversation was going really smoothly.

"Serios? So it's only going to be for a few days?" Reina excitedly said.

"Da and it comes and goes every month. But don't freak out if you don't see it next time. Because your body is just getting used to it, so it might be a little irregular at first."

"Oh okay! I'm just happy this is not going to be happening all the time," she said, beaming like a happy sunflower.

"Anyway, that's all I have to say for now. Another time I'll explain about it in more detail and give you some products that will catch the blood while your on your period."

"Okay mersi Mamă!"

"You're welcome Reina. I love you very much." I kissed her cheek and got off her bed. I patted down her cover and let her be.

When I was out of her room, I slid down the door like a calm wave. I was so happy that this chat went well and I think she understood everything.

But now I got to think carefully of what I say next, because one wrong word could produce disastrous results. So best I ask someone for advice on what to do.

I sighed with relief and went back downstairs to watch Spiderman with Raiden.

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

I felt really bad for Reina cuz she legit thought she was gonna die 😅😅😂😂