Ida Mongillo:

Don't forget dinner tomorrow!

I'm excited to see, Tae.

"Viv, did you hear me?" Jimin says placing a hand on my shoulder startling me.

I look up from my phone and he's standing behind the couch looking down at me concerned.

"Everything okay?"

"Uh, yeah," I say and lock my phone. "I didn't hear what you said, sorry."

"Nah, it's fine, I was just saying we should go out for wings and beer tonight," a soft smile spreads across his lips and I find myself smiling back.

"Sure, that sounds good," I say standing from the couch, but my phone dings causing me to frown when I read the message.

Ida Mongillo:

And you of course.

"Who's texting and upsetting you?"

"My mom," I sigh out and debate what I'll say back to her.

Everything's fresh, she doesn't know Tae and I have broken up. It's barely been a week, what am I supposed to do? She doesn't really want to see me, she wants to see Tae. What if this sets her off? I don't know if I can handle her badgering me on top of everything else that's been going on.

"Hey...relax, Viv," Jimin is standing in front of me speaking in a low soothing tone.

I hadn't even realized I was clenching my phone until his soft hand unfurls my fingers from around it.

"Does she need something?"

"I was supposed to see her tomorrow with Tae..." my vision starts to blur as I fight the tears from falling. "But I'm not with Tae anymore and I can't go see her alone, but also I can't not go see her. But then-"

"I'll go with you," he says interrupting my rant.

"I can't ask you to go with me, Jiminie. You saw her last time and I don't know how she's gonna take this news."

"I think that's exactly why I should go. You won't be alone and I've already seen how your mom gets. I'll be able to handle it," he takes my hand in his and gently strokes his thumb along my knuckles.

I wanna say no, I don't want him to have to deal with more of my issues. But the thought of going on my own has me nodding in agreement despite myself. He's been here this whole week without a single complaint, sleeping on the couch with the damn scratchy blanket, but he's always so cheerful.

"Thanks, Jimin," I say softly and he flashes me a bright smile, his eyes crinkling closed as he leans in to give me a hug.

"Anything for you, Viv. Let's go get some wings," he gently tugs my hand and pulls me out of the house with him.

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"Where's Taehyung?" her mom greets as soon as she answers the door.

Viv visibly tenses beside me and I take her hand in mine giving it a soft squeeze.

"I decided to come this time," I speak up seeing how nervous Viv has gotten.

"Well, it's always a pleasure seeing you, Jimin sweetie. Come in, come in," she steps to the side and waves her hand ushering us into the house.

"I brought your favorite mom," Viv says meekly handing her the pineapple upside-down cake she ordered especially for today.

"I don't eat this anymore, too much sugar. I'll just give it to the neighbor later," she takes the cake and leaves it on the table by the front door.

Viv's shoulders drop and I watch as she forces a fake smile.

"If you don't mind Mrs. Mongillo, I'll take it if you don't want it. I love cake."

"Sure, anything you like, sweetie," she turns to walk down the hallway into the kitchen.

Viv mouths thank you to me and I give her a curt nod before we follow along. Dinner seems to be going fine, her mother apologizes for her behavior last time and says her new medication is working wonderfully. Mrs. Mongillo spends most of the time talking about herself and then plans she has for the future. But towards the end, it's gone back to Viv and Tae.

"Why isn't Tae here this time? Did you fight again like you did on Christmas?"

Viv has stopped eating and her fist is clenched so tightly in her lap I can see her knuckles turning white. I quickly take her hand and unfurl her hand trying to reassure her that everything will be okay.

With a deep breath, I watch as Viv sits up in her chair and squares her shoulders as she looks her mom in the eyes.

"We have broken up."

Her mom lets out a big dramatic sigh.

"Oh gosh, Aviva. It was only a matter of time before he left you. A man like that wouldn't always put up with your attitude and stubbornness."

"Actually, mom, I left him," she spits out. Her mom scoffs with a shake of her head.

"You know a man like that doesn't come around often, Aviva. What are you going to do now? You're not getting any younger and he was your chance at a happy family."

"He was cheating on me, mom!" Viv raises her voice and squeezes my hand.

"Oh gosh, Aviva honey, how did you let it get that far? Why were you not taking care of him? This isn't even the first time you have been cheated on, maybe you should start taking accountability for the things you do that causes them to look for something else," her mom keeps talking, not giving Viv a chance to speak back, and I watch as Viv becomes smaller and smaller as her mom berates her.

I feel the fire in my veins, her mom doesn't even care that she's hurting Viv or that I'm here to witness it. I refuse to bite my tongue and let this go on. I let go of Viv's hand and slam both of mine on the table.

"Enough! Taehyung did not ever deserve your daughter," Mrs. Mongillo stops speaking and looks at me in complete shock.

"Your daughter is smart, funny and so loving. She always gives and asks nothing in return, when she loves it's with her whole heart. She didn't cause Taehyung to cheat, his own selfishness did that. Don't sit here and attack her like she's worthless because she's not! Viv is worth all the love that she gives and even more than that!" I snap and grab Viv's hand pulling her out of the chair.

"Don't you dare leave with him, Aviva. I am your mother and you should not allow him to disrespect me in my own house," her mother stands on the other side of the table with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"I can't keep doing this, mom."

"I am your family, who will you have if not me?" she says with a smug look and I squeeze Viv's hand letting her know she won't be alone. She has me and Kookie.

"Just because you are family does not mean you are good for me. I love you, mom, but I can't keep doing this with you. You break a little piece of me every time I visit and...I just want to live and be happy mom," tears are streaming down Viv's face as she squares off with her mom.

"If you walk out that door right now, you're not welcome back," Mrs. Mongillo gives one last ultimatum and when Viv looks down at the floor she smiles thinking she has won.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, mom," she mumbles quietly but then looks back up at her mom and wipes her own tears from her face. "But it's probably for the best."

Viv pulls me along behind her as we leave the house. I make sure to grab the cake right before she slams the door and rushes to the car. She quickly gets behind the wheel and her hands shake as she tries to insert the key.

"Hey, it will be okay, Viv," I say rubbing her back and she lets out a loud sob.

"I'm not even crying because I'm sad. I'm just so angry, can you believe she wanted to blame me? I'm tired of not ever being enough in her eyes."

"You are enough, Viv, you're more than enough," I say softly and wipe her tears with the back of my finger.

"Did you mean it? What you said back there?" she looks at me with hopeful eyes.

"Every word of it, Viv. You'll be alright," I quickly reassure her, and she gives me a genuine smile.

"I think you're right," she nods taking a deep breath before starting the car and driving us back to Kookie's.

We spend the rest of the night eating our leftover wings from the night before, the cake, and watching The Witcher. Around midnight I look over and notice she's long gone in the land of sleep. I scoop her up into my arms and lay her in the bed. I drag the blanket over her and tuck a loose strand behind her ear before giving her a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Your so strong, Viv. You'll get through this."

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