**YEE YEE MOTHER FUCKERS THE TIME HAS ARRIVED. MOMMA WILL NOT DISAPPOINT SO BUCKLE UP BITCHES!**

Roxie's Outfit: 

Roxie's POV

My heart ached painfully in my chest. How long had the locket and letter been sitting there waiting for me? And how had it gotten there? It took me a few tries to get the clasp undone before I could get the necklace on. It fell a few inches below my clavicle, perfectly in line with my heart.

I wiped away the snot that had started to drip from my nose with the back of my hand, not caring how gross the action was. Grabbing the two pictures in my hand, I felt my heart lurch in my chest at the sound of a knock on the door. Without waiting for a response, the door cracked open as someone peeked their head in.

I didn't bother to even turn and find out who it was, I just wanted to be alone.

"Roxie?" came the voice of the one person I wanted to see the least right now, even despite my father's betrayal.

God, his voice still gives me chills.

"When did you get in? We saw your luggage in the great room and figured you were here somewhere. What're you doing on the floor?" Jedrek inquired, his tone turning worrisome as he wandered further into the room. I couldn't bring myself to reply. I just felt too weak from the numerous different emotions running through my head.

"Oh, Roxanne! There you are! Why didn't you tell us you were here?" my father's voice called as he entered the room as well. His chipper voice only served to reignite the fire in my body from earlier that I'd smothered. I shakily stood to my feet before whipping around, my fist pressing against my stomach that was rolling with nausea.

"Roxie? What in the world-" he started, but I immediately cut him off.

"How could you?" I spat. "I showed up at our home expecting to find you, only to look like a complete fool when some random dude answered the door. How could you fucking sell our home out from under me without even telling me?" I yelled, my voice hoarse from the tears that just kept coming. I could tell that he was blindsided by my hurt and my anger, but what did he fucking expect?

"Roxanne, you have to understand," he tried once again, actually making an attempt to justify what he'd done.

"I don't have to understand anything! That place was the only piece I had left of mom and you just tossed it aside like it was nothing! Like she and I were nothing!" I screamed, my voice breaking halfway through my verbal lashing. I could see how tense Jedrek's body had become in my peripheral vision, but I still hadn't really looked at him. If I did that right now, I would be done for.

"You didn't tell her?" Jedrek suddenly hissed at my father, squaring off with him. What the hell is going on?

"Jedrek, look-"

"You told everyone that she was fine with the decision. That she was the one who pressured you into finally selling it. That she wanted you to move on," he snapped, stepping closer and closer to my father who only shrunk away like a coward.

"Sandra didn't like the house still being in the family. She said it made her feel like I was only partially committed to our marriage," my dad floundered meekly.

Grabbing the letter off the bed, I turned and made my way to the ensuite bathroom and locking myself in. I couldn't stand to look at that pathetic man for another second. Resting my back against the door, I slid down the wood material before resting against the cold marble flooring.

I ignored the multiple screaming voices coming from the bedroom as I tore the letter, which I'd realized was addressed to me, open.

To my beloved daughter,

The day you were born was the greatest day of my whole life. The first time I ever got to hold you in my arms, I knew I would do anything for you. You were, and still are, my pride and joy. Being your mother was my greatest accomplishment in life. Your father wanted to name you after his mother, but I just knew that name wouldn't do you justice. I knew that Roxanne was the perfect name for you. It means 'dawn of day' or 'light'. That's exactly what you were, my sweet girl. You were my light. Even now that I've grown too ill to leave my bed, I never see you without a smile on your beautiful face. It's the only thing that lessens my pain.

I feel that my days are very limited now. I'm not scared to pass anymore. I know you and your father will find comfort in one another and will look after each other as I would've done. When I'm gone, do not worry. I will always be watching over you. My spirit will always be with you. I want you to wear my necklace so you never forget that.

I love you with all my heart, My Light.

Love always and forever, Mom xx

The letter made me feel more uncertain than I ever had in my entire life. After she left, everything turned to shambles. She was the glue that held our family together, we were nothing without her.

I tilted my head back towards the ceiling. "Mommy," I whispered through my tears, wishing I could somehow summon her back. "I need you so much right now. Everything is so screwed up. I don't even know who dad is anymore. I just wish you were here," I sobbed, grasping the locket so tightly the garnet dug into my skin and left a mark. Pushing myself away from the door, I slowly slid the rest of the way onto the floor and curled into a fetal position. I let the hard ground's coolness seep into my skin. The adrenaline in my body began to fade, allowing the alcohol to take back control of my mind and brain, lulling me into a deep, dreamless sleep.

**

I awoke feeling like I'd been run over by a truck that then decided to back up over my body and then run me over once again.

In other words, I felt fan-fucking-tastic.

Sitting up, I realized that I was no longer on the floor of the bathroom, but rather under the covers in the bed.

Someone must've carried me here...

I shook the thought away, not wanting to entertain it further for the sake of my mental wellbeing. I pushed the covers back and lifted myself out of bed. I groggily limped towards the bathroom, the harsh light of the setting sun coming through the window and causing me to wince and my head to pound. Grasping the edge of the bathroom counter in my hands, I hung my head. It felt like it was about to explode. Finally glancing up at my reflection, I was horrified by what I saw. My eyes were bright red and puffy from crying myself to sleep and there were deep purple bags under my eyes. My hair was an absolute rats nests that I probably couldn't run my fingers through even if I were as careful as possible. I was also able to smell the leftover alcohol seeping from my pores.

Quickly glancing at the time on my phone, I realized that it was just about time for dinner and that I would be expected to join. I definitely need to rinse off in the shower. There's no way I can go down there and face them all looking like this I thought before stripping naked and stepping into the shower.

"What the fuck?" I spoke out loud while staring at the controls. "Is this a goddamn spaceship?" I hissed while pressing a few random buttons. Suddenly, a shot of ice-cold water came rushing out of the showerhead, causing me to shriek loudly and jump into the farthest corner of the bathroom.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck! Off, you stupid piece of shit! OFF!" I yelled while shivering from the arctic spray. I blindly started smacking at the control system as my teeth chattered from being under the water. When the whole system powered down, I released a sigh of relief before pushing my sopping wet hair out of my face.

Fuck it. I'll just squirt myself with their ritzy ass room spray and hope no one notices.

Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my body and hair. I dried myself off just enough to where I could slip on a new set of clothes without difficulty. I tried - and failed - to finger comb the wet knots out of my hair, giving up a few seconds later and just doing up my long locks in a messy braid. I was still shivering from the cold shower and too-low setting they kept the A.C. on. I picked up a bra but scrunched my nose before throwing it back in my bag. I slipped on a comfy tank top, my favorite pair of joggers, and the chunky-knit cardigan I'd been smart enough to pack as a 'just-in-case' item instead. I checked and made sure my necklace was out and displayed proudly against my skin when I was done dressing. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms in an attempt to dethaw my body before grabbing my cell phone and exiting the room.

The house looked a lot different now that I was clear-minded. Still fucking hated the place.

I wandered long enough until I finally found the entrance to whatever room everyone was in if the noise inside was anything to go by. Opening the door, everyone in the room stopped to look at me. And by everyone, I meant the ridiculous amount of staff that this dumbass family apparently needed to employ.

"Miss Robinson, how are you?" a man with a pompous chef hat and stupid looking mustache asked, pausing his activity of cutting vegetables to give me his attention.

"I'm just fine, how are you?" I asked back, my tone friendly.

"I'm doing well. Will you be joining the Spaldings for dinner?" he asked. I couldn't help but notice that while I was still referred to by my family name, my father had been lumped in with the Spaldings.

"I suppose it's about that time, isn't it?" I asked, smiling politely.

"Yes, ma'am," he murmured in reply.

"Well, shit," I cursed, "are they all in there?" I asked while jerking my head towards the door to my right.

"Yes, ma'am," he repeated. I sighed deeply, watching as all the workers around me tried to hide their smirks - obviously knowing why I was sporting a look of disdain.

"I have a question for you three," I said while looking pointedly at the small group of younger girls that were assisting the main chef. They looked to be around my age, maybe a little younger.

"Yes?" they all asked at the same time, wearing similar looks of confusion.

"If you were a guy - and I was your ex - and you were marrying my bitch of a step-sister that you left me for, would you feel a little regretful seeing me like this for the first time in four years?" I asked, not at all trying to make my question subliminal. Half the people in the room made a noise of surprise, the other half snorted with laughter.

"With those tits and that complexion, you bet your ass I would," one girl answered confidently. I laughed before sending her a grateful smile.

"That's exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you," I murmured before turning, squaring my shoulders, and entering the room I desperately didn't want to enter.

"Ah, sleeping beauty finally awakens," Sandra spoke, disguising the remark as playful but I could see she intended it as anything but.

"I know you were probably just crushed that the first thing I did when I arrived wasn't come and grace you with my presence, Sandra," I sighed dramatically. Waylon, who was sitting catty-corner to me, tried to smother his laughter with his hand, but he failed miserably. When Sandra glared daggers at him with her eyes, he tried to cover it up with a cough, however, none of us were buying it.

I let my body relax into the surprisingly comfortable dining chair, taking notice of how many people were seated at the large table.

Eight. There were eight people not including me. From a brief glance, I could tell that it was my father and Sandra at the head with Jedrek (who I still hadn't even looked in the eyes since arriving) to the left, then Tori was next to him - was it sad that I knew who he was just by the look of his hands? I was purposely seated at the opposite end of the table from my dad and Sandra - which was as far away from Jedrek as they could get me because that wasn't painfully obvious - with Waylon to my left. Jedrek's parents were sat across from Tori and Jedrek.

They couldn't have made this any more awkward for me if they tried I grumbled to myself in my head.

I was saved from the awkward silence I knew was going to ensue when the staff entered the room with trays of food.

Aaaand I spoke too soon. They could make it more awkward for me I thought as I saw the elaborate steak dish they just had to serve. I'd bet all my money that Sandra and Tori sat down and planned every last detail of this dinner out to make me feel as unwelcome as possible. I took a few bites of the side salad that came with it, avoiding the meat completely.

"What's the matter, dear? Is the meal not up to your standards?" Sandra asked, causing both her and Tori to snicker. I gritted my teeth as everyone stopped and turned to look at me, now clearly seeing that I was just pushing the steak around my plate.

"She doesn't like red meat," Jedrek answered for me, his tone hard with a hint of annoyance that I could tell was aimed at Sandra. "Which is why I suggested we have chicken instead," he added with a sideways glare at Tori.

"It's, uh, it's fine. You don't need to make special arrangements for me. I'll live," I murmured before clearing my throat. The tension in the room had grown tenfold due to Jedrek's comment, something that had clearly pissed off not only Tori and Sandra but also his own mother.

"Still huh? I thought you'd grown out of that," my father added, clearly trying to avert the conversation for the sake of his fuming wife next to him. I just scoffed quietly to myself before looking down at my plate and rolling my eyes. Maybe if you would've picked up the phone sometime in the last four years, you would've known that I didn't 'just grow out of it'.

But, then again, a relationship is a two-way street, I guess.

"So, Roxie, how's life been treating you? Where have you been?" Jedrek's dad, Colton, asked me with a kind smile. I'd always loved the man. He treated me like I was one of his own the entire time I'd known him and always encouraged me to follow my dreams - unlike many others in my life.

"It's been a good number of ups and downs. When I left I started out in Kansas at a barbeque joint, but then I ended up in Chicago - which is where I still am," I answered, intentionally keeping out where I'd been working, how I'd been fired, and what my current occupation was. These bitches would have a fucking heyday with that information.

"So what is it you're doing now," Tori asked, eyeing me pointedly. Waylon cleared his throat uncomfortably, catching my eye as he gave me a knowing look. He's the only one who'll know if I'm lying, and I don't give a flying fuck about his opinion.

"I'm an...assistant of sorts to a pretty well-off businessman," I responded cryptically. Not entirely a lie. That one deserves a pat on the back. Waylon choked on the water he was drinking, drawing all the attention in the room back onto him.

"You alright, son?" Colton asked while everyone else at the table gave him a skeptical look. I tried to hide my face, but I could tell by the way Jedrek was popping his knuckles and rubbing at his wrists that he didn't believe me for one second - and was probably well aware that his brother knew more than he was letting on.

This was just not going to end well.