The Mehntaa Legacy: Chapter 3.2

Slide 1: 

No, you haven’t gone crazy. No, you aren’t dreaming. Yes, this is real. But I totally understand your surprise. No one is more surprised than me! A new chapter of The Mehntaa Legacy! Never thought I’d live to see the day. But I guess I should probably shut up now and let you get to the chapter, huh? First a recap, because if I can barely remember what happened last time I hardly expect you to!

Slide 2: 

First of all, if you’ve never read a TML chapter before, now would be a great time to start. Run off and do that now or you’ll be even more confused. So last chapter, the Mehntaas moved to Forever’s End. Demi and Jun were adorable as usual, Lei and Leo got married. Both couples had babies, Demi gave birth to Rhiannon and Lei to Ransom. The kids were also cute and pledged to be friends forever. But drama struck, as it tends to, with a mysterious man. There was also a perky blonde girl who forced a kiss on Leo, which Lei saw and she freaked. Things kind of went downhill from there, to say the least. When we last left off Lei was on the brink of a mental breakdown and the others weren’t doing much better. Fun times. Now on with the show!

Slide 4: 

Even as a child, Lei had always dreaded the sound of an alarm begging her to wake up. At first it had just been a natural laziness, a love for the comfy feeling of the soft mattress beneath her and the warm blankets above her; and once she grew older, the loving husband beside her. But now she didn’t care much for those things. What she relished was the sweet nothingness of sleep. When her eyes were closed and her mind could just shut down. Those were the moments when Lei found peace.

Slide 5: 

Just like every other day, after a few seconds of the annoying beeeep of the alarm she forced herself awake. And just like every other morning, her first instinct was to reach towards the other side of the bed for her husband. A nauseating wave of realization crashed over her as she fully regained consciousness. Leo wasn’t there. She swung her legs to the floor and angrily blinked back tears. He deserves it, Lei, she thought to herself. Remember what he did to you. Remember.

Slide 6: 

Lei smashed her hand into the noisy clock, which immediately silenced. It was starting to dent a bit, she noticed.

Slide 7: 

As she walked towards the door, Lei hesitated by the mirror. She had never cared much about her appearance before. What had it mattered if she was pretty or not? But now he couldn’t help it. Was she ugly? Was that why Leo had cheated on her with that pretty blonde girl? What if he couldn’t stand the sight of her purple skin? What if she was too fat? What if she was too tomboyish?

Slide 8: 

She brushed the thought aside and walked out the door. It didn’t matter anymore. Nothing did. What had happened had happened, and there was no going back in time to change anything.

Slide 9: 

“Hi sweetheart,” Diistan chirped as she entered the kitchen. “Good morning,” Jenna said in a more natural tone. “Why don’t you sit down, the others will be down for breakfast in a bit.”

Slide 10: 

“Mom, what are you wearing?” Lei asked, half laughing. Her parents looked like some kind of costume party gone wrong. “And what’s up with Dad’s hair?” Jenna giggled. “Your father thinks these bad times are because we’ve displeased the Mehntaans somehow. So he decided to revert back to their customs and clothing to regain favor. And I’ve joined him.”

Slide 11: 

“That’s stupid,” Lei said. Her half smile had turned into a frown at the mention of the ‘bad times’. “It’s all in good fun, honey.” Jenna changed the subject with a wave of her hand. “Do you want an omelette?”

Slide 12: 

“No, Mom!” Lei snapped. “Can’t we just focus on the fact that you’re wearing a bathrobe and Lin’s old costume jewelry for no good reason other than another of Dad’s crazy ideas? Why do you let Dad boss you around like this?”

Slide 13: 

“Lei,” Jenna began in a warning tone. But her daughter would have none of it.

Slide 14: 

“Don’t ‘Lei’ me. You don’t have to do what Dad says, this is a free country and we’re beyond this. Women have just as many rights as men. For all you know he’s got a dozen other, younger girls lined up behind your back--”

Slide 15: 

“Stop it!” Jenna almost shouted. “Lei, I know you’re hurting. We all are. But--”

Slide 16: 

“No Mom, we aren’t all hurting. Why would you possibly be hurting? You have the perfect life, playing dress up and make believe as if--”

Slide 17: 

“This is ridiculous,” Jenna interrupted. At the table, Diistan hummed an old Mehtaan tune to himself and tried his best to ignore the fact that his family was falling apart around him. “This is ridiculous,” Jenna repeated. “Lei, please just--”

Slide 18: 

“You’ve got that right, Mom,” Lei laughed bitterly. “This is ridiculous. This is all completely ridiculous.” With that she spun around and stormed back into her room, slamming the door behind her.

Slide 19: 

Lei crumpled into a pile by the door, lips trembling slightly. She knew she was acting childish. Even as a kid she had never acted this immature. But she was beyond caring. Everything around her and inside her was falling to pieces and there was nothing she could do about it. It was out of her control now.

Slide 20: 

For the first time, Lei realized how much she hated herself. In her broken thoughts she didn’t even notice the change between blaming Leo and blaming herself. It’s all my fault, she thought. I started this. It’s my fault everyone else is miserable.

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If I started this maybe I can stop it. I can end this. Her face hardened into her typical resolute expression and she jumped up from the floor.

Slide 22: 

She threw open the closet and starting throwing clothes on the bed. She was about to go looking for her suitcase when her son burst in.

Slide 23: 

“The school bus is almost here,” Ransom said as he threw his arms around his mother. “So I came to say goodbye!” “Bye,” Lei whispered. She purposefully hadn’t thought about having to leave her son. Her heart broke at the idea, but she told herself it was for his good. Things would be so much better for him without his stupid mother around.

Slide 24: 

“I love you, Ransom,” she told him. “Never forget that.” “I love you too, Mommy,” he giggled. “Can I go now before I miss the bus?” “Just one more hug.”

Slide 25: 

He eagerly reached out to her, and she clung to her son for as long as she could. -----

Slide 26: 

Leo had just finished breakfast and was on his way to get ready for work when he happened to glance out the window. For a second, he didn’t pay much attention to the taxi pulling up. Then he saw the figure waiting for it.

Slide 27: 

“Lei!” he shouted, grabbing her arm and yanking her away from the cab after practically flying out of the house. “Leave me alone,” his wife snapped at him.

Slide 28: 

“What are you doing?!” he tried his best to keep his voice even but failed. “What does it look like I’m doing?” Lei answered with a little laugh.

Slide 29: 

“You can’t do this,” Leo told her angrily. She just gave that little laugh again. “You can’t tell me what to do or not do. I’m not a kid. I’ll do whatever I want.”

Slide 30: 

“Lei, please think for a moment,” Leo had lost his patience for this game long ago. “You can’t just run away from all your problems. That doesn’t solve anything. It just--”

Slide 31: 

“Oh geez, Leo, chill,” Lei giggled. “It’s no big deal.” “No big deal?” Leo repeated incredulously. What was wrong with her?!

Slide 32: 

Lei giggled again, and for the first time in ages Leo let himself look his wife and really see her. Her eyes, those amazing green eyes he had first fallen in love with, were glazed over. Emotionless. Her mouth was frozen in a smile, lips parted to let that crazy laugh out. This wasn’t the Lei he remembered. When had everything gone so terribly wrong? It seemed like so long ago that they had been a family, happy together. Just him, Lei, and Ransom. Ransom!

Slide 33: 

“What about Ransom?” he asked, once again angry. “I thought you said that he needed two parents.”

Slide 34: 

“Yeah, I guess I did say that.” She didn’t even blink at her son’s name. “I was wrong. He doesn’t need two parents, not two parents like us. We’re broken, Leo. He’s better off with no one than both of us.”

Slide 35: 

That strange, detached look was still masking her face. In a moment of frustration, Leo’s fist flew up. He had only meant to pound it into his own hand, but Lei flinched.

Slide 36: 

It took Leo off guard. It scared him that she would believe he would actually hit her. In that moment of surprise, Lei was temporarily freed from whatever insanity had taken over her.

Slide 37: 

Before Leo could quite realize what was happening, her hands were wrapped around him.

Slide 38: 

She pulled him close. Leo could feel the beating of her heart, thumping at what seemed like completely the wrong intervals. He was paralyzed, completely confused as to what was happening.

Slide 39: 

“I love you,” she whispered. Leo could barely hear her. Maybe he had just imagined it.

Slide 42: 

Leo couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t possibly have heard right. He was imagining it all. He had finally gone crazy, as crazy as Lei.

Slide 43: 

Lei seized the moment and quickly jumped into the waiting cab.

Slide 44: 

The inner confusion took hold of her again and she watched, smiling, as her home and family disappeared from view. -----

Slide 45: 

Telling the others was one of the worst things Leo had ever had to do. They were all furious at him, as though it was somehow his fault. Then again, had every reason to be angry with him. He could have stopped her. Even if he’d had to tie her up and lock her in the house, he could have stopped her.

Slide 46: 

He couldn’t even make out what they were saying. Their shouts had dimmed into a monotone buzz.

Slide 47: 

He saw their mouths moving, but no sound reached his ears.

Slide 48: 

Leo could tell that they weren’t necessarily upset with him, just frustrated with the situation in general.

Slide 49: 

But that little voice deep inside was still screaming at him. It’s all your fault! All your fault! Your fault!

Slide 50: 

“Maybe we’ll find her,” Diistan said at last, taking control in the situation. But if he really believed that he wouldn’t have said maybe. -----

Slide 51: 

Meanwhile, the two children sat quietly on the steps, listening to the angry shouts from the adults.

Slide 52: 

“Don’t worry, Ransom,” Rhiannon told him. “They’ll find your mommy, you’ll see. Then she’ll come home.”

Slide 53: 

“Of course she’ll come home,” Ransom said, looking at her strangely. “She’s just at work, like always. She’ll be back at six. You know that.” Rhiannon just stared at her cousin, unsure what to think. -----

Slide 54: 

“Ransom! Why aren’t you asleep yet? Lights out is at eight on school days!”

Slide 55: 

“I’m waiting for Mommy to tuck me in,” the little boy answered matter of factly. “I’m pretty sure your mother isn’t coming home tonight,” Leo said gently.

Slide 56: 

“She’s just working late, Dad,” Ransom sighed with childish frustration. Leo frowned. “I can tuck you in if you want.”

Slide 57: 

“It’s Mommy’s night,” Ransom said. “I’ll wait for her.” -----

Slide 58: 

The next day, Rhiannon had just come out of the bathroom with her two friends, Hannah and Dolores, when Hannah stopped and began giggling.

Slide 59: 

“Look who got sent to the principal’s office!” She laughed, pointing.

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Rhiannon followed her gaze. There, waiting to go into the office, was Ransom.

Slide 61: 

Hannah was still laughing. “It’s about time. That freak is so weird. I hope they expel him for being too creepy.”

Slide 62: 

“Freak?” Rhiannon repeated. She had never actually heard anyone call someone that before. Her parents had done their best to shelter her from that kind of prejudice.

Slide 63: 

“Yeah, freak. He’s always going on about how awesome insects are and how he wants to be a bugologist or something when he’s older. Then today he kept talking about his Mommy in math class. It’s so weird.” Hannah paused to take a breath, then looked at Rhiannon. “Hey, you have that funny purple skin like he does. Are you related or something?”

Slide 64: 

“Yeah, he’s my cousin,” Rhiannon snapped. “And you better shut up about him because he’s my very best friend.”

Slide 65: 

“Geez, sorry,” Hannah said, not sounding very sorry. “I’m sorry you’re related to him, too. It must be terrible having such crazy relatives.”

Slide 66: 

“I told you to shut up.”

Slide 67: 

“Or what?” Hannah said in mock fear. “You and your army of weirdos will shut me up?”

Slide 68: 

“No, just me,” Rhiannon spat as she reached out and shove the other girl as hard as she could.

Slide 69: 

Hannah shrieked as she slammed into the wall.

Slide 70: 

“Rhiannon, what’s your problem?” she squeaked.

Slide 71: 

“You’re my problem, and I really hope I just got rid of it.”

Slide 72: 

“I’m going to tell Mrs. Floyd!” Hannah cried.

Slide 73: 

“And I’m never speaking to you again! Ever!” she called back over her shoulder as she ran away.

Slide 74: 

“Good riddance.”

Slide 75: 

Rhiannon crossed the hall and flopped down beside Ransom. “Hey.”

Slide 76: 

“That was so cool!” Ransom exclaimed, grinning at her. “Really?”

Slide 77: 

“Yeah!” he said. “You do realize that now Hannah will make sure you’re a loser like me, right?” “I don’t care,” she said. “I’d rather be a loser than be friends with the likes of her.”

Slide 78: 

“But enough about me, why are you here?” “Mr. Hemingway sent me to the principal’s office.”

Slide 79: 

“Yeah, but why?” “Oh. I guess I sort of fell asleep in his class,” He saw the look his cousin was giving him. “But only for a little bit, I swear!”

Slide 80: 

“Didn’t you go to bed at lights out last night?” Rhiannon asked. They’d never had this problem before. “Not exactly.”

Slide 81: 

“I was waiting for Mommy to come tuck me in!” He explained. “Ransom...” she gave him a long look before finally giving up.

Slide 82: 

“I need to get to class. See you at lunch.” -----

Slide 83: 

Later that evening, Rhiannon walked into Ransom’s bedroom. She was going to ask him about their geography homework, but instead she found him tapping away at his computer.

Slide 84: 

“Wow, Ransom, did you finish your homework already?” “Nah, I’m busy. I’m writing down all that’s happening, so when Mom gets back from her business trip, she can read it and be all caught up on what she missed.”

Slide 85: 

“Business trip?” Rhiannon repeated, with a concerned edge in her voice. “She’s not on a business trip, Ransom.” “Sure she is. Hey, can you do my homework for me so I can finish this up?” Rhiannon bit her lip. If he didn’t have homework to turn in tomorrow, he’d get in trouble again. “I guess, just today.” “Great! It’s in my backpack.”

Slide 86: 

Rhiannon turned to leave but paused. “Ransom? We’re still friends forever, right?” “Uh huh,” he said, obviously distracted. Rhiannon sighed. She wished things could be like before, when they were younger. Everything had been so nice back then. -----

Slide 87: 

Lei had just arrived at the address when an elderly man came running out to greet her. “Hello, you must be Lei!” he crowed as he hugged her. Lei squirmed in his tight grip. “Yep, that’s me,” she said. “You must be the landlord, Mr. Hamilton.”

Slide 88: 

“Craig! Call me Craig!” the old man practically yelled. Lei tried to match his enthusiasm. “Okay! Craig!”

Slide 89: 

“Yes!” Craig seemed to irradiate childish glee. Lei couldn’t help but grin. “Come in, come in! Your roommate is just dying to meet you!”

Slide 90: 

As she stepped through the door, she caught her reflection in the mirror out of the corner of her eye. She almost didn’t recognize herself now that she wasn’t purple. Her skin had changed a few hours after leaving the house, just like her sisters’. It made the tranformation to a “new” Lei so much easier, and she knew it would be harder for her family to find her now.

Slide 91: 

She snapped back into reality. Craig was talking to a pretty blonde girl. Lei shuddered slightly at the word ‘blonde’. Some things she could never forget.

Slide 92: 

“Hi Lei, I’m Violet,” the girl was saying. “Welcome to Umbrella Beach Apartments!” “Thanks,” Lei smiled.

Slide 93: 

“Our apartment is on the third floor,” Violet said. “All the neighbors are amazing, I’m sure you’ll love it.” Lei nodded eagerly. “I’m sure I will. This looks like a lovely place.”

Slide 94: 

“It is,” Violet said. “Except for maybe the family on the sixth floor, they’re kind of weird. Their friends are always over, and they like to sing really loudly, and their son has a girl’s name. But other than that, everyone is pretty normal.” “Great,” said Lei, who was trying her best to keep up with the talkative girl.

Slide 95: 

“So why did you move all the way out here anyway?” Violet suddenly asked. “Most people stick around the center of town.” “Long story,” Lei casually brushed the question aside. She had finally escaped her past, and she had no desire to revisit that anytime soon. “Um, do we have any rules for our apartment?”

Slide 96: 

Violet eagerly started babbling something about parties and boyfriends and laundry and ice cream sundaes. Lei laughed with her, surprised at how natural this all seemed. She could get used to this.

Slide 97: 

For the first time in a long time, Lei felt happy.

Slide 98: 

Bbittersweet ending to a bittersweet chapter in a bittersweet generation. I’m sad to say it’s going to be a bit heavy on the bitter. I hope you enjoyed, don’t forget to comment and tell me what you think!