Chapter 2 - Impact and Arrival
By the time Steve arrived back with Tracy, two and a half hours had passed thanks to lousy traffic there and back. But he and Tracy had chatted for that time though it had been more than a little awkward. He'd asked if prison had changed her ways and all she said was that that was the last she committed murder but she woudn't change for anyone. Steve had commented that he'd kind of figured that. She asked about Amy and so Steve commented that she was growing up, with an uncomfortable look on his face which made Tracy laugh.
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Amy finally got out of bed two hours later and just sat on the side, her legs hanging off, looking at the picture of her mother on the bedside table. She didn't know what to think about the fact her mother was returning. Part of her couldn't wait but part of her was quite defensive considering her mother had just come out of prison but Amy was quite sure her mother wouldn't hurt her. Or would she?
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Steve and Tracy both sat down in a booth at the Rovers with Tracy's things lying about. She was nursing an orange juice looking nervous. Steve knew that she was worried about seeing Amy. He was nervous about the introduction.
Amy had been to see Tracy in prison a few times when she was younger but she had stopped going after she was 11. She took calls from Tracy as well up to that age but they stopped once Amy hit high school and decided that if she couldn't see her mother or talk to her full time then she would do neither at all. Steve knew it had been a hard decision for her.
Yet here her mother was ready to meet her daughter.
Steve stood up. "I'll go and get her." and he headed upstairs where he found his daughter's door ajar which meant she was up and dressed. He knocked and heard her mutter. "Come in."
He walked in only to find she was still in her pyjamas. Her pyjamas consisted of grey pants and a white strappy top. Her hair was a mess and she looked worried.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?" he asked sitting next to her on the bed.
She shook her head and put her arms around him in need of comfort. He put his arms around her and rocked from side to side gently.
"What's wrong?"
"Mum's here isn't she? She's back from prison today."
Steve nodded.
"Yeah. Look honey if you're not ready to meet her."
"I'm just scared Dad, I mean she's been in prison for murder."
Steve didn't know why he was about to justify what Tracy did but he had to make Amy realise she wouldn't hurt her own daughter.
"Your mum only killed that man because he treated her badly and cheated on her. I know that isn't the way to deal with that..."
"Damn right it isn't!" Amy interrupted.
"Amy!" Steve scolded. "Anyway, she did it because he had gotten someone else pregnant, made her look a fool and then had a proper affair. She was humiliated so she took revenge. your Mum's learned her lesson well and truly, she told me herself she has no plans of returning to prison. I think this fifteen years has made her realise what's really important. She's been let out for good behaviour, doesn't that tell you something Amy? If your mum was some kind of serial killer don't you think she would have behaved badly in prison?"
Amy looked thoughtful. Then she stood up.
"Okay...I'll give her a chance to be my mum again. But if she ever does anything like this again..."
Steve stood up. "She won't. Amy, I promise you, she won't."
