Untouchable

Chapter 1: Convergence

Original work was inspired and written as a fanfiction, but has since been rewritten and heavily edited. Many thanks to my fanfiction editors MsWDarcy, twicrack83, MarchHare5, and nowforruin. What you are about to read is my own original work. 

Copyright 2014 © ElspethGordie

Warning: Adult themes and violence in later chapters. Please be warned now if you have any triggers. This story does deal with very serious matters, of which are not meant to be taken lightly or as entertainment but as an honest situation many women have to deal with. Healing, strength, friendship, and family are the core of this story. If you have ever experienced what Cate has, I encourage you to seek the support and help of your family, friends, and professionals. 

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Chapter One: Convergence

It's raining. Ack, of course it's raining. I travel all the way from the rainiest part of the continential US, to the sunniest and I bring the rain with me.

Well, some say that the weather is a reflection of your mood. And the torrents of rain pounding the pavement outside the Phoenix airport was definitely reflecting my mood. My unbelievably chipper and joyous mood. Crap.

The airport was the same, gray dusky carpet with green stripes, and taupe textured walls, with easily read signs for terminals A-D, bathrooms, and baggage pick-up. I looked around to see the scurrying horde buying cheap airport trinkets, trashy romance novels, and slightly burnt greasy food. Ugh, I think I'm going to vomit.

I frantically looked for the nearest bathroom, hoping I would make it in time. Forcing myself to focus, I slowly breathed through my nose, slightly subduing the nausea, though it wouldn't last long. I'd been fighting the nausea since I got on the plane in Seattle.

I slowly reassessed my location. To the right was the way to the baggage claim I would need to remember that. Directly behind was the terminal where I escaped from that claustrophobic plane. How have I not puked yet? To the left, obscured by the airport cleaning staff, was the bathroom.

I ran.

Pushing by a young janitor, ignoring her neon yellow sign that declared the bathroom closed, I dove into the ladies room. I grabbed the first stall and revisited my breakfast, and the cute little pretzels I had on the long flight. I'm never eating pretzels again.

My friends thought that I was moving in with my dad in Phoenix to get away from my mom and her newest boy-toy. Now, don't get me wrong—I love my mom. It's been me and her for as long as I can remember. The best days of my life were spent with her, making something out of the nothing that was our podunk town.

Last spring we orchestrated the biggest town wide Easter egg hunt. People think that you get sick on candy at Halloween, but they've never seen Mom organize a "spring-renewal" festival. Or her save the redwood tree fundraiser. I've dressed up like a giant redwood tree for more years than I can remember. That costume's a boy-magnet, let me tell you. But she'd always sit and listen when I had a bad day, or pull out the peanut butter chocolate chunk ice cream to make me feel better. Nothing is better than peanut butter chocolate chunk ice cream.

No, I was here of my own accord.

Now, Mom has had her share of boyfriends since the divorce but she never flaunted them at me. Honestly, I'm hoped that the town bought the reason for my escape, but then again Mom was always exceedingly persuasive.

No, I was here, not because of Mom or her newest "friend" but to save her from humiliation.  And maybe for me too.  She was ashamed of me, and I couldn't put her through that anymore. She said she didn't blame me, but I knew it was only a half-truth.