Theft, assault, possession of weapon and drugs yet Kholwa Snowdrop was freed from prison after serving an eleven year prison sentence instead of the 13 to the grace of the prison's parole board.
Prison drove her rethinking a whole new perspective. Her brother, Wildflower unfailingly visiting every week, some of her sons replying to her letters and Barbie Facial smuggling in sentimental things through a bribed guard.
Kholwa and Barbie mightn't be as close as before but she was twofold better than the sons she regretted having.
Clematis for the sake of his wife, Melisa had tried patching things the first two years of Kholwa's stay in prison but both were aware they were better off not seeing each other.
The single busy artist, Chrysanthemum, found some free days in his schedule but the visits were as seldom as Daffodil's. Mazus on the other hand became well acquainted with the prison, bringing with him either his daughter or wife.
His daughter, Diascia Snowdrop was the most beautiful freckled half-Asian little angel Kholwa had ever seen. Diascia was so thoroughly loved by her that by the time Kholwa was released, she dipped her hand into her savings for a face lift by a trusting plastic surgeon before visiting the family.
No matter how beautiful Mazus family was or Ranunculus supportive figure, Kholwa couldn't escape the nightmares of prison. On some days she could barely get out of bed, pissing herself because of the heaviness of her soul.
On other days, she'd sway through life on a sleepless body daydreaming about faces that'd died, faces that'd changed.
Her most reoccurring daydream was Has To Be sleeping on his side facing her as she quietly admired his strong facial features. Or Nicolas Thomas cooing at Petal; their mischievous laughter pounding through the empty house.
A 74 year old Kholwa Snowdrop would stare out the balcony of her four bedroom Cape Cod home wondering where the time had gone. How her dreams evaporated in the presence of husbands and children chasing after a faraway dream.
Now look at her. At the end of the day, Kholwa Snowdrop was alone. The days where she could pretend her family weren't impatient or irritated or sick of her was when she'd take care of an energetic Diascia and her friends.
* * * * *
Sleepless, weak, regretful and hard-edged was how she met Clematis on the grass preened, bitternut hickory canopied trees cliff where Carson Cox was buried.
"You're lean. Eating well?" Clematis non-chalantly asked and she in turn noncommittally snorted a sound.
"How's Melisa and the kids?"
Clematis pocketed his hands in his khaki coat before answering. "Bee got her drivers licence yesterday. Rose wanted to spend the weekend with you but you were busy catering to Diascia you brushed him off."
Three feet apart and 54 years old yet Clematis never gave up his accusatory tone. Sharply whipping her ponytail head at him, Kholwa frowned.
"My door's always open. It's you and your family refusing to enter."
Clematis, unmoved by her poetic accusation briefly touched his Father's grave. "Well, see you around. Mom."
Something thin and tightly gripped snapped in Kholwa at his unbothered character, his shoulders carrying an air of aloof pugancity, footsteps snickering on fallen leaves.
"I regret having you, Clematis," cool faced, Kholwa stared when he stopped walking. "You and your brothers ruined my life, shattered my dreams while I took care of you.
"But where's my thanks? Where's the love you've clearly abandoned for me? Are you still holding a grudge because Carson and I divorced? While you got to live your life, I rot."
Like the wind, Clematis barged towards her, his mint-green cold eyes hardened to abhorrence. "I too regret meeting you, Mom" he spat to her foot, the saliva almost hitting her leg.
The image of a young Clematis hitting Mazus, spitting at him, bullying him and Ranunculus roared ferociously within her causing Kholwa to hit him heavily on the shoulder, cursing his birth and existence pushing him towards the edge of the cliff.
Her strength was pure adrenaline. What had she ever done to Clematis? Nothing but love and supportive.
"I loved you! I gave up everything for you. Gave everything to you," she held onto his collars revelling in his fear stricken face.
Bent backwards at an uncomfortable angle and monk shoes slipping on the edge of the cliff, Clematis held onto her bony shoulders, cold air fanning her face when he spoke.
"Kill all your children until only Mazus and Ranunculus is left, huh? Do you think Has To Be would marry you again?" his ugliness showed when he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"You're a crazy woman. A criminal. No way Has To Be would divorce his loving wife for a piece of shit like you."
Mother and son would've killed each other if not for the three mourning people visiting the burial ground who pinned her down until the police came and cartered her away.
Criminal records of assault and attempted murder, Kholwa Snowdrop deemed dangerous was sentenced to a maximum security prison charged to life imprisonment with hard labour.
84 year old prison mogul Kholwa Snowdrop laughed in lunacy when the news of Daffodil's younger son, Balsam Snowdrop instantly died in a brutal car accident.
A test drive confirming her contact outside was as reliable as they were expensive.
Next victim wouldn't just be a car accident. Clematis would feel how heartwrenching it was watching your family slip away from you. Starting with his beloved Melisa.
In prison, 85 year old Kholwa Snowdrop peacefully passed away with a smile on her face. Only three of her grandchildren attented her funeral while her seven sons and nephew, Luca, went to play golf instead.
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