Ophelia Rivers

“Sorry, I thought you would’ve known. I mean, I’m not one hundred percent convinced that they really are together. He might’ve just said it to make Gail jealous. Thank you, Ms Rivers, that’s very decent of you.”

“I can’t believe he would be so rude, Mama taught him better than that.  You think he would lie about something like that and be so...petty? They’ve definitely been friends for a very long time...Anyway, you’re welcome, I’m sorry about him.” 

“Yeah, Gail Rubens. I think prom just makes everyone go nuts. Yeah, he said he was going to prom with his boyfriend and that he only asked Gail out as a joke after she said she couldn’t go with him. I don’t know, maybe you could just convince him to apologise? I really don’t want this to escalate any further.”

“Wait, wait so he and Terrence are together? They’re going to prom together? I mean I wasn’t sure but, wow, why wouldn’t he tell me something like that?  Does he think I wouldn’t understand? I’m sorry, yes, he will be apologizing, I can promise you that....Henny and Terrence....”

“No, it was definitely him. Unless there’s another Henry Rivers in town that I don’t know about.”

“That makes me very upset.  Was this person a girl by chance?  Y’know he’s never had much luck with ‘em, always hanging’ out with his buddy Terrence.”

“I’m not really one to make judgements quickly. It’s just that- well I hate to play the dibber dobber- but, he said some hurtful things to a friend of mine and refuses to apologise or admit that what he did was wrong.”

Ophelia gasped and held her hand to her chest, “Oh no, not Mama’s Henny, surely not my little boy.  You must have him confused with someone else.”

“Henry Rivers? Roosevelt, yes I know him. I- I really don’t know what to say. He- he and I don’t really get on that well actually.”

“Aww, I don’t think he’s so bad, he can get a bit nippy at times but I don’t think he’s unlikeable.  Is there a reason why?”

“Ah freedom of speech and thought, can’t argue with you there. Eighteen, I’m a senior.”

“Well, you might know him, or know of him at least.  The school is really small.  Henry Rivers?”

“I’m just sayin’…” Henry grumbled, a little upset about the way his mother was talking to him like he said something bad. He thought what he said was fine. It was true, after all, she didn’t have to backtalk him like that. He probably would’ve said something too if he didn’t think she’d run off and tell Daddy about it. His father was far less patient with Henry’s sarcasm. Henry grumbled a few more things he probably shouldn’t and turned back to his work, puffing up his cheeks the way he always did when he was upset about something. His dad used to tell him he looked like an ugly bulldog when he did that. Henry was never really sure whether or not that was affectionate. “Hmmf… Has Daddy called you yet? You said he’s been gone for a few days, right? Did he remember to call? Did he say how he was doing?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never thought about being a parent myself, but I just can’t agree with you. A son? Anyone I know?”

“Everyone has a different opinion, I won’t force mine on you. Possibly, how old are you?”

“To be quite honest, I don’t know too much about his death to say anything…”

“Well I don’t have any siblings unfortunately. I do wish there were someone else she could take with her, let me tell you. But I honestly think that’s a fickle way to decide which child is more likable, based on their grocery shopping behaviour. Do you have any children?”

“I don’t mean literally, it was just an example.  Maybe the grocery store wasn’t the best choice.  It could be anything, you’ve got to let you mind wander a bit. I have tw--one.  A son.”

“I suppose but it’s not really my business. I usually ignore the affairs of celebrities. Or conspiracies about their death. It’s sad, sure, but it’s over. It happened and…Well, time to move on. “

“You right, it’s not really my business and I should move on, but I can’t help it.  His music influenced so many aspects of my life and no one will ever know what he could’ve done if he’d even been able to live longer.”

Eric frowned, “But, doesn’t that defy the mystery of motherhood? That a mother can’t physically choose between her children?”

“Well,” Ophelia pursed her lips, “That’s not necessarily true, in some...situations you don’t really have any other choice.  But motherhood is a tricky thing.  If you’ve got any siblings you probably know which one your mother would rather have on a trip to something like the grocery store.”

“I’m not little, Mama!” Henry called over the sound of the vacuum, trying to sound stern even though he was grinning like an idiot. He liked it when she said dumb mom things like that. He liked everything about her dumb mom self. “…I am sweet, though.”

Ophelia shook her head and smirked after she listened to her little boy’s slight attempt to be assertive. She pretended like she didn’t hear him, to keep his ego from being lowered, she wanted him to be fully confident in himself just like her husband, his father, James.  

Mind Mischief ||Open Para