Cold Turkey, Part 3

All characters in this story are purely fictional.  Any resemblence 
of these characters to real life people are conicidence only, and are 
not meant to cause offence to anyone.  All place names and locations 
in this story are intentionally fictional.  

COLD TURKEY
by Blackbladder

Part 3

"Hey Mom, we're here." Denise beamed, bringing the car to a halt outside a
large wooden cabin.

The cabin appeared very large from the outside; a large seating bench was
situated beside the front door.  There was large open woodland area
surrounding the perimeters of the cabin area.

Irene yawned before stretching her arms out wide.  Instantly, she could detect
the smell of the trees and flowers.  It was just too peaceful.  Living in the
city all her life, where cigarette smoke and car exhaust fumes were dominant,
had made Irene realise she was no longer in heaven.  This idea of a holiday
was not her idea of fun.  However, Irene knew she had to make the best of it.  

As they locked the car up outside the cabin, they walked around, sampling the
natural, unspoilt nature.  This was their home for the next seven days, and
Denise planned to enjoy it thoroughly.  Denise also thought this would be the
perfect environment to keep temptation away from her mother to smoke.  

As they both entered the cabin, they explored the facilities at their
disposal.  A large bedroom, small kitchen area, a table and two chairs.  Even
though this cabin was spacious, it only had the bare essentials.  

"What about the heating?  You know it gets cold late at night in the
woodlands..." Irene questioned, doubts already starting to form in her mind.

"That will not be a problem, Mom.  We have a fireplace.  Once when we unpack,
we can go about collecting firewood.  How does that sound?  Just the two of
us." Denise smiled.

Irene was less than enthusiastic, but decided to go along with her daughter's
suggestion.

As dark clouds began to invade the clear blue sky, the mother and daughter
walked out of the cabin, locking the door, and began roaming the local
woodland area for resources.

"We haven't got long, Denise.  These clouds dont look friendly." Irene
laughed.

"I know, Mom.  But I know what I am looking for.  Hey, you wanna go check
around those bushes near that tree stump?" Denise replied, pointing to an old
tree stump with wood lying around it.  

Noticing Denise walking out of sight, Irene breathed a sigh of relief.
Unknown to her daughter, her nicotine cravings had been eating away at her
soul all day long.  She did not want to enter another fight with her daughter
whilst on this holiday.  Checking that Denise was engrossed in finding wood to
use as bait for fire, she produced her last pack of cigarettes from her coat
pocket.  As she stared longilly at the shiny packaging, she licked her lips in
anticipation.  As Irene leaned against a tree, she began to slowly peel away
the lining sealing the pack.  As Irene flipped back the lid of the pack, and
tore away the silver foil, she frowned upon looking at the cork filters.  Here
she was, trying to make amends with her daughter, and she was already about to
give in to her daily habit for thirty years.  Her look of anticipation turned
to a look of disgust as she placed the pack back in her pocket, along with her
lighter.  The moment of temptation had simply reinstated the determination to
quit this time.  

"Have you got any firewood yet?" Denise shouted, bringing her mother back to
reality.

Irene replied, dazed "Yeah I am coming now."  She bent down to pick up pieces
of wood.

The owls were hooting as the full moon shone brightly, covering the woodlands
with its eery white glow.  Denise's cabin lights also contributed to the
moonlight dominating the woodlands.  

"Shit!" 

"What's wrong, dear?" Irene stated, as her daughter sat back on the chair,
rubbing her head.  

Irene put her hand around her daughter's shoulder.  She tried to get a look as
Denise held her hand up to her forehead.  

As Irene put her hand on her daughter's forehead, Denise moved away swiftly on
the chair.  They had never been emotionally close in the past, as they were
both very different people.  

"I am fine Mom, just be careful with that fireplace.  There is loose debris
falling from the inside of the chimney." Denise stated as the fire danced
lazily in the fireplace, quickly filling the cabin with warmth.

"It is just a bit sore." Denise continued, handing the offending piece of wood
to her mother.  

"That chimney is not safe.  Maybe we should at least get another cabin....."
Irene suggested as her daughter stopped rubbing her forehead and picked up her
mug of tea.  

"Don't we have anything stronger than tea, honey?" Irene laughed, knowing how
clean her daughter's beliefs were.

"Of course not, Mom! This holiday is not about a wild suburban nightlife. This
is supposed to be a relaxing holiday.  Anyway, you know I have never did
anything like going into bars and stuff - I don't do it as a hobby.  Plus, I
know you would just be tempted to smoke...." Denise retorted, not realising
her mother was trying to wind her up.

"Hey Ms Perfect, calm down! You have never changed at all since you were a
kid." Irene laughed.

Then her mother sat up, and took out her cigarettes and lighter from her coat
pocket and presented the unwelcome items to her daughter.

"See these?  I was ready to light up today when you were not looking.  But I
have came to realise how peaceful it is out here.  I know you are making a big
effort for me, and I think the least I can do is be honest with you.  So take
these, get rid of them for me!" Irene proudly stated, speaking from the heart. 

Denise handled the pack and lighter as if they were grenades.  The thought of
handling tobacco products sent a shiver up and down her spine like a
rollercoaster.  Quickly, she walked towards the kitchen sink and opened the
pack.  She then smiled as she turned the tap water on and drenched the
offending items completely.

"This is to make sure you don't change your mind." Denise smiled deviously
before throwing the wet pack and lighter in the small bin underneath the
kitchen table.

As Denise returned to her seat, she expected Irene to frown at the thought of
her precious cigarettes no longer useable.  However, she shared a secret smile
with her mother.  This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship...

Previous part | Next part