Reggie’s mom was… a complicated woman. Betty could see that from the first moment she’d opened her mouth. Her younger years, when Reggie and her were as close as Archie and his beloved guitar were only faintly peppered with her appearances. More than ANYTHING, Betty recalled sleek heels and shiny hair, and the scent of her perfume.
She smelled it now and could picture Reggie’s house from floor to rafters, like a puzzle her mind was putting back together, piece by piece.
Despite her accident, despite the stress it had poured over her and her family, she didn’t… –– it was hard to explain –– but she didn’t blame Reggie for what had happened to her. Once, she had, but that had passed, like an aftertaste to something bitter. It was an accident. It was tragic. But she wouldn’t let it DEFINE her.
Despite what Vicky Mantle thought, her and Betty were on the same side, sort of. Her father was turning the accident into a crusade, a hallmark of Betty’s endurance, and a way to criminalize Reggie, when it wasn’t blankly his fault. Betty erased that thought. Or anyone’s fault. It was hard still, unlearning that kind of thinking.
Once she was done, Betty smiled, nervously and started. “ I remember when I was five…six-ish… I’d just watched Happy Feet for the first time and I was obsessed with penguins. I wanted to be one so bad. ” She’d waddle around the house for ages. It had driven her parents insane –– in a LOVING way. At school, she’d gone on and on and on about them. Penguin facts became a lunchroom staple as far as five year old Betty Cooper was concerned. “ That year… Reggie got me a penguin stuffed animal. It was black and white, and had googly eyes. I slept with it for years. In fact, it’s still sitting over my bed. ”
“ I don’t know if you remember this at all; if he asked you for the money… or if you bought it for him, or what but… I don’t and never have thought Reggie’s a bad guy. I think he’s… ” She stoppered that sentence early. It would have been trouble. Then, she reconsidered. “ I think he’s just a little… LOST. I think he needs… I think he needs you. ” Betty sighed, her voice trembling from nerves. Even steel could shake. “ Mrs. Mantle, I’m sorry for what my dad’s done. I’ll be honest. It hasn’t… it hasn’t been easy. ”
Maybe it was because out of everyone, Reggie’s mother is the least likely to pity her. Out of everyone in Riverdale, she is the one Betty shed her skin to. There was something POETIC about that. “ I don’t want anyone to think I’m weak. I’m going to get better. I know that. I need everyone to know that. What I don’t need is my dad making me into a victim. I’ve already talked to him about it but… I just needed to talk to you too. Just so you know. ”
& . ♡ ––––– @matriantle continued from HERE.