Ashley
All good things must come to an end, and today is one of those things.
Ethan and I ate three bowls of soup. All different kinds, too. My mom bought a lot, apparently. Even though I'm not actually sick, the soup warms me and comforts me. I do feel better now, though I don't think it's going to last for much longer.
Ethan is asleep. It's late, and it's dark outside. Not too late, though. My mom should still be awake. I hope I can talk to her without Ethan's dad being around, though. I'm not sure if I can explain everything to both of them. It's easier if I only have to explain it to one person, and while I like Ethan's dad, I still don't feel as comfortable around him as I do around my mom.
I slip out of bed and sneak through the dark of night. I know these hallways by heart now, even if I've been away for awhile because of school. Before that I spent the better part of three years here. It was hard at first, but I grew to enjoy and appreciate it. It's easy to get used to a mansion when you used to live in a cramped apartment. Anyone could do it.
I tiptoe downstairs and towards the room with a light on: the living room. My mom is sitting in a chair in the room by herself. Further down the hall in another room entirely, I see another light on. It's Ethan's dad's office. He has to do work at home sometimes, and night is the easiest time for him to do it without missing out on spending too much time with my mother. I like that he cares about her like that.
My mom sees me coming into the living room and she smiles.
"Hey, honey, you feeling better?" she asks.
"Yeah," I say, smiling. "Thank you for the soup. It was really nice."
"I'm glad," she says. "Do you want some cough syrup? I bought some just in case, but you don't sound like you have a cough or a stuffy nose."
"Um... I think it was my chest?" I say. "I think maybe it was just anxiety, but I'm not sure."
"I understand," my mom says, smiling. "It happens to the best of us sometimes."
I wish she actually understood, but I know she can't. I can't explain everything that's happened to her. It's easier if I don't even try.
"Can I talk to you about something quick?" I ask her.
"Sure. Is something wrong?"
"No, um... not exactly, but sort of?"
She grins. "Uh oh. What's that mean?"
Uh oh is probably the appropriate response to this, even if she doesn't know it.
"Um... I sort of maybe promised a friend that I'd fly out to go see her?" I say. Her. That's it. It would sound stupid if I said I was going to visit a boy. I'm not visiting a friend, either, though, so maybe neither one matters. I've never lied to my mother before this, so whether it's one lie or two doesn't matter all that much; it's all equally bad.
"When?" she asks.
"I kind of maybe promised I'd go... tomorrow morning?" I say.
I don't have a lot of options. I'm being blackmailed into this. I thought I knew what kind of person Jake was, but apparently not.
I thought I knew what kind of person Ethan was, too. I definitely didn't.
This is difficult. I swallow hard, hoping my mother doesn't notice anything.
"That's going to be tough," she says. "I'd love to drive you, but we're waking up early tomorrow. Would it be alright if you had Ethan bring you?"
"Oh, no, um... I can just take a cab, Mom."
"Are you sure? I'm sure he wouldn't mind, Ashley."
"No, it's fine. I can take a cab."
"Alright," my mom says. "What about everything else? Are you sure you're feeling well enough to go? If you're sick, it might not be a good idea. Even small things can build into bigger ones if we aren't careful."
Don't I know it. That's how this all started in the first place.
"I won't be gone too long," I say. "I need to get a plane ticket, though. I know it's short notice but is that alright? I can do it right now."
"I think it'll be fine," my mom says, grinning. "I don't think your stepfather will have a problem with it."
"Alright," I say. "I'll go do that right now, then."
"Alright," my mom says. After a moment, she adds, "Is there anything else you needed to talk to me about, too? You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
"Um..." I wish that were true; I don't think it is. "Actually..."
"Mhm?"
"Is it alright if Ethan sleeps in my room tonight?" I ask. "He already fell asleep. From earlier, I mean. I know that's kind of strange of me to ask. I can wake him up if you want, I just, um..."
"Is there something I should know?" my mom asks, lifting both her eyebrows. She stays like that for a second, but then she smiles. "I'm just teasing. Of course, that's fine. You're both adults. You can make your own decisions."
"I guess so," I say, muttering. "It's not like that."
It is like that, though.
"Not like what?" my mother asks. Is she being serious right now? I don't know.
"It's just sleeping," I say.
"Did I say it was anything besides sleeping?" my mother asks, coy.
"No, but I thought you'd be more upset?"
"If you thought I'd be upset, why'd you ask?" my mother counters.
Touche. I suppose she has a point.
"I just... I feel better when he's around, that's all. I know that he and I argued before, but he was actually really nice when you were gone. We..." I have to stop myself from blushing. "We went to go see a movie. At the drive-in. We got popcorn, too. And we went swimming in the pool. We ordered pizza and watched TV and went to a restaurant and had french fries and a steak and cheese sandwich."
"Just one sandwich?" my mom asks, grinning.
"We split it," I say. "He shared it with me."
"Ethan's a nice boy," my mother says. "I suppose he's a nice man now, isn't he? I know he has his rough spots, but I think we can forgive him that, don't you?"
"I think so," I say, smiling. "Just don't tell him I told you that."
"Oh, I won't," my mom says, pretending to zip her lips. "Your secret is safe with me."
"Good!" I say, giggling.
My mom yawns. "I'm getting tired. I think I'll head to bed soon. Do you need anything else first, Ashley? You should call to schedule a taxi for tonight as soon as you get your tickets."
"I will. Thanks, Mom. I should be all set. I don't think I need anything."
"Alright. Just let me know if you change your mind. You know where to find me."
"Alright," I say. "Um... can I have a hug goodnight?"
"Of course, honey. Come here."
I give my mom a tight hug and she holds me in her arms while we sway back and forth a little. It feels good. It reminds me of when I was younger. It reminds me of a lot of things.
"Goodnight," I say, whispering.
"Sleep well, Ashley," my mom says, hugging me one last time.