Chapter 37
I knew I would feel like this, but I just didn't expect it to be like...this. I don't know. I miss Spencer. I miss how her presence was pretty much here twenty-four-seven. I understand that I see her daily at school and on weekends, but it isn't the same. I miss doing stupid little things with her that I now realize I took for granted. I know that I'm allowed to go over to Spencer's at reasonable hours and Spencer is definitely allowed here whenever, but it's weird. It's different. Our business is everybody elses. I miss how it was just me and her most of the time. Honestly I don't even know what I'm saying. All I know is that I'm sad and I miss her.
Spencer's POV
The worst is when you're positive you're making the right choice but soon begin to regret it. What's worse is when you know it's the right choice, but you still regret it.
"Spence, the dishes?" Mom rushes past me.
"Yes, one second, I missed Ashley's call and I just have to call her back."
She looks back at me. "The dishes." And rushes off again.
Everything was going fine. Of course I missed Ashley, I still do. I miss living with her. But I know I have to at least finish out this year living with my parents. I at least owe them that. But Mom owes me the decency. I mean, she is the one who practically chased me out of my own home and to Ashley's. I don't regret it. I had fun at Ashley's. But Mom has been different. I can tell she's changing. She was as lenient as my dad is, but little by little, she is becoming less lenient and more stern about my whereabouts, especially if they concern Ashley. I don't know why she is like this. I don't want to bring it up. Things are going okay and I don't want to make it worse. Maybe it's just all in my head. That has to be it. I'm just afraid she is going to not let me see Ashley. But she's different now. No, she won't do that. She's different. Her views are changed. She loves me and I love her.
My phone vibrating from the bar knocks me out of my chain-linked thoughts, fortunately. I glance over from the soapy water and am automatically relieved when I see who's calling. I wipe my hands on a towel and spring to the phone.
"Hi." I whisper to the caller.
"Hi to you, too," She whispers back. "What are you doing?" She asks in a normal tone.
"You mean besides missing you?"
"I miss you, too," I exhale deeply. "Halloween's this weekend."
"Yes, it is," I say. "Do you have any plans for it?"
"You mean besides a repeat of last year?" She asks then giggles. "Besides that, no."
I hear my mom call my name and say something about the dishes. I don't want to get on her bad side, not yet at least. Not while I'm living here.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow. Love you."
"Love you, too, Spence."
Time to play Cinderella.
~.~.~.
"So, any Halloween plans, Spence?" Dad asks over his crossword puzzle. We are enjoying an evening together. It's nice, despite the fact I rejected Ashley for it. I love her and I love spending time with her, but Mom's always around when I wanna hang with Dad, so knowing she had work this evening, I jumped at the opportunity.
"Nothing too huge," I say as I flip through the guide on the TV. "Ash and I might go trick-or-treating again, you know, before we get too old-"
"You're never too old to trick-or-treat." Dad chuckles.
I giggle along with him. "And when we're over that, we'll probably just eat candy until our stomachs explode. And watch movies in the process." I nod at the thoughts.
"Sounds like a good time."
"What about you? Any plans?" I ask.
"Nothing too huge," He mocks and I look at him, smile never departing. "Probably just passing out the candy to the trick-or-treaters and some spooky movies."
"What, I thought you're never too old to trick-or-treat!" I face him and open my mouth in shock.
He knows he's caught and he just laughs and I can't help but laugh, too. It's very contagious. It's a laugh that reassures you instantly and every little worry you seem to have goes away.
"What's all this? I thought a pack of hyenas ate my family." I look to the voice who disrupted our laughter.
"Oh, Spence and I were just talking about our Halloween plans." He looks to Mom and back at me and smiles.
"Oh! Speaking of," Mom sits next to Dad on the couch. He sets his crossword on the coffee table in front of us. "I was thinking we could have a family Halloween this year, you know. Hang out together."
"Mom, you hate Halloween."
"No, I don't. It's a nice holiday," It's funny because every year in Ohio when we were little, Mom would try to stop us from going out trick-or-treating. Dad always took us, despite her protests. "Anyway, I was thinking Clay and Glen could come back home to celebrate it with us. Play some board games, eat some popcorn, watch some scary movies," Her shoulder pops up. "I think it will be fun."
"Yeah, but I already made plans with Ashley-"
"Oh, that's okay," She smiles at me and I feel relief. "There will be plenty more Halloweens for you two," I feel like a fish that's trying to breathe outside of water. "Well, I better go heat up dinner," She stands up and heads to the kitchen. "I brought home chicken!"
When she's gone, I look to Dad with a look of confusion and disbelief. He just gives me an apologetic shrug. Hopefully things like this won't be occurring in the future.
~.~.~.
"What, she totally just disregarded our plans to make way for "family ones"? I'm sorry, I'm glad you guys are bonding and all, but we had plans. And for her to just ruin them? That's-"
"I know. I'm really not thrilled about it. I thought maybe Dad would say something, but he didn't. I really just wanted to be with you." I look to the pavement we're walking across.
"I know, I wanted to be with you, too," Ash bumps her hip into mine and I quickly regain my balance. "But she's right. We will have more Halloweens. Right?"
I look up to her, and she's looking back expenctantly. "Of course." I smile.
~.~.~.
I walk into the back door of my house, the one that leads into the kitchen. I don't feel like being bothered today. I grab a banana and start my trek up the stairs when I hear someone clear their throat behind me.
"Yeah, Mom?" I turn around and blankly ask.
"Where are you off to?"
"My room?" I question rather than state.
"You know we are going to church tonight." She says in a tone that is trying to make me feel guilty.
"Uh, I know that. You've told me at least three times this week. I'm not going to Ashley's anymore, it's fine." She smiles in a falsely kind way and leaves the kitchen.
I thought maybe Ashley and I could have our own little Halloween tonight, since tomorrow is Halloween, the Halloween I will be spending at home. But of course, Mom decides we're going to church tonight. We didn't go to this ceremony last year. And I don't know why she's at home; she almost always works late on Fridays. Something weird is going on and I'm not fond of it.
I trudge up to my room and fall to my bed. I right away dial a number on my phone.
"Hey there." Comes the voice.
"Hi to you, too. So, we're going to church tonight. Wanna come?" Mom never did say it was just a family thing. Ash used to come with us to church all the time.
"Are you sure Mama Carlin wants that?" Ashley monotonously asks.
"She never said she didn't. Come over at five, okay?"
I hang up with Ashley and knowing that I will be seeing her in a matter of hours lifts my spirits. I take my time in showering, making sure to scrub every follicle of my hair to cleanliness. I use a fruity body wash that I can smell on myself after I get out of the shower but not too strong. I blow dry my hair and pin part of it back, but leave the rest hanging loosely. I wear a simple white v-neck with a floral skirt that drops to almost my knee. I finish out the outfit with tan sandals that wrap around my ankle and toe. I decide on just mascara for tonight's festivities.
I grab my tiny satchel and throw my phone in it as well as my license and money. You never know when you're going to need it. I put the bag around my opposite shoulder so that the strap goes across my chest and the purse part rests on my hip. I quickly make my way downstairs and, of course, I am stopped.
"Well, someone cleans up very nicely. Where are you in a rush to?"
"Thank you," I smile and say to my mother. "It's almost five, Ashley should be here in a few." I start toward the door.
"Whoa, what? Ashley?" Mom grabs my wrist softly. I turn around.
"Yeah, I invited her. I figured since we couldn't really hang tonight or tomorrow...plus, she always used to accompany us with to church. You surely remember."
"Yeah, but Spencer, you didn't ask." Just then, Dad comes strolling in from the living room.
"Hey, Dad, can Ashley come to church with us tonight?" I ask. He glances at Mom then back to me.
"Sure, Spence. Any time, of course." I smile back and he moves to the kitchen.
"Well, there you go. I'm going to wait outside for her." I tell Mom then go out into the front.
~.~.~.
"What's going on with your mom? She hasn't said more than two words to me tonight." Ashley whispers. We've staggered behind the crowd; we're headed to the car. Church has just ended.
I laugh and say, "You're so dramatic."
"No, I'm serious! Her words were "hello" and "Ashley". It's like I'm non-existent or something."
"Hey. You are plenty existent. I mean, geez I hope you're not some ghost I'm in love with or that would be pretty strange, and heartbreaking..." I make a face and shake my head. Ashley giggles.
"Fine. But don't come crawling to me when you know I'm right and there's something going on with her. And I'll be the one saying "I told you so"!" She finishes the sentence out in a child-like tone.
So we all returned home from church and Dad cooked up one of his five-star meals, no doubt he was trying to impress Ashley, Chelsea, and Kyla (yeah, the boys brought along their girlfriends to church, too, not that I mind). I bet he did impress them considering I am impressed myself. That has got to be the best steak I've ever eaten.
I hop off the couch next to Ashley and tell her I'll be right back. I quickly make my way to my dad who is in the kitchen doing the dishes. I grab a plate from the right side of the sink and begin to wash it off and add soap to it. I feel his gaze down on me.
"Well, this is a nice surprise. You really don't need to help me, though, Spence."
"I want to. You do so much for me, so it's really not a problem." I watch the suds slide off the plate. I run it under the warm water.
"Thank you, wweetie."
I nod my head. After a moment of silence, I begin. "So, no plans for tonight, right? Just our little shin-dig tomorrow?"
"No plans for tonight. Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering if I could go over to Ashley's tonight since we aren't hanging out tomorrow anymore. I'll come home any time you want me to."
"Sure. Try to be home by the afternoon if you can, okay?" He says without hesitation.
"Thanks, Dad. I will." I look up to him and smile; he returns it with a gleam in his eye.
After we wash the dishes, he dries them and I put them away. This process only takes us about five minutes. We got a routine going on.
Dad and I make our way back into the living room. He slides onto the smaller couch against the wall next to my mom; she smiles at him as he sits down. Saw is playing on the TV and everyone is having a good time by either teasing each other, being drawn into the movie, or hiding behind their hands, the latter being Ashley. I approach her from behind and lean against the sofa; right as the guy begins screaming bloody murder, I whisper "hi" into her right ear. She lets out a little squeal and jumps with a look of horror on her face.
"Spencer! Jesus!"
I try to get my laughter under control but fail. "Come here." I tell her and begin walking away toward the stairs. She follows.
"Where are you two going?" Mom calls out.
"Ashley's!" I shout back.
"You're mean." Ash mumbles from behind me as we ascend the stairs.
"No I'm not. That was hilarious!" I say over my shoulder.
When we reach the hallway on top of the stairs, I grab Ashley's hand. I whisk her away to my door, which is thankfully shut, and slam her back against it but not hard enough to hurt her. I entwine both of my hands in hers and raise them above her head. By now my face is only a few inches away from hers; her breath gives a hitch and becomes unsteady.
Just then, I hear footsteps treading up the stairs which means whoever is coming up will soon be viewing me and Ashley.
"Just you wait." I tease her and let go just quickly enough that I see my mom walking toward us. I open the door to my room and whisper to Ashley to go in.
"Where did you say you two were going?" Mom asks smiling at me.
"Ashley's house." I shrug.
"I don't believe you asked."
"I did. Dad said I could. I'll be home early, don't worry." I put my hands up.
"But Spencer, we have-"
"No, Dad said we didn't have plans. Our only plans are for tomorrow evening. Unless you have something else you need to tell me, I'd like to go pack for Ashley's as it is getting late," Mom stares at me. "Okay, well, I'll see you downstairs in a few." I smile, nod, and walk into my room, shutting the door behind me.
~.~.~.
"Paula doesn't like me."
"Shut up, she does like you."
"No, she doesn't-"
"Ashley-" I protest and change the radio station.
"Spence, I heard you guys. She tried to weasel her way in so that you would stay home and not be around me. Had you not asked your dad, she would have said no and made up some excuse."
"I don't think it's you."
"Then what, Spence?" We look over at each other at the same time. She looks away first, returning her attention to the road.
"I think it's the fact that I'm gay and she still can't accept it. She thought she could, but now maybe she realizes she can't."
"How do you know?"
"I don't."
"But you're supporting it?"
"No," Ashley doesn't reply. "Are you mad?"
"No," She shakes her head. "Maybe a little hurt," She gives a soft giggle. "But I'm not mad. Especially not at you."
I smile and grab her arm. "Thank you. I'll try to make things good, I promise."
"Thank you."
A few short minutes later, we arrive at Ashley's and, thankfully, it is clear of Christine and Kyla; not that I mind them, I just prefer their absence. I follow behind Ashley as she makes her way to the front door and unlocks it. We carefully step inside and I shut the door quietly behind me. I drop my bag right next to the door, out of the way, before turning around to face Ashley, who has her back toward me.
"Mom?" Her voice echoes through the house. She turns around to face me. "Guess Kyla will be staying at the Carlin household tonight. Who knows where Christine is. Why are you looking at me like that?"
A smile spreads wider across my face. Ashley smiles and her eyes widen. She tries to make a run for it, but I run out and grab her wrapping my arms all the way around her lower stomach. She shrieks as I giggle with a sort of evil intention. She grasps my arms and I place my lips to the side of her neck below her right ear. We walk forward toward the stairs as I gently suck. She's still in my strong hold as we start to step up the staircase and now she's the one giggling. At the top step, she wiggles out of my grasp and I nearly fall backward, but she catches me in time. It makes my heart soar, going from fear to relief; her lips are now on mine and she's staggering backwards to her room, never parting her lips from mine. We kiss away until we reach her door that's shut. I remove one hand from the back of her head and twist the knob. Ash stumbles in and I kick the door shut behind. She tries to make our way to the bed, but I rapidly turn her around so that her back's against the door. I repeat my earlier action by raising her arms above her head. I glance back and forth between her barely-parted lips, hurriedly trying for air, and her eyes that are permeated with desire.
Ashley lets out a little whimper. A smug smile ascends from my lips; I move my head in slightly more and stare at hers.
"What, you knew this was coming," I whisper into them.
I take her two hands with one of mine and continue to hold them over our heads. I kiss my forefinger and then gently press it against her lips. My finger dances across her lower lip until it's practically a pouting lip. I wrap my right arm around her head and rest it gently on my shoulder. I suck on her neck's pulse point until she lets a moan escape.
I release my grip on her hands and they immediately fly to my lower back. She holds me tightly against her chest and attemps to kiss my lips, but I turn my head the opposite way and she ends up kissing my neck. I almost succumb, but I snap out of it and push her down on the bed. She falls to her back and scoots herself up on the bed so that her head's almost on the pillows. I place kisses on her forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, neck, chest, and completely avoid her lips because that's what she wants the most.
I run my hands over her bare stomach from underneath her shirt and she shivers at the contact of my cool hands against her warm tummy. I rub up and down in her stomach as I straddle her lap. She looks me in the eyes and places her hands on my back and tries to pull me into her. I move my face close to hers and I take her face in my hands.
"What do you want?" I seductively ask.
My thumbs graze across her lips and she finally musters out, "You."
I smile and grab her hands again. I hold them over her head and kiss small kisses across her neck. I stop on her left side and gently nibble on her neck before moving up to her ear; I give it a small nibble and she softly laughs. I smile, too, and almost laugh, but I know if I do, she'll somehow take me over and that's not going to happen.
I go in for a kiss, but move my head up last minute and she ends up kissing my chin. She makes a displeased noise and I place my forehead against hers and allow myself to laugh. She's getting frustrated.
"Aw, don't cry, baby, it's okay." I run my finger down her lips and neck, swerving all over the upper half of her body.
She lifts a knee up and it pushes me forward to her; she laughs now. I lace our fingers together and hold her hands up on either side of her head, leaning against the bed. I touch my nose to hers and let her take the wheel. Her lips scoop mine up and I can pretty much taste the lust. With each second, Ashley gets hungrier and hungrier and soon enough her tongue finally meets mine again. Her head is up now and, quicker than I know it, I'm being flipped over. She now has total control over me, that is, if she wants it. I know she does by the way my hands are being taken away from me.
"Now what?" She whispers onto my lips. I can feel her warm breath on them and almost taste her taste without them even being on me.
"You tell me." I look dead into her eyes.
"Okay." She holds my hands above my head with one of her hands and uses the other one to move my shirt up so that is rests over my breasts. Her hands graze across my stomach, purposefully tickling it, and now I'm squirming and have goosebumps from shivering from the touching.
She quickly moves her hand up under my armpit and starts to tickle me and this sends me into complete panic mode. She switches from armpit to armpit and to both of my sides and my stomach. I can't do anything because she has such a strong hold of my hands, no matter how hard I try to wiggle out of her grip.
"Ow...Ashley...Please..." I am gasping for air; I can hardly breathe because I'm laughing so much. "S..st-stop...! Ash!" I giggle away. "...I'll...do ANY...thing!"
"You will, now?"
"Yes! Whatever...you want!"
"Okay. I'll think about it then get back to you," She jabs at my left side and my body arches to the left. "Okay?"
"Okay! Fine! Just...stop!"
"Okay."
"Okay!" And she stops.
She takes my tear-filled face in her hands and kisses me hard and passionately. "I miss you."
I kiss her and say, "I'm," Kiss. "Right," Kiss. "Here." Kiss.
She lays on her side and faces my body, so I turn and face hers. I look into her eyes and put my right hand on her cheek and my left arm tucked into my body. She puts her left hand over my right.
"I know, but I miss you."
"Then come over more."
She gives a small smile. "I'm sure Mrs. C. would adore that."
"Well, I don't care what she does or does not adore. I adore you and that's all that matters," I scoot myself closer to her and whisper, "And, for the record, I miss you, too." I tuck my head under her chin. She places a kiss on my head and inhales the scent of my hair, which is, unfortunately for her, a boring smell that is nowhere near as addicting as hers.
I don't know long long we have been laying here, but I guess it has been pretty long considering she's dead asleep and we're still in our normal clothes. I unbutton and slide the jeans off my body; I throw them on the ground. I scoot my legs closer to Ashley's in an effort to keep them warm. She gives a sharp intake of breath through her nose and closes her mouth. Her eyebrows furrow together and she lays on her back, but keeps her head facing me. I giggle a little and grab her closest hand.
I interlace our fingers together, one by one, and observe it. I notice the way our hands fit together so easily. I look at how my sky-blue nail polish mixes with her black nail polish. I look at all the wrinkles that each of her fingers contain. I graze the side of her hand with my thumb and feel how soft her skin is, as usual.
"Hi." I look up, surprised. Ashley is smiling at me all groggily-eyed.
"Hi, sorry, did I wake you?"
"No," She shakes her head and looks at our hands. After a few seconds, she lays back on her side and faces me, keeping her hand in mine. "I love you, did you know that?"
I look up and smile before sheepishly looking down and nodding, feeling my face blush up. Good thing it's dark in here.
"What, no love back?"
"Shut up!" I take my hand away from hers and shove her but immediately pull her back. I tuck her head to my chest. "I love you too much and sometimes I question why I left."
"Don't do that."
"Too late."
She moves her head and looks at me. "Seriously, Spence. It's fine. I want you to be with your family-"
"But I want you."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"That doesn't change my mind."
"I figured," She smirks. "Let's just not worry about any of this right now. We have all the time in the world, okay? You can come here whenever you want to. It's okay. Now come here."
She pulls me into her warm and protective embrace—a sure-fire way to get me to fall asleep.
My eyes jut open to the sound of my phone ringing from the floor, in the pocket of my pants. I squint because my eyes have not yet welcomed the light beaming into Ashley's room. I grab the jeans from the floor, careful not to fall off the bed, and answer without checking who's calling.
"Hello?" I say, a bit agitated.
"Spence, honey, where are you?"
"Mom! I'm at Ashley's! And you know that!"
"Well, honey, it's ten o'clock."
"Okay?"
"You're supposed to be home."
"No, I'm not, Mom. Dad said afternoon. It's not even noon yet," She mumbles something unintelligable. "Bye, Mom. I'll see you later." I annoyedly hang up and throw my phone on the floor.
"That woman will do anything to get you away from me."
"No, she won't."
"Stop covering for her. It's me and you know it."
I look over to Ashley for the first time this morning. "No, I don't know it. And I don't care if it is you! I don't need her to be comfortable with this; I need her to just drop it."
"She's not going to drop it easily."
I look over to her again. "Yeah, well neither am I," She puts her fist up; I knock hers with mine. "So, we're awake. Now what?" I lean on one elbow and face her. She copies me.
"I have a few ideas." Ashley coyly says and leans in and kisses me softly my lips. Her lips taste sweet and like a calm morning, such as now. They are gentle but have they ability to knock all sleepiness out of me. I'm enveloped in her, but she pulls back. She just smiles at me and I smile back.
I lay down and cuddle into her. "I don't want to leave you."
She squeezes me. "I don't want you to go."
I look up to her. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," She smiles. "Everything's going to be okay. I feel it."
"Yeah?"
"Definitely."
~.~.~.
"Oh hey, honey, you're home," I shut the door behind me and head for the stairs. "Spence? Something the matter?"
Yeah, something is the matter, actually.
"No, Mom, I'm fine. Just gonna go shower and get ready for tonight's festivities." I say in a falsely enthusiastic voice.
"Alright. See you soon."
I trudge up the stairs and walk down the long hallway and into my empty room. I drop my bag and shut the door before running and plopping onto my cold bed. I turn on my side and pull out my phone.
I miss you already. XO -S
Within seconds I get a reply.
Glad I'm not the only one. XOXO -A
I groan into my pillow and allow myself to sulk for a while before getting ready. I decide not to make myself look great, considering I'll only be seeing my family tonight and they've seen me at my worst. I settle on jeans and a black shirt that has a jack-o-lantern, ghost, and frankenstein on it. I put on black socks and leave my hair down, letting it dry from the shower.
I make my way into the kitchen where I see Dad adding the finishing touches to an array of finger foods. I grab a piece of celery and dip it softly through the peanut butter next to it. I think that Dad will scold me for this, but he just shakes his head and laughs.
"So, what's on the table for tonight's events?"
"I know you don't want to be here tonight." Dad looks at me. I guiltily look down.
"It's not that I don't want to be here, I just feel bad because Ashley made these plans with me and then I bailed and now she's going to be home alone tonight. And she feels like Mom-"
"Alright, well, I'll see you two later." Mom comes in wearing her work clothes. She bustles through the kitchen and grabs a few crackers from the large plate Dad set out on the way to the door.
"What?" I shout.
"Uh, Paula...?"
"Something came up and I have to go in."
"Mom!"
"I do what I'm told, Spencer."
"Paula, is this absolutely necessary? I've already started on dinner-"
"Sorry, guys. I need to go. I'll just have leftovers later. Have fun." She smiles at us and exits, leaving the room completely silent. I stare at the door she just left out of.
"Well, I guess it's just the four of us tonight. Could you help me bring these into the living room?"
I say nothing and instead grab a few plates and bring them into the living room.
~.~.~.
"I'll buy it!" I shout and look at Dad.
"Come on, Spencer. I'm already in debt! I don't want to land on it and have to pay you more."
"That's life, Glen." I place a little house on the square of the monopoly board.
"There are only two empty places now. I wouldn't be surprised if you got those, too." Clay eyes my property cards.
"Your turn, Dad. Go." I urge.
"Eight. One, two, three, for, five...oh no. How much do I owe you for that one?" He asks.
"Only five hundred."
"There. That's all of mine. Now I'm in debt, too."
"Alright, Spencer, you win," Glen says. "Let's be done now."
"No! You can't quit!"
"You're only saying that because you're winning!" Clay protests.
"You could catch up."
"It's been two hours. I forfeit." Glen pushes his property cards onto the board.
"He makes a point." Dad says and places his cards on top of Glen's.
"Let's watch a movie." Clay suggests.
"You guys pick a movie out and I'll go check dinner." Dad exits into the kitchen. Glen and Clay make their way to the DVD rack.
"Halloween. We are so watching Halloween." Glen says. He and Clay high five.
"No, not Halloween! Something else, please?" I beg.
"Majority rules. Halloween it is." Glen hops to the DVD player and inserts the disk.
"Come in here, kids! Food's ready!" Dad calls from the kitchen.
In the kitchen, I'm instantly hypnotized by what smells like brownies. Oddly enough, I spot no brownies, but I do see chicken, pasta, and green beans. I'm so hungry that I'll take any of these.
"I smell brownies, but I see chicken." I eye my dad.
"Never you mind," Dad tells me. "Grab your plates and we can eat in the living room. But don't you dare tell your mother." He smiles and we laugh.
~.~.~.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having fun. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. It's nice to have my brothers home, as much as I can get annoyed by them. With good movies and good food and good games, it's no doubt that fighting isn't involved.
Mom still isn't home and it's nearing midnight. I don't mind her absence, but I'm not sure how I'd feel if she was here. I do miss Ashley, I know that. I hope she's trying to enjoy herself. I really do feel bad about not hanging out with her tonight; of course I want to be, but it's not wrong to be enjoying myself now.
We're all pretty consumed in the movie, but Glen has devoted the most attention. He's been holding the same brownie in his hand for twenty minutes. Meanwhile, I've eaten about a brownie per minute. Right as Michael Myers strikes, I grab the brownie from Glen's grasp. He jumps and socks my arm. I just laugh.
"What, you were gonna let that brownie go stale!" I say with my mouth full. He grabs another and starts to eat it but slows down, just like last time.
"Dad, did Mom say when she was going to come home?" Clay asks. I look at Dad for an answer.
"Nope, she didn't say. I had no idea she even had work today until she walked through the kitchen and told me and Spence she was leaving." Dad looks at me when he mentions my name.
"Well," I stand up and take another brownie. "I'm beat. Tonight was fun, but I think I need to go get some shut eye."
"Alright, sweetie. Goodnight." Dad tells me. Clay waves. Glen acts as if I said nothing, which, to him, is probably true.
I ascend the stairs and brush my teeth before heading to my room. I change my pants but keep my Halloween shirt on. When I get settled into bed, I decide to call Ashley. It's been too long.
"Hi."
"Hello," I husk back. "Did I wake you?"
"No, I've been awake. Just laying here. How's your night going?"
"It wasn't bad. I miss you, though."
"I miss you, too. How was Paula tonight?"
"Ugh." I groan into the phone.
"What?"
"Get this: she worked tonight."
"What?" Ashley asks in disbelief.
"I know! I asked the same exact thing!"
"It's me. Don't even argue. I know it's me."
"It's not you. She just said it was a last minute thing."
"Or she tricked you so you wouldn't be with me tonight but instead home with your family."
"Would she do that?"
"I don't know." Maybe something is up. Maybe I need to defend Ashley more. She's like family to me, so she ought to be treated like that.
"Don't worry. Everything will be okay. Right?" She mumbles a "mhm" into the line. "Okay, well, try to get some sleep. Call me whenever, okay?"
"Okay. Goodnight, Spence. I love you."
"I love you, too, Ash. Goodnight." I wait for the line to clear before putting my phone on the table across from me.