“I’ll ask the front office about the gas,” I finally resolve. “I’ll come home every two weeks, and we can do brunch before I go back to Columbus.”
That should help. I hope.
There’s a resigned sigh from her, and I have to refrain from celebrating.
Morgan Bright: 12,000
Addison Bright: -10
I’ll never forget the twenty-first birthday fiasco where Mom had to pick Loxley and me up from a bar because we both got too drunk to drive. She stayed relatively quiet, only slightly berating us, while we dropped my friend off. Then she cursed me out so loudly it hit a Hz only dogs should hear. Some of the words she used I hadneverheard of before.
I was left with ringing ears, curiosity, and a tracking app on my phone. So, I knocked my score down to -100. It seemed fitting at the time, but it’s gradually increased over the years.
“Okay,” she says softly. “You’re a grown woman, and I can’t stop you.”
No, you can’t.
“But!” She interjects. “If anything happens, Addie, youcall me.Immediately.”
Damn defeatist.
“Alright,” I smack another handful of clothes into the box. “Don’t you still have the tracker on my phone?”
“Damn right I do, kid.” She sounds proud.
I roll my eyes. “Shouldn’t be hard to find me then.”
She chuckles. “I know you think I’m overbearing, Addie, but I care for you, sweetheart. Ever since your dad…” Her voice trails, and I stop, my hands freezing mid-air.
Come on. Just say it.Please give me something.
“Never mind,” she shakes herself out of it, and my shoulders deflate. “The point is, I want yousafe. Call a few times a week, please.”
I try not to show my dejection, but my hand falls away from the box, feeling unexpectedly heavy with her dismissal. Sadness tinges my voice. “Yeah.”
“Lots of kisses! Let me know when you get there, okay?”
“Okay, mom.” My lip wobbles, and the bridge of my nose stings with the heaviness of years of secrets. There’s still so much Iwishshe would tell me, but it’s like our past is a taboo subject. She won’t even indulge me about my own father.
“I love you, Addie.”
“Love you too, mom.” As the line goes dead, a tear escapes and slides down my cheek. I swipe it away, forcing myself to breathe deeply. The ache builds, but I push it aside, tucking the hurt away for later.
I have somewhere to be.
With a wave of determination, I pack until the sun begins to set outside my small bedroom window. Loxley sends me a few messages, reassuring me that she’s okay while she's alone in Columbus.
I smile absently at my phone. She’s definitely living a fucking dream right now with her childhood friend. I’m eating every bit of information up like it’s candy.
Lox: Atlas should be stopping by the bakery tonight.
Me: Oh, more punishments ;)
Lox: Let me live.
Me: I am! Just let me live vicariously through you is all I’m asking.
Lox: You know you’ll get the details later.
