Page 7 of After the Storm

Audra

Three weeks later…

“Honey, don’t get me wrong, I love the new found mother-daughter time…”Here it comes.“But do you really think it’s healthy to be holed up in the house this long?” my mom questions, pushing a mug of coffee in front of me like some kind of peace offering.

I sigh into my mug before taking a sip. I briefly consider not drinking the coffee considering it’s almost dinner time, but—fuck it—I need it.

It’s been three weeks since that night at the Dawkins’ home, when Roman found me at the front door sobbing and soaked from the rain. Three weeks since I dropped the news of mine and Tyler’s breakup on everyone, then effectively fell off the face of the Earth.

Yeah, Imighthave been hiding out in my house avoiding everyone, but I check-in text my group chat with Ravyn and Ares everyday. They know that I’m okay, just not ready for visitors.

“I just needed a break from everything.” It’s the truth. The truth I’m comfortable sharing anyway. I did need a break. I felt so overwhelmed with everything after Tyler that I turned off my phone and went full recluse mode. To be fair, it was only supposed to last maybe a day or two. But every time I turned my phone back on, I had texts from Tyler.

They ranged from apologies, to threats, back to apologies, and then more threats when I didn’t respond to the apologies. Suddenly, it seemed easier to keep it off and ignore everything for three weeks.

“Except for work. You know I never need a break from the rescue,” I add. The only time I left the house these last three weeks was to go to work at the marine rescue and then come straight home. ‘Work at the marine rescue’ makes my job sounds cooler than it is. I don’t get to assist on rescues or anything, I just do paperwork. But, when I’m on break or when I’m having a bad day, my boss, Maryanne lets me go see the animals.

My mom sets her mug down gently. She reaches across the island, wrapping her hands around mine, which are currently clutching the mug sitting on the counter letting its warmth sink into my hands.

“As your mom, I feel like it’s my job to let you know when it’s time to get back to your life.” She squeezes my hands and lets go, grabbing her own mug and the book she’s currently reading from the counter. “And Audi? It’s time,” she says, dropping a kiss on top of my head before walking back to her own room.

She’s right. I know she is, but I can’t shake the feeling that everything will be different now. I don’t feel like I’m the same person I was before all this happened, and I don’t know how the new me fits into my old life.

Additionally, I have no clue how to ride the line of not telling Ares and Ravyn, but also not lying straight to their faces. I don’t want to lie, but I’m far too scared to tell the truth. I know it’s time to rip the band-aid off and see them, but I’m anxious about it; anxious about how I fit in here.

The Holy Trinity

Audra

I’m finally ready to come out of hiding, come over?

Ares

YESSSS. We will be there

Ravyn

Party?

Audra

I don’t know about all that.

Ravyn

I do, don’t worry.

Ares

I second a party, you know I can get us the inviteee

Audra

I don’t know.

Ravyn

It’ll cheer you up!

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