Page 50 of More Than a Friend
Mom shakes her head again. “I’m disappointed in you, Ava. This is not how you were raised.”
“I’m disappointed inyou.For trying to diminish my happiness over some bigoted way of thinking.” A tear falls, and I swipe it away. “I think it’s best if the kids and I go. If you think things over and decide you want to be supportive and happy for me, let me know.”
She calls my name as I walk out of the office, swiping away more tears as I go. My dad is leaning over the counter helping Zoe cut out what looks like a tulip shape when I approach.
“Sorry to ruin the fun, kiddos, but we have to go,” I say, and Gus and Zoe’s eyes shoot up to mine. Gus looks concerned, and Zoe’s face turns into a frown.
“Why?” Zoe wails. “We haven’t finished making cookies! We can’t leave!”
“I’m sorry, Zo-Zo. We can pick up stuff to make cookies at home, but we need to go.”
Gus frowns, and my heart feels like it’s being ripped in two when he says, “We didn’t get to ride the four-wheeler.”
“I’m sorry, buddy. Maybe we can come back when it’s warmer.”
My mom rounds the corner, her eyes red-rimmed, clearly crying.
“What’d you do to make your mom cry?” Dad gruffs, his brows pulled together in concern.
I understand why he’s more concerned about his wife than me, but it still stings he didn’t ask whyI’mcrying.
“She can tell you her version, since it’s the one you’re going to believe. We have to go.”
Zoe throws a temper tantrum of epic proportions, and more tears stream down my face as I wrestle her into her car seat then help Gus into his.
He’s crying, too, but silently, and I hate myself for ruining what was supposed to be a fun day, but I can’t sit here and feel the weight of my parents’ disappointment the entire time. I can’t sit here and wonder if they secretly hate me. Or worse, I won’t let them say something and cause my children more anxiety.
My parents watch from the window in their living room as I pull away from their house. Mom’s face is stricken, and I watch her body shake with sobs. My dad’s face is pinched in fury. I don’t know if there’s any way to come back from this, but I hope they’ll come around and try to at least pretend to be happy for me.
Zoe stops screaming halfway home, and to make up for the missed cookies, we stop at the grocery store and find a cookie decorating kit. It won’t be as good as homemade, but I don’t have the energy to make cookies from scratch right now.
When we get home, I find a text from Skylar.
SKYLAR: Hope you’re having a good day, baby. I miss you.
AVA: Been rough. I miss you, too. Can you come over? I need a hug.
SKYLAR: I’m at my parents’, so it’ll be about an hour, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.
My eyes fill with tears once again but with gratitude this time. I know she can’t fix things, but being near her will help.
I lay the cookie and frosting on the counter, and we messily decorate cookies. I make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch and set the kids up in front of a movie.
By the time the sandwiches are finished and we’ve each had two cookies, Skylar is here.
As soon as I open the door, the floodgates open, and I start sobbing.
Chapter 24
Skylar
Ava’s bodyis shaking with deep, heart-wrenching sobs as soon as she sees me in her doorway. The sound of her agony breaks my heart into a million tiny pieces, and I’m ready to fight whoever made her feel like this.
“Baby, let’s sit down, okay? Then you can tell me who I’m killing for making my girl cry,” I whisper into her hairline. She nods against me and pulls back so I can finally come inside. Her mascara is running, and her eyes are puffy and red.
The kids are on the couch watching a movie, so I take Ava’s hand and lead her towards her bedroom.
“Your mom and I are going to have a grown-up chat for a minute, okay, munchkins? Knock if you need us.”
