Chapter 28
Ash
I wanted to stay mad at Maa for having us move, but for some reason I couldn’t. Maybe it was because the moment we drove off in the U-Haul, she began sobbing uncontrollably into the palms of her hands.
As she cried, I realized how much Dad was right. Maa needed me more than I knew. I needed to be there for her. I needed to protect her when life felt too heavy. And I had to be there to wrap my arms around her shoulders and tell her she’d be all right.
I did just that. I wrapped my arms around my heartbroken mother, pulled her into my side, and said, “It’s all right, Maa. We’re all right.”
I hoped one day those words would be true.
* * *
We made it to North Carolina around four in the morning.
I was exhausted and could hardly keep my eyes open.
Maa had been yawning for the past four hours.
I offered to drive for a bit, but she refused to let me, seeing as how I barely had my driver’s license.
She said I drove a little too much like Dad. Which meant I was an awful driver.
Like father, like son.
I missed Dad. It had only been about twelve hours since we’d left Illinois, and I already missed him. He sent me text messages saying he missed me, too. Along with a list of holiday options for me to come visit him over the next few months.
We stayed at my aunt’s house, where she had two bedrooms already made up for us. Maa gave me a side hug as she yawned. I led her to her bedroom and kissed her forehead as she began to fall asleep.
“I’m sorry, Ash,” she said softly. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
I didn’t know what she was apologizing for, but I told her I loved her and went to bed.
As I lay in the dark guest bedroom, the ceiling fan swung overhead. North Carolina felt foreign to me. It was too warm outside for December. I missed my bed. I missed my house. I missed my brother.
Rian felt so far away.
I missed . . . home.
I knew it was too late—or too early, depending on how one looked at four in the morning—but I pulled out my phone and sent a text message to Karla.
Ash: Made it safe. Exhausted. I hope you had a good night, friend.
I then put my phone on the nightstand, turned to lie on my side, and closed my eyes. Within a minute, I heard my phone ding.
I leaned over and picked it up to read the message.
Karla: Good. I was getting worried.
I sat up a little and smirked at her message.
Ash: You like me so much that you were worrying, huh?
Karla: Don’t let that comment inflate your big head. I meant nothing by it.
Ash: My head is already tripling in size. Why aren’t you asleep?
Karla: Couldn’t sleep. Kept checking my phone to hear from you.
I smiled.
Karla: Go to sleep. Talk tomorrow. Night, Ash. Glad you made it safely.
I texted her good night. Then I lay back down and dreamt about her. Which, in turn, meant I dreamt about home.