Chapter Twenty-One
Terence left, and Avila got ready. The warm water of the shower washed over Avila’s head and ran down her back. She remembered
her father’s letter lying on her mother’s bed, the way it had the night before, just waiting to be opened. She didn’t know
if she had the courage to do it. What if it showed her father never really cared about Avila at all? It was one thing to imagine
it, another thing to have it confirmed. She couldn’t deal with that right now.
She had known that returning to Charleston would be hard for all the obvious reasons. Stirring up her father’s abandonment,
her mother’s death, and all that went with it was bound to be painful. But she hadn’t banked on the greater distress of facing
Terence.
Now, her stay would be extended. Terence had dug more deeply into her heart since she returned. What would happen now that
she was going to stay a bit longer?
Avila finished her shower, and by the time she dried off and got dressed, Ebony was home and watching television. Soon as
she saw Ebony, she told her the good news.
“What?” Surprise filled Ebony’s expression.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t think that you were a shoo-in for the role?” Avila tilted her head to the side.
“I mean. Maybe. Kinda sort of. Nothing’s guaranteed.”
Avila sat beside her on the sofa. “True, but you have a natural talent. They would be silly not to cast you. What did you
do at the sleepover?”
Ebony shrugged. “Braided each other’s hair, ate breakfast.”
“I like your hair,” she said. They were talking as if they were friends for the first time in a long time. Avila hoped it
would last.
“Ms. Samantha did it. She made pancakes and took us to the park.”
Avila smiled, even as a pang of jealousy twisted inside. How did Samantha find so much time to spend with her daughter? She
was a single mom too.
The phone rang. Avila hesitated, wondering if she should get it. Maybe it was Terence?
She would have to come up with something. She got up and pressed the Talk button on her cell phone. She’d forgotten about
the coffee Terence had brought. Her stomach was feeling better; maybe she should reheat the coffee. She answered the phone.
“Avila? Hi, it’s Marjorie. How are you?”
Avila hadn’t talked to her boss since leaving New Jersey, and she had intended to call her today to let her know that she’d
be staying in Charleston for a little while longer. “Hi, Marjorie. I’m doing well. How are things there?”
“Very, very well. We received some more money in our annual budget.”
Avila paused, trying to figure out what that meant. “That’s great.” She put her coffee in the microwave and punched the buttons.
“I just wanted to make sure and confirm that you’re going to be returning on Monday. With the new money allocated to the department, I have more leeway in giving overtime. I think that we will have lots of need for that in the coming weeks. I wanted to let you know that it’s available.”
Avila looked around the house. The interior walls needed another coat of paint. The ceilings now looked dingy against the
freshly painted walls, and she would need to paint those too. The wood floors still needed to be varnished, and she wanted
to repaint the cupboards. She’d have to do a lot of work to get it all done. The extra time spent in Charleston would give
her the space she needed to do that. “Actually, something came up here, and I’ll need to stay longer.”
“Oh?”
Should she explain Ebony’s situation? She never talked about her second life as a stage-mom for fear of losing her job. “It’s
a personal matter. I know I don’t have that much paid time on the books. I was hoping to put in for leave without pay until
the first week of February.”
Even as she said those words, worry filled her. How was she going to get by without a regular paycheck? Maybe she should’ve
rethought this situation.
No. This was Ebony’s opportunity, and Avila wasn’t going to let her miss out.
“You can put in for leave without pay, but that approval can’t be extended beyond a month. After that, I’d have to look to
replace your position, unfortunately. HR rules.”
That familiar fear returned. She couldn’t lose her job. “It won’t be for more than a month,” she said. “I’ll be home by then.
I promise.”
“Great.” Marjorie’s voice was filled with relief. “See you soon.”
After she got off the phone, she finished her coffee, then changed into her painting clothes. When that was done, Avila sent a lengthy email to Ebony’s school, stating that she would be out for a month longer than intended for an acting role and that she needed to coordinate work with Ebony’s teachers and the on-set tutor. Per the union rules, her daughter would get a tutor on set for the duration of the theater run. She added that information to the email and sent it off.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes, Ebony. I need to get some of this paperwork completed for your new theater gig.”
Ebony glanced up from the TV. “What time are we going to Kiawah Island?”
Avila stopped on the threshold. She had forgotten about promising Ebony she’d take a day off. She had so much to do and no
help. She couldn’t ask Terence.
“I have to get all of these things together and then we have to put your rehearsal and performance schedule on the calendar
and—”
“Yeah, I know. And I’m really excited about that. But it can wait one more day. You said you’d take the day off,” Ebony said.
“I know what I said, but that was before you booked this role. Don’t you want to focus on this instead?”
“Yeah but... we have to enjoy life too, Mom. You’re always working, working, working. One day of fun won’t hurt.”
A wave of guilt filled Avila. “I’ve got all this work to do and no help. I’m not sure if I’ll even get it done on time.”
“Terence is helping us. So you won’t be that far behind.”
Avila shook her head. “Not anymore.”
“Why not?” Ebony glared at her.
Avila opened her mouth to explain, then closed it again. What could she say that her young daughter would understand? “It’s just better this way. I’m sorry.”
“Maybe he could take me to Kiawah Island.” Hope lit up Ebony’s face. “Please call, Mom?” Her brown eyes pleaded.
Avila wanted Terence farther away from them, not closer. Asking Terence to spend time with Ebony would be foolish, especially
after Avila kissed him. Then Terence would start to think that she wanted something more, and Avila didn’t want to give off
that impression.
Yet Avila loved him. Deep in her heart, she did want something more. That was the scary part.
“I’m sorry, Ebony.”
Her daughter looked upset.
Avila was beginning to feel bothered herself. Everything she did was for Ebony. Even the sale of this house was for Ebony’s
future, for college. They could go to the beach anytime, and it wasn’t like she hadn’t done anything fun since they had been
in Charleston. When would Ebony learn that life wasn’t all about fun?
“I hope you didn’t push him away.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean, Mom. It’s always been just me and you. Since we’ve been here, I’ve met new people. People who
want to be in our lives. People like Terence. Don’t push him away.”
For a young child, she sounded so certain. “Honey, we won’t be here after your show. I don’t want to make any unnecessary
attachments.”
Ebony blinked, and tears streamed down her face. “You don’t understand, do you?”
The air in the room was still, as if waiting for Avila to respond.
Fear colored Ebony’s expression, and Avila studied her, wondering what she was thinking. Avila remembered what it was like
to be a child at the mercy of a flighty adult. Her daughter was dependent upon her. Avila wasn’t much, but she was all Ebony
had. She reached out toward Ebony.
Ebony shifted toward the TV. She was only twelve, and Avila had to keep reminding herself of that.
She could sense Ebony’s anger, even in the tears that trailed down her cheeks. Avila had to say something, undo what she had
done. But how? She never knew what to say anymore. How was she going to handle Ebony when she became a teenager when she couldn’t
even deal with her now? But maybe all the attitude had nothing to do with adolescence and everything to do with Avila.
The thought hit her. “Ebony... why don’t we get through all this paperwork today and then paint together? It could be fun.
Then we will go to Kiawah Island next Saturday.”
Ebony crossed her arms. “It’s just one day off, Mom. Just one day to be normal.” Her words jabbed and were filled with resentment.
Avila sighed. So much for trying to accommodate her.
Ebony looked at Avila, her chin defiant. “I’m going to ask Terence to take me.”
Heat gathered in Avila’s chest. “No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am! You can’t stop me.”
Avila had to get a handle on her. She took a breath and forced herself to speak calmly. “You’re grounded from television and
sleepovers.”
Ebony sprang to her feet. “I don’t care! I have a right to spend time with other people who care about us too.”
Avila felt a punch to the gut. “Ebony Maria Houston.” She stared at her daughter. Ebony rolled her eyes at her, and her demeanor
was filled with attitude and defiance. Deep defiance. Ebony’s face matured in that moment, and it shocked Avila. “You will
not try to play me against Terence.” Avila’s voice was firm.
“I’m not playing you against anyone. If anything, you are playing me by pushing away one of the few people who care about
us. You’re always just making it seem like it’s us against the world when there are people in this world who love us too.”
Ebony went to her bedroom, slamming the door.
The sound of the slam echoed through the house, and Avila realized that what Ebony had just said was true.