Chapter 43 Scarlett
Scarlett
Scarlett was still so upset with her mother that she had barely spoken to her since she’d refused to let her go skiing with Avery.
Now she was glad that she hadn’t told her about Ben.
Her mom was turning into a bigger control freak than her father.
But luck was on her side. Her mom had just left for a work trip and would be gone until Sunday.
Scarlett had never told Avery that she couldn’t go, because she was going to do whatever was necessary to make sure she could.
After they finished dinner, Scarlett jumped up and started clearing the dishes.
“Well, well, this is a nice change,” her father said, arching an eyebrow.
She smiled at him. “I’ve been thinking about what you said about doing more around the house. With Mom away, I thought I should start now.” She was laying it on pretty thick, but he didn’t seem to notice. He started to get up with his plate, but Scarlett took it from him.
“I’ll clean up here. Why don’t you go relax.”
“Who are you, and what have you done with my daughter?” he said, laughing. “All right, I’m going to go watch the news.”
After he’d walked away, Olivia gave her a look. “What’s up with you?”
Scarlett rolled her eyes. “Nothing. Can’t I do something nice without everybody bugging out?”
“I guess.”
After she’d finished loading the dishwasher and wiping down the table, she went upstairs and finished her homework. She didn’t want to make the ask too soon and make him suspicious. Her dad knocked on her door at eight o’clock.
“Come in,” she called.
He walked in. “Want to come watch a show before you go to bed, or are you still doing homework?”
“Sure. I’m finished. I have something I want to ask you.”
He sat down on the bed. “What is it?”
She’d overheard her parents fighting about her mom having a dream and calling the fire department to go to his office. She decided to use it to her advantage.
“My friend Avery invited me to go skiing with her family this weekend in Killington. They have their own place there, and they go all the time. Avery said she has extra equipment, and I can take lessons. I’ve always wanted to go skiing.
I asked Mom about it, and she like totally freaked out.
Said she had a dream I crashed on the mountain, and she won’t let me go. ”
His brow furrowed. “That’s the reason she said no?”
Scarlett nodded, biting her lip. “She’s been really weird lately. I don’t know why, but it’s not fair. I really want to go. Avery’s my only friend at school, and I can’t tell her that my mom won’t let me go because of her dreams. She’ll think I’m a freak.”
“Your mother didn’t mention the trip to me. And you know the rule, if one of us says no, you don’t ask—”
“But Dad—”
He lifted a finger. “But, in this case, I’m going to override her. This is getting out of hand. I’ll talk to your mom. You can go.”
She threw her arms around him. “You’re the best! Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But I do want to talk to Avery’s parents beforehand. I’ll give them a call tonight.”
“Okay, that’s cool. I’ll text Avery and get her dad’s number for you. Don’t tell him that Mom said no. I was hoping you’d say yes, so Avery thinks I already had permission. I was embarrassed.”
“Hmm, I’m not gonna lie, I don’t love that, but I guess I can understand. I won’t say anything about that, but I can’t let you go away with someone I’ve never even talked to.”
“Of course. Thanks again, Dad.”
Scarlett felt a little bit guilty lying about her mother’s reasons, but her mom was acting strange lately, and she didn’t have a good reason for saying no. Besides, she’d be home before her mother even returned from her trip, and then her mom would see she was being worried for nothing.