Chapter 19
Ash
The day after Karla went off on me, I stayed in my house alone. I sat at the dining room table, staring down at the homework I hadn’t been able to do. Most kids would’ve been outside living their lives, but I didn’t have anywhere to go. I didn’t have anyone to call. I was alone.
Alone was a hard thing to be when all I wanted was to be with my family and Karla.
For a while, I stood across from Rian’s bedroom door, staring at it. I wanted to turn the knob to step inside, to feel his energy, but I was still too scared. I wondered if I’d ever be able to take that next step.
Around two in the afternoon, there was a knock at the door.
I stood to answer it, not sure who it could be.
Nobody really stopped by, especially unannounced.
When I opened the front door, I was surprised to see Mr. East standing there.
He stood in a fitted suit, which wasn’t surprising.
Mr. East was always in some kind of business suit whenever I saw him.
His face had his same grimace in place, and he had a look of determination on his face.
“Uh, hi, Mr. East?” I said, but it came out as a question. I rubbed the back of my neck. “How’d you know where I live?”
“You’re a boy who showed up to hang out with my daughter. I know everything about you.” He fiddled with his cuffs before locking his stare with mine. “I just wanted to stop by to see if you or your parents were home to discuss what happened yesterday.”
“My parents aren’t here. Say, Mr. East, I’m sorry for yesterday but—”
“No, I’m sorry.”
I narrowed my eyes, thrown off by his apology. “What?”
“I’m sorry, Ash. I know my daughter well enough to know that she was the one who probably exploded on you. I heard the yelling and the name-calling, but I didn’t hear you say one thing. You didn’t belittle her or attack her, even though she was attacking you. Why is that?”
I shrugged my shoulders as my stare moved to the carpeted floor. “She’s my friend,” I whispered. “And she’s the only one I’ve got.”
Mr. East put a hand on my shoulder and lifted my chin with his other one, to make me look at him. “Everything she said about you was a lie, Ash. Please don’t let any of those cruel words settle into your head.”
“I mean, I did—”
“Nothing. You did nothing. My daughter is hurting and struggling with many of her own demons. I am, too. But it’s not right for us to allow our shadows to hurt others.
Karla might not see that yet, but I do. And I also see that you care about her.
But even with your care, you must take care of yourself.
You don’t deserve to be treated the way she treated you. Do you understand that?”
I nodded, even though I was still uncertain of the truth to his words.
He squeezed my shoulder. “Good. Good. Sorry for randomly stopping by. I just wanted to see if I could get a chance to apologize on my daughter’s behalf.
And I don’t want you for a second to believe any of the cruelty that she directed toward you.
You’re a good kid, Ash. Karla’s lucky to have a friend like you, even if she can’t see that in this current moment. Have a good weekend.”
“You too,” I murmured.
“Oh, and Ash?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Again, please call me Greyson.”
He disappeared quickly, like a ghost vanishing into the night. My mind was left spinning, trying to make sense of why he went out of his way to stop by and check in on me.
I cried after he left. Not because I was sad, but because for the first time that day, I didn’t feel so alone. Karla’s dad made me feel seen in a world that had me thinking I was better off being invisible.
I was grateful he checked in.
Sometimes, all a person needed was a tiny reminder that they weren’t really alone.
Especially on the hard days.