“Okay we will deal with it later.” And so we drove and drove in the silence and then it was later. We arrived at Skylar’s house and my nerves were itching right out of my skin. This was the first time that I will be meeting my mom or should I just say the woman that gave birth to me. Skylar was sleeping in the passenger seat and I kind of didn't want to wake her up. Our truce was nice while it lasted but I guess we should get this over with. “Skylar wake up. We are at your house.” I nudged her and she slowly opened her eyes.
“Fuck. My head hurts. Shit I was kind of hoping she wouldn’t be home.” Skylar groaned. After about five minutes she turned to me and said, “I know our year was kind of rough but I want you to know whatever happens in there I am on your side. This was neither of our faults. We just need to stick together and we should be fine. I am sorry for everything that I did to you though. Just wanted to get that out of the way before we go in there and face her. She was cold, a lot colder than she used to be. Anyways let’s just get this over with.”
We got out of her car and walked up to the house that was five times bigger than mine and dad’s. It was all brick out in the front with a red front door and the walkway was outlined by little solar lights. The front door opened before we even got there and I felt Skylar take my hand and give it a squeeze before whoever opened the door came out.
As soon as Skylar let go, Helen Jones stepped into the night air. When I saw her my hair stood up on the back of my neck and my palms get sweaty. It was almost like she looked right through me when she looked at me but I knew she recognized me. I was a spitting image of her with brown hair and blue eyes. Same frame and facial features too.
“Mom there is someone I want you to meet. Malia this is our mom Helen Jones. Helen meet your first daughter. The one you failed to mention to me. Thank you for that though. It made her the strongest bitch I know.” Skylar spat.
“That is enough of that language Skylar. I won’t have it in my house. Malia I don’t have anything to say to you. You can turn right back around and walk home. Let’s go Skylar.” Helen hissed and went to grab at Skylar’s arm. Wow she really was cold. I wondered how bad it was for Skylar at home. I couldn’t actually blame her for the way she was in school if this was what she had to deal with all the time.
Skylar ripped her arm out of reach and yelled, “Actually I don’t think I will be coming home. This has never been my home. It feels like a fucking museum in there. I know a few people I could stay with that actually would care about me like Malia. You really messed up this time mommy dearest. I am over it.” Skylar turned to me and said, “You can wait in the car. I am just gonna pack a few bags and we can go.”
“Skylar if you leave this house you can say goodbye to any money at all. All your credit cards and everything else you are afforded in this house. I will not pay for a child not living under my roof and following my rules.” Helen yelled. I didn’t want to intrude on their argument so I turned around to go wait in the car. Their yelling continued all the way into the house.
As I sat outside waiting for Skylar I thought about what Helen said to me and it actually didn’t hurt to hear her say those words. I never actually had her love to begin with so I never missed it. I guess I might have wanted it here and there but never actually missed it. A few minutes later Skylar came outside and put all her bags in the back.
“You think Ryder will let me stay in a room at his house? I know things have been crazy lately and I promise I won’t be trying anything I just need a little while to get a job and on my feet.” She asked me while I sat there dumbfounded she asked me such a bizarre question. Of course I wanted to tell her no but I didn't think Ryder would care after he heard how things went.
“Let’s go home Skylar.”
Epilogue
1 year later
Asher
I couldn’t believe we all got into the same school. All of us meaning the guys, Malia, Skylar, and myself. Me and the guys got scholarships for school through football to the University of Michigan. We were officially the newest members of the Michigan Wolverines. Life has been pretty good since we have been here. We were all renting a house about fifteen minutes away from campus. Skylar moved into the extra bedroom since she didn’t have money anymore.
Thinking of our last day of school reminds me of the confrontation I had with my dad and brother. Mom wasn’t home thankfully. I knew she tried to keep the peace but there were times I wish she would just stick up for me.
That day when I got home both dad and Jason were sitting on the couch. I got home and Jason started going off on me about some bullshit like any other day. Having had enough of his shit I pushed him away from me.
“What is it you fucking want from me Jason? There isn’t anything I ever do that is good enough. Dad acts like you are just his little boy all
