Page 13 of Penalized Love

I lean into my mom’s embrace, letting the tears I’ve held back finally fall. Her arms give me a smidge of comfort after the news I’ve just received, and I don’t take it for granted for a second.

After a few minutes, I pull back, wiping my eyes with the sleeve of my sweater.

Mom starts the car and thankfully turns on the radio to fill the silence I know will be present during our drive. I watch as she navigates the vehicle out of the parking lot before I speak up. “Where are we going?”

“I was thinking of the pharmacy, and then I can drop you off while I go grocery shopping.”

That is silly. She’d have to go past the grocery store to drop me off at home and then go back. “I’ll go with you. I should probably get out of the house, anyway.”

Mom glances over at me and gives me a small smile. “Great. And we can take it as slow or as fast as you want to.”

Thankfully, our adventure out and about doesn’t last long, and soon, I’m helping Mom bring in the food she bought. Tucked inside one bag is the medication that I’ve decided to start taking, though it’s been weighing down on me the more I thought about it.

Everything is going to be fine.

I repeat the words to myself over and over, like a mantra that needs repeating. It will be okay because we have a path forward, and we will sort everything out in time.

“Isla, honey, why don’t you go rest for a bit?” Mom suggests, her voice laced with concern. “I can finish up here and then get some breakfast ready.”

That sounds good to me. “Thanks, Mom.”

I grab the prescription bag and head upstairs to my room. As soon as I close the door, I sit on the edge of my bed and stare at the bag in my hands.

With a deep sigh, I open it and pull out the medication. I read the label repeatedly as I’m trying to figure out when I should take the first pill.

A soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I call out.

Dad enters my room, and I’m confused by his appearance. What is he doing here? He hands me what looks to be a Greek yogurt parfait with berries and nuts before he sits down beside me.

I clear my throat. “Not that I mind you being here, but why are you home?”

“Came home to check on you under the guise of grabbing lunch.”

I can’t help but chuckle. It’s way too early for lunch.

“Thanks, Dad,” I say softly, taking the parfait from his hands. “You didn’t have to come all the way home, though.”

He shakes his head, a gentle smile on his face. “Nonsense. You’re my daughter, and I want to be here for you. Plus, there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Oh?” I bring the spoon up to my mouth. I’m ready to devour this whole parfait and then relax in bed.

“Have you thought about what this means for school?” Dad asks.

I drag my eyes up to meet his. Of course I have because I hate being behind. I want to graduate on time, but I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to do until my health improves.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do about it. The semester has already started, and I’m supposed to be in Italy right now.”

Dad clears his throat, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Well, I pulled some strings, and if you want to, you can transfer to Crestwood University for the semester to continue your studies. I know it’s not NYU but it allows you to be closer to home as you get better.”

Those words are the last thing I expected him to say. “You’re kidding.”

“I’m not. Given the circumstances, it would be a good option for you, but we can look into other options if that isn’t what you want.”

My mind races as I think of what my life would be like if I attended Crestwood. After all, at one point, it was my dream school. Some people would hate to attend the school where their father works, but it was always my dream to go there. At least, it was until my senior year of high school. That change was due to a certain someone who plays on the hockey team here. I had started to imagine being here with that someone, cheering him on at every game. Then that person broke my heart when he saidour relationship wasn't working out for him and he thought I deserved someone better.

This same someone I’ve been trying hard not to think about since I got back. Hell, that’s a lie. I’ve been trying not to think about him for the last three years.

Asher Bennett.

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