Page 10 of Embers in Our Past

“When did this happen to us? When did I become someone you couldn’t stand being around, Abby? I remember when we couldn’t keep our hands off one another. Now even hearing my voice is too much?” I feel a lump in my throat forming with the thought that I might be so repulsive to her that she can’t handle a simple conversation with me.

“Clay, don’t do this. You’re putting me in an impossible position.” She sighs. I can imagine her throwing her head back and rubbing the bridge of her nose like she’s done a thousand times when irritated.

“I’m putting you in an impossible position? Fine, maybe this should just be it then,” I throw back. “You know what? Let me leave you with this, then. You made a mistake, Abby. Maybe I should have flown out to California the moment you cooled off a bit. Maybe I should have dragged you home and told you to stop your tantrum and get your ass back where you belong. Maybe I should have just not signed the damn papers and told you no. I loved you, and I let you just leave. Shame on me. I loved you, and I still love you. I miss you. I missed you tonight. I miss you every night. So there, I said it. I am not ashamed to admit it. Maybe this was a bad idea. But I seem to be full of bad ideas. Fuck it. Have a good night. Sleep well.”

I hang up. I’m breathing heavily, and I begin pacing my room. I can’t believe I let her get me this upset. I have allowed all this irritation to fester for so long. I wanted to chase her when she left me and go after her. But I also know how much her mom doesn’t approve of me, and I let that hinder me. I let that poison she was fed hold me back, and I stayed put. And now this is our life. This is our fate. We are apart, and we are living our lives separately. It’s painful, but it’s our truth.

I decide to grab my running shoes and change into my gym clothes. It’s late, but maybe their gym is open twenty-four hours. I check with the front desk, and I’m in luck. I’m grabbing my things to leave the room when my phone chimes, and I look down to see Abby sent a text:

Abby

I’m sorry.

I throw my phone to the bed and head out. I’m going to have to find a way to lock the door to the past, but she’s holding the damn key.

CHAPTER 4

Abby

“Mom,where are you putting this dish?” I’ve never seen this much food for three people before.

“Oh, you can put it anywhere on the table. Guests can grab as they go. It’s not a formal thing,” she says as she moves between the backyard and the kitchen, bringing things back and forth.

“What do you mean ‘guests’? Who’s coming? I thought it was just you, me and Daddy.” This is the first I’m hearing of guests joining us. She invited me last minute to lunch over here today, and when I arrived, it looked like she was going to feed half the neighborhood.

“Don’t be silly. You think the three of us are going to eat all of this? That’s ridiculous, Abigail,” she scoffs. “I told you; Frederick is coming over.”

I drop the cup I’m holding on the ground. Luckily, it’s only plastic.

“Abigail Morris, don’t be clumsy!” I am fuming right now, not only because my mother remains the only person to call me by my full name but the fact that she is holding onto this damn fantasy.

“Why is Freddy coming here?” I nearly scream. I cannot believe my mom invited my high school boyfriend over. This is so embarrassing and juvenile.

“Oh, he’s a lovely boy. You know how much your father and I love him. I stopped by to see an old friend for lunch at that one place near Wilshire with that Caesar salad I love. Well, anyway, I ran into him there, and I just had to invite him over,” she rambles, then looks at me with a quizzical look. “What? Was I just supposed to not invite him over? Don’t be preposterous. I told you all this the other day.” She absolutely did no such thing.

“No, Mom, you did not. And yes, you can just not invite him over… because we broke up! More than a decade ago!” I throw my arms in the air. “Why, Mom? Why would you invite him over?” I move my hands through my hair in an attempt to calm my nerves, but today, my hair is cooperative, with no frizz to combat like when it betrayed me during the last rainy day.

“Abigail, stop fidgeting and finish getting things set at the table. And don’t be silly. Frederick is coming, and it’s final. So is his sister and her fiancé.”

If I thought the prospect of having Freddy over was daunting, seeing his sister Edith is going to be to be torture. She was the biggest bitch in our school, and she made my life hell. These next few hours will feel like a week. Add to the fact that Frederick is coming over, and I’m going to want to stab myself with my silverware. Fuckety fuck.

I pull out my phone and text Marissa.

My mother has gone too far. She invited “Frederick” over for lunch without telling me first.

Marissa

Shit! And I wasn’t invited? What the hell, Collette?

That’s not even the worst part…Edith is coming!

Marissa

Oh shit! Let me tell my assistant to clear my schedule tonight. Make sure my number is under your favorites, and label me as your lawyer so they call me. Remember you get one phone call when you get arrested.

I’m so fucking pissed at my mom. She went too far.

Marissa

---