Page 38 of All I Ask
She throws the covers off, mumbling about mutiny and treason, but I grin. When Chastity is like this, I can’t help it. I love that we can verbally spar in a way I never could with my mother.
I head into the kitchen of my tiny apartment and once again, hate my life. There is only one bedroom, which is Chastity’s, and then I took the dining room and made it into a bedroom.
She emerges from her room wearing a T-shirt that says:DAMN THE MAN.
Okay, I really do love this kid.
I love that my thirteen-year-old quotesEmpire Recordson her clothing.
“So, today you need to get along with Everly,” I say as I sip my coffee.
“You act like I’m the bully here. That girl is mean and I defend myself and get in trouble? I hate this town.”
That makes two of us. “I know, but you’re going to have to be the bigger person. Her grandfather is the town vet that you’re working for and now people are going to be watching how you act more.”
Chastity rolls her eyes. “I can’t wait for college.”
“You’ve got a few years there, sweetheart.”
“I could get in early.”
“You’re not Doogie Howser, settle down.”
Her eyes narrow and she looks at me like I’ve sprouted two heads. “Who is Doogie Howser?”
I feel old.
“Just…go to school and try not to get in trouble. If I have to leave work again, your grandmother will ask questions.”
She snorts. “She’d probably be proud I finally acted a little like you.”
“Hey!” I protest.
“I’m serious, Mom. She’s always talking about how popular you were. Which is code for you weresocool. But I know whatpopularandcoolmean. You were probably just like Everly.”
I’d love to deny it, but that would be lying right to her face, which I’ve always avoided. Chastity is a good kid and while I don’t overshare with her, I don’t hide things either. We’re a team. She doesn’t judge me for my past and is appreciative for how I keep our lives together with duct tape and chewing gum.
“It’s nothing I’m proud of.”
“I don’t know how you could be like her.”
Oh, how I wish I could go back in time.
“Girls like her are usually scared. They’re often insecure or afraid that people they thought were their friends would turn on them. Bullies are sort of in the mentality of bully-or-be-bullied.”
She shovels a spoonful of cereal in her mouth and shrugs. “Whatever.”
“I’m serious. Her mother died, she moved to a new town, and her entire life is a mess. She probably feels like her life is out of control so she’s searching for a target.”
It doesn’t mean that Chastity should be the object of her anger, but I get it. Everly’s got a lot to be pissed about.
“So you knew her dad?”
Sometimes having a really observant daughter sucks. “I did, a long time ago.”
“Grandma said you guys were best friends.”
I cross my arms over my chest and wonder why she asked a question she already knew the answer to.
