Page 53 of Ash
“In any way.” I shrug, taking a sip of my milkshake. “You guys hang out a lot. I’m just curious what you think about him.” Memories of my post-op recovery, when he opened up to Ash about not needing a dad fill my head, and it hurts my heart. I did my best to be both mom and dad for him. I would kiss the boo boos and teach him to bait a hook. I baked his birthday cakes, and I changed his bike chains. I did all I could, and he never complained. Even when I was with Josh and Josh refused to acknowledge Wade, he never acted like it bothered him, because he had me. But when he thought I was asleep in the hospital, the things he said made me realize that maybe I hadn’t been the only one trying to put on a brave face in our little family.
“I like him, he’s fun and he can draw. He likes to do stuff with me, and he’s nice to you and makes you happy.” I furrow my brow.
“Makes me happy?” I watch Wade nod.
“You are always smiling around him, and I hear you guys on the phone at night watching TV sometimes. Plus, he brings you starbursts, and he’s helping with the dance studio.”
“What if…” I take another sip of my shake, trying to find some nerve. “What if I went on a date with him?” Wade’s fast movements over his page stop but he doesn’t look up. I’m about to tell him not to worry about it, I was just thinking out loud when he looks up at me and smirks.
“I think that would be awesome, mom. And I think Ash and you would have a lot of fun.” I chew on my thumb nail nervously.
“Maybe,” I mutter before looking away.
* * *
Ren: What year is it? Fucking ask him yourself!
Janie: You know she won’t *chicken emoji* *poop emoji*
Me: You all are assholes.
I shakemy head as I walk to my dresser and pull out a pair of pajama shorts and a grey tank top before grabbing a comb and walking back to my bed where I had tossed my phone.
Ren: Assholes? Probably. But we are correct.
Stevie: I love you, Sunday, but I agree, just ask him out. Ash has horrible anxiety. If you wait on him, it might never happen.
Indy: Want me to ask him? He’s coming to pick me up tomorrow.
My heart drops at her text. I completely forgot Indy was in the text thread because, well, I’m an idiot and she’s been out of it for almost a week now while recovering from her relapse.
Me: NO! DO NOT ASK HIM!
Janie: Ohhhhhh… do it do it
Ren: Easy, tiger, Sunday might lose her shit and not realize you are kidding.
Indy: I mean, I have no car in this race. I will gladly tell him.
Me: HI! IT’S ME NOT GIVING CONSENT TO THAT!!
Janie: Shhh… we won’t do it. But you should march that perky ass over to his door and ask him out.
Ren: You do have a nice ass
Stevie: And you didn’t hear it from me, but Ash has a thing for your nipple piercings.
Me: Wait… WHAT
Indy: Oh yeah, it’s creepy as shit the number of times he’s come back to “compliment” Stevie on those piercings.
Stevie: lol yeah, I asked how he was so familiar with them, and he turned red before saying he just “has an eye for good work”
Me: Well… I must go somewhere and die now.
Janie: THIS IS YOUR IN! Go over there shirtless!
Janie: No, that will end in sex–not that that is a bad thing, but we want a date.
