Page 23 of April Renegade

CHAPTER ELEVEN

JULY 2012

All of us sat at the dinner table for once, because Dad got off work early, and Mom made her famous chicken fricassee, which Ash begged for almost daily. He’d been living with us for about a month, and he fit in with our family dynamic in a natural way, and got along well with Dad and my sister. My sister formed a crush on him almost immediately, which was a bit annoying, but still. Either way, it was nice having him around.

Dad undid his tie at the table and tossed it on the sixth, vacant chair. Dad doesn’t look remotely like me or Ellie with his pale skin and bright blue eyes. Ellie and I got our dark hair and olive skin from Mom, whose Puerto Rican features are on the darker side. She has dark brown eyes, had almost black hair before it started turning silver, and beautiful, bronze skin. And then there’s Amy, who has been in our family from the time she was four. We don’t know a lot about her background, but we know that her biological mother was Latina and her biological father was Black. She was sent to foster care at the age of three, and that was the time Mom wanted to foster. Instead, we ended up fostering to adopt, because when Mom brings you home, you’re home for good. We’re a blended family, and I love that about us.

Amy ogled Ash from where she sat next to him. I made a point to roll my eyes at her. She winked at me and then took the bowl of chicken and spooned a few heaping piles on top of her rice.

Ever since Ash moved in, he’s put on some weight, looks more rested, and wears his new clothes with pride. He wore a light blue V-neck shirt and dark wash jeans and looked good with his new haircut. It was cut a lot shorter than mine, but it suited his sharp cheekbones.

“Your mom said it would bring out my eyes more,” Ash commented when he came home with Mom earlier. She’d been right–his hair no longer hung in his eyes, and he looked older.

I caughtmyselfstaring and ripped my eyes away from him. I’d been doing that more often. Staring at him. Feeling my body turning toward him whenever he was nearby without even thinking about it.

“Well,” I sighed as I took the bowl from Mom and began to spoon the chicken into my bowl. “I did it. I broke up with Emma today.”

“Aww,hijo.How did she take it?” Mom asked. She patted me on the arm and gave me her big eyes of concern. Everyone in the house knew I had plans to break it off, but even with their support, it hadn’t been an easy thing to do.

I sighed and mixed up the chicken with the rice. “Not well.”

There was no need to elaborate. Emma had taken itworsethan I thought she would. It was apparent now that she was much more invested in our relationship than I was. When I mentioned trying to stay friends, she said she didn’t know if it would be possible. Watching Emma sob all over herself and all over me, and then pleading with me before I left to give “us” another chance—well, that’s not something I ever wanted to experience again. She even texted me a few times after I got back from her house, pleading with me more. In a moment of weakness, I almost gave in, but it wouldn’t be fair to her. Not in the long run. Emma was an absolute catch, and I knew without a doubt that she’d fall in love with a more deserving man one of these days. I just wasn’t that man.

Mom leaned over and pecked me on the cheek, then Dad told me to keep my chin up or something cliché like that. When I looked up at Ash, his expression was unreadable. He didn’t comment on it. He obviously knew my feelings about Emma, but still. It felt like there was something secretive behind his gaze.

“So.” Dad cleared his throat and took a sip of his whisky before turning to Ash. “Have you thought more about my offer, son?”

Dad had offered Ash a clerical position at his law firm. It would pay quite well, especially for a recent high school graduate with no prior work experience except for some lawn management. Ash hadn’t mentioned it much to me, but I had a feeling he felt like working at my father’s firm would be just another favor from my folks, and he didn’t want to take advantage of them. Still, he’d been searching for jobs all over and hadn’t had any luck.

Ash gulped down a bite of chicken and nodded. “Yes, sir. I think I’d like to take you up on the offer if you’re still willing.”

Dad grinned. “Of course, Ash! I think it’ll be a great start for you.”

Ash had made the decision not to pursue higher education. At least, not yet. I wished I’d been able to make that decision a year before when I was in his place, but it had been expected of me to jump right into college. My parents had done so much for me and my sisters that I didn’t want to question their vision for my future. I never felt like I had a choice when it came to higher education. I was envious that Ash had that freedom. Still, I was happy knowing he wouldn’t be in the position I was in.

“Thank you so much, sir,” Ash said. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“How about I take you with me on Monday? I can show you around the place and we can get a schedule and all the other paperwork settled.” Dad paused. “Do you have your social security card, son? Driver’s license?”

Ash nodded, though a slight flush crept up into his face. Dad asked a valid question, but I felt that if I were in Ash’s position, I might be embarrassed or even offended by the question. Dad didn’t mean it like that. He was always one to talk first and question his words later. I knew he wanted to ensure that Ash would be settled when they went into the office, but by the looks of Mom’s glare, I knew she didn’t like how he asked about it.

“I don’t have a license, but I have a valid identification card. And my social. I, uh, couldn’t find my birth certificate,” Ash murmured into his food.

Mom sent a glare across the table to Dad which wordlessly demanded that he shut his trap, and he obeyed.

Then, Mom turned her attention to Ash and smiled brightly. “We’ll get you a replacement. It’s no biggie,nene.”

Ash eased up and we ate the rest of our meal without bringing up anything serious. Amy talked about what courses she was looking forward to taking for her senior year and Mom talked about the garden space she was adding to the backyard. Dad didn’t comment too much but made sure to listen and stay engaged.

When dinner was done, Ash gave me a pleading look. I knew he wanted to go and hang in the basement for a while, to get away from my family for a bit. He was so thankful to us, to my parents, but that didn’t mean they weren’t overwhelming sometimes. I understood that more than anyone, especially being the one brother with two sisters.

“Amy, you mind clearing the table tonight?” I asked as I stood up from the table. Before she could open her mouth in protest, I added, “We’ve cleared it all week,andwashed the dishes.” I winked.

Amy rolled her eyes but nodded. Mom blew me and Ash kisses before we retreated.

“Doyou mind if I practice on the drums for a bit?”

Since Ash moved in, I hadn’t been practicing all that much. I worked at the local gas station from early in the morning until mid-afternoon on most days, and when I got home, we typically hung out and did chores around the house when necessary. I enjoyed the freedom that the summer gave us, but I missed my drums. I felt comfortable enough with Ash now that I wouldn’t mind practicing with him around.

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