When mom leaves Ashlyn and Andi home alone sparks fly. Will their love for Andrew tear them apart? They both want the same thing, or do they?
*****
(Ashlyn)
"Ashlyn please!" Mom pleaded. "Drew will be here next weekend!"
"But mom I have things to do!" I complained knowing it would do no good. "Can't one of the other boys watch her?"
"Lyn you don't need to watch her just check in on her!" Mom shouted, exasperated she had to repeat it one more time. "Besides Arnold and Albert have families to take care of ..."
It hit us both at the same time. I knew she didn't mean to hurt me but it did. Mom looked over stopping what she was doing.
"I'm sorry honey, I didn't mean it like that..."
There was a pregnant pause in her frantic packing to see my reaction. I could see it in her eyes, that same look I had seen so many times before. There was never a doubt my parents loved me, but just once I wanted them to love just me. Mom opened the door to the room and started to lift her suitcase.
"It's ok, here, let me help you." I offered.
Then I saw a shadow in the room, Andi was standing at the door.
"Lyn doesn't need to stay here mom. I'll be ok alone." Andi announced her presence.
"Baby we already discussed this. Ashlyn is going to stay." Mom said softly.
She moved to my sister and gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek. She always did that to Andi. Then mom looked at me and gave me that other look. The one that reminded me how I had disappointed her so many times. God I hated that look, just once I wanted to be the one that got the hugs and kisses.
"Don't worry sis, I'll be here to keep you company." I said faking I was happy.
"Thanks Lyn!" Andi said enthusiastically. "I'll wait for you in the living room mom."
"Thanks baby, we'll be there in a minute, I'm already running late." Mom replied.
Andi turned and started down the hall. I looked to make sure she was gone. The little bitch is so quiet you never know. Looking back at mom I could see her anger with me soften.
"Would it really kill you to be nice and spend some time with her?" Mom asked.
"She hates me mom!" I protested.
"Don't you see how wrong you are?" Mom countered. "If you took the time to see, you might be surprised how much she loves you!"
"I don't believe that!" I replied. "After everything I did ..."
"Water under the bridge for her." Mom came closer.
"Is Drew really coming home?" I asked changing the subject.
"It's about time don't you think?" Mom replied.
Then she hugged me and kissed my cheek. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. She held me tight giving me the strength not to cry. Ok, so she did show me affection when I needed it. She is so strong my mother, why couldn't I be more like her?
"What do I say when I see him?" I asked teetering on the edge of crying.
"How about, HI." Gail whispered.
"Are you sure he doesn't hate me too?" I started to tear up.
"Ashlyn this is Andrew we're talking about." Mom consoled me. She moved back holding me at arm's length. "Besides that was eons ago."
Maybe for her but it was like yesterday for me.
"I love you mom! Please don't go!" I begged her.
"Honey you know I can't stay, your father needs me." Gail reminded me.
"How can you leave her alone with him?" I argued.
"I'm not. That's why you are here!" Mom was teasing me and we both knew it, still she kissed me one more time. "Ashlyn I really need to go!"
I grabbed her suitcase as she picked up her makeup case and purse. We headed to the living room where Andi was waiting for us.
She stood as mom drew closer. Tall and slender she waited until mom took her arm.
"Call when you get there." Andi said to mom.
"I will baby." Mom replied. She stood on her toes and kissed Andi on the cheek.
Mom moved to the door, I opened it for her.
"Mom, I am not a baby, I am twenty one!" Andi protested before mom walked out.
Mom looked at me and then back to my sister.
"I know honey, but you will always be my baby." Mom smiled. "I'll call when I get there."
Mom went to her car, I loaded her bags in the trunk. I watched as she drove off then looked back at the house. A cold sweat came over me. Andi and I would be alone for the first time in years. I walked back in the house, Andi was still standing. She waited for the door to close before she spoke.
"I'm sorry she is making you do this. After she calls you can leave if you want." Andi said calmly. "I'll be in my room if you need me."
Need her I thought! That will be the day! How could she ever help me?
She waited for a response but when none was forthcoming she turned and slowly walked back to the hall. I watched her in those ridiculous clothes she wore as she turned to the left down the darkened passage. She had it all I thought, elegance, grace and that almost perfect body. So what if she could talk seven languages. Hell if my parents had given me half of the attention she got I'm sure I could be that smart.
Why did dad have to take this job? Surely the money wasn't very good? And mom, why did she have to go? She hasn't worked in a dentist office since she had Bert?
I looked at my phone hoping to get a message. Disappointed once again I lay down on the couch.
I knew it was a dream but it was a happy dream. A favorite memory from the past. At least the first part.
Roger was in the living room, mom and dad were out for the night. He was alone when I came in. Man he is such a hunk! He looked to see if anyone else was around. God he was so nervous! So was I, but with steel like resolve I put my plan into action.