Allison
My eyes widened in shock. “What do you mean by that, Mom?” I asked, my voice trembling.
“Call it what it is, Allison,” Mom said, her tone resolute. “Tom and I… we’re not happy together. More like, I’m not happy. I’m not happy in this marriage anymore.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut as I tried to comprehend the hell she was yammering about.
“Are you saying you want to divorce him? Is that really it now?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly.
Mom’s sigh was audible over the phone. “Yes, Allison. I would like to divorce Tom.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “But why? You guys, I thought you guys loved each other.”
“I don’t know anymore, sweetie,” she said, her voice cracking. “Anyway, it’s just… I want us to leave as soon as possible.”
“Argh!” I grunted in an obvious manner.
“I want all of us to leave this place,” Mom said, her tone firm. “Go back to our small town, start afresh.”
My eyes widened in alarm. “Oh no, Mom. I’m not leaving. You can’t say that. We can’t just leave.”
But Mom’s mind was made up. “We are leaving, Allison. It’s time for a change.”
“Okay then! If that’s what you want, fine. So, I’ll tell Sally about it,” I said, assuming it was a matter of course. “Or are you going to tell her?”
But Mom’s response was immediate and sharp. “No. None of the above!”
I felt a jolt of surprise at the forcefulness of her tone. It was as if she’d slapped me, making me flinch.
“What do you mean by no?” I asked, confusion etched on my face. “I’m going to tell Sally. It makes no sense if none of us is going to tell her that we’re-”
“No, Allison!” Mom barked. “I’m really serious. Do not tell her anything… well, yet.”
“Hello, Mom? Okay, this is being… you’re being suspicious right now. You’re scaring the hell out of me,” I said, my voice laced with concern. “All of these things… I don’t even understand them nor you anymore.”
Mom’s tone softened slightly. “You heard me, Allison. That means, I don’t need to explain anything to you. Anyway, we’re leaving soon. Very soon.”
A wave of panic washed over me, threatening to engulf me. “When soon?” I silently pleaded, my mind racing with the impossibility of it all. Leaving soon was utterly out of the question.
Another nagging concern surfaced: when would Mom finally confess our harebrained plan to Sally? The uncertainty hung over me like a dark cloud.
But then, my thoughts strayed to him Jayden. The mere idea of distancing myself from him sent my emotions into a tailspin. What was wrong with me? Shouldn’t I be ecstatic about escaping his troubled world? He was, after all, a self-proclaimed bad boy and, more significantly, someone else’s boyfriend. The harsh reminder only fueled my inner turmoil.
“When are we leaving, then?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I’ll let you know the details, but it should be this weekend,” Mom replied.
My eyes widened in alarm. “Oh no, Mom, please. Not this week. Probably next weekend, please.”
Mom’s voice was firm. “Why not?”
I took a deep breath, trying to think of a valid excuse. “I promised my roommate… my friend… that we’re going out.”
“Where are you going?” Mom asked, her tone skeptical.
I hesitated before responding. “The club.”
“Oh my goodness, now you’re going to clubs?” Mom’s disapproving tone echoed through the phone.
I rolled my eyes, feeling a surge of frustration. “Mom, I’m twenty-one, for crying out loud! Is there anything bad in going to a club? Tell me.”
Mom’s voice softened, laced with concern. “I’m just trying to take care of you, Allison, because I love you so much.”
I sighed, feeling a headache brewing. “Oh, please, can we talk later? I’m really tired and sleepy.”
Without waiting for a response, I ended the call and trudged back to my room. I slid onto the bed, feeling exhausted. The conversation with Mom had drained me. I closed my eyes, letting the softness of the bed envelop me, and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed. As I got ready for the day, I thought about telling Sally about Mom’s plans to leave. But since Mom had explicitly told me not to, I decided to keep it to myself. After all, Mom would surely tell Sally herself, right?
I walked into the kitchen, where Nina had already prepared breakfast. The aroma of scrambled eggs and toast wafted through the air, making my stomach growl with hunger.
“Wow, Nina, you’re an amazing cook!” I exclaimed, taking a bite of the fluffy eggs.
Nina beamed with pride, her bright smile illuminating the room. “Thanks, Allison! I’m glad you like it.”
As we sat down to eat, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for Nina’s warm and caring nature. She was more than just a roommate she was a true friend, and I couldn’t believe that I almost lost her. So stupid!
My phone suddenly rang, shrill in the quiet morning air. I checked the screen and saw that it was a video call from Sally. I couldn’t help but think, “Talking, or rather Thinking of the devil…” since I had just been contemplating telling her about Mom’s plans.
I answered the call, and Sally’s face appeared on the screen.
“Hey!” she signed.
I simply nodded, and as I watched, Sally’s face crumpled, and tears began streaming down her cheeks. I felt a surge of anxiety and fear, wondering what was wrong.
“Sally, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly. “Please, tell me what happened.”
Sally’s hands moved rapidly, signing again. I watched intently, trying to decipher the message.
“Where are you?” I asked, feeling a sense of urgency.
Sally’s hands signed again, and I watched as she replied, “I’m in the field, right now.”
I glanced at Sally’s top and noticed that she was wearing her cheerleading uniform. Obviously, she had started cheerleading again.
“Okay, I’ll be right there,” I replied, already standing up.
I turned to Nina and said, “I’m sorry, I need to go meet my sister. She seems really upset, and she wants me there.”
“Yeah, fine, you can go,” she nodded sympathetically.
I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, my heart racing with concern for Sally. I just hoped nothing happened or was it that obnoxious Yvonne and her minions again?
I sprinted towards the field, my heart racing with concern. As I approached, I saw her standing in the green grass, her hair scattered on her face like she was embarrassed.
“Sally! Sally!” I called out to her.
She turned around, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. She started running towards me, and I met her halfway. We collided in a tight hug, both of us sobbing uncontrollably.
Sally’s cries were muffled, her sounds more like anguished gasps since she couldn’t vocalize. I held her tightly, trying to comfort her.
“What happened?” I asked, my voice shaking. “Talk to me. Did you get bullied again?”
Sally pulled back, her eyes welling up with tears. She signed, “What if I did? Will you fight for me this time, Allison?”
I nodded vehemently. “Of course, I will! I’ll not only fight for you, but I’ll also speak up for you. Tell me, did you get bullied again?”
Sally’s hands moved slowly, signing, “Yes… but this time by a guy.”
My heart sank. “Who?” I asked.
“Colby.”