AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Not a problem, ma’am.”
“Ma’am? I told you to call me Jane.”
“With all due respect, ma’am, I appreciate that, but that’s not how I was raised. I’m justa good ol’ country boy. Here in Oak Island, we respect our elders.”
I could tell she was impressed with me. Honestly, I wasn’t blowing smoke up her ass. I may be an asshole, but I still had manners. My mama did raise me right. She would have my balls if she ever saw me disrespecting an adult.
“Aubrey is almost ready, she should be down any minute. We can wait for her in the living room.”
I nodded and followed her lead. I could hear some music playing, but couldn’t make out what it was. It had to be coming from Aubrey’s room.
Works of art scattered on the pale yellow walls here and there. A flat screen TV was sitting in the middle of the room on top of a modern entertainment center. The couch in front of it looked like one of those sofas that you could sink into and not want to leave. The room was bright and open with a bay window that looked out to their front yard.
Their house had a cozy and inviting feel, similar to mine.
“Would you like something to drink?” she kindly asked.
“No thanks, ma’am, I’m good.”
I walked toward their fireplace by their dining room, there were pictures of Aubrey displayed on the mantle and I wanted a peek into her childhood. I found it odd that there weren’t any pictures of her and her mom, but there were a ton of her and another lady who looked like she could be related to her mom. I assumed it was the aunt she mentioned the other day. There was only one picture of her and her dad. They were on the beach building a sand castle, looking as happy as could be. I saw the love and devotion in her father’s eyes from that picture alone.
If I thought she resembled her mom that was quickly shot to shit seeing what her dad looked like. She was the spitting image of him, which reminded me of what she shared that night on the beach when she told me she thought her mom worked so much because it hurt to look at her.
Aubrey might be right about that one.
“She was a very beautiful little girl,” she spoke in past tense, pulling me from the memories of that night.
“She still is,” I honestly spoke, turning to face her.
She affectionately nodded, glancing at the picture of them that was prominently placed behind me, with a sense of longing in her eyes. It was quick but I saw it.
“Why don’t you make yourself at home, have a seat.”
I walked over to the loveseat positioned in front of the window and sat down.
“How are you liking Oak Island? Seems like you’ve settled in well,” I stated, looking around the furnished room.
“I wish I could take the credit, but I’m afraid Aubrey is responsible for all this.” She gestured with her hand towards the open space.
I nodded in understanding. Aubrey was the one that put the picture of her dad on the mantle, along with all the pictures of a woman that wasn’t her mother.
“I’m happy to finally meet one of Aubrey’s friends,” she breathed out. “She said you guys share a homeroom. You’re a sophomore, right?”
“That’s right.”
“She didn’t tell me how you guys met, though. I’m assuming at school?”
I nodded in response.
“Aubrey says track season doesn’t start until spring. Do you run track as well?”
“No. I surf.”
As soon as the words left my mouth I regretted them. Her face frowned. Something I said resonated deeply inside her. It pained me to see such hurt in her eyes. I couldn’t help but want to make her feel better. I felt connected to her in a way I couldn’t explain or even understand for that matter. Maybe it was because she was Aubrey’s mom.
“I can’t wait to watch Aubrey run track in the spring. I got a glimpse of her this morning. She’s fast. I’m sure she will win all sorts of awards. Our track team actually went to nationals last year,” I rambled, changing the subject.
She nodded, knowing what I was doing but appreciating it nonetheless. “Aubrey must love that you surf. She used to go with her dad back home. She’s actually pretty good at it. Her dad had her on a board by the time she was five. He had her in the water before she could even crawl, she loves the beach.”
