Through the Ashes

Whose is this?

*Slade POV*

"Ready to go Momma." I shout from the foyer waiting for my mother to finish her phone call before we head to the market up the street. Honestly, we could walk the distance, but Momma prefers to take the car despite the short distance, and the few groceries we actually require as we shop often. Momma hustles down the stairs as I hear her say "Yes, first thing tomorrow, on my desk please." And hangs up her phone.

"Sorry Slade. You know that Brazo deal has to be closed by the end of the week, Chambers and I are really slammed. I'll be out late tomorrow, so make sure you grab something to heat up for yourself for dinner." We get into the car and Momma sets us up to head to the store. "Actually, I was hoping I could go to a friend's house tomorrow. We need to study for exams next week." The car begins driving as we chat in the back. "Sure honey, but if you'd like her to come to our place, you guys can order pizza for dinner." I nod my head. My mom has always been this way. She cares so much for everyone and she knows I'm talking about Lilive without my having to say so. Lilive usually stays with us when she can to avoid her parents fighting. I shoot her a text and let her know she's good to stay over tomorrow, and that we're having pizza! We pull into the parking lot and step out. I can smell paint drying, and I wonder if they updated their building as we walk in.

We head to the produce section first in search of some good leeks and potatoes. "Honey, I'm not sure what is going on at Lilive's but you know she's welcome anytime. I would never---"

"Look Lady"

My mom stops mid sentence as some random guy walks over to us, seems like he knows my mom, but he looks kind of angry.

“Oh, hello again! What’s your name? I don’t think I caught it.” Pleasant as always. My mom approaches the guy with a smile.

“Uh, Shadeis, ma’am, my name is Shadeis.”

“Well Shadeis, no need to call me ma’am, my name is Elizabeth Feyrer. I sure hope you can fix my tablet by Friday.” I didn't realize her tablet had been broken. I step beside my mom and look up at the guy as I tuck my hair behind my ear. He sure looks rough. Has this kid ever slept? Geez.

“Oh, manners, this is Slade, my daughter. We’re just doing a bit of shopping, but it was nice to see you, stay safe out there, okay kid?” I look the guy over once more before turning with my mom and walking over to the next section of the store. His eyes were such a shocking shade of blue, despite his dark circles and red rimmed lids. He dressed decent enough, but I had a weird feeling about him. How odd to just come over to someone seeming so defiant. And how come he didn't speak? What was wrong with that guy. "Your tablet broke? Why didn't you tell me. I could have taken a look at it before you went to a shop." My mom grabs a loaf of whole grain bread and moves to the next area of the store in search of her favorite peanut butter. "Oh, yes. I." She seems to be distracted looking for the White Chocolate Almond Butter staring her in the face. After a brief pause she grabs a jar and turns to me, "I dropped it in the office the other day. Just thought I'd drop it to be repaired before the weekend. No problem hunny." My mom always has me look at her electronics, she knows I'm a whiz when it comes to wiring. We breeze through the store quickly to finish our shopping and head back to the car. We load in the bags, climb in, and begin the short drive home. I reach into the back seat pocket, as I usually keep my spare headphones in there and I had left my others at school today. My hands touch something smooth and hard. Almost like a... "Momma, if your tablet is being repaired, then whose is this?"