Ways to Say Love

Chapter Four

Aspen drove to the girls’ school and picked them both up, and then she dropped Maylie and me off at our house. She said that she would meet me outside of my house once Lacey’s parents got home and bring me to her house. Maylie and Lacey cooed at us when she talked.

I watched as Aspen walked inside with Lacey, and the contrast between the way Lacey skipped and Aspen walked inside with her head hung low. When Aspen had pulled into the driveway, there was a sense of relief coming from her as she took the keys out of the ignition. She seemed different today then she had yesterday; I worried it was because of my questions.

Aspen wasn’t saying very much when she was driving, and the girls were sitting in the back whispering to one another, so it left me to think about what she had said.

There’s always more to the story.

I thought about all of the stories I had never learned more about. Like when Mom started drinking I never asked why and when Dad decided to quit his day job and become a teacher, I never asked him what made him switch. It felt like I only knew a small fraction about my family.

Maylie took my hand and dragged me into the house, throwing her bag and coat on the floor. She raced upstairs and ran downstairs minutes later with a hairbrush and our mother’s bottle of expensive hairspray.

“May,” I closed my eyes as she sprayed my hair with way too much hairspray, “what are you doing? That stuff is expensive, you can’t use it.”

Maylie ran her princess hairbrush through my hair and ruffled it with her fingers.

“You have to look extra handsome, Aaron! Lacey is going to make Aspen look pretty, so you have to look pretty too!”

“Maylie,” I pulled her hands out of my hair, “Aspen is already pretty and we don’t need to look extra anything, okay? I’m just listening to some of her music after school; it’s not a big deal.”

“Oh, okay,” Maylie sighed as she pushed her hands in her pockets, “but won’t you try to look a little bit good?”

“May,” I picked her up and spun her around a bit, “are you saying I don’t look good every day? That hurts, May!”

She giggled and messed with my hair again, “No, Aaron! But when you’re older aren’t you supposed to look extra good if you love someone?”

I let out a long sigh as she jumped out of my arms. “Maylie, I’ve told you, I only just met Aspen. I don’t love her, alright? She’s a new friend.”

Maylie put her hairbrush and Mom’s hairspray down on the floor, “Okay, Aaron. But, if you are going to love someone, make it Aspen! I want Lacey to be my sister, okay?”

“That’s not exactly how it works, but okay Maylie. How about you go watch something on my laptop, okay?”

Maylie squealed and nodded her head yes. She grabbed my schoolbag, pulled my laptop out and set it on the kitchen table harshly.

As I began to walk upstairs to my bedroom, Maylie called me back and motioned for me to come closer.

“If I tell you a secret do you promise to not tell anyone, Aaron?” She cupped her hands around her lips and lowered her voice, even though Mom and Dad wouldn’t be back home from visiting Grandpa for another half hour.

“Alright Maylie, I won’t say a word. What’s your secret?” I bent down and leaned in so I could hear her.

“Lacey and I were talking, and she told me something you should know!” Maylie’s voice grew louder as she became more excited, “She told me that Aspen was talking about you yesterday when she got home, and Lacey and I saw Aspen looking at you all romantically. We were trying to make you two look good for your date tonight, but you ruined it! Aspen won’t love you anymore!"

“Okay, Maylie, I told you,” I stood up and backed away from her, “tonight is not a date, and Aspen and I are just new friends. Maybe you should stop watching so much TV, eh?”

Maylie pawed at my laptop and tugged it close to her chest, “No, Aaron! That’s not fair.”

I stuck my tongue out at Maylie as I began to head up to my bedroom, “Okay, May. Then no more talking about Aspen and I, got it?”

Maylie nodded her head yes and I made my way up to my bedroom.

I popped my head into the washroom and took a quick look at my hair. Maylie had made it look like an even bigger mess than it had been this morning; my hair was sticking up everywhere. I pulled out my hair gel and patted my hair back into place so it looked slightly less messy.

I heard the front door shut downstairs, and the banging of Maylie running towards the front door followed quickly after. I walked downstairs and found Mom and Dad taking their coats off at the front door. Mom’s face looked long and sad, and Dad looked at my mom with pity.

“Hi Mom,” I called from the stairs, “Hey Dad. How was the hospital? Was Grandpa feeling better today?”

Mom let out a sigh as she hung up her coat, “Can we talk about that later, sweetie? How was school?” My mom bent down and kissed Maylie’s forehead before walking into the living room.

“It was okay,” I gave my father a confused look and he waved his hand at me, “I finished my math and history early, I’ve already learned everything that’s being taught. Is it okay if I go out soon, like around 3:30?”

“Yeah, okay honey. Where are you going, and will you be home for dinner? Oh, Bailey, can you make dinner please?”

My dad nodded yes and kissed my mother on the forehead. He covered her up with a blanket as Maylie crawled on top of her.

“She’s had a very long day,” my dad explained as he pulled me out of the living room. “Your Grandpa was very much awake, and had a lot to say to your mother. He is on a lot of medication right now, so I doubt he knew half of what he was saying. Anyways, where are you off to? Have you made some friends already?”

“My friend’s house, Aspen Quinn. I’m going over to check out her music collection, that’s all.” I could feel the heat in my cheeks as I mentioned her name.

“You’re going to see her music collection? Sounds like a date, if you ask me. Is this the special Aspen that Maylie was talking about at dinner?” Dad shoved my shoulder and had a smirk on his face, “You’re home by 9:00, and behave okay? No son of mine will be disrespecting a woman, or my curfew. Got it?” My dad’s face was stern, but at the same time there was also humour hidden in his words.

“Okay Dad, understood. She’s babysitting across the street, so she’ll be here soon.”

My dad patted me on the back and nodded once before heading back into the living room. I made my way upstairs to change my top and dug through my piles of clothes. I quickly chose a dark green flannel and threw it on over a black top.

Minutes after I changed I heard my front doorbell ring and Maylie shouting Aspen’s name. I went downstairs and found Maylie had already brought Aspen inside and was introducing her to Dad.

“Lovely to meet you, Aspen,” my dad smiled, “Unfortunately it seems my wife has fallen asleep already; it’s been a long day. So, my son tells me you’ve got some music collection to show him?”

“Yeah, actually, I was going through Aaron’s songs and I think he’d be really interested in some stuff I’ve got.”

“He showed you his music, did he?” Dad gaped up at me as I made my way down the steps, “That’s surprising, honestly. Aaron over here keeps his playlists very private. Frankly I don’t understand why, to me it’s just music.”

Aspen bit her lip in a failed attempt to hide her smile, and it made my cheeks go warm.

“Okay, Dad. I think that’s enough. I’ll be home after dinner.” I threw on my coat and dragged Aspen out the door as I waved goodbye to Dad and Maylie. “Sorry about that. My parents don’t exactly have a filter; none of my family does, actually.”

“Its fine, your dad seems sweet.” Aspen climbed into her car and I did the same. “So, should I hand you the aux cord or is your music back to being very private?” Aspen’s face filled with a mischievous smile, and it made me feel flustered.

“No, I’ll turn my playlist on. I’m not sure what my dad was talking about. I just don’t share my music because not many people find it as interesting as I do.” I turned my music on and Aspen smiled at me, but as she began to pull her car out of the driveway her smile faded into a thin line.

“Hey,” I put my hand on Aspen’s arm and her eyes darted to mine, “are you alright? Do you want me to drive?”

Aspen’s skin burned under my own, and I watched how her grip on the steering wheel loosened under my touch.

“I’m alright,” Aspen lied, “I’m just a panicky driver, that’s all.”

I pulled my hand away from Aspen, but she stopped me abruptly.

“No, wait. Leave your hand, it’s calming.” A faint, desperate smile flashed across Aspen’s face, and it took nothing for me to press my hand back to her skin.

I looked over what Aspen was wearing; she looked different than she had at school. Her hair looked like it had been done with product, and she was wearing more makeup than before. She looked beautiful, like always, but her facial features were more enhanced. I hadn’t noticed the way her lips naturally pouted, or how round her eyes were.

“So,” I squeezed her arm gently as I talked and it seemed to help her relax, “did Lacey get to you? Maylie came at me with a huge bottle of hairspray the second we got home.”

Aspen let out a short laugh and looked at my hair for a split second.

“Don’t worry, Benson. Your hair is still defying gravity perfectly.” A laugh escaped my lips and I watched as Aspen’s face broke out into a smile. “Lacey tried to get me to put on a dress, and when I declined she settled for this mess of makeup.”

“Oh, c’mon. I wouldn’t call it a mess. Lacey and Maylie put a lot of work into making us the perfect non-couple.”

“Oh really?” Aspen laughed and her grip on the steering wheel loosened slightly, it felt good to help her relax, “Then what would you call it? I think the term clown-makeup could do it justice as well.”

“I think I’d call it beautiful, I’d call you beautiful.” My voice shook as I called her beautiful, and watching the way she smiled made my knees go funny. It surprised me that I was so open and comfortable around her.

Within minutes we were pulling into the driveway of Aspen’s house and I was switching my music back off. Aspen’s house was huge, just like the houses in the court, but it had a vintage look to it. It looked exactly like the type of house you would find Aspen living in; it seemed perfect for her. My foot slipped on the way up, and I had to hold onto the railing to keep myself upright.

Aspen unlocked the door and pushed it open for me to step inside. The walls were painted warm and there were ceramics all over her house, As soon as you walked in there was a mirror, and I saw my hair looking like a disaster as usual, but behind me Aspen was standing in the doorway. She was watching me with intent eyes, and was looking peaceful and gorgeous.

I turned to face her and found her closer than I had expected. Our noses were almost touching, and she was staring up at me with her big forest eyes. My hand shook as I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and I could see the slightest shade of red hiding behind her cheeks.

“So,” Aspen breathed out softly, “do you want to go upstairs or something?” Her breath tickled against my neck, and a shiver went up my spine.

Aspen and I split abruptly as a dog bark rang through the hallway. A great, big golden lab ran towards us from upstairs, and tackled Aspen with kisses.

“Hi girl,” Aspen cooed at the dog, “Aaron, this is Lulu. I can guarantee you she is the best dog you will ever meet. Lulu, this is Aaron.” Aspen bent down and cupped Lulu’s face in her hands, and Lulu licked Aspen’s face happily.

“Alright, let’s go look at the best music you will ever listen to, now.”

“You know,” I poked Aspen in the shoulder as she began to walk away, “you’re pretty cocky when it comes to your music and book taste.”

Aspen stuck her tongue out at me, and I let out a short laugh as Aspen lead the way upstairs. The redness in her cheeks had faded, but I knew mine would still be extremely present.

There was picture after picture of Aspen hanging on the walls. I stopped in front of one picture of her when she looked around four years old. She had this huge smile plastered across her face, only she was missing both of her front teeth, and was swimming in a little inflatable pool. Her hair was in two messy buns on the top of her head, and she was wearing a bright pink swimsuit.

“Oh my god,” Aspen covered her face in her hands as she looked at the picture, “I wore that swimsuit almost every day that summer! I knocked my first two teeth out while we were buying that suit, actually. I was at the mall with my mom and I had just saw the suit hanging up. I was running so fast so show it to my mom, I tripped over my toothpaste and face planted on the floor. It knocked my two front teeth right out.”

A loud laugh escaped my lips as I followed Aspen up the stairs once again. She stuck her tongue out at me, but a laugh rang from her mouth as well.

I followed Aspen to the end of the hallway and into a large room. It was painted a light shade of blue, and there were old photographs and posters hanging up all over. The hardwood floor was cold underneath my feet, and the windows had frost surrounding the outside. The far wall was nothing but shelves from end to end, all filled with different records and books.

“Woah,” I exhaled as I dragged my hand along the different records and books, “These are incredible. You have so many of my favourites, and tons I’ve never even heard of. Are these all yours?”

“Yep,” Aspen smiled proudly, “I’ve listened to every record and read every book, and some I’ve even read a couple times. These are my pride and joy, besides Lulu.”

Aspen ran her hand along one of the top shelves, and pulled out an old record. She gave it a quick dust off before taking it out of its sleeve and placing it in her record player. A soft medley played through her stereo system, and Aspen’s eyes lit up as she swayed to the music.

“This is one of my favourite albums.” Aspen dragged her feet across the room and stood in front of me; her eyes looked even better up close.

Aspen reached her hand out and interlocked her fingers with mine. I looked down at our hands, and Aspen looked up at me.

“Dance with me.” A flood of emotions flashed through Aspen’s face, and my skin was hot where her hand touched.

“I’m really not a dancer,” My throat felt tight, and the thought of me stepping on Aspen’s feet pushed its way into my mind; it was inevitable.

Aspen took my hands in hers and placed them on the small of her back, and she wrapped her hands around my neck. Her head was against my chest, and I imagined how loudly my heart was beating against her ear. It felt like my heart was about to leap out of my chest.

“I suppose it’s not too horrible that the girls pushed us to look a little nicer.” I could hear her smiling in the way she talked. Suddenly I felt thankful that Maylie had pushed me to look better and change my top.

Aspen smelt like a bouquet of flowers; it was captivating. My chest felt tight and my stomach felt knotted. It was a horrible feeling, but at the same time it wasn’t.

“Hey Benson, you know how we’re going to the party together,” I nodded yes and Aspen smiled up at me with jewels for eyes, “I was thinking, maybe we could go to the party together-together?”

A large grin broke loose from my mouth, and I took a second to ensure that I was hearing her correctly.

“Yeah, Aspen” my cheeks hurt from the smile I was unable to contain, “I’d love that.”

Aspen buried her face in my chest, and I rested her chin on the top of her head. I could feel Aspen smiling into my shirt, and I saw blotches of red across her forehead peeking through.

The music faded to a finish, and Aspen pulled her body away from mine. She walked over to her record player, switched the record out for a dark blue one, and turned down the stereo system. There were a stack of blankets on the floor beside the shelves, and Aspen took out a red and white flannel blanket and laid it along her floor. Aspen took a seat on the blanket and motioned for me to join her.

“Okay,” Aspen watched me intently as I fell down beside her, “so, I know that my turn is over for asking the questions, and we’re not even in class right now so there’s no need for anyone to be asking any questions, but there’s still so much more that I want to know about you.”

“I know exactly what you mean. The next two days are not going to be enough time to know everything I want to know about you.” Aspen’s hand was right next to mine, just laying there on the blanket. I wanted to reach out and hold it.

“Well then, I suppose we’re just going to have to be around each other a lot more so that we can get to know everything.” A smirk spread across Aspen’s face as she fell back onto the blanket. “Not today though, today it’s still my turn to be the interigator.”

I laughed and rested my head on the blanket next to Aspen. Her hand was literally right beside mine; our pinky fingers were practically touching one another. It felt as if there was an electric pull running through us, and I was aching to reach out and touch her olive skin.

“How would you describe yourself in three words?” Aspen stared up at her ceiling, but my eyes stayed glued to her.

“I’d probably say clumsy, awkward, and soft-hearted.” I forced a laugh out in an attempt to sound slightly less desperate, although it failed.

“That’s a little harsh,” Aspen’s head turned towards mine, and our eyes locked, “I’d probably say intelligent, considerate, and sincere.”

“Well yeah, I’d say those things too. Aspen, you’re incredible.”

“No, dummy. I was talking about you.” Aspen’s face broke into a faint smile, and I felt my stomach flip. I mustered up the courage to hold Aspen’s hand in mine, and I felt myself smile back as she squeezed my hand. “Do you want to have kids? Obviously you’re great with kids, I’ve seen how you are with Maylie, but do you want kids of your own?”

“Definitely,” I didn’t even have to think of the answer, “I want to have a family, for sure. I’m excited to be a dad one day, and I’m hoping one of my kids likes baseball. I want to have at least two kids, so they always have someone to play with. What about you, do you want kids of your own?”

“I want exactly what you just said, yeah. I think you’ll make a really great dad one day.”

“I think you’ll make a really great mom one day.” I dragged my thumb up and down the back of Aspen’s hand, her skin was so soft.

“Do you have a guilty pleasure?”

“John Green” I couldn’t hold back my laughter as I admitted it, “I just love everything about him. His books are so well written, and the movies based off of them are so good, and his interviews are so funny. He’s like, my favourite John, ever.”

Aspen mouth opened and she laughed along with me, “I love John Green! The Fault in Our Stars was definitely his best book, I cry every time I read it.” Her laugh rang throughout the room; it was loud and real. I could barely hear the music over her laughter.

“You have the most beautiful laugh, ever.” My stomach twisted and although I was the one saying the words, I felt shocked once they left my mouth.

Aspen’s laugh faded and she lay there beside me, holding my hand, smiling at me smiling at her. We sat there for what felt like an eternity, and just enjoyed one another’s company. I watched the way she blinked so quickly you could barely notice, and the way her long eyelashes cast a shadow underneath her eyes. Although we weren’t talking, it felt comfortable just laying here with her. The silence didn’t feel awkward but instead it felt like we were closer than before, like the silence meant something deeper than the absence of knowing what to say.

My stomach began to roar louder than the music played, and so Aspen dropped my hand and stood up from our spot on the blanket.

“C’mon,” Aspen held her hand out for me and I took it as I stood up, “let’s go see what kind of meal we can muster up. I have to warn you, I cannot cook to save my life.”

“It’s alright,” my laugh echoed through the stairway as I followed Aspen down into the kitchen, “I learned how to cook pretty young. Just pull out some food and we’ll figure something out.”

“So we’re going on a cooking adventure? Sounds exciting!” Aspen pulled me by my wrist into the kitchen, and I sat on top of the counter while she rummaged through the pantries. “Okay,” Aspen mumbled to herself, “there’s Kraft dinner, that’s an obvious no. We could make pasta, even though I had that two nights ago. I think there’s pizza left in the freezer downstairs, but Mom may have eaten it already.”

I took my stance behind Aspen and looked through the food on the higher shelves.

“Okay, I got it, I know exactly what we’re having,” I reached above Aspen’s head and pulled out a box of mix and a bag of chocolate chips, “I’m making you chocolate chip pancakes.”

“Benson, it’s dinner time, we are not having pancakes.”

“Are you telling me you’ve never had pancakes for breakfast?” I put my hands on Aspen’s shoulders in mock horror, “Aspen Quinn, you have yet to live. Go sit down, I’m making you dinner of champions!”

Aspen threw her head back in laughter and took a seat at the kitchen table. Her head was resting in her left hand, and her eyes were piercing a hole in me she was staring so hard.

“You’re way different than you think you are, you know?” Aspen was knawing on her lip, and was watching my every move as I poured the ingredients into a bowl. “You say that you’re clumsy and awkward and nervous, but I haven’t noticed that. I mean, I’ve seen you fumble a few times when getting into my car, but that’s cute. You’re not as flawed as you seem to think, Benson. I happen to think you’re quite amazing.”

“Oh,” I could feel my cheeks burning, “thanks. Hey, how many pancakes do you think you’ll want? I was thinking I’ll make two large ones for each of us, does that work?”

Aspen nodded her head yes and walked over to the fridge. She took out a can of whipped cream and a bottle of maple syrup.

“Alright, here you go,” I set her plate of pancakes in front of her as I took the seat beside her, and her eye’s grew like a little kid who just saw snow for the first time. Aspen drowned her pancakes in syrup, and then added whipped cream on top. “Aspen, you know there are already chocolate chips in there, right?”

Aspen dug her knife and fork into her first pancake, and took her first bite.

“That is an insane amount of sugar,” I pulled the syrup away from her and added some to my own pancakes, “you just made an already unhealthy mean a million times worse.”

Aspen stuck her tongue out at me and picked up the whipped cream. I watched as she sprayed more whipped cream onto her pancakes, but all of a sudden she was spraying me with whipped cream instead.

I jumped out of my chair and ran to the back of the kitchen. Aspen was laughing so hard I thought she was going to cry, and my hair and shirt was covered in whipped cream. I saw the kitchen tap and hose out of the corner of my eye, and before Aspen could move I had sprayed her with tap water. She squealed and ducked under her chair, but she was already soaking wet.

“Oh my god, Aaron!” Aspen ran at me and turned off the water. Her hair was dripping wet, and her clothes were sopping. She shook her body like a dog, and drops of water went all over the kitchen. Aspen pointed a finger up at me face, then turned away without saying a word. She took a turn and made her way back up the stairs to her bedroom.

I took off my flannel and rubbed the whipped cream off of it with paper towel before throwing it back on. Lulu came up from the basement and began to lick the whipped cream and water off from the ground. She nudged her head against my knee, and I pet her behind the ears.

Aspen came back down in sweatpants and a tank top that had paint stains all over it, and her hair was tied up in a wet, messy bun.

“Lacey and Maylie put in all this hard work for you and I to look good tonight,” Aspen poked me in the ribs as she stood in front staring up at me, “and you ruined it with your water gun fight.” I could see the way Aspen was trying to pretend to be mad, but she was cracking a smile within seconds. “This is not the proper way to behave on a first date, Benson.”

I hadn’t realized this was a date, and Aspen calling it one took me off guard. I took in a breathe and tried to act less awkward, like how Aspen said she saw me.

“Maybe I’ll do better at the party then?” Aspen laughed at me and ran her fingers through my messy hair. Her fingers had whipped cream on them when she pulled away.

“I recommend a shower when you get home,” Aspen laughed as she looked over her fingers, “you’ve got a tiny bit of whipped cream in your hair.”

“Actually,” I pulled my phone out of my pocket to check the time, “I should probably get going now, and you should go eat your pancakes. I promise you, they’re delicious.”

“From what I could tell from the first few bites before you rudely attacked me,” Aspen walked me to her front door and grabbed her coat, “they were quite delicious. Now, c’mon, it’s freezing out and there is no way you’re walking home.”

Aspen locked the door behind us and made her way to the car. I followed behind her hesitantly and held onto the stair railing, the stairs were a little icy and I didn’t need to make a fool of myself.

I sat in the passenger seat beside Aspen as she started her car. Aspen gripped the steering wheel tightly, and I knew to stay quiet unless she said something first. Her fingers held onto the steering wheel tightly, but her knuckles never turned white like they normally would.

“Can you play something,” Aspen’s eyes stayed glued to the road and her voice shook slightly, “like something soft from your playlist?”

I fumbled to find the aux cord and took it in my hand before I plugged it in, playing a soft piano melody through the speakers.

“Was your dad right when he said that you keep your music to yourself, honestly?”

“Yeah,” I sighed as I fumbled with the cord in my hands, “he was right, but it’s dumb. I’ve just always had this thing about my music taste. It just feels really personal to me, I guess. I know it’s pretty stupid, but yeah.”

“It’s not dumb, Benson,” Aspen smiled reassuringly but her eyes stayed on the road, “I know what you mean about it being too personal. The music you listen to tells someone exactly how you’re thinking and feeling. For example,” Aspen let out a forced laugh as she took a sharp turn, “my music will tell you I’m a crazy, panicky driver who dresses like a lady from the fifties and I spend most of my time babysitting a kindergartener. I’d say I’m the whole package.”

I turned down my music as Aspen took a sharp turn into my court. She pulled into my driveway and put the car in park. She released her grip on the steering wheel, and instead held onto my arm.

“Remember your question that you had asked,” Aspen’s tone was soft, “about who I lived with? I wasn’t lying; it is just my parents, Lulu, and I. But there used to be five of us, my grandmother used to live with us. She died a few years back; she was killed by someone driving under the influence. That’s why I’m such a panicky driver, honestly.”

It felt like my stomach had dropped to my feet. The article was obviously about Aspen’s grandmother, and she was killed by a drunk driver. My mother constantly drove drunk when I was younger, and I never stopped it. If someone had stopped that driver, Aspen could still have her grandmother.

“Were you two close?” I managed to choke out.

“Yeah,” Aspen stared down at her hands, “she was my best friend.”

“I’m sorry,” it felt like I should be telling her everything right now.

“It’s now your fault,” Aspen moved her hand to place it over mine, “I had a nice time today.”

“Yeah, I did too.” Aspen cracked a half smile, but I could tell she was still thinking about her grandmother. “I should probably go inside now, but I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, for sure,” Aspen leaned over and kissed my cheek. My face was probably as red as her lips, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “Bye, Benson.”

I stepped out of the car and shut the door behind me. Aspen pulled the car out of the driveway, and I stood watching on my driveway before I went inside.

Mom was sitting on the stairs on the phone, but she hung up right when I walked in.

“Hi sweetie,” her voice sounded strained, “you’re home earlier than I had expected. Are you hungry?”

“No, I ate dinner,” I smiled to myself at the memory of pancakes, “Is Maylie already asleep?”

“Yeah I put her to bed,” Mom let out a sigh, “she was exhausted as I am.”

“Was Grandpa really that bad, Mom?”

“There’s just some unsettled water between us,” Mom stood up and put her hand on my shoulder, “it’s nothing to worry about. Your dad is taking a nap on the couch; you can wake him up if you want. I’m heading upstairs now, but I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yeah I think I’m going to head up soon,” Mom kissed the top of my forehead, “Goodnight, Mom.”

Mom’s head hung low as she walked up to bed, and it made me angry at Grandpa that he would make Mom feel like this.

I walked into the living room to find Dad asleep on the couch; he looked almost as exhausted as Mom did.

“Hey, kid,” my dad shook awake, “when did you get home?”

“About five minutes ago; I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Its fine,” my dad threw the blanket off of him, “this way I’ll end up in my bed, which is much more comfortable. How was your date?”

“Dad,” I let out a sigh, “it was fine.”

“It was only fine?” my dad wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“It was good, we had fun. We’re going to a party together next, so that will be different.”

“You’ve been here for not even a week and you’ve already got two dates with this girl,” my dad patted my back, “that’s my boy. You better treat this girl right, Aaron. No getting her pregnant until you’re twenty years old, alright?”

“Dad, seriously?” His words made my back feel weird.

“Hey, hey, I’m just joking.” My dad held his hands up in surrender, “You better be at least twenty-four before you knock someone up.”

“Oh my god, okay Dad, that’s enough,” I began to walk away from Dad but the thought of Aspen’s grandmother popped into my mind, “Dad, can I ask you a question? It’s kind of important.”

“Of course, kid. What’s on your mind?”

“If you had a secret and you knew that a certain person should know what this secret is, say this certain person is a girl, would you tell that girl your secret even if it meant she may hate you?”

“Son, is everything okay with you and Aspen? Is this about her?”

“Yeah, yeah,” I let out a sharp breathe, “Everything is fine, don’t worry. I was just asking for Reese, he’s having some girlfriend troubles.”

“Okay,” Dad’s voice was hesitant and I knew he could tell I was lying, “well just let me know if you need anything, alright. I’m going to head up with your mother, I’ll be gone in the morning but have a nice day at school, okay?”

“Yeah, sure Dad.” I made my way towards our fridge to grab a snack as Dad walked to our stairs.

“Hey, Aaron?” Dad called from the hallway, “you know that you don’t have to be embarrassed about your mother, but you also don’t have to tell everyone right when you meet them, okay?”

“Yeah, I know Dad, goodnight.”