Hood Rats | Sandy Milkovich

A Mother's Love

The day started off just as hot as one can expect for early August heat. The second Holly was out the door, she felt dizzy with it, forcing her to grab onto the handrail of the porch. She had been like that for the last few days, actually. Dizzy and slightly nauseous whenever she stood too fast. This was going to be a long day.

She slapped the dashboard of her truck, praying that the ac would shudder on and cool down the hot metal box that became the cab. The route to Rory's house was more of a reflex now. Whenever she pulled out of her driveway to go there, she could practically turn her brain off until she pulled up on the street outside of that brick house.

They couldn't avoid each other forever, she just wished that they didn't have to see each other today. A fight was sure to break out with all of this anger stewing on Rory's side.

Holly paused at the front door, fiddling with her keys. Was it even appropriate to just barge in like she used to? She knocked on the dented door. When Diego was in middle school he started playing football and after school one day, Lillian locked them all out of the house, so Rory and Holly made him put his helmet back on so they could use him like a battering ram. They never did break it down, but Diego probably got a concussion.

It opened and just as suspected, Rory stood on the other side, glaring. "I was wondering when you'd come by."

She looked exhausted. The circles under her eyes were darker than usual, her hair was a frizzy mess, and she looked like she hadn't changed out of her clothes from the day before.

"Can we talk?"

Holly half-expected her friend to close the door in her face then, or start yelling, but she just opened the door wider and gestured her into the living room. "Hurry up. I have to go to my aunt's house in a few minutes."

"Why are you going over there?"

She scrubbed a hand down her face as they both chose a seat, Holly on the couch and Rory on the floral armchair across from her. "Long story," she replied shortly. "What do you want?"

That was a good question. She wanted to apologize, above all. Holly wanted a chance to explain, test the waters and see if Rory would forgive her, not that she really deserved it. This too, would pass. Hopefully. "I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I know you were going through a lot and-"

"Holly," she breathed. "You're my best friend. And as mad as I am about you and Diego, you deserve better."

That was not what she was expecting. "What?"

"Diego is a petty asshole and I don't want him using you to get back at me."

Was that what she thought was happening? Did Rory think that this was all because of her? "I like him."

The other girl raised her brows in shock. "Like him?" She echoed, like it was completely unbelievable, not even a thought that had crossed her mind. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that I like him."

"Hey! You ready to go?" They girls glanced at Joaquin, who was standing in the middle of the room with a basket on his hip.

Rory looked between him and Holly. "Uh, yeah."

"I'm gonna start setting up," Holly said as they started to leave. "Be back by seven."

It was the unspoken topic of Holly's being there. Diego was turning sixteen that day and she always helped throw the birthday parties in the family.

After a few moments she got up and climbed the stairs. Diego was still sleeping, passed out on his too small bed and snoring.

She threw herself on the end of the bed, trying to forget about the look on Rory's face. "Up." She gently shook his arm. "Rise and shine."