Chasing Daylight

Chapter Fifteen

I'll be strong, I'll be wrong
Oh, but life goes on
-Taylor Swift
Mason
That weekend I was sitting in my apartment talking to my mom on the phone.
"You should come and visit next week sweetheart," my mom said. "Your brother has homecoming."
"I'll think about it mom," I said. "I have to look at my schedule."
"How is that girl you've been talking to, Maria? You should bring her. We would love to meet her," my mom said sweetly.
"She is good, we hung out on Monday," I replied. "You remember how I told you about her mom?"
"Of course, poor thing," my mom said and I knew she was frowning. She was one of the most empathetic people I knew and she often made it her responsibility to heal everyone she thought was even the slightest bit broken.
"Well, she told me that her dad actually died of cancer a few years later," I replied. "I just can't imagine not having any parents."
"Oh, you have to bring her this weekend. I'll give her a home-cooked meal and a hug."
"I'll try, but you can't tell her that I told you," I sighed. "She doesn't like being pitied."
"I promise we'll be on our best behavior just get her over here."
Later that day Max and I sat in my apartment eating dinner. "Your mom called me today," Max laughed.
"What did she say to you?" I laughed rolling my eyes.
"She wanted me to come home with you this weekend and she wanted to make sure that I convinced you to bring Maria too," Max laughed.
"She has been trying to convince me all day," I laughed. "I just don't think Maria is going to want to come to some random family weekend."
"Just ask and see," Max said. "The worst she can say is no."
"I guess you're right," I shrugged.
--
Monday night I found myself in the apartment watching another episode of the bachelor. I hated the show, but I loved watching Maria complain and roll her eyes at the show. She got so into it and I loved watching her. When the show was over, I turned to her.
"What's up?" She asked brushing her hair into a ponytail.
"I wanted to tell you that Max and I are going back home this weekend. Um, I know you don't like staying home alone and I talked to my mom and she would love it if you came too," I said feeling embarrassingly nervous.
"Yeah, okay, as long as your mom is okay with it," she smiled.
"She really is," I replied. "We're going to leave Friday at like three. Does that work for you?"
"Yes, absolutely."
I was actually really excited to introduce Maria to my mom and brother. I was excited to show her where I grew up.
--
Maria
Friday afternoon I found myself in the back of Mason's car as Max and Mason argued over the best route to take. I hadn't left the town since I had moved to Washington, so it was exciting to see a different part of the state. I watched out the window as the sun set behind the tall pine trees. A half-hour later we pulled up to a small house with fake flowers lining the beds and pots by the front door.
"She's obsessed with fake flowers because she can't take care of real ones for shit," Mason laughed noticing my gaze.
"I think they're beautiful," I smiled and they were. Nothing lasted long in the Washington winters.
"They look like they're fading," Max scoffed.
"Don't be an asshole to my mom," Mason frowned giving him a nudge.
"I won't you know I love Becky," Max chuckled. Mason rolled his eyes tossing Max his bag. Mason took both of our bags and refused to let me carry mine. The door burst open as we walked up the sidewalk and a small round woman with long brown hair and a big smile appeared.
"Oh, Mason! My baby," the woman smiled running out to us and hugging Mason tightly. "It's so good to see you."
"Hey mom," Mason chuckled. "How are you?"
"I'm so good now," she grinned. She turned to Max and wrapped him in a tight hug as well. "How are you doing sweetheart? I've missed you too."
"I'm good Becky," Max said giving her a tight hug as well.
"You must be Maria," she said turning to me. "I'm Mason's mom, you can call me Becky. I'm so happy you're here."
"Thank you for having me," I said as she wrapped me in a hug.
"Well come on inside, I already have dinner ready," Becky smiled leading us inside. The house smelled amazing. Becky led us through a hallway and we arrived in a small kitchen with a little wooden table. There was a boy, he looked a lot like Mason, but younger already sitting at the table.
"This is my brother Clayton," Mason said. "Clayton this is Maria."
"It's so nice to meet you," I smiled and he gave me a grin. We sat down and Becky brought over a big dish of lasagna. Mason took a slice for himself and then plopped a big slice on my plate.
"Thanks," I said. "This looks amazing Becky."
"Well it tastes even better so eat up sweetheart," Becky smiled. As we ate dinner, Mason talked about his internship and Max talked about his classes. Becky beamed like a proud mom for both of them. Clayton told Max and Mason about his date for the dance tomorrow and he was so polite while speaking about her.
"Do you want to take a walk?" Mason asked me when we finished dinner.
"Sure," I nodded. It was dark outside, but streetlamps lit the uneven sidewalk. Mason walked close to me his arm brushing my own.
"Where did Max live?" I asked looking at the small houses.
"That one on the corner," Mason replied pointing to a very run-down-looking house. "No one has lived there since he left. His dad left when we were ten and his mom turned to drugs, so he stays with us."
"Oh," I said looking at the house sadly. "It's nice that you take care of him."
"My mom loves him like a son," Mason shrugged. "She loves so deeply no matter what fucked up mistakes you've made. I don't know how she does it."
"She seems so sweet. I really like her," I replied. "Your brother is so respectful and kind too."
"Yeah, he learned from my mistakes," Mason chuckled.
"What's the worst thing you've ever done?" I asked curiously. Mason stopped walking and looked down at me with worry.
"I don't think you want to know that," he said looking down at the ground.
"Everyone fucks up sometimes," I shrugged.
"I know you haven't messed up the way I have," he said not meeting my eyes.
"I know you've changed. I know how you are now," I said honestly.
"Okay, when I was seventeen I was snorting cocaine quite frequently and I fucked my neighbor who was married. I bragged about it to her husband. They had two little kids and they got divorced."
"Oh," I said surprised. "When did you stop doing drugs?"
"I stopped the cocaine as soon as I saw one of the kids screaming as the dad got into the car to leave. My mom didn't know I was responsible for their divorce for a year. When she found out, that was the night that my mom begged me to quit everything," Mason told me. I could see the regret and fear in his eyes.
"You know, I don't think you're a bad person right? I can see how much you regret what happened. A bad person wouldn't regret it," I replied touching his shoulder gently.
"Thanks, really," he said giving me a little smile. We walked for a while in silence before we were back at Mason's front door.
Hey everyone! Thank so so much for reading! How do we feel about Mason's past? Leave a comment and let me know! Have a great day!