All the Little Secrets

CHAPTER 1. NUMB

PART ONE

Chapter 1. Numb

The plane arrives at Los Angeles Airport with a bit of turbulence and many tears shed. It's late afternoon in California when we land. We follow others off the plane to luggage claim as a loud whistle pierces our ears. My mom's eyes brighten as William comes into view. He holds a big bedazzled sign that says, Where's my family at?

William engulfs all three of us in his long arms as he says, "Becca helped design the sign. She's sorry she couldn't make it - she has practice. We're so excited you're here."

"You're going to love Malibu," my mom gushes to us as she plants a few kisses on William's lips. Parker does a throwing-up motion, but I hit him in the arm to stop. He shrugs and walks over to the conveyor belt.

"Avery, you look as beautiful as ever," William says, walking behind me with my mom wrapped in one arm, the giant sign in the other. "And Parker, you grew a few inches since I last saw you."

Parker smiles awkwardly and I thank him for his compliment. All four of us wait for our luggage, listening to William talk about his work and how he's been busy with his latest case.

"First thing I'm doing is finding myself a job," my mom shares and William looks at her peculiarly. "Since you're busy with the case, and the kids are going back to school, I need something to keep me busy."

"Leanne, honey," William interjects as Parker and I glance at each other, "I have enough to support you, our kids, and our future grandkids. You don't need to find a job."

Just as Parker and I suspect, Mom ends the conversation with, "Darling, it's not for you to decide." Her independence from his easy money makes me proud.

Our luggage arrives and we leave the airport. William slips an airport worker a bill of money with a wink, then proceeds to open the passenger door of an illegally parked fancy gold car for my mom.

"Wow. A Rolls-Royce Phantom," Parker says to me, hypnotized. "Those are like, half a million dollars."

"Marco's obsession with cars has taught you well," I respond, but he's too busy falling in love with a car.

I climb nervously into the backseat, aware that others around us are staring. The worker smiles at me, inching closer to see if we're celebrities. With an envious smile, he slowly closes the door behind me.

"I wish you would've let me bring the jet to you," William says as the worker finishes loading our luggage. He presses a button to close the trunk door. Parker watches it closely as if it's the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. "We wouldn't have so many people gawking at us right now."

"Flying coach was fine," my mom laughs. "We don't need your jet."

As the car races down the freeway, I open the window, letting the hot wind whip my hair around my face. The sun is setting over the rolling hills of Los Angeles as we weave through the traffic heading toward Malibu. William peeks at me through his rearview, a smile forming on his face. I force a smile back, fooling him into thinking I'm happy to be here. Inside, I'm dying.

My mom's head rests on her neck pillow against the glass, falling asleep quickly. She snores lightly, her breath creating fog on the window. She looks so peaceful as I watch her in the passenger mirror.

Parker has his headphones in, looking out his window with no expression. I reach out to take his hand. He clasps his fingers around mine, squeezing it gently.

Just the two of us against the world.

My eyes feel suddenly heavy as I allow myself to drift off into sleep.