Family Troubles || Redlyn

A Civil Talk

Ashlyn's POV

Good news: My dad was finally back in town.

Bad news: I hadn't talked to Big Red in a week. But that was normal at this point. Not that I enjoyed it.

"Mom? Dad? Can we talk?" I asked.

"Sure." My mom nodded, sitting down. She probably knew what I was about to bring up, since she always told me to wait for my dad to be in town to ask about Big Red.

"Yeah." My dad joined her.

"So... I've asked a... few times... but I was wondering about Big Red. Because, truthfully, he does make me happy. I get where you're coming from, I do. And I know why, it's just... misplaced. Sure, I've cried over him a few times, but that's how things go. If I can't date my boyfriend, I'm gonna cry. But he always helps me when I'm crying... he just makes me really, really happy." I started, trying to be as calm as I could.

"You keep saying that, and it took your father—" my mom glanced over at my dad, almost glaring, which made me silently sigh. "—awhile to even agree to talk about he subject. But I do agree with him right now. I might change my mind, but he tends to be stubborn."

"That doesn't mean I can't change my mind." He responded.

"Okay, great, 2 open minds." I smiled, cutting them off. "I know I've been kind of... begging, but he's really important to me. Our friends are all friends, we bump into each other sometimes, and I know he misses me too. And I think that's... kind of implied at this point. But I just wanna say it again, he makes me so, so, so happy. And it really has been hard."

"For your own good—"

"Yeah right." I muttered, coming out louder than I meant for it to.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You've forced me to move and break up with my boyfriend 'for my own good.' So sorry if I don't believe you." I mumbled.

"Well you can't assume—"

"I feel like I can at this point. It's never anything good." I sighed.

"I think if you want your boyfriend back—" my mom started.

"Which she clearly does." My dad interrupted.

"Can you not talk about me like this is unreasonable?" I almost shouted. "I'm in love!"

"Don't raise your voice at us."

"You can ruin my life and I can't even let out anger? You know who let me? Big Red. He would let me cry. He would hold me! You won't even— ugh!" I groaned.

"Ashlyn, sit down and lower your voice."

"No." I said stubbornly. "Honestly, I'm done."

"You've lost your chance to talk civilly about this."

"It doesn't matter how civil I am, you won't listen." I crossed my arms. "I don't want to be mad at you, I really don't. I need some air. I'm going to Nini's."

"Fine, but be back in an hour."

"Yeah, sure, whatever. Fine." I said, walking outside and immediately getting on my bike.