Always and Forever

Chapter 9: La Grande Illusion

On the way to school, I rode with Josh, I stared out the window most of the time.

"How was the baby shower?" Josh asked. "Did Polly like everything?"

"It was fine," I answered. I looked out the window. "And yes she liked everything."

"Are you alright?" Josh asked as he pulled into the school's parking lot. "Is this about your mom?"

"I'm fine," I assured him. Josh parked the car, we stared at the building. "All those girls get to have their mom around."

"There it is," Josh stated. "You miss your mom and that is okay, you are allowed to feel those things."

"It's been a few years, she pops in every once in a while," I explained. "She barely texts me."

"Big breaths Dani," Josh advised me. "You barely text her as well."

"Maybe I should text her more," I sighed.

Do whatever seems like the best option to you," Josh advised.

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I now sat in class, we witnessed Ethel perform a depressing poem.

"They put me in a wooden box as I desperately opposed. But all my screaming was for naught. My mouth has been sewn closed. Curled up in bed was just a girl. Needing Daddy's arms to hold her," Ethel performed. After I made a b line for the bathroom. Ethel's poem was a cry out for help, it was the same way I felt before my parents separated. The divorce papers are still pending, but it still feels very real.

"Are you alright?" Cheryl asked walking.

"Fine," I assured her.

"You are hurting Dani," Cheryl stated as she ran her fingers through my hair. "After Ethel's poem, it's clear she is hurting as well. Do you need to go home?"

"I will be alright, Cheryl," I assured her. "Honestly."

"Don't come to practice later," Cheryl advised.

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I ended up staying home the next day. I sat at the table doing my history homework with Archie and Jughead.

"You should go to school instead of skipping," Dad advised me.

"I was just not up to it today, dad," I defended myself.

"Did something happen at the baby shower?" Dad asked.

"You have been acting weird ever since," Jughead added. "I would know, I attended the baby shower."

"It was all the girls there were with their moms," I answered. "All these girls get to go out and do mother-daughter stuff. Get their nails done, go shopping, make dinner together, help each other get ready. Just be around each other."

"Maybe you should go down and live in Chicago with your mom," Dad suggested.

"No," I denied. "I can't leave you or Archie, besides my whole life is here, including Josh."

"Then just go for a weekend," Archie suggested.

"No, it's alright Dad and Archie," I assured them. "Dad, you are doing really good for filling in her spot for me. I shouldn't take that for granted." At that moment someone knocked on the door. Dad walked over and opened the door.

"Mr. Andrews! Nice haircut," Cheryl greeted, I got up and walked over to see my best friend at the house. "You're looking extremely DILF-y today. Is Archie home?"