Blue Moon

16-Grandma

"Fucking bitch."

Kai throws his cards down as Ashlynn wins again. 

What started out as a friendly game of goldfish turned into Ash and Kai playing speed. 

"Don't be a sore loser sweetie, it's not a good look on you." Ash says placing her cards down. 

Kai reaches into his pocket, pulling out his wallet. 

"I will be a sore loser when I lose a hundred bucks." He takes two fifty dollars bills out and hands them to her. 

Smiling she stuffs them into her bra. 

"You knew she was unbeatable that was your fault." Spencer says as he shuffles the cards. 

Kai groans, angrily stuffing his wallet back in his pocket. 

My phone rings and I see it's my mom. 

"Oh be right back, it's my mom." I say getting off the couch and heading to the kitchen. 

I answer the call, placing my phone to my ear. 

"Hey mom." I say sitting down on the counter. 

There is a snort followed by, "I ain't your momma."

A smile breaks out over my face, "Grandma?" I ask excitedly. 

"In the flesh." She says, "Your mom showed me your pictures and a video of you walkin' across a stage. You looked amazing bug." She says and I bite my bottom lip to hold back the tears. 

Her compliments mean the absolute world to me. 

"You really like them?"

"I loved them. I framed one and made your mom put it on the mantle." She says and I laugh. 

I know my mom fought hard to keep it off the mantle. She only places family and school pictures up there. 

"So what have you been up to?" I ask dangling my legs off of the counter. 

"Dealing with your parents and sister."

"What did they do?" I ask taking a glance over to the living room. 

Kai and Ash are playing speed again. She is clearly winning. 

"Oh your mom is worried I'll hurt myself again. She won't even let me leave the house, she just has Austin go and get whatever I need. The boy got me my rash cream the other day." She snickers. 

"What kind of rash?" I ask, concern lacing my voice. 

"Nothing major bug, just a little patch on my arm."

"And it's getting better?"

"Yes, oh gosh you sound like your mother." She says and I cringe slightly. 

I hear whooping and I see that Kai won. Ash shakes her head taking the money out of her bra and handing it to him. I see the slight smile on her face and realize she lost on purpose. 

"Oh are you busy with your friends, I can call back." She says returning my attention to her. 

"No I want to talk to you. I haven't in two months." I say quickly. 

She sighs, "Hon we have all the time in the world to talk. Right now you should be with your friends. Have fun bug. I love you." 

"I love you too." I say and we hang up. 

I walk back over to the living room, sitting by Ash again. 

"Was that the boyfriend?" Ash asks and I shake my head, "My grandma."

"Tell Lynn I can't wait to meet her." Dez says from where she is sitting. 

I smile thinking of my grandma. That call just made me miss her more. I wish she could come down here. 

"Do you guys think I should go visit her?" I ask. 

Dez nods, "It's good to visit family once in a while."

I nod, "I should text Austin and see-" Ash cuts me off. 

"Don't." I look over at her my brows furrowed, "You should do a surprise visit. You know it could be romantic." She says wiggling her eyebrows. 

Austin has never been a fan of surprises. I guess it could be romantic though he talks all the time about how I should come and visit. 

"True." I say biting my lip in thought. 

"No thinking, do it." She says and I nod. 

Pulling out my phone I look up flights for next week. 

"I could probably leave next Saturday and then get back by Monday." I say.

Dez squeals, "This is so exciting. You get to see your family." She says probably more excited than I feel. 

Cole gets up to throw the trash away and we all start getting ready to call it a night. 

"Did you let Kai win?" I ask Ash as Kai helps Cole. 

She nods, "He was having a rough night Cole told me. This girl back in Alabama doesn't know what she wants and keeps leading him on. I felt like he needed a win." She says. 

One thing I have learned is that Dez is right. Ash is an amazing friend. She may not act like she cares but deep down she does. 

"You lost out on one hundred bucks though." I remind her and she smirks, "It was his money remember."

"We're heading out." Kai calls and the guys leave. 

Ash grabs her purse, "I should too. I've been waiting for a new book to arrive, hopefully Dick didn't steal it. He has a tendency to 'accidentally' grab the wrong package."

"Who's the dick?" Dez asks walking in to the living room. 

Ash rolls her eyes, "My neighbor his names Dick."

Dez snorts, "Is that the bald guy thats missing a tooth?"

"No that's Kent, he's my other neighbor."

Ashlynn is still on the hunt for a new affordable apartment. She thought she found one the other day but the landlord doesn't allow cats. They allow dogs though which Ash said was misogynistic. Not quite sure that fits the definition though. 

Ash leaves and Dez and I get ready for bed. 

Tomorrow we have an outing. Not one we planned but that the agency planned. 

We are going to brunch. Woohoo.

I have more driving lessons with River after as well. 

As I lay in bed I finalize the flight for next Saturday. I can't wait to surprise my family and Austin. 

It's been wait too long without them.