To Forgive or Not To Forgive. OMORI (Sunburn)

Part 19: Refresh

I don't own Omori.

Sunny has decided to stay in Faraway rather than moving to the city. He also wishes to go back to homeschooling and trying to find a job. Sunny also wants Aubrey to stay with him because he likes her company and her current living conditions aren't the greatest. However, in order for Aubrey to move in with Sunny, Hero advises her to get permission from her mom. Aubrey accepts Hero's condition and so she and everyone else has left the house and made their way to Aubrey's house. Thankfully, Hero was able to fit everybody in his van so he drove them.

"I'm sorry that I never noticed." Basil apologizes.

"Like I said, don't worry about it." Aubrey said. "It's not like I told this to everyone I met."

"Was it a secret that your mom became like...that?" Kel asks as he carefully chooses his words.

"Well, I wasn't one for pity so I just never brought the topic up." Aubrey said. "Only Kim and some of the townspeople know."

Sunny, Aubrey and Kel had a flashback back when they met at the church. Hero could tell something was wrong between the three, but he assumes that it's water under the bridge now. The drive continues in absolute silence. By the next minute, the group made it onto the driveway of Aubrey's house. Everyone was aware of the outside of the house and so the amount of trash that is on the ground didn't phase them. Even Basil is familiar with the increasing amount of garbage that has surrounded the house.

"I'm back." Aubrey sighs as she exits the car.

Sunny takes a look around to see a raccoon rummaging through one of the trash cans. Kim has also noticed and throws a rock at it, scaring it away and also scaring Basil and Hero in the process.

"No offense, but you should really clean up the place." Kel said, pinching his nose.

"No shit sherlock." Aubrey growls before smacking the backside of his head. "I never really had the motivation to clean the place since no one really pestered me about it."

"Not even the neighbors?" Basil asks.

"They haven't bothered since the year after dad left." Aubrey said as she walked to the front door. "Everything changed when the divorce happened."

Everyone looks sadly at Aubrey as makes her way to the front door of her house. Aubrey pulls out her house keys and inserts them into the lock. She takes a deep breath, turns the doorknob and opens the door. An alcoholic smell wafts from the entrance. Basil gags at the smell, but quickly recovers after covering his mouth with his hand. Hero hands him a handkerchief which Basil gladly accepts. Aubrey steps inside and her foot hits a beer can.

That's a new one.

Aubrey walks to the living room where her mom is watching white noise on the tv. Aubrey is normally used to this sight. Aubrey couldn't feel any emotional reunion after seeing her mother just after leaving for a few days. She couldn't even feel sorry for her for being in the same position since she last saw her. Aubrey waves her hand signaling the others and so they enter inside the house. Basil was both astounded and disgusted when he looked around the inside of the house.

"You guys can stay outside if you want." Aubrey said not looking back. "I understand if this is a bit much for you guys to handle."

"I can take it." Basil mutters.

Kim notices that Basil begins to pale and look green. She looks at him with a worried look.

"If you feel like you're going to barf or something, we're going outside." Kim told Basil which he complied with a nod.

Aubrey walks towards her mom and taps her shoulder.

....

No response.