Sweetheart

50

Y'all, I forgot I wanted to put a pic of Archie (who you seem to hate, btw. #justiceforarchie). I'll put it here hehe.

Lizzie
December 2020

I'm lying on the bed with Aaron's head on my lap, stroking his damp curls after he took a shower.

"You should dry your hair. You'll get a cold and a headache," I tell him, burying my hand in his thick strands.

"Later," he murmurs with his eyes closed.

I roll my eyes, but smile a little. My phone pings, so I pick it up from the nightstand and unlock it.

Mom, 7.45 p.m: We heard that Rosanna came to visit you.

Me, 7.45 p.m.: She did. I can't believe you fired her.

Mom, 7.45 p.m.: You didn't need her anymore and neither did we. Besides, she's old. We did it for her, as well.

Me, 7.45 p.m.: Please. That's the stupidest excuse I've ever heard.

Mom, 7.46 p.m.: I'd watch my tone, Elizabeth.

Me, 7.46 p.m.: Or what? You'll take my phone? Go ahead. I'll wait for you here.

I can't believe I'm talking — well, writing — back to my mom. In seventeen years of life, I've never tried to— never bothered to.

"You're so tense I feel like I'm lying on a wall. What's wrong?" Aaron asks me, looking up at me. He takes my hand away from my mouth, where I was eating the skin around my fingers. "Sweetheart?"

"I'm texting my Mom. That's all," I explain. My phone pings again.

Mom. 7.48 p.m.: Your life is in my hands, young lady. Be careful.

She's right. The reason I'm not in jail yet is the lawyers my parents are paying. Mostly my mom. My dad just slides the card.

Still, that doesn't give her the right to treat me, her daughter, like shit all the time.

Me, 7.48 p.m.: You can threaten me all you want, but life in jail would be a lot better than living with you.

I'm not getting away with this.

Mom, 7.48 p.m.: I see. And how's life with that Aaron guy?

I widen my eyes. How does she know about him?

Mom, 7.48 p.m.: You thought I wouldn't do some research? How's his relationship with his father going, by the way? Still mad about Jane? I wonder if the police will keep your boy out of jail when I put my hands on the case.

I stand up quickly, making Aaron sit up with worry. I ignore him and dial my mom's number, heading outside the room without saying a word. He calls me, but I ignore it.