My Mother and Ava Summerfield

Six

Ava pulls into the drive way. I am sitting in the passengers seat with my head against the window. I see the house and know that I am home, but my body doesn't want to move. Ava reaches across the central console and places one of her tiny hands on my should and gives it a small shake. "Jayden, we're here."

I sigh and unlatch the door and almost fall out on to the pavement.

Ava grabs my arm and tries to support me. I pull it away, "I'm fine." She frowns. We climb the steps to the front door. "I'm sorry, would you like to come in?" I say pulling my spare key out of my pocket and unlocking the door.

"Sure, thanks." She says the smile returning to her face as walks past we and into the house.

I close the door behind us. "The kitchen is over there," I say pointing to the left, "and the living room is on the other side of the stair case." I gesture just to the right of the tall wooden stair case that leads to the bedrooms. "I am going to go change and get the vomit out of my face. I'll be right back, make yourself at home."

"Okay," She yells over her should as she walks towards the living room.

I run up the stairs, taking them two at a time. I close the bathroom door and strip off my shirt. It reeks. I run the water until it is warm then splash it on my face, in my mouth, and in my nose until all the traces of my upchuck are gone. I grab my tooth brush and scrub my mouth until I look like I have rabies.

I look around. I can't find the shirt that I brought into the bathroom. I think back trying to remember where I put it. I didn't bring one in here did I? I cuss under my breath.

To get from the bathroom to my bedroom I have to walk right in front of the staircase. I peek out quickly and make a break for it. I make it to my room safely and close the door.

"Oh sorry, I was being nosy." I hear Ava say.

I turn around and see her standing next to my desk. I feel the heat of a blush rush to my cheeks. "Um... uh it's alright." I say. I take as large of steps as possible to get to my dresser.

"I like your house." Ava says turning her back to be look at the pictures I have on the window sill.

I open my dresser drawer as fast as possible and grad the first shirt I see and pull it on over my head, "Thanks"

"Where are your Mom and Dad in these pictures," She asks grabbing one of my brother and me at the fair a couple of years ago.

"My dad died when I was little and my mom left us when I was twelve"

"Oh... I'm sorry."

"It's alright." I say.

Ava puts the picture back down and turns around to look at me. She looks like she is about the ask yet another questions, but has a giggle fit when she sees me.

"What is it?" I ask.

She holds her breath for a moment. "Your shirt is inside out."

"What?" The blood comes rushing back to my face when I look down at my shirt and the seams sticking out.I turn away from a giggling Ava and take off the shirt to turn it back.

Once I am dressed again Ava stops laughing. The silence that follows is strangely comforting. I watch Ava as she looks around my room. She smiles at the pictures.

"Jayden?" She asks.

"Yeah?" I say looking up to make eye contact with her

"Do you know where your mom is?"

The question takes me by surprise. "Um..."

"I'm sorry, you don't have to answer. I'm too curious." She states and lowers her eyes. "Curiosity killed the cat, as they say."

"But satisfaction brought is back." I say remembering what my dad would say to me when I asked questions. Ava smiles, her facing beaming. "Can I show you something?"

"Yes, of course."

I walk over to the small table beside my bed and open the small drawer. I pull out the emails that my brother gave me. "These are from her email. I haven't been able to look at them yet." I offer the stack of folded paper.

"Are you sure? Don't you want to look at them first?" She asks. I nod my head. Tentatively, Ava takes the paper from my hand and flips through the emails. "Jayden, who is Riley Bannerman?"

"What?"

"That's who most of these emails are from, Riley Bannerman. Some of them are very threatening." I look over Ava's shoulder at the messages.

The front door opens and closes. "Jayden, are you here?" I hear Fletcher call.

"Yeah, I'm upstairs." I call back. I don't have time to read anymore of the emails. My brothers knocks of my door only seconds later.

I open it for him. "Hey, are you okay?" He asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say.

Fletcher walks farther into my room and sees Ava. "Who is this?"

"This is Ava Summerfield."

"It's nice to meet you," Fletcher says.

"You too," Ava says. Without skipping a beat she asks him, "Who is Riley Bannerman?"