The Ice Cream Complication

02] Glenda

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I woke up to the smell of pancakes, and that is the only reason I pulled myself out of bed at 10am on a Saturday morning.

My dad is worse than me when it comes to getting out of bed which is why with every step, I took downstairs towards the kitchen. I couldn't help but grow a little suspicious. I narrowed my eyes at the sight, my dad sat at the table looking at the stairs, towards me expectantly.

The last time he pulled something like this, it was to tell me we were moving.

"Have a seat, Ava"

"Dad...."

"I promise it's nothing absolutely horrible" he said. He knew me too well.

I looked at him a beat longer before sitting across from him, he was silent as I pulled a plate towards me and started stacking pancakes onto my plate. I topped the stack with whipped cream and strawberries before drowning the stack in maple syrup. I wasn't oblivious to he's silence, usually he'd ask me how I slept, or brag about he's amazing pancake skills.

It was quiet while we ate, I was only halfway through my pancakes when he started to speak.

"Ava"

"Yes dad"

"Do you promise not to freak out? "

"Well, it depends," I say, and I turn all my attention up to my concerned looking father, as a small smirk makes its way on my face "if you're here to tell me you've sold me off for marriage I might just..."

He let out a soft sigh "I'm serious Ava."

My smile slowly wiped off my face, my dad wasn't serious, unless it came to school, the divorce...or mom.

"Then spit it out dad," I began to grow defensive.

My dad looked at me one more time before letting a sigh escape, his lips.

"Your mom wants to talk to you."

Everything stopped as he said those words, I'd blocked her a long time ago, But she didn't have the right to call me her daughter, yet alone have my number. Remember when she didn't fight for custody. I did.

I let out a shaky breath, "I don't want to talk to her dad."

My mom was somewhere in California with her new husband. In her new house, and I hadn't seen her since her picture-perfect wedding, 4 months ago. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss her, but she clearly didn't want me when it was time to go to court, her new husband didn't want any children, and I guess that included me. And at that point she had already made her choice.

My dad remained silent, he knew he couldn't force me to reach out, and deep down I don't think he was so eager to make me either. After the divorce papers were signed, marriage invitations were sent, my mom didn't waste time ever, so it made sense why she wasted no time moving on. She was out of the house that month after the divorce and because my dad couldn't bear to live in the same house that held so many memories of them, we we're out too.

"Ava, she misses you"

I looked up at him and something in me broke. I could see the flash of hurt in his eyes that he tried to conceal anytime we talked about her "and she's your mom, I know you don't believe she deserves that title, but Ava.... Please."

I looked at my dad one more time, before looking down at my pancakes, I'd lost my appetite, I would've thought I would be angry, maybe sad, but I was just tired, tired of all of this.

"I'll think about it."

I didn't hear his response, didn't wait for it, because by the time he had opened his mouth to say anything I was already on my way back to my bedroom.

I didn't want to wallow in whatever mommy issues I'd developed, and I didn't want to stay home, we hadn't lived here for a full day, yet these walls felt ever so suffocating. So, I changed out of my pajamas into an oversized t-shirt and shorts and headed outside.

I didn't have a plan on where I was going, nor did I have any money with me. It's not like I had any friends houses to go to, in fact I didn't know the fucking town. I internally groaned to myself as I closed the front door. Going anywhere would be pointless and stressful, but just as I was about to head back inside a voice called out to me.

"Ava?!"

I looked out to where my name was being called, and was greeted by a warm friendly smile, I'd only seen them once, but I'd always remember those inviting light sea blue eyes anywhere.

"Glen!" I smiled genuinely, happy to see her.

"I saw you were heading out dear, why don't you come in for some ice cream." She said with a warm smile.

I looked at her for a moment before glancing back at my door. Glen had been nothing but friendly towards me and honestly, I really had nothing else going on today. I couldn't call the girls since they had a basketball tournament, and she was offering me free ice cream.

I returned her smile "who could say no to free ice cream."

Glen's home appeared just like everyone else's on the street on the outside, but it was anything but, on the inside, pots of flowers and succulents were scattered all over the place and her bright yellow walls filled with waves of photos, each in black and white frames ,and at the corner of her living room sat a parrot in its cage. It was all so fun and inviting, it only made sense Glen's house looked this way.

"Come this way, the kitchen is right here."

I followed behind Glen but stopped when I saw him.

The Ice-cream Imbecile was seated in the chair center of the kitchen table. He wore a oversize t-shirt and sweats, he hadn't yet noticed me and was busy typing away at he's phone, even when he typed on his phone he looked attractive too bad he was a little-

"Daniel, there's someone lovely I want you to meet."

He finally looked up from his phone as he lazily glanced at Glen before focusing his dark blue eyes on me, his gaze hardened as he looked at me. I'm sure my gaze did too, and we must've stayed like that for a while before Glen decided to break the tension.

"Have the two of you meet before?" she asked, glancing between me and Donnovan... was it, confusion etched clear on her face.

He broke eye contact first as he looked up at Glen, "Something like that" he said in a deep masculine voice "Is this the person you wanted me to meet Glenda."

Any traces of confusion Glenda had quickly dissipated from face. "Yes! Daniel, meet Avary, she's new to the neighborhood and I thought it might be nice if you showed her around town.....maybe take her on a date...or two I don't know"

He's faced contour in disgust.

"Look" Daniel started as he got out of, he's chair, "Glennie, you already know I have a girlfriend, and plus I don't have time to show some new girl around," he turned his attention toward me "if she can navigate the frozen foods Ile, I think she'll be fine in a small town."

Looked to me like someone was bitter about not getting their ice cream. Glen tsked and slapped his head, I held back a snort.

"Chivalry is dead because of boys like you" Glenda tsked "It wasn't like you had a choice any way, after all the food you've eaten from my fridge you owe me for the rest of your life."

Daniel was about to continue before Glen cut him off and turned towards me.

"Ava dear, I'm sorry about him, if he was my grandson, I'd beat him black and blue, rest assured my actual grandson is not as ill mannered as this fool" Glen reached her hand towards the boy before pinching his cheeks and walking towards the fridge.

Daniel stood by his chair, slowly rubbing circles around his now red cheek, while I stood in my spot gaped mouth, and a little confused at the encounter I just witnessed.

"Come now," coaxed Glen "sit down and have some ice cream, I have vanilla and chocolate mint, I sent Daniel to get some chocolate chip ice cream yesterday, but apparently, it was sold out."

Daniel's eyes shot in my direction. I ignored him and stared towards Glen who was rummaging her freezer.

"That's terrible," I replied as I sat down across from Daniel. "Chocolate chip is my favorite."

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