Look For The Light|| JILL ROORD .

Layers like an onion

A/N: Almost 2k Words for this one, Happy Monday, 

*3 days later*

I'd woken up and re-stocked the guest bed and bathroom, so it would be all ready for when Ruth and Avery arrived. I never really found out why Avery had to come stay with Ruth. I'm sure it's just some divorce going on between the parents. I had to go live with my grandma for a bit cause it got too much for Mom when Dad left her. 

I'd pulled up at the airport and I saw the same old precious face, and a much younger face 20 inches away from her screen with headphones plugged in. I sighed.  This is going to be a tough egg to crack.

"Hey guys!" I said excitedly, it's almost like we're a little family, sure some of us know each other a little, and some don't, But we're gonna be together for a few months. I'm surprised Avery's mom and dad were okay with letting her come to Spain. "Here let me get your bags," I said to them as I picked up their suitcase and bookbags putting them in the boot. Ruth smiled and hopped in the car, Right along with Avery who was the first sat in the car. 

I finally got the boot of the car to close after some struggle, It was like Avery was bringing her whole life with her. It was for 1 month. Not a decade or even over a year. I'd sat in the driver's seat while Ruth was beside me messing with the radio. I glanced over and saw her smile. I couldn't suppress mine. "What are you smiling at?" She said in a serious tone.

 "Can't admire my abuela messing with the radio?" I laugh shaking my head. 

"No. You can't." She huffed and went back to messing with the radio. Going channel to channel. " Aii! This used to be my stuff! When I and Papi were in the kitchen cooking paella he'd play this and we'd dance!" She said reliving her memories here in Spain. Not too far from Barcelona either. Me and Avery both stare at her clueless about what to say, As we weren't around in that time period nor have knowledge on any Spanish music. She grunted and scoffed. "Ah, you kids! Too young to understand. Hudson, you speak Spanish, No?" She asked me. 

"Sí, solo un poco (Yes, just a little)" I say laughing.

"Very good" She smiled at me.

"COME ON HUDSON, WE GONNA BE LATE!" Ruth yelled down the hall. I was spraying cologne on and fixing my suit jacket. I'd offer for us to go out to dinner tonight, As a welcome-to-Spain and welcome-back-to-Spain treat. I rushed out to the car to drive us to this nice restaurant a few miles away from our house.

Once we'd been seated at the restaurant, and all ordered we fell into a small conversation as Ruth was trying to get us two to know each other. We'd slowly eased our way into my career which right now I didn't have one as far as "rehab" and "recovery" and all that shit.

"So you're a footballer?" Avery asked.

"Avery actually likes football" Ruth pitched in to try and somehow connect us together.

"Yeah, Men's football. The Women's game is shit." She said dully staring into my soul.

I tensed my jaw up. "Avery!" Ruth said to her. "Apologize. Now."

"No." She said sternly. Stubborn. Me too girlie.

"No, It's fine really, I personally think the women's game shit too," I said locking eyes with her. "I mean the pay is. I deserve much more than what I'm paid, a majority of Women footballers as well." I said still staring but giving a glance to Ruth.

"yes, I agree. But I'm sure when Hudson comes back in tip-top shape, I'm sure she will invite us to one of her games." Ruth smiled. But I felt my face fade. What if I don't? Avery seemed to catch on that my smile was fading, and she almost looked as if she cared for me. But It seemed as If she'd put her face back on as well when we both caught each other's eye.