Fouled By Fate

Chapter Nine

Ashley

"Hey, Ashley, it's Hillary. I got your message about needing to take some time off. Do you think you could at least come in for the rest of the week?" Hillary asks when I answer my phone. "I need a few days to find someone to replace you."

"Replace me?" I ask. I guess I should have seen that coming, but it feels a little harsh given the circumstances.

"Well someone needs to scrub the floors while you're away." She responds.

I check on my dad to find him sleeping soundly in his room. "Um, I guess I probably can," I reply.

"Great! Get here as soon as you can." She says before ending the call.

I grab my clothes and throw them on before checking to make sure my dad is still asleep. I've been a nervous wreck since we left the doctor's office yesterday. I'm terrified that he's going to have another breakdown. I'm terrified that I'm going to lose him. The doctor said I shouldn't leave him alone, but I'm sure me going to work for the next few nights won't do too much harm. Surely his condition won't deteriorate that rapidly.

I go straight to the janitorial closet to grab my cleaning cart. I'm surprised Hillary doesn't have anything to say about my tardiness, but maybe she's just grateful that I agreed to come in this week.

"Hey, I need you to stay late to make up for your lost time." Hillary pipes up from the doorway, startling me.

I jump and knock the toilet paper off of the shelf. "Oh, um, I can't. I have to get home to my dad." I tell her.

She purses her lips in a disapproving scowl. "Well, I guess I'll just explain that to the patients who won't be able to wait in a room because they're dirty."

I roll my eyes as I stoop to pick the toilet paper back up and place it neatly onto the shelf. "Look, I shouldn't even be here right now. My father needs around-the-clock care now. I agreed to come in to help you out because he's sleeping, but I have to be there when he wakes up." I explain to her. If I could stay longer, I would. Lord knows I could use the money, but my father's health is more important.

"Did you hear that Alex is at the peak of his season?" I overhear Katie talking to Autumn.

Autumn giggles. "Oh, he's at his peak alright! I heard he's about to sign his contract to be in the NBA."

I continue sweeping the cafeteria as I try very hard not to make it obvious that I'm eavesdropping. Katie flips her long, red hair over her shoulder and pretends to fan herself off with her hand. "Oh, how I wish he'd come back to town. I'd love to give him the night of his life!"

Autumn shakes her head causing her short, black curls to bounce. "We all know that'll never happen. He hasn't been back since he left for that big fancy college."

"I don't blame him. If I was living a rich, rockstar life I wouldn't want to give that up, even temporarily." Katie says.

Autumn shrugs as they walk past me. "True, but we can always dream." They both erupt in giggles as they exit the room.

I grab the mop and bucket and begin mopping the floor. The mention of Alex makes my stomach twist in knots. I've tried my best to not keep tabs on his success, but it's nearly impossible when he's Cherry Hill's very own celebrity. Everyone here knows his name and brags about how well he's doing.