Even Heroes Have Scars

[109] Come Together

Ansley's P.O.V.

The next week and a half went smoothly, and before we knew it, it was Thanksgiving. Jacob and I stressed about what to wear for half an hour before we left the apartment. We snagged a fruit platter and a pack of assorted nuts, per Demi's request, from a nice grocery store on our way over to her house. For some reason, Jacob insisted on being the one to carry the fruit in while I carried the bag of nuts all the way to the kitchen. My heart was racing though as I followed behind him out of anxiety of having to face Dianna; I had been so rude to her the last time I saw her, and I owed her an apology.

Jacob placed the fruit tray on the kitchen island before going to hug Dianna, who hovered over the stove stirring pots and pans. Jacob seemed like he was so excited to see everyone after not only the past couple months but really the whole past year where he tried to avoid coming to visit. He was a perfect example of being glad to be alive.

After Jacob's hug, he left the kitchen to find Maddie, which left me alone with Dianna, who just now noticed my presence in the kitchen.

"Oh, hey, Ansley. How you doin', sweetheart?" She pulled me into a hug without hesitation.

"Hey," I greeted, surprised by her calmness. "I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm great, honey. Listen, I need some help peeling potatoes. I know you just got in the door, but I've been so busy with everything else, and my husband is working on the turkey, and my daughters haven't been much help today," she explained, motioning toward the bowl of potatoes on the countertop by the sink.

"No problem. Did you wash them yet?" I asked as I stepped over toward the bowl.

"No, but I suppose that's important, so do that first."

I nodded and got started on washing the potatoes. "Dianna, I wanted to apologize," I said after working up the confidence.

She shook her head quickly and looked at me over her shoulder. "No, none of that, honey." She used a warning tone.

"No, I need to say this," I battled. "I blamed you for Demi telling me to leave the hospital, and I was wrong for that. I was angry about a lot of things, and I took it out on you. I'm sorry." My explanation was quick in fear of being cut off, but she let me finish.

"Ansley, I didn't tell her to stop talking to you –"

"I know."

"– But I did hint that she should." She noted the confusion on my face and continued. "Look, I needed my daughter to focus on her health, both mental and physical. I suggested she surround herself by only essential people while she worked on herself. I didn't realize she would cut off so many people right then and there. But I'm glad she did. And now she's a lot better, and you two can be as you were."

"We're just friends." I was a little angry, but I needed to get past this, so I let it go.

"I do want to ask – what are your intentions with her now?" she asked.

"We're just friends," I repeated.

She nodded along. "Yes, you said that, but what about a year from now, when you're both all healed or whatever. If the opportunity presents itself for you two to get back together, would you?"

I felt like I was being grilled. I shook my head. "We're just friends right now. I can't predict how I will feel in a year or even in an hour. But what I do know is that I don't want anything romantic with anyone. I'm focused on my brother and on my music."

"That's good. Look, I'm not trying to force you apart. You're family no matter what, and I love you. But my daughter still needs to be single for a while, and her current sobriety isn't guaranteed. And I don't want either of you to get hurt if something happens."