One Night ✔

4. Maya's Back

The next couple months pass quickly as they always seem to do when you have a fourteen year old daughter but the reunion lingers in the back of my mind, coming closer and closer to the forefront with each passing day.

My friends stopped bringing it up about a week after Avery's birthday but a part of me thought that perhaps that was because they had all hatched an evil plan to make me come so they had given up on trying to convince me.

In the meantime I was busy with Avery; today was her last day of school and I was determined to make her the perfect pancake breakfast.

Of course, every perfect plan needs a little chaos to make it more interesting. "What's up weirdos?" Maya exclaims, bursting through the front door. I laugh, looking up at my blonde best friend. Her skin was tan from the California sun and the smile on her face was infectious. I had missed her.

"Seriously Maya? Avery is still asleep" I remind her though I could really care less. I knew Avery would want a few minutes with her anyway.

"Oh stop, you know you missed me and my loud entrances" she adds, rendering me speechless. I couldn't argue that I missed her terribly. If I would thank the reunion for anything it would be for bringing her home for a few days.

"Of course I did" I reply finally, pulling her in for a hug.

"Aunt Maya" Avery interrupts, causing us to pull apart. "Oh my goodness, what are you doing here?" she rambles excitedly. I smile, returning my attention to the pancakes that are ready. I grab three plates from the cupboard and divide the pancakes between us.

"I'm here for my high school reunion" she answers without missing a beat. My daughter looks from my best friend to me, confusion clouding her face.

"High school reunion? What reunion?" she asks confusedly. I shoot Maya an annoyed glare. I had done such a good job keeping the reunion from her for the past two months and now Maya had ruined everything.

I had kept it under wraps selfishly because I knew that my daughter would be the only one who would be able to convince me to go and I did not want to.

"Um" Maya stutters, grabbing a plate of pancakes and a fork and stuffing her face to avoid the conversation.

I sigh, chancing a look up at my daughter. "My high school reunion is this weekend" I explain making an excited smile pull at her lips.

"And you aren't going? Why?"

"Maybe I should go" Maya murmurs as she starts inching off her chair, plate still in hand.

"What why?" Avery questions, glancing at Maya before looking back at me. "Mom, what happened in high school?" she asks, frustration lacing her voice. It wasn't the first time she had posed this question; she was fourteen and she could do math. She knew she was conceived right around the end of my senior year but I had never given her any details.

My heart was broken that night and I never wanted her to feel that kind of pain.

"More like what happened on graduation night" Maya mutters under her breath. I shoot her another displeased look, shutting her up.

"Look" I begin, taking my daughter's hands in mine as I settle my attention on her. "There are just some people I'd like to avoid so I've decided not to go. Understand?" She nods reluctantly and I release a deep breath. "Good. Now, please go get ready for school."

She sets her lips in a thin line and slides off her seat before storming off towards her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. She may understand my reasoning but she surely wasn't happy with it.

"I'm sorry" Maya apologizes as silence settles around us. "But Riles, are you really never going to tell her about her father?"

I shake my head. "He doesn't deserve to know her Maya. Not after what he did."

"Maybe not but she should at least get the chance to make that decision for herself" Maya argues, sliding her empty plate towards the center of the counter. "I gotta get back to my parent's place, don't want to leave Josh alone too long" she adds with a small smile. "I'll see you later honey."

I nod in agreement, watching as she shuts the door behind herself.