his name is carl

Donuts

3 years later...

Fighting with your parents isn't the best thing to do in the world, but I couldn't help it. My mother promised me that I'd be able to do anything I want (okay, not anything) and not have to watch my siblings. She tried really hard not to be that parent who makes the eldest sibling watch other the younger ones, but her babysitter canceled. I clashed dishes around. I moaned and groaned and begged my mom to find a new babysitter.
Then my mother began to cry.
Don't you know how bad I already feel Ashley? She yell-cried.
I did. But the emotions I felt right now would not quit so easily.
Maybe if our dad was here, we wouldn't have to deal with you, I shouted back.
My mother looked shocked. Already I felt quilt. I looked shocked too. Never have I said anything like that to my mother before.
Tears began forming at my eyes.
I was a stuttering mess, as I profusely apologized.
I stumbled out the door.
I needed to get out of there.
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I began running, running to no clear destination.
When I stopped to heave for breath, with my hands on my knees, I saw a shop right beside me. It was a donut shop.
I dug in my pockets, discovering a rolled $10. I knew I shouldn't eat here. My metabolism wasn't that fast.
But the familiar growl in my stomach was like a magnet, so I went in.
Time had passed, and I had gotten my donut.
I was sitting at the counter when a little kid came by me.
His brown eyes looked up at me. He wasn't smiling, or curious. He just looked.
He had dark skin, a thing I am noting for later.
Liam, get back here, I heard a voice say.
I was smiling at Liam, when I looked up.
There he was.
An older version of him.
My mouth was gaped open again.
My brain was like a malfunctioning factory as I tried looking for words.
But he beat me to that.
Sorry if he was bothering you.
Oh no, it's fine I said.
Liam's voice filled the room.
That's the kind of donut I want, he said.
The guy chuckled.
I smiled.
It's really good, I said to Liam.
After Liam didn't say anything, I nervously laughed.
Well hey, I have to get going I said.
I wrapped up my donut and got off the stool.
The guy wasn't that tall, maybe 5'4.
Surprising.
Good thing I'm 5'2.
Hey, I said, what's your name?
Carl, he said.
Carl. What an interesting name.
Oh, I said to him. My names Ashley.
We stood there, not really knowing what to say.
I nervously laughed again.
It was nice to meet you, Carl.
Back at you, he said.
Touché.
I left the shop, even when I didn't want to.
I had gathered enough information for today.
Now it was time to go back to the house, where I needed to make it up to my dear mother.
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