Be in My Life (Fifth Book in Life Series)

Chapter 7

"Accomplishments don't erase shame, hatred, cruelty, silence, ignorance, discrimination, low self-esteem or immorality. It covers it up, with a creative version of pride and ego. Only restitution, forgiving yourself and others, compassion, repentance and living with dignity will ever erase the past." ~Shannon L. Alder 

I hear little footsteps on the staircase. I see Ashton's little head appear before I see her in her Halloween costume. "AUNTIE ELLIE!" She screams at the top of her lungs before running straight to me. "I am super excited for this weekend!" 

"I am too, Ash," I say with a smile. 

"Can we please watch The Little Mermaid too?!" She begs with excitement in her voice. 

"Maybe," I reply. 

"Please," she begs, now using the puppy dog face that makes everyones' hearts melt. 

"Of course we will!" I reply, changing my answer, my heart turning to mush. 

"Yippee!" She squeals. "Oh, hi, Uncle Will," she says, finally noticing Will sitting beside me on the couch. 

"Hey, Ash," he says with an easy smile. 

"Why are you guys up here all alone?" She asks with a confused look on her face. 

"We were just talking," I respond. 

"You guys don't want to come to the party?" She asks with a little sadness in her voice. 

"No, we do," Will says with reassurance. "We just needed a break." 

"Oh," Ash says with understanding in her voice. Ashton grabs both of our hands and tries to drag us off the couch. "Can we go back to the party now?" She asks sweetly. 

"I will go with you," I say, standing from my place on the couch. 

I glance down at Will to notice the pure fear of going downstairs. "Uncle Will? Are you coming with us?" Ash asks. 

"Umm..." he starts. 

In his baby blue eyes I can see the love he has for his niece and that he doesn't want to disappoint her but I also can see his past in his eyes. 

"Hey, Ash?" I say. 

"Yeah?" She replies, looking up at me. 

"I think that Uncle Will needs to rest a little bit and then maybe he will come down," I explain. 

"Did you not sleep last night?" She asks him with worry. "Mommy says that sleep is very important." 

"Your mommy is right," Will replies with an easy smile. "Sleep is very important and when you are old like me, sleep is really important. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night so I am tired," he adds. 

I don't think he is lying. I can see the shadows under his eyes which is a sign of not enough sleep. 

"Okay," Ash says, sounding as if she is agreeing to what he just said. 

I let Ashton lead me downstairs and back to the party. I see clusters of people, talking or dancing or both. Only one person is sitting on the couch, Claire. 

Claire's brown hair is pulled into a bun on top of her head and in her arms is her newborn baby, Savannah. Ash lets go of my hand and goes running towards the other children to play with them. I walk to the couch and sit beside Claire. 

"Ellie," she says quietly, not wanting Savannah to wake up from her sleep. 

"Hi, Claire," I say, also being quiet.