Let Live (Sequel to Blame It)

My name is Julia Harmony Ashby. Named by my father, raised mostly by my mother. I never knew things would turn out like this. Who would have thought that on the day I'm supposed to begin my second semester at college, that I get a call from my father telling me the news. I remember dropping my phone, picking it back up, and running out the door. I had to be dreaming, but I wasn't.

So here I am, standing with a hundred others in black at the unplaced headstone that reads:

April Ashby

1993-2024

Loving mother, sister, and friend.

A tear falls as everyone walks away. They start to put her in the ground and my dad finally breaks down, falling to his knees and sobbing. My grandmother holds him and I walk over to where my 16 year old sister and brothers stand.

They're all crying, and it breaks my heart a little. We all hug and cry. That's all we've ever done since the accident. I feel two strong, yet weak, arms join out circle and look up to see my father, gripping onto us for dear life.

Uncle Tino and Uncle Austin are talking in the distance and I see them begin to walk towards us. We eventually separate once Uncle Austin puts his hand on dad's shoulder, pulling him into his chest. "I just want her back," my dad sobbed into Austin's chest, hiccups invading his words because of all the crying. "We do too, Alan," Austin choked. "We do too."

I woke up and choked, tears streaming down my face. I reached over and grabbed my phone, calling my parents' house. "Hello?" my mom's cheery voice asked through the phone. I let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "Hi mommy," I said. "Julia! Hi baby! How's school?" she asked.

"April where are my sunglasses?" I heard my dad yell. "On your shirt!" she yelled back, laughing. "Honey have you been crying?" my mom asked. "Um, yeah, I had a nightmare," I said, rubbing my eyes.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. Have a good day, Alan! I love you! I'm sorry, baby, your father has been working on riffs for the new record and I'm trying to get the hose clean because your siblings don't know how to clean up after themselves," she sighed. "Hey!" I heard Luke yell.

I laughed, smiling to myself. "Wait, I didn't know they were coming out with a new album," I said, suddenly confused. Dad always told me when they were working on stuff like that.

"I didn't either, honey. Nova! Come get these shoes right now!" I heard a groan and I could practically see mom roll her eyes. "Well hey, I gotta go mom. I'll call later. I love you."

"I love you too Jellyfish. Bye," she said. I hung up and sat there in disbelief. I dialed Uncle Austin's number and waited for him to pick up.

"Hey, Julia!" he answered. "Hey, Austin. Um, are you with my dad?" I asked, picking at the blanket on my bed. "No, kiddo. He said he was running errands today, sorry." I couldn't find words.

He lied?

"Okay. Thanks Uncle Austin." "No problem kid." I hung up and finally came to a conclusion. I was going to Orange County.

***

I pulled into the Chipoltle and turned off my car, climbing out and walking inside. My stomach had been growling for hours. I walked in only to stop in shock.

At a booth to the left sat my father and a woman I had never seen before holding hands, and leaned close to one another. She leaned closer and kissed him and I gasped, causing them to snap their heads towards me.

"Can I help you?" the woman snapped. "Dad?" I asked, trying to convince myself this wasn't happening. "Julia, no," he called, but I was already out the door. I fished my keys from my purse and felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Get off me!" I screeched, tears streaming down my face. "Julia, listen to me!" He yelled. "Why? So you can tell me about your girlfriend? So you can tell me why you've been cheating on mom?" I yelled, punching his chest.

"She gave you everything! Were we not good enough for you?" I screamed, punching him harder. "You're a piece of shit. I never want to see you again," I growled, climbing into my car and driving home. I wasn't even hungry anymore.