I'll Take Care Of You

Chapter 13

 

I woke to the sunlight, streaming through the window. I stretched then sat up and looked around. I turned to see that Ash wasn't next to me. I got up and called out to him.

"Ash?" No answer. I opened the door and was about to call louder, when I smelled bacon. I walked out towards the kitchen. There was Ash, standing over a hot stove, cooking some bacon and pancakes. He turned when he saw me walk in. A cheeky grin lit up his face.

"Morning Sleeping Beauty." He said, flipping the bacon. I closed my eyes and breathed in the aroma that filled the kitchen. "You hungry?" He asked, eyeing me. I nodded and walked closer to him until I was right next to him.

"What's for breakfast?" I asked. He leaned down and kissed my cheek.

"Chocolate chip pancakes and bacon. There's also some watermelon cut up in the fridge."

I smiled up at him. Chocolate chip pancakes were my favorite.

"Need any help?" I offered. He nodded then pointed to the fridge.

"Can you get out the watermelon and orange juice?" I walked over to the fridge and got the food out, then set it on the kitchen table.

"Where are Sky and your grandma?" I asked, looking around. It was really quiet. I was waiting for my daily dose of snide comments from Sky about Ash and I.

"Sky had to head to work early today, and Gram is out with her friends. They had a hair appointment." I nodded, taking a piece of watermelon and popping it in my mouth. It was so good. The best watermelon I've had so far.

"Food is ready. Dig in!" Ash told me as he set the bacon and pancakes on the table.

"That was delicious!" I said as I wiped my mouth with a napkin. "You never told me you could cook!"

He shrugged. "I help Gram from time to time. I even know how to make a badass red velvet cake." He said with a smirk on his face.

My eyes went wide. "I LOVE red velvet cake! You better make me some sometime." I said back.

He nodded and chuckled. "I'll be sure to do that." I smiled and then stood up to take my dishes to the sink, when a hand reached out to stop me.

"Sit down." Ash said. I sat down and looked at him confused. He smirked then turned all George Lopez on me. "I got this!" He said, impersonating George. I giggled then shook my head. He was such a gentleman. I picked a good one.

I strolled into his room so I could change and get ready for the day. I checked my phone as I pulled my clothes out. I looked down at it to see that I had a missed call from our next door neighbor, and one of my mom's best friends, Kelly. I looked at it confused then decided to call her back.

"Hello?" She answered. I cleared my throat before I spoke. Why would she be calling me?

"Hey, it's Jennifer. Sorry I missed your call." Good thing she called a few minutes ago. I hoped everything was okay.

"Jennifer! Thank God! Are you okay?" She asked, sounding worried. I was so confused. What is going on?

"Uh, yah? What's wrong?" I asked as I walked to the bed and sat down.

"There was an accident. Your mom was rushed to the hospital earlier this morning." I froze in place.

My heart dropped and my eyes widened. I could feel the tears starting, blurring my vision. I cleared the lump in my throat then spoke.

"Is-Is she going to be okay?! What happened?!" I tried staying strong, but I could feel the weakness taking over.

"I don't know. Linda called me when she saw your mom's car smashed against a pole."

Linda was my mom and Kelly's other friend. Now I knew this was not good. The tears slipped down. I was shaking so hard and I felt like I couldn't breathe. "Jen, you there?" I just sniffled.

Ash walked in and then ran to my side. "Jen? Jen? What's wrong?" He asked in a panicked tone. I held the phone out to him, unable to speak. I was frozen.

"Hello?" He answered. I was zoned out that I didn't hear the rest of the conversation. I just felt Ash take my hand. That was when the sobs started. He hung up and turned to me. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. I felt his fingers through my hair. "Come on, get ready. I'll take you to the hospital." He then stood up, leaving me alone in my thoughts.

I prayed to God that my mother was alright. She was the only family I had left. How could bad things happen to the most innocent people? First Ash, now my mom. Why has my life turned into a living hell all of a sudden?