Dear August

|Twenty-Six|

"Riley don't forget to turn in that essay," mom reminds me, gathering her things for work quickly.

"Got it. Thanks mom," I nod as I chew my piece of toast.

"August will get you guys to and from school."

"Like always. We know mom," August interrupts, walking out of her room.

"Don't worry, your presentation will go great," I reassure our anxious mother.

"Thanks guys. Love you both, I'll be home tonight." she blows kisses our way as she rushes to the door. August and I wave back.

"I'm not gonna go today," August turns to me as soon as the door closes.

"Why not?" I ask not breaking my attention from my toast.

"Just don't feel like it," she shrugs. "It's not that big of a deal. I don't think any of my classes are doing anything big today."

"Alright."

We both stay silent, scrolling on our phones and eating breakfast.

"Hey by the way, your laundry is on your bed," she breaks the silence.

"Ah, thank you my maid," I joke.

She rolls her eyes. "Hey keep up the maid talk and I'm never doing anything for you ever again."

"Love you," I hop up from the table and walk to my room.

"Whatever."

I sift through my clean laundry that was strewn across my bed trying to find something to wear. My attention is caught by a shirt I'm quite fond of, a yellow and white striped shirt. Nothing huge but it's a damn cute shirt.

I pick it up from my bed and hold it up. Much smaller than I remember. I pull it over my head and then that's when I finally get why it looks so small.

My heavy footsteps bang through the house as I make my way back into the kitchen.

"August!"

"What?"

"What the hell is this?" I gesture to my shirt.

She raises her eyebrows. "That would be a shirt Riley."

"My favorite shirt," I emphasize the favorite. "And you shrunk it!"

She jumps a little in surprise of my yelling. "Ry I'm sorry I didn't know that couldn't go into the dryer."

"God why do you have to ruin everything?!"

She opens her mouth to say something, hurt and slight sadness lining her face.

"Just don't. Take me to school." I keep the shrunken shirt on with my jeans and slip my shoes on at the door. She follows me silently with her head low.

We pull up to the school and she pulls over so I can get out.

"Have a good day. Love you," she softly says. I respond with blowing a puff of air out my nose and hop out, making sure to shut the door harder than usual.

We catch each other's eye before she drives off. I can barely make out the tear drop rolling down her cheek.