Close As Strangers

1.4

My mom took me out to the same resturant I went to the other week with that annoying waitress Allyssa. I looked around, hoping not to see her again.

"Have you ever been here?" My mom asked as we got seated.

"Yeah, the other week actually."

"What's good here?"

"I actually just got french frie-"

"Is that soon to be Mrs.Hemmings I see?" I knew that voice. It was that damn girl Allyssa again. I looked up from my menu, seeing her stride to our table.

"Mrs.Hemmings?" My mom laughed.

"And who's this? Your sister?"

"No." I said annoyed. "It's my mom."

Allyssa looked at her again. Now examening her face a bit more accurately.

"Wait." She said quietly. "Did you date Dave Irwin?"

My mom looked up at her, surprised.

"Excuse me?" my mom asked, closing her menu and slowing getting out of her seat.

"Dave Irwin? He's like in his thirtys, his son is Ashton Irwin."

"Let's go Arden." My mom mumbled, walking away from our table.

"Wait!" Allyssa screamed running after us. She grabbed my mom's arm and didn't let go.

"Okay, let go." I said calmly, pulling at her hand.

"Wait. I just have a few questions."

"Ask." My mom said quietly.

"Did you date Dave Irwin?"

"Yes." She mumbled. "I was engaged to him."

"Did you guys have kids?"

"Yes." My mom went silent. "Arden and Ash."

"Wait Ash is your son?" She said calmly. "I want to tell you something, but please. Don't freak out."

My mom looked at her. She furrowed her eyebrows and waited for Allyssa to speak.

"I'm Allyssa. Dave is- well. He's my dad. When I was little I only knew him, I never met my mom. And he, all these years, he's been messed up. Every night, he would be so upset, and it honestly sucked seeing my dad cry. I never got to meet Ashton though, he's only my half brother."

"And your point is?" My mom asked.

"My daddy said that the reason he's been so upset with himsef for years it because he did something very wrong."

"He did a lot of things wrong."

"But he said the one thing, his one regret, was loosing the woman he loved the most. Her name is Taylor. Is that you?" She asked this like it was planned, like some kind of movie. Of course this girl was annoying as hell, but I honestly felt sympathy for her. I don't know if it's these damn hormones, or if I am actually starting to feel again.

"He has this picture of you in his wallet, I have one too. This photo is the closest thing I have to a mom."

I looked over at my mom. She had her head in her hands, and I could tell she was sniffeling.

"I'm sorry." Allyssa said quietly. "It's just, my dad, he still really loves you. He used to tell me it before I'd sleep everyday. He used to say, "Always hold on to the ones you love most, and don't screw up like I did. I screwed up Lala, and now, I don't even know where Taylor is anymore.""

My mom looked up at Allyssa. Her eyes were watering, and she had her hand over her mouth.

"Can you ever forgive him?" She asked, taking my mom's hands.