Palindrome

Thirty-Nine

Chapter 39

Paxton

Something's wrong.

I stare at the text from Aarohi, turning my phone in my hands before setting it down. Glancing at the analog watch on my wrist I see that it's exactly twelve. Sighing loudly, I rub the back of my neck before picking up my device and surfing through our previous texts to make sure I'm not overthinking this. Times like these made me wish Alice were still here, even if she can be overly nosy about all this.

At least she's happy in college.

Pax 

Are you okay?

Rohi :)

I'm fine

Even now, you're lying to me aren't you Rohi?

But I'm doing the same aren't I?

Instead of texting her those words I look around the living room where I'm seated. Mom and Ella should be asleep by now. Best to check though before mum goes ham on me for what I'm about to do. Swinging my legs over the couch, I stand up and walk softly to the master bedroom.

Sure enough, the television screen is still on but the two of them are asleep. Ella's spread out on the bed like she's some sort of starfish, leaving Mum with a strip of space despite the king size bed they're on.

Sighing to myself, I walk over to her side of the bed with my feet thudding softly on the carpet as I do. Tightening my grip around her arms I move her to one side of the bed. I grunt in pain from the effort. Damn she's gotten heavier since we've moved.

Or I've gotten weaker.

Dusting my hands, I go over to where the blanket's folded neatly on one side of the bed and lay it on her sleeping body. She stirs just a bit and I stroke her hair like Alice used to. Eventually she stops moving and I walk over to mum's side of the bed.

The T.V remote is gripped lightly in one hand while the other grips a few bills. I consider trashing them for a second but my son of a gun for a father needs evidence if he's paying for a part of those expenses. Prying her fingers off both objects, I set them aside on her bedside table and drape another throw over her.

Turning the T.V off, I whirl around to walk out of the room when. "Paxton?"

"Hey Mom."

She sits up groggily with the blanket slipping off her. "What time is it?"

"Like eleven," I say lying through my teeth.

She chuckles softly, "You're lying aren't you."

I smile warily caught in the act. She motions for me to come stand beside her and I do just that. Even though we're practically engulfed in darkness I know she's frowning and staring at me.

"Did you-"

"Yeah I did," I answer cutting her off before she finishes asking her question.

"It's my job to remind you," she says sternly then proceeds to yawn loudly.

I smile, "Get some sleep."

She doesn't protest already sinking into her mattress, "Don't stay up too late."

I lean down to press a kiss to her forehead, "I won't."

Then I final get out of the room, shutting the door behind me. Grabbing my jacket from the couch, I throw it on as I walk towards the front door. Slipping on my Vans, I take the house keys hanging on a hook and step out of the house.