Another Reason to Cry

Heal the Broken Memories

Present

After the conversation with her mother, Alise decides to take matters into her own hands. If she just talks to her mother about it, Jenny will shut down and no other information will escape her lips.

Alise drains her mug of coffee and heads back upstairs, where her phone is. She dials a number and puts her phone to her ear, chewing her bottom lip in anticipation.

The ringing stops as the person on the other end picks up.

"Hello?"

Alise inhales deeply.

"Hi. Is this Slash?"

A pause. Alise holds her breath.

"Yeah. Who's this?"

Alise releases her breath.

"Oh, good. I'm Alise Delgado."

A muffled cough sounds on the other end, then the clearing of a throat.

"Oh yeah. You're Jenny's kid, right?"

Alise nods, then quickly realising Slash can't see her through the phone, she clears her throat.

"Uh yes. That's me."

"Nice. It's good to talk to you. Why'd you call, Alise?"

She clears her throat again, apologising quickly.

"Axl's my dad," she blurts out quickly, slapping her hand over her mouth. She hears a chuckle on the other end.

"Man, Steven owes me like fifty bucks now. But uh, why'd you call me?"

Alise's eyes widen. Would Slash really be able to help her? She exhales slowly, playing with the bottom of her shirt.

"Do you know of any way I could contact Axl? It's just—I don't really know that many people who can, and I'm not about to ask my mom."

Another pause. Alise holds her breath.

Slash clears his throat.

"Uh yeah. I guess. I have his number, let me give it to you."

Alise hears jostling around on the other end, along with Slash calling out, "Babe! Where's that paper with Axl's number?"

And the response, "I don't know, isn't it in your phone?"

"No, I forgot to save it. Is it on the counter?"

A short pause.

Some rustling.

"Okay, Meegan found it. Gimme a sec and I'll text it to you."

Alise lets out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you so much." Alise smiles softly, although Slash can't see it.

"Yeah, it's all good. Hey, you need to call Lucy like tomorrow or something. She wants to hang out with you and Grace this weekend."

Alice nods.

"Ok, I will. Thanks again!"

The call ends.

Alise sucks in a breath as her phone pings with Axl's number showing up in the little white text box.

She clicks the underlined string of numbers, and the phone begins to dial. Alise chews her bottom lip.

The dialling stops.

Static sounds.

Alise's palms sweat.

Her heart rate picks up.

"Hello?"