Loving You

XXIX. Devastated

Saturday, May 14th, 2016

The days seemed to fly by, and I thought Benny might start turning a corner and cleaning up, but there were days at a time where I wouldn't see him. His face had started to look more gaunt and pale than I'd ever seen before. More than once, I'd caught him sneaking back from Larkspur City where he'd been partying, doing drugs, and generally causing his very specific brand of trouble. 

"I can't have him in my house anymore, Kels. Find another place for him to go. But one way or another, he's got five more days in my home before I'm kicking him out. Fuck. His parents can take him in." I stood in the kitchen cooking pasta with a kale and cheddar sauce, ground turkey, and roasted green beans with fresh garlic. I had my doubts that Bexley would even try any of it, but I was going to offer it to her anyway. 

Kelsey sighed loudly. "Just for another six weeks. Please, Aspen. He's not in the public eye right now, and that's good. If he gets in trouble or goes to rehab right now, I'm going to have a huge mess on my hands." 

"Do you hear how awful you sound sometimes? I'm genuinely asking." I stepped over Bee while she sat on the kitchen floor, coloring in one of her many coloring books. 

Instead of getting offended, Kelsey laughed. "Okay, maybe you're right. But so am I." 

"I can't have him around Bexley anymore. He's unpredictable. You have until Thursday to find him somewhere else to stay or convince him to go to rehab. The past two weeks have been horrible." Bee glanced up at me when I said her name, but otherwise ignored my presence. 

"Okay, I hear you. I'll call Pam and Larry. They've tried a few times before, but he hasn't been on board so far." 

"Thanks. I'll talk to you later." I ended the call, and finished cooking dinner right at 7:00. I always tried to get dinner on the table at the same time everyday so that whoever was hungry could come eat, knowing it would be fresh and warm. It was one of the few positive things I learned from Mer. 

I'd just dished out plates for Bexley and myself when Knox and Mia came to sit with us, also serving themselves dinner. They hadn't eaten with us for a while, so both Bexley and I were visibly excited. 

"So, Aspen how's the album sales? Are you making any money yet?" Knox asked, and I felt Mia kick him underneath the table, but he didn't even flinch. 

I snickered behind my hand when I saw the full on glare Mia shot in his direction. "Oh, uhm, I'm not quite sure yet how that all works, but I did make way more than I ever expected from Isla Moon." 

Knox nodded his head as he chewed his food. "Oh, really? That's great. So, are you planning on going back to work at the diner, or is this music stuff your new job?" 

"Knox! Why are you such a freaking idiot?" Mia looked somewhat mortified, while they both seemed shifty and off. 

"Why are you guys acting weird? What's going on?" I asked glancing back and forth between the two of them. 

Mia sighed loudly, dropping her fork loudly onto her plate. "Fine. I'm just going to say it. Knox and I are moving to Quebec," she blurted out quickly. 

It actually took a few seconds before I realized what she'd just said. "Wait? What? You guys are moving? I thought maybe you'd just stay there for a few months, and then come home. So, I guess you got the job then?"

Both Mia and Knox nodded silently, looking a lot like little kids about to get scolded. I wanted to be upset, but more than anything, I was really happy for my friends.