Everblue

Chapter 7 - Ash

Though I could have as many free T-shirts as I wanted, I wouldn't be caught dead in one with Tessie on it. As a kid, all my clothes came from the store anyhow. But now, the only Tahoe related apparel I wore said "Keep Tahoe Blue" or something more eco friendly.

When Mom finally left the room, I piled the shirts on the rack and shoved the rest in the bin. "Done, Mom. Bye."

The door chimed behind me, signaling my escape.

From there, I wasn't sure what to do. Half of me wanted to walk past Tatchi's house and the other dared not to. Either way, I was desperate to find her. Would she tell Fin later? Would he even care? Could I be so bold as to drop a hint that I wanted Fin to be my date?

My feet trekked down the rock trail and when I had to decide if I'd turn towards Tatchi's house, I chickened out and skittered towards the beach. It was safer to check there first.

At the beach, seagulls claimed the spot where we were yesterday. I sat on a pile driver and decided to wait. The sun melted from the sky over the mountains, painting a light show of blues and golds. I didn't know why I waited. She'd have been home by now anyway. Sunset was her curfew.

Frustrated and freezing, I grabbed my bag and headed home.

"Ash? Is that you?"

Dad popped his head out of the kitchen. Garlicky aroma from firehouse spaghetti blew past me, rekindling my hunger.

I blinked back at Dad in surprise. "You're home tonight?"

The caterpillar of fur on his upper lip formed a smile. "I decided to let some of the young bucks get an overtime shift tonight. I missed my girls." I walked over into his awaiting bear hug. He kissed me on the top of the head. "Is your mom with you?"

"She's buried under a new shipment."

"Sounds dangerous." He let go and went back to stirring his sauce. "Can you call her and see if she's clawed her way out? I'd like to eat together."

I slumped down at the kitchen table. Last thing I wanted to do was give Mom an opportunity to chew me out for bailing. "I just left the store and I'm sure she is right behind me," I fibbed.

"Perfect. So, how was your day?"

I chuckled. Absolutely ridiculous. "Fine."

"That doesn't sound like plain ol' fine to me." Dad winked before he tossed two half loaves of bread, slathered in garlic butter, into the oven.

"I don't know. Same old crap." I looked down at my fingernails, noticing they were in dire need of a manicure. "Just preparing for the big meet on Saturday."

"That's right. I'm going to be able to make that meet after all." Dad dusted his hands off on his jeans and parked next to me at the table.

"Really?" With his erratic fire-station schedule, he rarely made any of my swim meets.

"I'm home," Mom called from the back door. Her keys hit the countertop in the hall much louder than normal. My body tensed involuntarily. "Is Ashlyn home? I need to speak with her!"

"Ruh-roh," Dad whispered, giving me a raised eyebrow. "What did you do now?"

"Nothing." I batted my eyelashes innocently, then faltered under his questioning stare. "Just left early. She tried to rope me into doing the entire display."

"Go on then," he shooed me up the stairs. "I'll talk to her."

Behind me, I heard her complain I'd abandoned her and made a mess of all the shirts in the bins at the store, doubling her work. Dad soothed her frustration by pouring her a glass of wine. After a few minutes of griping, she settled down and their conversation became low mumbles. I tiptoed into my room.

Lying on my bed, I looked up at the glow-in-the-dark stars peeling off the ceiling. Tatchi's house had one solitary light illuminating the interior. The Jeep remained parked where it was the night before. My cell phone on my nightstand taunted me to call her and hang up if someone else answered.

Then, like magic, it rang.

I lunged for it.

"Tatchi? Where the heck have you been? You weren't at work today and I've been waiting to talk to you all day. Why was Jack's closed? I have to tell you what happened. I've been nominated for Senior Ball royalty. Can you believe it? Holy crawfish!"

"I know," said a low voice I didn't expect—one belonging to a guy.

My pulse quickened. "Who is this?"

"Callahan."

My breathing stopped, leaving both of us in silence.