Anything Goes on a Friday Night (3 page)

I laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”

She smiled and yawned as she walked toward her room. I squealed when Channing scooped me up and took off running with me to his room. He fell into the bed with me still in his arms. He kissed me and then smiled down at me.

“What movie?” I asked, running my fingers through his short black hair.

He was about to answer when his phone dinged from his pocket. He moved until he was lying beside me and looked at his phone.

“It’s Jake. Big party tonight.”

I frowned. “Again? You partied last night.” I hated how whiney I sounded, but I wanted time with Channing tonight. “Sorry, go if you want. I understand.”

“You could just come with me. You didn’t come last night.”

“My dad will be home tomorrow. It’s his Sunday to be home, and I don’t want to be too tired to hang out with him and Mom.”

He stuck out his bottom lip. I laughed and sat up, then leaned over and kissed him. “I’m not going, but you go if that’s what you want to do. We can watch a movie anytime.”

“You sure?”

I wasn’t. I wanted pizza, a movie, and Channing all to myself. I put on my best smile and nodded.

He sat up and kissed me. “I love you. You’re always so cool with me hanging out with my buddies. I appreciate that, ya know?”

“Yeah.”

We walked into the kitchen where his mom was pouring some sweet tea. She noticed Channing throwing a hoodie over his head. “You two leaving? I thought it was pizza and a movie tonight?”

“Change of plans. Our friends want to hang out tonight,” Channing said, putting his ballcap on.

“Have fun, be safe, and home by midnight. No drugs and alcohol,” she said, pointing her finger at him.

We got out to my car, and he took his truck keys out of his pocket. “You sure you don’t want to come for a little bit? You don’t have to stay the whole time, but I really want you there.”

I chewed on my bottom lip. He was right; I didn’t have to stay long, and at least I’d get to be with him. I smiled.

“Okay, but I’m not staying the whole time.”

WHEN I GOT HOME,
all the lights were out. I quietly unlocked the door and made my way toward my room. It was just me and Mom again tonight. Well, it was always just me and Mom until every other Sunday when Dad was home from work. He worked out of town, and around here, you did what you had to do to make good money. Materialistically, we were rich.

I did what I had always done when getting in past Mom’s bedtime. I tiptoed down the hall to check on her. I cracked her door open, but this time I didn’t find her asleep. She was face-down against her pillow, bawling.

“M-mom?” I knelt next to the bed and rubbed her back. “Mom, what is it?”

She wailed and gripped the sheets as she spoke through her sobs, making it impossible to understand her.

Did someone die?

Did the dog die? No, he’s lying beside her.

Did Dad and Mom get in a fight during their nightly phone call?

Did Grandma piss her off again?

Did I do something?

Oh God, did she read my diary and find out I almost had sex with Channing?

I crawled into bed with her and waited for her to tell me what was going on. She finally calmed down, wiped her face, and attempted to smooth her hair. She sat up with my help and put her back against the headboard. She pulled her knees to her chest, and I was positive I’d never seen my mom look so upset in my life.

“Your father would like for you to call him.” Her tone was harsh and downright scary.

“Now? But…” My hands started to shake. What had my dad done? “Why? It’s late, Mom.”

She reached over to her nightstand and handed me her cell phone. “Call him.”

I took her phone, even though I could just use mine, and walked out. I could tell Mom wanted to be left alone. I punched in his number and put the phone to my ear. I walked into my room and put my back against the wall.

“Hello?” Dad’s voice was quiet, and I could tell he too had been crying.

“Dad?”

“Elena. Did you have fun tonight?”

“Just get to the point. What’s wrong with Mom?”

“Elena…” he paused. “I’m not coming home.”

“Okay? Are we coming there this weekend then?”

“No, Elena. I’m not coming home, and you’re not coming here. I’m leaving your mother. I’ve filed for a divorce.”

“What?” I breathed out.

“I can’t do this anymore.”

“Can’t do what anymore? I thought you two were happy! Things are good here. I thought things were fine!” My hands started to shake.

“In front of you, things were fine.” He sighed heavily into the phone.

“Can’t you reconsider? Get some help? Go to counseling or something?”

“No.”

“No? After 20 years of marriage you just say ‘no’?” I yelled.

“Elena, I don’t know how to make you understand. I know this is hard to process, but it’s for the best. I hope you can see that one day.”

I wiped a tear with my sleeve. “Did you tell Kyle?”

“Not yet. Your brother is busy. I’ll call him tomorrow.”

“When will I ever get to see you?”

He paused. Why did he pause?

“Dad? Is this why you were being so weird last night? Please answer me!”

He let out another heavy sigh. “Things are complicated right now. I just need some time to myself. I’ll call you when I’m ready to see you.”

The air in my room became thick and hard to breathe. My whole body tensed with shock and anger. I took the phone off my ear, and my mouth fell open. How was I supposed to respond? I could hear Dad’s loud voice calling out my name, but I couldn’t bring myself to put the phone back to my ear. I felt for the power button and held it down until I knew it had turned off Mom’s phone.

This wasn’t supposed to happen! My parents were happy! Granted, my dad did work out of town and was never home, but they were happy. They never fought. We always had epic Sundays; even though they were just one day we had together, they were always the best. Dad never took his hands or eyes off Mom. They were crazy about each other, or so I thought. Now he’s not coming home and doesn’t even want to see me?

Breathe, Ellie.

Maybe this is a joke.

Maybe you’re dreaming.

Dad wouldn’t do this to you and Mom…

Reality hit me hard. This
was
really happening. I dug in my purse until I retrieved my phone. I called Channing, but he didn’t answer. I called Katie, but she didn’t answer either. I was about to call Alyssa, even though we were currently in a fight over something I couldn’t remember, when my phone started ringing. It was Channing. I answered, with intentions of using actual words, but instead violent sobs escaped me.

Dad left us.

And for what? Or for whom?

“Ellie? What’s wrong? Where are you?” Channing pulled me from my thoughts.

“H-h-home,” I managed to get out. “Please, come pick me up. Please!” I begged.

“I’ve been drinking, but I’ll find someone who can bring me to get you. Okay? I’ll be there as soon as I can!”

I hung up, but I didn’t want to wait. I had to get out of the house. I grabbed my purse and went to check on Mom. She had fallen asleep, so I left her a note on the kitchen counter.

I walked at least two miles down the highway when I saw a car slow down and flash its lights at me. The lights made everything turn into a blur through my tears. I tried to make out the vehicle but couldn’t. I shielded my eyes and felt relieved when I heard Channing shout my name. The car stopped, and Channing came running toward me. His arms wrapped tightly around me, and he held me while I gripped the front of his jacket and cried against it.

After I had calmed down, we got into the car’s backseat. I laid my head on his shoulder. He never asked me what happened; he just gave me time to process and waited patiently.

I looked toward the front seat and saw Katie. I smiled a little, relieved that I had the both of them with me.

“Thank you,” I barely got out. My voice was raspy from crying.

“You’re lucky; I was just about to down my first shot,” Katie teased.

I tried to laugh, but I couldn’t.

Channing rubbed my back. “Katie, can you drive to my house?”

“Yup,” she said, sounding as bubbly as she always does.

She turned up the music, and I closed my eyes.

WITH CHANNING’S HELP, KATIE
and I climbed on top of his roof—our favorite hiding place. Thankfully, it was a clear night, making the stars completely visible. The moon was so full and bright, and the view of the sky almost made me forget the horrible night I was having.

My dad wasn’t coming home. He made that very clear. What did that mean for us? The money was gone; Mom would have to support us on her minimum wage job, and her god-awful family would be screaming their I-told-you-so’s. They never thought we’d make it down here in Texas. When my dad’s job transferred us from Montana to here, they could’ve breathed fire they were so angry. They said horrible things about my dad and told my mom she was stupid. They’d just use this to kick us harder.

I wondered if there was another woman…

“Elena?” Channing nudged my side gently with his elbow.

I turned my head to look at him. “My dad is leaving my mom. He’s leaving us, Channing.”

“What! Are you serious? Your parents are like, in love and shit.”

I rolled my eyes, and more tears started to fall. “Apparently not.” I looked up at the sky and pulled my sleeve over my hand to wipe the steady fall of tears.

“You just found this out?”

“Yeah. When I called you, I had just hung up on him.”

“Shit, Elena. I’m so sorry, baby.”

Katie nudged me from the other side. “That’s real shitty of him. Did he explain why?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t give him a chance.”

“Asshole,” she muttered before taking a hit off her cigarette. She passed it to me, but I just passed it straight to Channing.

“Can I stay with one of you tonight? I don’t want to go home. My mom is really upset, and I think we both need to be alone to process this.”

“Yeah, you both can stay here. My mom won’t mind,” Channing said as he sat up, leaning over me to hand Katie back the cigarette. Before he laid back down next to me, he kissed my lips softly.

We spent the rest of the night talking about memories from last summer when Channing and I first met. Those were such happy times. They were those moments that you think about and can’t wipe the smile off your face, because they were truly rainbows and unicorns and all that happy shit. Things were good then.