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What if We Drown 19
Even with the heater going, Ashlyn still felt a chill in the cab of Kass' pickup, goosebumps covering her arms and legs. It took every ounce of restraint she could muster to keep from rubbing her arms. The friction would only irritate the skin further. The lights of the town were a blur against the night sky, marred by the falling drops of rain. Ashlyn watched the buildings pass by, reflecting on Abel's parting words. This day had come dangerously close to concluding differently, and her heart still couldn't process it all. She'd been saved the heartache of losing someone important to her, and now that same person was encouraging her to let one more person into her messy life. The reminder that she had come close to losing the next closest thing she had to a father terrified her, but she was comforted to know he was going to be okay. Ashlyn tapped on the window, blotting out each raindrop that rolled beneath her finger on the other side. She sighed, envisioning with each drop the in
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"Now, bearing in mind everything that I have just said." Kass turned and removed two pastries from the cabinet, then held the plate out to Ashlyn. "Go, and be nice." She winked, turning Ashlyn and pointing to one of the tables in the window. Derek sat in the window, writing something on a piece of paper. Ashlyn tossed Kass' a playful glare. She knew she'd been set up, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. Were Kass and Abel conspiring together? Taking a deep breath, Ashlyn walked over to the table, hesitating just outside of Derek's peripheral vision. Craning her neck, she tried to peek at what he was scribbling down, but his other arm blocked her view. The bandage on his hand was discolored, an indication that he wasn't yet used to wearing it. Was that pasta sauce on the back of it? Chewing on her bottom lip, Ashlyn tried to think up a way to gain his attention when someone approached from behind. "Here you go, sailor." Kass grinned, placing two coffee cups on the table befo
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The scent of lime and cream tickled Ashlyn's senses as she shifted the dish in her hands and knocked three times on the apartment door. Her current mood both amused and shocked her.The day progressed slowly while she bided her time, eagerly anticipating this dinner with Kass and Derek. She'd even finished work early so she could head home and make her grandmother's famous Key Lime Pie for dessert. But now that she stood outside his apartment at precisely 6:30 pm, as requested, Ashlyn could sense the doubts beginning to creep back in again. Butterflies took flight in her stomach, their flapping creating a tornado within her gut. If he didn't open the door soon, she was sure to lose her lunch all over the pie.Ashlyn took a couple of deep, calming breaths as the back of her neck broke out in a sweat. She could do this. It was just one harmless dinner to say thank you. Derek was a good person, and Kass would be there to keep anything from getting too uncomfortable. You can do it, Ash.
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Show up on time and stop you from getting all cozy together in the kitchen? Kass signed, tossing Ashlyn a cheeky wink. I think not. Ashlyn's eyes widened, and she took a step away from Derek, which only made Kass laugh.Shaking her head with a grin, Ashlyn pointed at Kass, the knife still in hand. She was presumptuous. And reading far too much into all of this. "So, what's cooking good looking?" Kass slid on to one of the bar stools.Kass! The carrot rolled out from beneath the knife, the blade slicing into the chopping board.What? You know I was referring to you, Kass signed, finishing with a cheeky peck on Ashlyn's cheek. Ashlyn laughed."Lasagna. And you need to teach me some more of that," Derek answered with a curious smile, gesturing between the two of them and moving his hands in imitation of the sign language they'd been using. Ashlyn appreciated his willingness to learn, though she wasn't sure he'd want to know half of the things Kass said; the woman was mischievous.
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Ashlyn stood from the table and hurried towards the front door, guided by the sound of the laughter; his laughter. Was he really here? Or did her ears deceive her?"What are you doing here?" Kass' voice bounced with excitement as the person holding her likely moved. Ashlyn smiled in anticipation.Ashlyn pulled the door open as wide as it would go. Joy sparked within her on confirmation that it was, in fact, him: Zion. Her eyes took in that familiar mop of red sand hair, her ears twitching with the sound of his rumbling laughter. Centimeters from her, Zion stood, squeezing Kass against his chest, her legs swinging above the floorboards. When he lifted his head, and his eyes met hers, Ashlyn's heart warmed at the joy reflected in his expression. Sometimes she forgot just how much she missed him living nearby.Zion placed Kass down and stepped towards Ashlyn."Ash." He grinned, holding his arms wide open, an invitation. It only took a single blink before Ashlyn threw herself into his
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"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you home?" Kass asked as she hugged Ashlyn tightly."After all the cake I just ate, the walk will be good for me." Zion chuckled, patting his stomach to prove a point. Ashlyn noticed that her mother didn't say anything. In fact, she'd been quiet for most of the evening, and she felt partly to blame. Ashlyn wanted to ask if she was okay, to say something, but before she could, her mother bid her farewells and began her descent down the stairs. With a shared look of concern, Derek and Ashlyn followed behind.Standing on the bottom step, however, Ashlyn hesitated. Out beyond the door and across the street, the ocean was eerily still. The fresh spring breeze whispered across the surface in little ripples, and Ashlyn smiled. She could almost hear her Father's voice whispering in tandem with the wind, sharing his happy memories with the 'mermaids' that dwelled below, or so he'd taught her as a child.It had been a while since she'd last thought on
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Try as she might, Ashlyn couldn't find the words to answer. At least not the words he would accept. She shifted uncomfortably beside Zion, wishing she could burrow deeper into the blanket. She shouldn't have left the letter on the bench. It should have been discarded like the last six monthly letters she'd received, courtesy of her mother's recommendations. But in her rush to get to Derek's, she'd left the open mail on the counter. Not that she'd known Zion or her mother would be visiting.Her head whipped in Zion's direction, her back straightening. Mom. Had she seen the letter too? Zion shook his head no upon reading her expression."I threw it out before she could see." Ashlyn's shoulders relaxed. At least she didn't know.Zion bent one of his legs and drew it towards his chest. Leaning his arm against his knee, he shifted his weight to focus his gaze on Ashlyn."Why did you stop going, Ash?" Against the darkened sky, she could still make out the concern in his expression b
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Ashlyn shook her head, courage pushing her on towards the truth."What do you mean, no? Of course you'd be safe here, with your family." Ashlyn could hear the irritation rising in her mother's voice. Ashlyn took a deep breath and let go of her mother's hand. Please, Lord, give me strength; she sent up a silent prayer.I couldn't come here because you suffocate me, mom. She opened her mouth to retaliate, but Ashlyn silenced her, gesturing in a circle, her fists coming together. I needed space to think and figure out how I was supposed to talk to you."I... I suffocate you? What are you talking about, Ashlyn?" Her tone was disbelieving, and Ashlyn noted an ounce of defensiveness. Just say it. You can do this, Ashlyn thought.I know you don't approve of me speaking in ASL, Ashlyn answered, her hand clenching twice before forming an L at the end. And it hurts. Every time that you look at me that way or imply that I'm broken. It hurts me, mom.Silence filled the room; the burden Ashly
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