26
Susan never thought that Kevin couldn’t help
her.
Ashley didn’t answer.
Kevin called Ashley, and was angry and tired.
“What do you want?”
“Mom and Dad are getting back together.”
“Do you hate us?”
く
“Won’t you come home?”
She didn’t say anything, and agreed to talk to
Susan and Harry.
She took the phone, and Susan cried.
Kevin avoided his mom, “I wanna stay with
Dad.”
“You’re my baby! I’m your mom, why are you
mean to me?”
“I’m not a good mom, but I was nice to you
when you were little? You had a fever, and I
took you to the hospital. You wanted ice
cream, and I got it!”
She laughed, “I remember.”
Ashley changed.
“You remember when I got robbed? I wanted
your help, but you said it was my fault. You
said you wouldn’t talk to teachers.”
“You say I’m mean? I died when I was 13!”
“I had the poison. But I didn’t drink it. I chose
to live, because I met Jessica! I saved her!
And she saved me! Now, you hear me.”
Susan cried.
Harry stopped her.
“Sorry, Ashley. Sorry.”
Ashley spoke, coldly.
Г
“Mr. Harry, you’re the same as Susan. Things
I don’t say, doesn’t mean I don’t know. I took
the money. I took Kevin’s money. From now
on, for me, and for you, act like I don’t exist.
Or I died five years ago!”
The phone cut off.
The number was blocked.
They stood there, crying.
Far away, in her dorm room, Ashley hung up,
and went in.
Jessica looked worried.
She smiled, “It was a scam.”
