Chapter 3. Not So Welcome

DYLAN

After that call, Ashlene seemed to have already made her decision. She was on the couch with her feet placed on the small table in front. The small television set was on, showing us an episode of our favorite TV show, Junior Master Chef, but the volume was so low I doubted she was paying any attention to what was shown.

I just finished clearing the sink in the kitchen. The dishes piled up and well, my wife was not in the proper mental state to do any chores now. I wiped my hands with the towel hanging at the refrigerator handle and walked towards the place she was sitting.

“If you’re going to ask me if what I said to Dad was something I want now, yes. I won’t take any argument, Dylan,” she said, looking up at my face.

“I understand… and of course, that’s your family. They’re the first ones that matter. The decision is on you. I’m always here to support you on that. Whatever that is.”

“Okay. Thank you for saying that. Kind of needed that now.”

I sat beside her. A child of about ten years old was using a flame torch to grill some bone marrow in the television. Still, the volume was inaudible.

“Are you sure about this?”

“What made you think I’m not? I won’t say it if I’m not.”

I gulped. To be honest, I didn’t know how this was going to work. None of the Ridleys liked me. I was always the ‘wrong choice’ for them. Ashlene only loved me too much that she chose me over her own family. And well, as it turned out, that love was something she regretted. I guess now it was time to bring her back. I was aware that this wouldn’t be easy for me, but this would mean a lot to her. This was my turn to make the same sacrifice as she did. And hope for the best. Who knows? This may even be our huge step to fix whatever has gone wrong with our marriage.

“I think this will be a perfect plan, Ash. Your dad and brother must have missed you so much by now. Also, your mother in heaven would want you to do this.”

“And you? You should know this also means you’ll be living with us.”

I blinked. It was cute how she still never forgot about me and my well-being. Even in her own decisions.

“I’ll be fine. I’m pretty sure everything falls into place.”

She looked like she was about to smile but chose not to. My heart melted.

“Thank you, Dylan. Thank you for giving this to me,” she said and gave me a small smile.

It wasn’t much, I know. Just a small gesture of appreciation and gratitude. To me, it was enough. It was a big thing. And everything felt right.

***

Later that day, Ashlene and I went to the nearest store to purchase some boxes. She already confirmed what she said to her father, and he said we were both welcome to stay as long as we wanted. We were at the store’s counter, just done paying for our purchases when we heard someone shrieking her name.

“Grace?” Ash turned to see her high school best friend, Grace. I hadn’t met her before. Only that my wife mentioned her name once or twice before and the name stuck.

Grace had short burgundy hair that rested on her shoulders and fringes that matched her round face. She looked like a doll if it weren’t for the sole piercing at her bottom lip, which was kind of anti-climactic to her whole innocent look.

“Wow, it has been forever! Where were you all this time?” They hugged.

“Me? You’re the one who’s always MIA! I even went to your house, and Anton told me you were not there. Where have you been?”

The smile on my wife’s face disappeared. The slight mention of her brother’s name must have shaken her a little.

“Oh, I… I’m married now. I moved out of the house.”

Behind her, I fixed my hair for an introduction. It didn’t come.

The shock on Grace’s face lingered for what felt like fifteen seconds, and then it went down to my wife’s hands. She must’ve checked for a wedding ring to confirm what she just said.

“Wait, I think I’m stuck on glue… so, you’re… you’re married?”

Ashlene frowned. “Yeah, for a long time now. I’m sorry; it was very sudden and private. No big celebration. I’m sorry if you didn’t know.”

“Funny because when I went to your house, Anton and I had a little talk. He said you and Lyle are—”

She stopped mid-sentence. Lyle? Who’s that?

“Well, you know Anton. He’s full of made-up stories. Anyway, I’m afraid I have to go. Let’s hang out soon, okay?” Ashlene gave her friend another hug. They exchanged numbers, and then Grace excused herself. I gave her a small wave even if we didn’t have the chance to be introduced. Just being polite.

“Lyle? Who’s that?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“My childhood friend. He and Anton were really close, and well, as they grew up, everyone in the household thought that he and I would be perfect together. Nothing, really… just some old family joke. You know how it is.”

Oh. I nodded. I hadn’t heard that name in any of our few conversations before. It was never brought up. For some reason, what she said about this Lyle alarmed me. If he gained the heart of the Ridleys, I was sure that was still applicable now. Maybe this Lyle was their ideal son-in-law.

“You haven’t mentioned him to me before.”

“Because he’s irrelevant to me? Why?”

Ashlene stopped walking beside me. I did, too.

“Nothing. I just—”

“Are you jealous? Do you think I am seeing someone behind your back?” She was frowning. Oh no, I didn’t mean it to go down that road. I wasn’t really implying anything with what I said.

“What? No.”

“You ARE jealous. Oh, please, Dylan. You already have me. Isn’t that enough? Haven’t you done enough?”

That hurt. To be honest. To make matters worse, people were starting to stare at us.

“I apologize. Let’s not fight over this. Please.”

“Fine. I’m going home.”

And then we continued walking. She was walking ahead of me, her every step heavy as giant rocks. What I couldn’t tell her was that as much as I trusted her, I didn’t think I felt the same with her family. Anton had even told Grace about that lie about Lyle. It was not impossible that similar situations might happen in the future. Especially now that Ashlene and I were moving into the same house with the rest of her family. Who, the last time I checked, was too clear of not liking me.