Free Ace's Wild by Erika van Eck

got back from his game. I get dressed and finger comb my hair back into a messy bun before exiting the bathroom. I drop my things off in my room and go into the living room to see what all the excitement is about.
        “Mel! Coach finally let me play, and I made a goal!” Lucas says animatedly. He then proceeds to explain and show me the moves that led up to that moment.
        “Aw, I’m sorry I missed it little man.” I scruff his hair, and say, “Maybe I’ll take you out to celebratory ice cream sundaes in just a bit.”
        “Awesome!” He runs off to his room to get cleaned up.
        I plop down onto the couch next to my exhausted looking mom. She pats my knee. “How was your night? Did you guys have fun?” she asks.
        “You could say that.” I cringe and bring my legs to my chest and wrap my arms around them.
        “That bad huh?” she laughs.
        “I kind of threw up on someone.”
        Laughter bursts from her mouth. I give her a minute to collect herself, but it’s looking like I may have to pinch her to get her to shut up. My mom and I have a unique relationship. When I was a teenager we definitely had our ups and downs but as I’ve gotten older she’s become my best friend and my confidant. She was those things when I was younger too but now I’ve come to appreciate it more and not be such a brat toward her. She’s the strongest woman I know, and I can only hope that if I ever have children I can be to them what she is to me.
        She finally collects herself. She lifts her fingers to wipe the tears from her eyes, “Only you Melody Grace.” After a minute her mood noticeably sobers and she looks at me for a moment before talking, “Emma called me today,” she says cautiously.
        I begin gnawing at my lip and shake my head in frustration. Emma just doesn’t quit, she doesn’t get the hint that I have nothing to say to her. What she did was and still is unforgiveable. It’s been years, yes, but the bitter feelings still remain. They may not be as strong as they once were, but they have taken root deep in my soul and aren’t going disappear with a phone call.
        “Why did she call you?” It’s not necessarily the question that I wanted to ask but my curiosity is getting the best of me.
        “She didn’t say,” my mom replies, picking an imaginary piece of lint off of her shirt. “But she said that she wants you to call her back.”
        “Of course she does,” I snap.
        “Don’t get like this Mel. You have to forgive her; you can’t continue to live your life with such bitterness. If you do it’s only going to darken every bright spot in your life. Don’t let that happen, you have to forgive in order to move on.”
        As much as I know she’s right I’m just not in the mood for her forgiveness spiel. I love my mother to death, and she has been through a hell of a lot more than I have, but I’m not her. I can’t forgive so easily.
        I contemplate what she’s saying for just a moment even though I know it’s not enough to change my attitude. I slowly stand from the couch and turn to my mom. “I appreciate that Mom, but I’m just not ready.” She nods her head in acceptance. “I’m going to go take a nap,” I say before walking to my room.
        I shut the door softly behind me and fall back onto my bed. I lay flat on my back for just a moment before grabbing the pillow next to me, hugging it to my chest, and curling into a fetal position.
        Every time my life starts to feel somewhat normal a wrench always gets thrown into things. Usually that wrench is Emma. I refuse to let her take up so much of my energy anymore. If she keeps calling me, I’ll just have to change my number again, and that’ll be that.
        But, no matter how many times I change my number or how far I try to distance myself from her the truth remains- she’s my dad’s wife. I will never be able to separate myself from her