79

ASHLEY

"It feels so fresh, baby," He began.

"So fresh."

"My mom and Dad have always been so extra. Well, my mom, mostly." He chuckled.

"It was my high school graduation. Maria had a little fever and she had to stay back with Alberta, making Mom promise that she wouldn't stay back with her. I was the valedictorian of my set. Geez, you should have seen how hard they cheered for me that day, baby." He spoke, his voice thick with adoration for them, coated with a hint of nostalgia. I couldn't suppress the smile that was beginning to form on my lips.

"Mom brought up the idea of a family dinner, so we couldn't stay back at school. We headed home…" His voice trailed off and he muttered a curse word under his breath.

"God," He whispered.

I needed no one to tell me how hard it was for him to open up about what was going on with him. He wasn't used to such a gesture.

"I…"

I held him even tighter.

"We were so happy in the car. They wouldn't stop telling me how proud they were of me. I even made