Grayson (This is Our Life Book 1) by F.G. Adams Read Free Book Online

I meander out of my truck and set out for a week full of fun.
    Later, my feet sink down into the coarse sand prickling my toes as I walk down to the water.  I grab another beer from the red cooler situated between our setup and recline back into my lounge chair.  The blazing sun is reflecting off the water, and my eyes squint behind my Ray-Bans.  A salty breeze tickles my skin.  People are splashing in the bay, boats are whizzing by, and a calm settles over me.  As much as I’m ready to leave, this is home.
    Conner is spread out on his chair along with Johnny, Pete, and Brad.  I’m surrounded by my friends.
    “I was thinking about prom,” Conner starts.  “We need a hummer limo…”
     

 
     
    “Ella. Ella, can you please come here for a minute?” mom calls out to me from the other room. 
    I impatiently move through the narrow hallway to the living room to find mom.  Instantly, I feel awful for not wanting to talk, even though I’ve got a mountain of homework left to do for finals.  Mom is getting worse every day, and I should want to spend every moment I can with her.  It’s just that sometimes I long to be a normal teenager. 
    My mom is lying on the couch with a book in her trembling hands. I notice the terse look of pain on her face and wince.  “Ah, there you are, my beautiful girl,” mom sighs.
    As I watch her tenuous face, I walk over to sit down beside her and put her feet on my lap.  “What’s up, my favorite mother in the universe?” I try for a joke in such a tense moment.
    Mom lays the book across her chest and takes in a deep, painful breath.  “I just want to talk to you about prom.”
    “Not again, mom!  We’ve already been through this conversation and I told you there isn’t any way for me to go this year!” I snap in a miffed voice. 
    I just can’t do this again.  My mom keeps telling me that I need to go, I have to go, but I just don’t see how.  Money is tight. The job I have at the Coney Island is helping a little, but not enough to splurge on something as wonderful as prom.  I internally sigh and look back at my mom.  That’s when I see tears in her eyes, and I’m done for.
    “Oh, no, mom.  Please don’t cry.  I’m so sorry I snapped at you.”
    I snuggle up to her, wrapping my arms around her, holding her in the tightest embrace she can handle in her fragile state.  Grabbing the box of tissues from the coffee table, I wipe her tears away and listen to what I know will be my undoing. 
    “Ella, baby.  You have to go, for me.  This may be the last prom I can experience with you. You understand?” she calmly pleads.
    My mom is such an attractive woman, even in her sickly circumstance.  I’ve always thought she had a Marilyn Monroe type bombshell appearance with an angel’s heart of gold.  Utterly striking.  Until lately; the sickness is smothering out all the outer beauty that is my mom.  But her inner strength, determination, and love are something to marvel at.  I can’t help but admire her.  She’s always told me the eyes are the windows to the soul.  In this moment as I gaze deeply into my mom’s, I see the pleading and her unconditional love she has for me.  With that, I concede.
    “You win, mom.  I’ll do it,” I reply.  “I just don’t know where I’m going to get a dress and shoes...it’s impossible. You know how tight money is right now.  We can barely afford your medications.”
    My mom’s face transforms into the most beautiful smile that even reaches her big baby blues.  I haven’t seen this in a long while.  Gorgeous!
    “Well, I have that covered for you, baby girl.” Mom continues, “I’ve already talked with Amy.  She keeps up with me, you know, even though she’s away in the army.  And you know she went last year to prom.  She has the perfect dress for you to use, shoes and all!”
    I blush all over, thinking about the sexy black, sequined dress she’s talking about.  I saw Amy’s pictures last year