Chapter Nine: Ghost
I didn’t know if I was allowed back home. They made it clear that they wanted me gone this morning, but I didn’t have time to ask if I was welcome back. I had to drive Connie home anyway, so I had time to contemplate my options.
“You want the radio on?” I asked.
“Sure!” I turned the radio on, and put it on a random station.
“You are welcome to change it to whatever station you want to listen to.” Almost instantly, Connie reached forward and switched stations. I could hear her singing along with it softly, and she was actually pretty good, “Are you in choir?”
“Yeah, but I’m not very good at it.”
“Well, I think you are. I think you sound like an angel.” I smiled and she smiled back.
“Thank you, but I really don’t.” She looked down at her shoes, avoiding eye contact.
“Who says you don’t?” I questioned. She continued staring at the floor.
“My mom.” My heart dropped. She didn’t deserve that kind of hurt.
“Hey, listen to me. I’m going to tell you something.” Connie looked up, tears in her eyes, “I understand how you feel. My parents aren’t very supportive either. They can be mean, but I always remind myself that what they say doesn’t reflect anyone else’s opinion of me. And I think you have a beautiful voice. Don’t listen to your mother - you have serious talent, and you will go far.” I reassured her. Her face lit up, and it made my heart skip a beat. She’s too young to feel that type of pain, and knowing that I may have helped her - even a little bit - makes me happy.
“Thank you, Ally. It means a lot more than you realize.”
“No problem, kiddo.” I turned up the radio, starting to sing with her - the only difference was the fact that she can sing, and I can’t.
“This is my street.” I followed her direction, and pulled into a small cul de sac.
“Nice neighborhood.” I piped up.
“The last one on the left is home.” Home. I felt my heart sink, knowing I might not have a place to go home to. I drove to the end, and pulled into her driveway slowly.
“See you tomorrow, Connie.”
“Thanks for the ride, and you, too!” She called out. I proceeded to head back in the direction of my own home in silence. In a way, the silence was deafening - blocking out everything in my head. No matter how hard I tried to coax the quiet to block out the thoughts in my mind, it was no use. I was overcome with despair, and once again fell into a state of depression. It has been happening more and more often lately, and everytime it gets worse. I caught myself drifting into the other lane, and quickly jerked the wheel back. What if I hadn't jerked the wheel? What if I just let myself drift away? I pushed the thoughts away. Now was not the time for that.
I soon reached my house, and nervously pulled into the driveway. I walked through the door, expecting to be ambushed. I flinched...