“I just got Lucas’ message…”Just now?The crash happened weeks ago. This can’t be the first time her mother has called. “Why would you leave the school? I told you how dangerous it was.”
Aspen is not even fazed by the way her mother yells at her instead of showing any kind of concern. It’s like she doesn’t even care that her daughter almost died.
“I told you, it’s just as dangerous here. I want to come home.”
“You can’t, Aspen. How many times do I need to explain that to you? Isn’t what happened proof enough?”
“The helicopter had some technical issues. It could have been bad luck.”
“It wasn’t. Someone tried to kill you, and they will try again if you leave that place.”
“Why would anyone want me dead? I don’t understand. I didn’t do anything.”
“They just want to get back at your father. He pissed off a lot of people, Aspen.”
“I know, Mom. I live with most of them.”
“Just keep your head low and ignore them. You’ll be fine.”
“I’m trying.” Aspen huffs. “Mom, I need to ask you something, and I need you to tell me the truth. At Dad’s trial, were there any recordings used for evidence?”
Holding my breath, I lean into the phone.This just got a lot more interesting.
“What do you mean by recordings?”
“Like tape recordings. Quinton thinks I wore a wire at one point. I don’t even know when. Did Dad ever put a wire on me without me knowing?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. How would he do that, and why?” I can’t see her mom’s face, but I can tell she sounds a little frazzled at this new revelation. “I don’t remember there being any recordings at the trial. Quinton is just messing with your head. Don’t believe anything he is saying.”
“It’s not what I believe. It’s what he believes. We kind of had somewhat of a truce, and now he is back to hating me and making my life hell.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Aspen.” Her mom almost sounds annoyed by her daughter’s problems. “Anyway… I just called to check up on you. I have to go, but I’ll call you back in a few weeks.”
Wow, what a bitch.
“Okay.” Aspen doesn’t even try to keep her on the phone. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“All right, bye, honey,” her mom says, but it doesn’t sound like a genuine endearment, more like how a southern person says it to a customer at a diner.
“Bye, Mom.” Aspen hangs up the phone and lies back down on her mattress.
I was confused about her before, but that confusion just reached a new level. Could she really have been wearing a wire without knowing? Or is this all just an elaborate game? Aspen is smart. Maybe she suspects me of keeping tabs on her.
Fuck, my head hurts trying to figure this out. One thing is clear. I need more information.