It dawns on me Ava must have known, or else how would Mom have gotten home?
“Mom?” I call again, forcing her to stop and turn back around. “I love you. That will absolutely never change, okay?”
She nods silently, still with a smile on her face. “Ditto, Kid.”
THIRTEEN
CHARLOTTE
The passenger door closes behind me as I watch Alexa stand beside her car.
She stares absently at her keys before taking a deep breath, then squeezes the keys tight
in her hand to finish walking toward her car.
The engine starts as soon as she’s sitting inside, and soon after, the car slowly pulls away from the curb and toward the wrought iron gate. The property looks very secure, requiring Alexa to punch in a code. When the gates open, she’s quick to drive through without looking back.
A heavy sigh escapes me, prompting Ava to rest her hand on my shoulder with concern.
“Are you okay, Mom?” Ava asks gently.
I nod in silence, but truthfully, I have no idea how to feel anymore.
Over the years, I’ve watched and experienced Millie, Ava, and Addy, all transition into adulthood. It wasn’t always easy, Millie being the most challenging, given her affair with Will at such a young age. Nevertheless, we made it through, and I’m proud to have raised three girls into strong women.
Yet, with Alexa, things are different. I never expected to be in this place, watching my daughter walk away, knowing she carries a pain she chooses to keep to herself. It was easy at first to blame it on hormonal changes and being a typical teenager who rebels against everything their parents say, but the longer this behavior of hers has gone on, the more I think it’s something bigger than I ever imagined.
I knew from experience at a young age, or maybe even the same age as Alexa, how time passes quickly, and you’re forever jumping in and out of your comfort zone. One minute you’re in high school, and the next, you’re falling in love with your bestie's married older brother.
Those first loves are powerful. They stick with you no matter what. Alexa's relationship with Cole was nothing out of the ordinary. Two typical teenagers doing what kids their age did. Nothing appeared out of sorts from the outside, not that I’m comparing what they had to Lex and me. Alexa seemed unphased by their breakup over her decision not to attend college.
Deep in my heart, or perhaps it is mother's instincts, something isn’t right.
“Something with Alexa is not right,” I confess aloud, still staring at the now-closed gates. “Watching your daughter go through something she doesn’t want to talk about makes me feel absolutely helpless.”
Ava nods in agreeance, then releases a breath. “I understand, Mom, but Alexa is a big
girl. She's trying to make it on her own. You know she’s stubborn, much like you and Dad.”
“Somethings not right, I know it.” We both stare out the windscreen in silence. River is sitting in her chair quietly while playing with the dolls in her lap. “Maybe, all we can do is be here for her. I know I've offered, but I guess she’s not ready, or maybe she’ll never be ready.”
“It's hard being young, especially in her generation. Breakups, for example, aren’t like back in your day,” Ava informs me, then continues. “Social media places enormous pressure on young people to paint this perfect life.”
As I think back to when Alexa changed, she became much more reserved and to herself in her senior year. It wasn’t just her personality, but even the way she dressed changed.
“I don't think it's the breakup. Alexa changed in senior year. Almost like something happened. I just don't know what.”
Ava shrugs, pursing her lips. “Probably something at school if we're being honest here.
When you’re in senior year, it’s all about school, right? You know, it's not easy being the daughter of Lex Edwards. There's a lot of people who have opinions about being a billionaire’s daughter.”
“We never wanted any of you girls to be treated differently,” I tell her with a heavy heart. “It’s why we did our best to keep our home life as grounded as possible.”
“I know, Mom,” Ava assures me. “People think it's great to have rich parents, but often it comes with being teased more than anything. Jealousy is a powerful trait.”
I tilt my head in confusion. “What are you trying to say, Ava?”
“I’m saying that when I think back to high school, you got bullied if you were a rich girl with a hot daddy. Not me. I stood my ground.” Ava cringes, then shakes her head in disgust. “I’m not saying Dad is hot either, but other people thought he was, is, you know what I mean.”