You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) - Melanie Jayne Page 0,42
salad with oranges, grilled chicken, and a spicy ginger sauce.
“You’d better load up on the bread, or you’ll be drunk after your second shot.” Jasmine scooted the basket of rolls toward Hale.
“Keep in mind I won’t drink much.” Thankfully she didn’t have to make the “I’m a lightweight” speech to cover for her strict drinking policy. Only two shots or two drinks and she could count on one hand the number of times she had broken it over the years.
“You don’t have to drink, boss. You shouldn’t do anything you don’t want to on your birthday.” Clearly, Ashley wanted Hale to enjoy herself.
“I don’t think that you have to worry, you are nothing like your mama.” Jasmine patted Hale’s hand.
“I hope not.” Hale reached for another roll.
“Your mother was an addict, right?” Ashley had heard the rumors about Lydia Cameron.
“She had many problems. I think she was truly mentally ill. She thought the booze and pills helped her deal with her illness. Back then, everybody made allowances for her, so she got really bad before my dad did anything,” Hale answered matter of factly.
“I was afraid of her when I was a kid.” Jasmine told them quietly.
“On a good day, she would be out of control wanting to play with me, on a bad one, she would either stay in her room or get fed up with me, and the punishments began.” Hale shivered at the memory.
“Did you have a nanny? I know Maria wasn’t here when you were really little.” Ashley was so curious.
“Maria and her family came to town to help with the tomato harvest. Her husband was killed in a car accident. I was eight and Mom was doing one of her stints in detox, so Dad hired Maria to watch over me and handle the house. When my mom came home, things were good enough for a while and then she started using again. Maria tried to protect me from her.” Hale had spent many hours with Ashley and trusted her. It was time for the past to be shared.
“I don’t remember a time when my mom wasn’t a drunk.” Ashley stared at her plate. “I know what you mean about the manic episodes. It’s so scary.”
“She was manic the day she decided to wreck her car.” Hale pushed her plate away. “I didn’t want to go with her, but I couldn’t escape. I knew something was wrong when I got into the car. Then when she started talking and telling me her plan, she was super calm.” It was a shock, hearing her own voice describe that day. She still couldn’t understand how her mother could think it was for the best to kill them both.
“Do you still have the dreams?” Jasmine had finished eating and started to clear the table.
“I thought that I was done with them, but right after Dad died, I did. The whole thing—Lydia telling me what she planned, speeding up, the sound of glass breaking, the impact, and her screams.” Hale shivered, and played with her water glass. She took in a few deep breaths, counted as she held the air in her lungs. This was a coping mechanism learned after she’d left.
“Wow, I had heard that story, but I wasn’t sure if it was true.” Ashley looked torn between wanting to know more and not wanting to upset Hale.
“She left a note that said that she was ‘certain that I was going to turn out damaged like her, so she wanted us to die.’” Hale made sure that she met Ashley’s eyes. Ash needed to know that she could talk about this.
“It’s terrible that she was so sick and couldn’t get the right kind of help. Mental illness was still considered something to be ashamed of.” Jasmine started to run water in the sink.
“Dad found a therapist who could help me. I had a lot of problems dealing with my feelings of relief that she was dead. It was too much for me to comprehend.”
Jasmine spoke as she walked to her seat at the table. “I just know that when your mama was alive, I didn’t like to come to your house unless my mom was with me, and after Lydia’s passing, Maria made things nice. She would always have cookies and tried to teach us Spanish.” Jasmine smiled at the memory.
Ashley had opened the bottle of tequila and was pouring the first drinks. “Time for a toast.”