CHAPTER 13

(AHVI'S POINT OF VIEW)

There are a few times I wish David could stop straining so hard to keep the family glued together. Like not suggesting a family bonding time at the seaside and I wish Vance could have kept his mouth shut and not consented to what his father said and here we are; on the road, heading to the beach for the weekend.

I sigh as I peek out the window of the moving car, making an effort not to feel Vance's presence beside me in the back seat and only watch the moving structures.

“Do we really have to do this, David? There are multiple things I need to take care of for my project and going to a beach isn't going to get the work done faster,” Mom grumbles from the front seat beside David who has his hands on the wheels and attention on the road.

“Come on, it's going to be fun. Our lives don't always have to pivot around work, Jade,”

I realize it's the first time I've heard him use my mother's name. It sounds peculiar coming from him since he's one with pet names.

“I know