“Ashley what IS that horrible smell?” Christine asked as she came into the kitchen.  Both girls were sitting on stools; Ashley staring with her mouth open, Spencer looking at the floor.  Setting the mail down on the counter she added, “Uhh excuse me?”

            Ashley turned on her seat and looked at her mom.  “Sorry about that,” adding “if you need me I’ll be in my room.”  Standing she started down the hallway at a fast pace without a backwards glance.  Sighing a “Hi Christine,” I followed closely behind.  But as I turned the corner to go into Ashley’s room, I met a closed door instead.

            “Ashley…” I said collapsing onto the beige carpet. “Please let me talk to you..”

            I noticed her shadow in the crack under the door as she slid down against it and onto the wood floor inside.  Inside. Where I wanted to be..

            “Please..” I whispered, pressing my palm on the wood grain against which her back leaned on the other side.  We sat like that for more than a few minutes; me waiting for some sort of hope, her successfully ignoring my existence just a few inches away.  I lie down on the carpet and settle in for a long wait, knowing that Ashley won’t come out until she’s ready to.  It’s not like I want to go home anyway.

                                                                        _-_-_

            Paula scrubbed at the yellow plate in her hand with vigor as she says, “I just don’t see why we can’t just go pick her up Arthur.  You know darn well where she is. I know if we just sat and talked about it all, she would understand.”  Placing the plate into the drying rack she turns and leans against the counter, folding her arms.

            “She just needs a little time Paula.  We didn’t really give her any warning. I’m sure Ashley will talk some sense into her either way.” Arthur says, folding up a dishtowel and placing it on the counter.  Rubbing his wife’s arms he adds, “Two weeks isn’t a lot of time.  One night with Ashley isn’t going to hurt her.”

                                                                         -_-_-

            Two hours later, I was started awake as Ashley moved to stand up.  I watched under the crack as she walked away from me, slowly pulled myself up and brushed my hair out of my face.  “Might as well get it over with Spencer,” I mumble as I slowly open the door and peek my head inside.

             Ashley is a dark smudge of a shadow facing away from me, sprawled across the silky burgundy of her bed.  I tip-toe the rest of the way in and lock the door behind me, licking my dry lips and clearing my throat to speak.  If only I knew what to say.  I’m sorry?  I won’t go?  I realize now that I don’t really even know the details, just that I’m leaving in two weeks.. my God, two weeks.. I feel the emotions starting to gather again as I lean over and lightly kiss Ashley’s cheek. 

              Her eyes are closed.  I pick up a curl that’s resting on her shoulder and wrap it around my finger, then unwind it again, stroking the soft brown hair against her head.  Leaning down I rest my lips against her temple and whisper "I love you Ashley Davies."  I open my eyes just in time to catch the glistening of a lone tear cascading to her pillow.