“It was awesome,” Glen boasted. “I got twelve digits from the ladies today.”

“Digits … what’s digits?” Paula asked confused.

“Phone numbers Paula,” Arthur answered. “Spencer how was your day?”

“It could’ve been a lot better,” the blonde answered as she glared across the table at the oblivious Ashley.

“Spencer don’t start a scene,” Paula warned.

“Whatever,” Spencer muttered as she went back to eating.

Arthur cleared his throat, “Anyways, how about you Ashley?”

“My day was excellent Mr. Carlin,” Ashley answered enthusiastically. “I love it here! I made some new friends and the coach put me on the track team!”

“That’s great Ashley,” Paula congratulated.

“Thank you Mrs. Carlin,” the brunette replied with a smile then she looked over at Spencer apologetically. “Oh and Spencer, I know after theatre you told me to go jump off a cliff but there were no cliffs around for me to jump off of. I am sorry.”

Spencer nearly choked on her food at the Martian’s ‘apology’.

“Spencer you told Ashley to go jump off a cliff,” Paula asked her daughter angrily.

“Of course not,” the blonde lied.

“Yes you did,” Ashley countered. “It was after theatre and I said to you ‘this project is going to be fun Spencer’ and then you said, ‘go jump off a cliff’.”

“You took that literally,” Glen asked.

Ashley nodded.

“Spencer,” Paula growled. “Go to your room, we will discuss your behavior later.”

“Thanks a lot Ashley,” Spencer groaned as she headed upstairs.

Ashley looked down sadly, “I did not mean to upset her,” she whispered guiltily.

“Don’t feel bad Ashley,” Arthur said patting the brunette’s back. “Spencer’s still upset about her brother not being here. Don’t worry she’ll get better I’m sure.”

Later in Ashley’s room

Ashley decided to use the cellular device her father gave her to call back home. She pressed the special button and suddenly the instrument began to shake.

Ashley set the device down just as a bright light shone from it. Suddenly a holographic screen appeared from the phone like a projector.

“Ashley can you see me,” her father asked as he appeared on the screen.

“Hello daddy,” Ashley said with a wave.

“Hello. How’s my little Martian doing,” Raife asked.

“I am superb,” Ashley replied. “But there is a matter I need to discuss with you.”