"Mmmm, Spencie?" Ashley says opening her eyes.

"Hey babe, I’m glad you’re ok."

"What hhaappeenneedd? The last thing I remember is Aiden ambushing me."

"Well, you called for me and I took off on my bike but it wasn’t going fast enough so I made it fly and I melted the tires landing. I kicked major ass in your honor, threatened Aiden’s life, watched him cry and piss himself then I carried you all the way back here and fixed you up." I say moving stray hairs from her face.

"Wow! Thanks! I’m sorry. I knew this was coming all day. I felt like something was going to happen. I’m so stupid! I-I should have had the dogs with me or something. I’m so sorry!" she says frantically trying to hold back tears.

"Sshhh, hun, it’s ok. I kicked their asses into the bloody pulp of senior year. But what may I ask were you doing walking over here all alone at dusk?" I say drawling out my words trying to make her feel better.

"I um… was brining you food. I made porck chops with rice and Snickerdoodles for dessert." I’m hovering over her now, well figuratively, and I lean down kissing her deeply not wanting to let go so glad she’s ok. She kisses me back needy and clingily.

"I love it when you talk about food!" My libido is saying she’s really vulnerable right now, here’s your chance. But my intuition is saynig give her some space. I scoot over not wanting her to faint again.

"Damnit Spencer! I want this so bad. I really do. I just… IIIIIIIII can’t… I can’t do this and I can’t go home. My mmmmmmyyy mmmmmooom would kill me of she found out why I got beat up." she starts crying, tears are flooding her eyes.

"No, babe I know you can have all the time you need. You don’t have to go home. You can always, always stay here. Don’t even let the neurons and electrons connect to the thought that I’d make you go home." I say wiping away her tears. I blow out the candles. I hold her close as her body shakes while she cries some more. Eventually her body stills and she falls asleep. She clings to me like people in the desert cling to that ONE cloud in the sky. I hold her just as tight until sleep pulls me in too. I wake up soon after that because Ash is talking and kicking.

"No Mom! I love her! Please don’t!" she cries. She’s thrashing all over the place and sweat is dripping from her. I wish I was the one making her sweat and squirm.

"Babe wake up. It’s just a dream." I coo into her ear.

"Spencer!" I put my hand over her heart and kiss her cheek bringing her close to me.

"I love you Ash. I’m right here." I whisper. She quiets down ans snuggles into me.

Her poor tortured soul.