The idea of driving all the way to California was not one of my best ideas, I had to admit. The entire ride there took a full day and a half. Ashley and I took turns driving, thank gosh. By the time I woke up, we were in California, but still had about thirty minutes until we got to my parents house. I hated to break it to Ashley, but that is where we would be staying for a day or two. I was glad that by the time my three day “suspension” was up that I had the next day off.

I looked over to Ashley, who seemed very drowsy. I think the sound of the engine was about to put her to sleep. I leaned over quickly and gave her a kiss on the cheek. A smile grew on her face that I had never seen before. “Ash, I have to pee. Can we stop somewhere?” I pleaded, my eyes begging on their own.

Ashley never took that look from her face. Her eyes were glistening in a new way and I didn’t understand it. Then again, what involved Ashley Davies that I did understand? “Sure, I think we need gas anyway. Not to mention, I could use to refuel myself.”

I giggled in response. We pulled over to a gas station. I went in the bathroom and realized that I looked like crap. I tried to fix my hair a little bit, but eventually gave up. I walked around looking for something to eat but nothing seemed appeasing. Eventually I just grabbed two boxes of mini donuts. I got myself the chocolate kind. Then I got Ashley the powdered kind. I remembered her telling me how she liked the way it melted in your mouth. Then I grabbed a jumbo cup of coffee that we would share. As I walked to the register I saw something behind the clerk that I knew would make Ashley smile. “Oh and two of those” I said pointing behind him. He gave me exactly what I wanted and ran my card.

I carried everything except the present in one hand. The present was held safely behind my back. As I approached her, I let her take a few of the things from my hand. “Your favorite donuts, favorite drink and…” I pulled the gift from behind my back. “Your favorite flower”