Chapter 14

Ashley woke up. She had a throbbing headache from the night before. She ran her fingers through her hair brushing her bangs back. Her unruly dark hair was beginning to get on her nerves so she got up and pulled a pony tail holder out of her vanity. She went out to the living room to find her mother sitting in the dinning room reading the news paper and drinking coffee.

“Hey mommy.”

She mumbled sleepily. Bette pulled herself out from under the table and patted her lap. It was something Ashley always loved was getting up early and sitting on her mom’s lap. Bette pulled Ashley close into her and played with the end of her pony tail.

“Hey baby. How are you feeling this morning. You seemed kind of down last night. Anything particular on your mind?”

“No, well yah, but I can’t talk about it.”

“Baby you can talk about anything with me.”

Ashley started to feel guilty. She played with one of her mother’s curls. She put her head on her mothers chest and inhaled a familiar scent. She let her tears fall.

“Hey baby what’s the matter.”

“Mom, I love you, but I can’t tell you.”

Bette pulled Ashley’s face up so she could look her in the eyes. She searched for something in her eyes. All she saw was something that look near sadness, but it wasn’t. Almost guilt.

“Baby, tell me. I won’t be mad. If you did something just tell me.”

Ashley got up off her mother’s lap.

“Why do you automatically assume I DID SOMETHING?!!!”

“Ashley lower your voice. I’m just concerned.”

“Yah well don’t just assume things about me, how do you know it’s not something that YOU did?”

“What the hell have I done?”

Ashley through her hands in the air.

“Nothing mom, just nothing. But don’t be so surprised when your past comes back and bites you in the ass!”

Ashley went to her room to finish getting around for the day. They had their brunch today, and she didn’t know how Alice was going to get through the day with out saying anything to her mother. Alice had the biggest mouth out of the whole group. And Tina had the audacity to pull her aside and talk to her. Uh huh. Whatever. That should have been Alice she pulled aside. Suddenly her door flung open.

“What the hell do you mean MY past will come and bite me in the ass?”

Ashley rolled her eyes.

“Nothing mom, you’ll find out soon enough.”

“No you’d better tell me now!”

“NO! I was sworn to secrecy and if you find out by yourself that’s another thing, but it’s not coming from my lips.”

“ASHLEY NICOLE!”

“ELIZABETH ANN!”

“Ugh, you teenagers are impossible. You’re grounded!”

“Whattt? I didn’t do anything! I am keeping my word, something you always taught me to do; something you couldn’t!”

“No you’re grounded for you mouth!”

“I’m grounded because I am speaking the truth and it’s something that you don’t like! Well, I’m sorry mom, the trust doesn’t just come when it’s convenient!”

“Ashley Nicole, you’d better tell me right now!”

Bette picked up Ashley’s cell phone.

“You can say good-bye to this. Tell me or something else is gone too!”

“MOM!”

Bette picked up her lap-top.

“This too. I can do this all day, or until you have nothing, but a bed and 7 outfits. Test me!”

“MOM! Will you look at yourself. Are you guilty?”

Bette picked up her iPod.

“Fine. We saw someone last night.”

“Who?”

“Mom! I can’t tell you.”

Bette picked up her wallet and took her permit.

“MOM!! TINA! THEY SAW TINA!”

Bette dropped everything in her hands. Her body went numb and she felt the color drain from her face. She fell to her knees just as Tina had the previous night.

“Tee?”

She said in almost a whisper.