“How is your family?” Ashley spoke again, looking down at her hands briefly because she wasn’t sure if she should ask about them or not. But hell, she was curious, and Spencer seemed to be in the mood for a Q&A session anyways.

“Well, my mother is… My mother.” She mocked a gag, drawing a laugh from Ashley before she continued. “Still tries to set me up with boys from her church.“ Now both of them broke out into laughter at her mother’s constantly ridiculous antics.

“God, you poor thing…” Ashley spoke, patting the top of her hand in exaggerated sympathy.

“My dad is doing well. Aged a lot since the… Accident.” She had struggled for a moment to find the right word for the shooting, eventually settling on that. “But he is still incredible. Manages to put up with everyone.” Spencer smiled a bit, inwardly and on the outside at the thought of her dad. All he needed was a suit of armor.

“Good. I always loved your dad.” Ashley spoke, relieved to hear he was alive and well.

Realizing her hand had been lingering atop of Spencer’s for far to long now, Ashley quickly withdrew it, her palm feeling cold with loss. If Spencer had noticed, she wasn’t acting like it as she continued on about her family. Glen was a Lieutenant in the US Army. No surprise there. Her mother still harassed her girl friends whenever they came to dinner. Chelsea and her son, Clay, were doing well. They had lived with them for a while until she got an art deal and moved out on their own. Upon mentioning Clay’s girl friend and his son she could see Spencer’s facial expressions soften. Losing Clay had been devastating to the whole family, and while Ashley had tried to help, Spencer had made it pretty clear she didn’t want her around.

“You ever talk to Aiden?” Spencer asked with curiosity, although her mouth still formed the word somewhat bitterly.

“Not for like 5 years.” God, it had been five years. Spencer was right, they were old. “After you… You know…”

“Told you I hated you and never wanted to see your face again?” Spencer chimed in, smiling a bit. It was slightly amusing to her that Ashley was hesitant to address the topic.