Ashley: “You mean if your dad hasn’t beat you to it?” She chuckles.

Spencer: “Your right.” I say in a defeated tone. “I’ll race you to the kitchen to see.” I say in a quick daring voice.

Ashley: “You’re on.” She says, and I hop off of her running down the hall and around the corner to the kitchen.

Spencer: “Really? Again dad?”

Ashley: “Told ya.” She whispers in my ear.

Arthur: “What?”

Spencer: “Nothing.”

I hop up onto the counter.

Arthur: “Hey, get down from there! This is the foods domain, not yours.”

Spencer: “Jeez, ok dad calm down. You’re getting a little serious about this food thing huh?”

Arthur: “It’s one of my passions.”

Ashley: “I don’t know why you’re a social worker and not a chef.” She says, her wrists over my shoulders holding my hands, as we watch him cook.

Arthur: “I like helping people more than I like cooking.” He says smiling over at us.

Ashley: “So what all are you making?”

Arthur: “You guys’ favorite.”

Spencer: “Blueberry pancakes!?” I yip. Ashley and my dad laugh.

Arthur: “Yep, with whip cream, bacon, eggs, and my special fresh squeezed orange juice.” I hear a gurgling noise.

Spencer: “What was that?”

Ashley: “Sorry, talking about it just made me hungrier.” She says embarrassed, and my dad and I laugh.

Arthur: “Well, I take that as a compliment, so thank you Ash.”

Ashley: “Oh, it was really no problem.” She chuckles.

Arthur: “Why don’t you two go get cleaned up, it should be ready by the time your done.” Ashley and I race to the bathroom.

Then head back to the kitchen, still in our pajamas.

We and brush our teeth and separate showers, just because its Saturday and everyone’s home. Although it was pretty tempting when I saw her leave the bathroom and go to her room with just a towel around her. I go to my room and throw on some clothes, then swing my door open and see Ashley leaning on the wall across the hall, staring at her house shoes, waiting for me. She looks up and smiles, walks the few steps to me and takes my hand in hers as she leans in kissing my cheek.

Ashley: “Lets go eat.” She says and I nod.

We trot down the steps and into the kitchen where my dad is sitting the food on the table. My mom and Ashley’s mom are in the kitchen now, sitting plates and silverware out. Everyone says good morning, then we sit down to breakfast and talk casually.

Spencer: “Dad, that was great, thanks.” I say and give him a kiss on the cheek as I clear the table.

Arthur: “Your welcome sweetie.” He says getting up from the table.

Ashley is already at the sink washing the dishes. I walk up behind her and she looks over her shoulder at me. I smile and lean in kissing her on the lips as I put the remaining dishes in her side of the sink. She smiles as I begin rinsing the dishes she’s already washed.

Paula: “Hey, we’re going out for a few hours do you guys want to come?”

Spencer: “Uh, no, we’re gonna try to fix up Ashley’s car.” She nods and begins to leave.

Ashley: “Is my mom going with you guys?”

Paula: “No, I think she said she was going out with Mark today.”

Ashley: “Right, should have guessed that.” My mom looks at her sympathetically and leaves. We finish cleaning up the kitchen then gather up the things to clean up the car.

Ashley: “I really hope this works.” She says to me as we stand in front of her car about to wash it. I just nod. I already have a back up plan incase it doesn’t. we dunk the sponge in the bucket of soapy water.

So, after half an hour of buffing, scrubbing, and getting drenched in water, I can honestly say we worked our hardest and-

Ashley: “It doesn’t look any better than it did half an hour ago.” Exactly my thoughts.

Spencer: “Well…the scratches are pretty much gone.” I say trying to cheer her up.

Ashley: “Yeah, I guess so.” She says still sounding dejected. She drops the sponge in the bucket. “I’m going to my room.” She says as she walks away and into the house.

TBC