“Its okay Spence, ya don’t gotta pretend with me…I may not know everythin’ ‘bout ya, but I really like everythin’ I do know, and I plan on bein’ round long ‘nough to learn the rest! You’re strong Spence ‘cause no matter how those idiots make ya feel ya haven’t sent their heads rollin’ down the hallways like bowlin’ balls, you’re strong ‘cause ya convinced me not tot to kill my Mom yesterday, and most of all you’re strong for comin’ clean ‘bout that…Please… Please…Please try not to worry ‘bout pretendin’ with me… If ya gotta problem I wanna help!” Ashley replies, again trying to sooth Spencer’s worry-filled mind. 

“I’ll try…” Spencer says.

He pauses to think of the next subject then, continues.

“Um…Since you brought her up, how’d things go with Christine when you got home?” Spencer asks.

“I walked in ready to kick her ass for what she did… There was shattered glass everywhere, and I heard more breakin’. She was destroyin’ every picture frame with a picture of me in it…I dared her to try to take her anger out on me…” Ashley begins to answer with an odd mix of anger and hurt towards Christine, as well as, being proud of herself for taking a stand.  .

Spencer cuts her off.

“She didn’t hit ya did she?” Spencer asks worriedly.

“No, she looked like she was goin’ to, but then she just smirked and told me ‘You’re not worth the money it’d cost me to get my nails redone after I gouged your eyes outta your pretty little head.”

Spencer can see the hurt in Ashley’s eyes. He imagines how she must feel.

“That’s awful! Your own Mother told ya you’re worth less to her than a manicure?” He says in disgust.

“Yep.” Ashley answers sadly.

“Well, here’s somethin’ that might make ya feel better…I was tellin’ my parents ‘bout your mom, and they want ya to know that you’re always welcome at our house…doesn’t matter if ya just wanna get away for a bit, or if it gets bad ‘nough that ya gotta come live with us…they wanted me to let ya know that we’ll all always be there for ya! Spencer says sincerely.

Ashley smiles big, Spencer does too.

“I love your parents!” Ashley says in total honesty, once again wishing her mom was like them.