Chapter 3
When she opened her eyes the room was much darker. She checked the clock beside her bed: 5:15 p.m. She couldn't believe she had fallen asleep so fast, or slept so long. Ashley stood up and changed into a pair of dark denim jeans and a black top with a lacy trim. Now, where were the gifts she’d brought. There. She picked up the bag of gifts and went downstairs.
Jane and Martin were in the living room, dressed to go out.
“How was your sleep?” Jane asked.
“Good. I can't believe I dozed off. I got you guys a little present.” Ashley pulled the large wrapped rectangular box out of the bag.
“Oh you shouldn't have done that, darling,” Jane said as she accepted the box.
“It's nothing big. I saw it and thought of you.” Ashley shrugged.
Jane unwrapped the box and opened it. A smile spread across her face as she saw what was inside.
She gasped at the ornate, colorful glass vase. Hand-crafted.
“I know how much you like flowers.” Ashley clasped her hands together. “Martin, there's a little something inside the vase for you.”
Martin looked surprised and Jane tipped the vase upside down. A small box fell out and Martin retrieved and opened it.
It was a watch. He whistled as he lifted it from the box.
“This is just what I need.” He wrapped it around his wrist, clasping it together, and admiring it.
“It's waterproof, of course,” Ashley said. “I’m told it has all the mod-cons—I asked the jeweller and she told me it was the best of the best. If you don't like it, I can always take it back and exchange it.”
“No, I love it. Thanks, kiddo.” He gave Ashley a kiss on the cheek.
Jane rose to her feet and gave Ashley a hug.
“I better get going.”
“OK, honey. You can take my car.” Jane retrieved the keys from the hook by the front entrance mirror. “This is the house key,” she said pinching the key with the blue mark across the top, “in case we're not home when you get back. Do you remember how to get there?”
“Yeah, Mom. I haven't been gone that long.”
“OK, drive safe. Love you,” Jane called as Ashley ran down the front porch steps towards her mother’s white Corolla.
“You too,” Ashley called back.
She could hear the girls yelling from inside the house before she even had a chance to knock.
“She's here! She's here!”
Jess opened the door and the two girls shot straight past their mother. Coco wrapped herself tightly around Ashley’s leg and Meika waited patiently for Ashley to bend down and give her a hug and a kiss.
“Wow! Look at you guys. You're getting so big!”
Ashley had kept in regular contact with the girls, keeping up-to-date with their lives through Bryan’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, and Skyping them from time to time.
“How are you, Ash?” Jess gave her a warm hug. “Come in, come in.”
Jess was still stunningly beautiful. She had this classic all-American look about her. Her tall and slightly curvy figure hadn’t changed despite having three kids. She had been a medical receptionist before becoming a stay-at-home mom, and now she helped out in the cafe whenever Bryan needed her.
Ashley stepped inside and saw Bryan walking towards her, carrying Harley.
“Oh, Harley, look at you! What a handsome little man you are.” Ashley held out her arms to take him. Harley turned his back and held on tightly to Bryan. An understandable reaction, as he'd never met her face-to-face before.
“No? Too shy?” Ashley giggled and lowered her hands.
“Aunty Ashley, look what I can do!” Coco bellowed and proceeded to do a rather lopsided somersault.
“That's great!”
“She doesn't know how to do it properly.” Meika pushed Coco out of the way. “I do. I go to gymnastics.” She then did a perfect somersault.
“Mine was better,” Coco said.
“No it wasn't—yours was stupid.”
“You're stupid!” Coco shoved Meika into the wall.
Ashley grimaced and glanced between Bryan and Jess. Were the girls always this loud and argumentative?
“Hey, hey! Girls! Stop that!” Bryan handed Harley to Jess, and dropped down on one knee to come to eye level with the girls. “We don't speak to each other like that. And especially not in front of guests. Now, what do we do when we hurt someone’s feelings?”
The two girls looked at each other and reluctantly said 'sorry' but because they both said sorry at the same time they broke out in a fit of laughter.
“Come on through to the living room, Ash.” They walked up the hallway into the combined kitchen, dining, and living area.
“You've done some renovations too I see.”
Jess nodded. “We took the wall out. It feels more open and airy now, don't you think?”
“Definitely.”
Jess placed Harley on the ground and he darted behind the couch to hide and keep a watchful eye on Ashley. There was a cheeky smile on his face.
“Red or white?” Bryan asked holding up two bottles of wine.
“Either. I don't mind.”
“Go with the red, honey,” Jess said to Bryan, then turned back to Ashley. “It's good.”
“Aunty Ashley, what’s in that bag?” Coco pointed at the bag full of gifts.
“Those are for you guys.” Ashley smiled.
Coco's mouth and eyes opened wide with delight.
Ashley pulled out the first present. “This one is actually for everyone.”
“Can I open it?” Coco was busting with excitement so Ashley handed it to her. She tore through the wrapping, revealing a huge box of chocolates.
“Ah, they're actually not allowed those. Not this late at night.” Bryan stepped in to take the box from Coco’s hands.
The kids moaned in unison.
Jess rolled her eyes at Bryan.
Ashley guessed that Bryan was still strict with what he allowed the children to eat—especially when it came to sugar.
“All right, they can have one. After dinner.”
Ashley pulled out the gifts for the kids and handed a wrapped box each to Jess and Bryan.
Jess gasped as she opened the box to reveal a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels. “Ashley, these are incredible! Thank you. I can wear them to the wedding on Saturday. I had a pair picked out but these are so much better.”
Bryan opened his gift. A new iPad. “Thanks, Ash. This is awesome.”
Coco squealed as she unwrapped her gift of a microphone which came with a stand, a mini light-up disco ball, and a speaker. The perfect gift for an energetic seven-year-old.
Meika got a diary, a mixed craft box, and a new dress. She was nine. “Yes!” Meika clutched the diary to her chest and jumped up and down on the spot. “My very own diary. I love writing—and if you ever touch it Coco, I'm going to-”
“Hey. That's enough.” Bryan turned to Coco. “That's Meika's diary. OK Coco? You're not to touch it.”
“I won't. I promise.” Coco shook her head then resumed constructing the microphone stand.
Harley got a stacking block set and he busily got started on building a tower.
Bryan handed Ashley a glass of red wine.
“Dinner smells delicious. I'm starving. What are we having?” Ashley asked.
“Spaghetti!”
They all laughed as they turned to see Coco with her microphone set up—and apparently turned up to full volume.
Dinner was satisfying. The conversation flowed spasmodically, due to the constant interruptions and protests from the kids. It was like trying to talk to someone who had to concentrate on several different conversations at once. Ashley couldn't help but wonder if it would have been easier to feed Harley in the bathtub after watching his attempts to feed himself. Food somehow ended up on the floor, his chair, and some even ended up in his hair.
Afterwards the kids watched Frozen while Jess, Bryan, and Ashley
cleaned up, then sat around the table talking and catching up on the recent events in their lives.
“Did you have a rest this afternoon? You looked pretty tired.” Bryan reclined in his chair, resting his hands on the table.
Ashley nodded. “I didn't realize I was so exhausted.”
“How are you feeling now?” he asked.
“Much better. Wide awake actually.”
“Well, you should go out with Jess.”
“Yes!” Jess placed her wine glass on the table. “You should totally come out with us. I'm meeting a few friends for some drinks.”
“Oh, no. I don't want to intrude. I'll go back to Mom’s house and watch a movie or something.”
“What? No.” Bryan frowned. “Mom and Martin won't be home from the Johnsons for hours. You can't spend your first night back home on your own.”
Ashley looked down at her outfit. “I didn't dress for ‘going out’, and I don't want to have to drive all the way back to Mom's to get changed.”
“Your jeans are fine and you can borrow one of my tops and some shoes. We have the same size feet after all.” Jess took a deep breath. “Come on, it'll be fun. I never go out any more—and trust me, if I can get a chance to escape from dirty nappies, screaming children, and mountains of mess, I'll take it.”
“I don't blame you. Kids are so much work. Is it this messy every meal time?”
“Oh yeah. They are hard work, but I love them to bits and wouldn't have it any other way.” Her eyes softened as she looked at them laying on the couch, trying to keep their eyes open long enough to see the end of their movie.
“But, I do need some ‘me’ time every now and then. What do you say, will you come out with me?” Jess stared at Ashley, eyebrows raised and a big cheesy grin on her face.
“Why not?” She didn't have anything else to do, and her nap had revitalized her, leaving her full of energy.
As far as bars go in Sweet Home, there weren't too many to choose from. Tonight was buzzing though, as the early arrival of the Jamboree concertgoers headed out in search of a warm meal and icy-cold alcohol.
Jess opened the door and entered first, holding it open for Ashley. Ashley had been in here many times before, usually sneaking in with her friends when she was underage.
It was 9:30 and the staff had all but finished clearing up after the evening’s diners. The bar had a long timber counter that ran along three sides of the establishment, dividing the dining area, pool tables, and TV sections.
It was so different from her usual drinking spots in the city: people there were more sophisticated—classy, and dressed suitably. It seemed like here people wore whatever they wanted—she even thought she spotted a man wearing what appeared to be pyjamas. It was unrefined, loud, and a bit too easy-going. Doesn’t anyone here have any pride?
Jess waved to several people sitting by the bar, none of whom Ashley recognized. They all smiled and waved as Ashley and Jess walked over. Jess air-kissed them all, then introduced them. Ashley smiled and nodded, hoping she’d heard their names correctly above the loud, boppy music playing through the sound system.
The red-haired woman—Nicole—leaned towards Ashley. She looked almost like a real-life version of Jessica Rabbit. Curvaceous and beautiful. She looked to be in her mid-twenties.
“Must be a bit of a change from the nightlife you're used to in New York, I'd imagine.” She shook Ashley’s hand. “I teach Meika at school. She's always talking about you—she brings in clippings of your newspaper articles.”
“That's so sweet. I can't take all the credit though. My job is far less glamorous across the bridge in Brooklyn. I mostly design the layout of the articles before they go to print. I don't actually write any of the articles, although I'd love to someday. If I'm lucky enough.”
“Well, Meika thinks highly of you. She told me when she grows up she wants to go and live in the city and work at the Brooklyn Times with you.”
Ashley laughed. “She's so creative, I'm sure she'd fit right in!”
“What are you drinking?” Jess asked Ashley as a bartender waited to take her order.
“Uh, I'll get a beer,” Ashley replied.
“Hmm.” Nicole eyes formed slits and she pouted her ruby red lips. “I figured you for a champagne girl.”
“When in Rome.” Ashley smiled.
Nicole looked momentarily offended.
Jess interrupted, handing Ashley a large glass of beer.
“Thanks,” Ashley said raising her glass.
Jess turned her attention to Nicole. “So Nicole, how are you settling in? Does this feel like home sweet home yet?” Jess grinned and turned to Ashley. “Nicole moved here about six months ago from Eugene. She finished studying and landed a job here, and we're so happy to have her.” Jess wrapped her free arm around Nicole’s shoulder and gave her a tight squeeze.
“It's beginning to feel like home. The kids are great, and the parents are awesome.” She flashed Jess a quick wink. “The men aren’t too bad on the eye either.” Grinning, she took the straw between her teeth, motioning with a nod of her head to the sports section at the far side of the bar.
Jess and Ashley glanced over to the dozen or so men who filled the old leather tub seats. It was hard to see in the dim light, but most of them appeared to be either well beyond their fifties or labourers from around town and the surrounding districts.
“Ah, I see,” Jess said giving a knowing nod. Ashley frowned, not knowing who Nicole was referring to. After all she had been away for over eight years. Who knew how many people had moved in—and out of—Sweet Home during that time.
Nicole leaned close to Jess, giggled, and whispered something into her ear.
Ashley took another sip of her beer and spotted him over the top of her glass, sitting in the back row of the sports section. It was no wonder she hadn't noticed him before. He looked different. Much larger than she had remembered. Strong and solid, rugged looking, like a lumberjack with his full beard, tan, and the hint of a tattoo peeking out from underneath his upper arm. He was leaning across his chair talking to the man sitting across from him. As he went to pick up his drink from the table he glanced back and spotted her.
Their eyes locked and Ashley felt a sudden chill rush through her body. She wasn't sure if she should wave or pretend she hadn't seen him but he held her gaze. It was as if time had come to a standstill. His expression was completely unreadable. Despite the drink, her mouth felt dry and everything sounded muffled and distant.
He raised his drink to his lips and returned to watching the game on the TV as though he hadn't noticed her. Ashley hadn't even realized she had been holding her breath.
“Ash. Hellooo?”
She blinked a few times and turned to see Nicole and Jess staring at her.
“Excuse me?” Ashley asked, embarrassed about her distracted and obvious lack of attention to the conversation.
“I was telling Nicole about the last time we came to visit you, when Coco was only a toddler and she vomited all over Steven's couch.” Jess laughed. “I felt so bad. It was brand new and probably worth more than my car!” Jess and Nicole both giggled. Ashley felt her pulse beginning to return to normal and took another sip of her drink. She forced a smile and felt a shudder spread through her body.
“Is the bathroom still near the pool tables?” Ashley asked Jess. Jess nodded, taking another gulp of her beer.
“Excuse me a moment.”
Ashley made her way into the bathroom and paused to look in the mirror. The fluorescent lights made her skin look blotchy and flushed.
She fanned herself with her hand and turned on the cold water tap, running her hand under the cool water and rubbing it on the back of her neck. The toilet flushed and a pretty young girl with dark hair stumbled out. As she washed her hands she stared uncomfortably at Ashley.
“You're not from around here, are you?” The girl’s voice was slurred.
“No,” Ashley replied.
“I could tell.
You're pretty.” The girl hiccupped. “Are you here for the Jamboree?”
“Thank you, and no. It's my mom's wedding next week.”
“Your mom, wow!” The girl struggled to open her eyes wide, like it was the most amazing news she had ever heard. “How do you get your teeth so white?”
Ashley laughed. “I don't know. I brush them, I guess.” She tried to hide her amusement. “Are you all right?”
The girl flapped her hand through the air. “I'm fine. Fiiiine. F-I-N-E.” She started to laugh hysterically “That spells finny. I'm finny!” The girl placed her hands on the vanity to support herself. “Like a fish!”
Ashley tried not to laugh and moved to tuck an arm around the drunk girls’ back before she stumbled and fell.
“Come on. Let’s go and see if we can find your friends.” Ashley helped her out to the bar area, scanning the room to see if anyone appeared to be searching for someone. A young girl in a cute white summer dress, denim jacket and brown shoulder bag dashed over.
“Stacey, I was looking everywhere for you. Thank you so much,” the girl said as she helped to support her friend.
“Not a problem,” Ashley said. “I think you better get her home.”
“Yeah, we’re leaving. My sisters outside getting the car at the moment.”
“Isn't she pretty?” Stacey said to her friend.
Her friend nodded and smiled apologetically. “Thanks again.”
“Get her to drink a big glass of water with two alka seltzer's before she goes to sleep.”
She felt sorry for the girl, and couldn't help but be reminded of herself when she was younger. She had spent many days hung-over, trying to remember what had happened the night before.
Ashley returned to her friends, and a newly-poured beer was waiting for her.
“You OK?” Jess asked.
“What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. There was an intoxicated girl in the bathroom. I was making sure she got back to her friends safely.” Ashley took a sip and shot a glance over to the sports section.
“He's gone.” Jess gave a knowing smile.
“What?” Ashley tried to give her best I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about expression.
“You can relax. He left.”
Ashley took a sip and shrugged, waving her hand in dismissal. “It doesn't bother me, honestly.” She glanced around again, taking another sip of her beer as she did so.
“Honestly?” Jess raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
Ashley shrugged again and felt foolish, as though she were over-compensating for her lack of credible excuses by fidgeting. She made a conscious decision to control herself. Ashley had dated Jay all throughout high school. They had grown up together in Sweet Home. Ashley couldn't help but think their relationship had been purely out of boredom and convenience—and the fact that there weren't any other suitable partners to choose from in such a small town. He was a star when it came to sports, quick reflexes and lots of strength. He was also funny and seemed to like making everyone laugh in class, much to the teachers’ disappointment.
She felt her lip twitch as she recalled his smile, his eyes would sparkle and he had had such a great sense of humour, in fact she couldn't remember a time when he wasn't making someone smile. “He's an adult. I'm an adult. We’re free to make our own choices. If he wants to—”
“It's OK Ash. You don't have to justify yourself to me.”
Ashley bit her lip and nodded.
“But you're darn right we're free. This is ’Merica!” Jess raised her glass and her voice and was greeted by several cheers from nearby patrons who also raised their glasses. Jess and Ashley clinked glasses and continued to down their drinks.
She still felt uneasy; she knew that with Sweet Home being such a small town she was likely to bump into Jay again at some stage. But seeing him in the bar had felt awkward and surreal—and unsettling. Their relationship had ended so abruptly following the death of her father. Ashley had simply sent Jay a text message saying it was over and she was leaving, and hadn't bothered to answer his phone calls or messages. There was no point. She had made up her mind that she was never coming back to this town. That was until her mother had to go and decide to get re-married.
She couldn't help but notice Nicole had left as well. Was Jay the man she had referred to earlier? From the looks of the other men sitting in the sports screening area, it was highly likely.
The night continued with a blur of colorful lights, head-pounding music, laughter, and feeble attempts at dancing. It was ironic that her first night back in town was beginning to resemble the same way she had spent most of her nights when she actually lived here—a drunken blur that she would likely forget—and regret—in the morning.