Learning

Chapter 13: Family Night In

Ashla stood proudly in the hallway, eyes fixed on the door. She would make up for her recent behaviour to Ahsoka by being the mother she should always be. Starting with showing Ahsoka her restored room and asking about her day before ending with her favourite dinner: Beef Casserole. She could get everything back on track after tonight. A key turned in the door and Ashla smiled as her daughter came through the door. "Ahsoka darling, how are you? How was your day?" She hugged Ahsoka who returned it, albeit slightly confused by the affection.

She took off her blazer and hung it up before turning to her mum. Ahsoka still felt rather conflicted about seeing Lux at the park but she took a deep breath and put it behind her. "I've had a good day thank you Mum, I'm going to get changed now." Ahsoka started to make her way up the stairs but then remembered the state of her room and stopped. "Actually Mum there is something we need to discuss." She twisted her hands together but Ashla was quick to shush her.

"If this is about your room this morning, you have no idea how dreadful I feel Ahsoka. I was just a bit drunk and your Father was getting to me. I'd like you to know that the minute I woke up and saw it, I raced to town and gathered supplies to fix it. Come on, I want to know what you think." Ashla grabbed Ahsoka's hand and led her upstairs before covering her eyes at her doorway. "Come in and... Ta da! What do you think?" She removed her hands with a flourish and heard Ahsoka gasp as she took in her new room. Ashla wouldn't admit it aloud but she was really impressed with herself for what she had done in two hours.

She had bought some new paint to cover up the mark she'd made on the wall in a lilac colour before adding pink, red cherry blossoms on it as well. The carpet had been cleared and cleaned so that it was all fluffy and her furniture had been replaced for better versions. "Mum... What? What is this?" Ahsoka asked quietly as she spun slowly around in a circle.

Ashla smiled lovingly at her daughter. "When I saw what I'd done this morning, I knew I had to fix it. You were right before, we don't need Hosin in our lives anymore. I'm going to be a better Mother to you from now on. Now, what do you think of your clothes?" Ashla looked anxious while Ahsoka opened her wardrobe. "I know that some of those clothes are a bit outside your comfort zone but Mr Sharn was reassuring that you might like them. What do you think, Ahsoka?"  She turned away as she changed with a nervous smile.

Ahsoka looked through the tops, dresses, skirts, leggings and jeans she had received and chose a bright blue t-shirt and black leggings with golden stars on them. "Well, I think I really like them. Muchas gracias, Mama." Ahsoka hugged her mum as she grinned.

"I'm pleased that you like them, I paid double what I should've for them. Now, how was your day?" Ashla led her daughter downstairs as she unpacked her bag.

Ahsoka sighed and gritted her teeth for the unpleasant bitterness she had felt over Lux had gone away for a few moments but was back with a burning passion now. "It was fine, Mr Skywalker set us a fun task to do in Tutor where we design our own town. I struggled to get ideas at first but he was good at getting my inspiration flowing. Barriss was fine, my lessons were pretty good. However I did get a detention... Nothing serious though so don't worry!" Ahsoka noticed Ashla's smile slip at the mention of a detention and cursed herself.

She looked Ahsoka in the eye. "From who and why? It better be a good reason." She hung her head for being on her phone during class was hardly what her mother would call a good reason.

"It was Mr Mundi, you know, the really strict one? Anyway I'd been a good girl and finished all my work before anyone else and so I just pulled my phone out for a moment to check and he caught me, nothing serious." Ahsoka took her school books and placed them in the cubby hole.

Ashla shook her head. "Yes I know who you are referring to and I also remember that having your phone out in lessons was the main reason for your detentions last year. Can you really not go an entire hour without checking it?" She placed her bag above her books as they walked into the living room.

Ahsoka sighed. "Yes, I just get bored. And Sir can see our computer screens so I can't go on any other website to entertain myself if I'm finished. Look, this will be the only one I get. I promise." She hugged her mum who relented against her embrace.

"I'll hold you to that, now, what do you want to watch tonight?" Ashla laughed as she handed her the remote and Ahsoka chose a classic film that they both enjoyed. It was about a young girl who didn't know where she came from and grew up at a series of orphanages and foster homes. When she was older, the protagonist received a letter that alluded to who her birth parents were and she went on a bug adventure to find them and fix their mistakes. Ahsoka could most certainly relate to the beginning frustration she felt growing up in foster care and orphanages.

At around five, the film finished and Ashla revealed that tea was ready. Ahsoka cheered for she had been getting hungry and they were having her favourite dinner tonight: Beef Casserole. As Ashla served up their dinner, the doorbell rang so Ahsoka went to answer it. Opening it, Ahsoka was greeted with the postman holding a letter and a parcel. "Hi, Tano residence?" Ahsoka nodded. "Good, sign here please." He held out the iPad for Ahsoka to sign which she did and then he handed her the items. "Bye." He waved to them before he drove away back in his van.

Ashla appeared in the doorway. "Postman? I wonder what's in it, I haven't ordered anything. You?" Ahsoka shook her head as she checked the letter.

"It's addressed to you." She handed her mum the letter and put the box on the floor.

"Oh my goodness!" Ashla gasped as she reached for the wall to steady her. "Mr Sharn, he had a heart attack earlier today and is being kept in hospital. I am included in the will for something and they think it's a good idea for me to go and see him." Ahsoka felt her mouth fall open as Ashla re-read the letter over and over again. She looked up suddenly at her child. "But we were supposed to have our Mother/Daughter bonding time..." She looked torn but Ahsoka had made her mind up for her.

Taking the letter out of her hands, Ahsoka looked her in the eyes. "You are going to go and see him. If he cares about you enough to include you in his will and his family to send a letter to you then you have to go. I'll stay here and eat the casserole and wait. Go on, you need to see him Mum!" Ahsoka hurried her as Ashla focused in on reality.

"Yes of course, you're right. I'll go and see him. You eat your casserole. Don't answer the door for people you don't know and just be sensible. Yes, okay. Love you dear, I'll see you soon." Ashla finished putting her shoes on and kissed her daughter on the cheek before leaving to go to the hospital.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I think that there will be more Anisoka Father/Daughter relationship aspects in the next chapter. In other news, I'll update again tomorrow most likely. Bye, bye.