Grand Slam

Part 20

Dansby's POV

I wasn't sure till we got to the door, but I had a bad feeling about someone at the door for Ashlyn at my mom's house. We walked into the house and Ashlyn shivered from the sudden coolness of the air conditioning. She glanced over to the screen door and it was like her entire demeanor shifted. I looked over at the door to see what the problem was and saw Ashlyn's mom standing outside the door, looking like she could kill someone. Ashlyn started walking towards the door when my mom spoke up, "You don't have to answer that, honey,". "It's okay," Ashlyn replied, "I don't want her treating y'all how she's going to me. But thank you so so much for this party and the food and presents. You really didn't have to, but I had the greatest time," Ashlyn said, opening her arms for a hug. "Of course, Ashlyn. And if there's anything we can do about that situation outside, you just holler. We'll be out there in a heartbeat," my mom said, returning Ashlyn's hug and glancing out the door before letting her go. 

Ashlyn offered a small smile before turning to me and saying, "If you don't want to go out there, I get it. You can wait here and I'll get her gone before we leave. You don't need to hear what she's got to say." "Yeah, there's no way I'm letting you go out here alone," I replied, holding Ashlyn's hand and leading her towards the door where her mom stood waiting.

Ashlyn's POV

"Momma, what are you doing here?" I asked quietly as soon as the door shut behind Dansby. Completely ignoring my question, she immediately began yelling, "There's no reason you should be spending this much time with that boy! What are people going to think if you're seen in public?! And you're with his family when me, your dad, and your brother have came so far out of our way to come see you and spend time with you! You're so ungrateful for everything I've done and sacrificed for you to have this life!"

"At least this boy and his family actually treat me like I'm a human being, not just a trophy. And they actually remembered my birthday, which is apparently something my own parents don't have the capacity to do!" I yelled back. I wasn't planning on escalating the situation like that, but between the two beers I'd drank and the years of anger towards how me mom treated me, there was no stopping it. "I'm sorry for wanting to celebrate my birthday and spend time with people who actually treat me like I matter while you and dad are out up Shane's butt." Before I could say something else, my mom cut in and shouted, "If I could go back, you wouldn't even be here! I would make sure we were more careful and I'd make sure there weren't any accidents!" 

Before anything else could be said, Dansby's dad came outside and stepped between me and my mom, politely telling her that she needed to get off his lawn and stop disrespecting his son. Shockingly, my mom backed down without a fight for him and got in her car and drove off. I just stared after her brake lights, trying to process what she'd said to me. Dansby stepped in front of me and just pulled me to him.

Dansby's POV

I was trying to wrap my head around what Ashlyn's mom said before dad came out there and kicked her off his land. Ashlyn seemed frozen as she watched her mom leave, so I stepped in front of her to block her view of the driveway and check on her. I looked into her face and immediately saw her shaking, either from the cold or emotions I'm not sure but I just knew I had to get her out of there. There was no way she was going to cry in front of my parents, and I could tell that she was on the verge of tears. 

I got Ashlyn over to my truck and helped her in the passenger side, shutting the door and walking to the porch where my parents stood as Ashlyn still sat, seemingly frozen. My mom looked like she was going to cry, and my dad looked like he was going to hurt someone, which I had seen before when they saw someone be mistreated like Ashlyn had been. "Momma, she'll be okay" I started, hugging mom before continuing, "I've only known her a week, but I'm pretty sure she's put up with this her whole life. She's going to be okay." Momma just nodded into my chest as dad spoke up. "Take care of her son, you'll never find another girl like that, even if her parents aren't the best." "I will, dad." I said, letting go of mom and telling them bye. I walked back to the truck, trying to believe the words I told my mom, not being sure how true they were. 

I started the truck after I got in, glanced over at Ashlyn, and reached back into the backseat, coming back up front with a hoodie that I handed her. She slipped it over her head, seeming to soak in the smell of it, as I asked, "Do you have your house key? We're going to grab you some clothes and stuff, get Lou, and y'all are coming to stay at my house tonight." Ashlyn still hadn't spoken, but I looked over as she gave me a slight nod. "Do you need any specific thing or does it matter what clothes I get you?" I asked as we pulled into her driveway and she answered by shaking her head no. "Okay, well I will be right back, if there's something specific you need, just text me. I'll have my phone the whole time." Ashlyn nodded as I opened my door and walked up her front steps, going straight inside and to Ashlyn's room, not looking to see if someone was in the living room as I walked through. 

I found a bag in her closet and grabbed a few t-shirts and hoodies, tossing it all in the bag and going to find more clothes. I grabbed a pair of jeans and her belt, along with a pair of sweatpants and some athletic shorts when I heard the door to Ashlyn's room open and her dad walked in. "What happened? Is Ashlyn okay?" he asked, panicking at the way I was tossing her clothes in a bag. "I mean, she was till your wife came to my parent's house and yelled at her that she was a mistake." I replied, finishing up with clothes and moving into the bathroom to grab things I thought Ashlyn would need. 

Her dad followed me into the bathroom, shock on his face. "Oh my gosh she did that? Where's Ashlyn? What happened?" I stopped to look at him and took a deep breath. "She's in my truck and I'm not really sure what to do for her but I'm about to take her and Lou to my house. She doesn't need to be here right now." 

"Please take care of her. I know her mom never wanted another kid after Shane but it was always my dream to have a baby girl. I know she didn't have the best childhood and that's partially my fault but just tell her I love her, okay?" her dad said to me. When I finally looked over at him, I saw how close to tears he was, upset over how Ashlyn had been treated by her mom. "I'll always take care of her," I replied, zipping the bag up and walking past him to grab Lou and get back to my truck.