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Past
1952
Ashley's mother can finally go back to work after so long. She took care of Ashley for two whole years, and finally, when Ashley turned two, she knew she could just drop her off at daycare and get another adult to watch her while she was at work.
It's okay; she'll get used to having other children around, Ashley's mom thought. She then immediately thought back to a year ago and how Ashley was with Noelle and Bethany. David's kids will also be at the same daycare with Ashley. What could possibly go wrong?
Ashley has been going to daycare for a while now while her mother is at work.
Meanwhile, while her mother was at work, things haven't been so well for Ashley during the first few weeks at daycare. Ashley and Bethany would fight over toys all the time, and Noelle wouldn't do anything about it. Noelle didn't want to do anything because she thought she would make the situation worse every time Ashley and Bethany were fighting. She thought she could just wait until the fight was over because that was the right thing to do.
Usually.
Ashley and Bethany were having a fight over toys again. For the fourth time this week. The daycare supervisor was getting pretty annoyed about their fights and wished the kids behaved more. Usually someone would win during a fight, but this time, however, their fight raged on and nobody won.
Ashley tried pulling the toy back. Bethany gripped it harder, tugging it to her side. Ashley tried harder. The toy they were fighting over was a plastic truck. Hey, Ashley had the toy first! She deserved the toy, not her! She got it first! She seized it over, but Bethany still had a hold, and with a crack, the plastic truck broke.
There was silence all over the room for a moment. All the children turned to watch what happened. Then suddenly Ashley started crying like crazy, having her usual tantrum. Bethany watched Ashley cry for a moment, then stuck her tongue out, then walked away.
"Bethany, that's mean." The daycare supervisor said. "Say sorry." Bethany looked at the supervisor, then pointed to the washroom and walked away. Bethany didn't really have to go; she thought what happened wasn't fair, and she just wanted to escape from the situation. Worst of all, she didn't want to say sorry, even though she already said her first words and knew how to speak a bit.
Ashley continued crying rapidly. On the plus side, Bethany didn't have to hear that. The supervisor sighed. "Maybe you can learn how to play properly with her." The supervisor said this to Ashley. "You ok?" She asked. Ashley looked up. She wasn't used to adults that weren't her mom; she couldn't imagine what not being in her mother's safety felt like.
Which made Ashley cry more. Suddenly, a boy came over to the supervisor and Ashley to watch what was happening. "She's crying because the toy is broken." The supervisor pointed to the broken plastic truck on the ground. The boy nodded, like he understood that. "I don't know what to do to make her stop crying." The supervisor finally admitted. The boy, Jack, didn't know what to do either.
Then he went to get a book and sat beside Ashley. Jack opened the book and started looking at the first page. He tapped Ashley's shoulder, and suddenly Ashley looked at the book Jack was reading.
Even though Ashley couldn't read yet, she liked to look at the pictures. Just seeing the pictures with a person who is not Bethany made her feel better.
And suddenly, she stopped crying. The supervisor thought it was a success that she could actually take care of screaming two-year-olds.
Present
1993
"Mom. Hi. I'm home from my first year of college." Sylvia said while I'm reading the newspaper.
"Sorry, I didn't hear that." I slammed the paper down. I took it over to Nicholas's room, then came back to the kitchen table. "Yes, you did. I said hi to you multiple times. At least say you're alive." Sylvia said.
"Alright. Who's that guy you invited over?" I said, pointing to the random boy I don't know who is currently in my house and is currently beside Sylvia. "Uh, him? He's my boyfriend." Sylvia answered. Ashley sighed. Sylvia is still young; didn't she clearly tell her not to date until she's out of this house? "Sylvia. You are not 21 yet." I said. "What did I say about dating?" "I followed your rules because I'm your kid, but I'm an adult now and get to make my own choices. So your rules don't apply to me anymore." Said Sylvia. Ugh. Talking back! She's not even 21 yet! She's still in this house!
"Fine. But you must marry this person. No cheating on him and liking another guy." I shot back. "Uh, mom, he has a name. His name is Zane." Sylvia said. Right then, Nicholas walked in. "Anyways, me and him agreed to have our first ever date today. Right now. For lunch. Can dad drive us?" Sylvia said. "That's why he's here."
"I'll go with you. Ask your dad. Absolutely no kissing on your first date, and you must have your phone with you just in case anything happens." I said. "Hey, woah, you're going too harsh on her. She's 19 now." Nicholas said, settling himself at the table. "Mom doesn't allow me a driver's license yet, so I need you to drive me on my first date." Sylvia said to Nicholas, "Sure." He said.
"Are you sure about this? Letting her date now?" I asked. Nicholas nodded.
I don't know. What if I don't want her to be ready for it?
"Mom! Seriously! Don't go inside with me!" Sylvia protested when we were at the restaurant. "Don't worry. They won't even know I'm your mom! It'll be fine. I'm making sure you're eating the correct things. Remember your specific diet?" I said as we walked into the restaurant. Zane didn't look at me at all.
Sylvia and Zane walked to an empty seat while I walked up front. Did I mention Sylvia is allergic to peanuts and lactose-intolerant? That's why I came here to make sure she's safe from that, although she doesn't believe it. "Hello." I tried to get the waiter's attention. Suddenly, a waiter came to me. "Need help with anything?" She asked. "I'd like to speak to the manager." I said. "OK." She said that and walked away.
I waited a moment. Until someone came. Why does this person feel familiar? "Please assign dietary options to the person sitting over there." I said, pointing at Sylvia. He repeated my instructions to a waiter, and then he did not leave where he was. "I remember you. Are you Ashley?" The manager said.
"From when? Who are you?" I asked. "You met me before!" He asked. Suddenly, I knew who he was! "Are you Jack?" I asked. "From daycare?" "Yes. That's me." He said. "This is your job?" I asked. Was he poor or something? "Part-time job. It's not my full-time job." He said. "Oh. What's your full time?" I asked.
Jack laughed. "You say that like you're surprised. My full-time job is as a middle school math teacher. What's yours? Promise, I won't laugh." He asked.
And that's how we ended up talking for a long time. I could see Sylvia watching me, wondering what I was even doing, but I don't care how Sylvia honestly feels. But by the time she's done, I know I also have to go home with her.
Me and Jack ended up reconnecting with each other by the time Sylvia's date ended, and I told him why I'm here in the first place.
At least Sylvia is marrying him, or this date is a waste of time.
