Even Through the Storm

21. Show and Tell

The next day, Ash, Dad, and I meet Ash's step-family. The car ride takes half an hour, most of which we spend playing would-you-rather and singing songs. When we get there, Linda opens the door for us. We go inside the house, and Ash's siblings are in the living room, playing a board game. "Asher!" Nicole says when she sees him. She gives him a hug. "What happened?" Asher's nose is bruised from yesterday's incident.

"Oh, um, nothing. Just a little dispute. No biggie," he says, remembering his little brothers and sisters look up to their father.

"Oh, okay. So, sit down!" Ash and I take a seat on the loveseat, Dad on the couch. Nicole sits back down on the floor. Asher looks at the twins.

"So, I'm guessing you're, Lucas?" Ash says, pointing to his brother.

"Yeah. That's Jake. And that's Lia."

"Nice to meet you. Lia, I like your shirt." She is wearing a Plumber Brothers' t-shirt. "That's my favorite video game."

"Really?" she asks. "Wanna' play?"

"Sure." She puts the game into the console and gives Ash a controller. Linda walks into the room, carrying a plate of freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies.

"So, um, Sam, Lola, you wanted to talk about something on the phone?"

"Um, yeah," Dad says. "Let's talk away from the kids."

"Oh, okay. Um, let's go." She leads Dad and me to the porch and closes the door. "So, what's wrong?"

"Your husband showed up at his ex's hospital room yesterday," Dad says. "He was also the reason she was admitted. Security had to be called in, and Asher had a bloody nose because of it."

"What? He would never. I, are you sure?"

"I was there," I say. "He hit Ash and his mother, before being taken away. We went to where he was being held. He punched Asher's nose."

"Is that why he hasn't been home?"

"Um, yeah. He has a few charges, multiple charges," Dad says.

"An investigation is also being held now about Asher's house." Linda sits down on a chair. "I'm sorry you have to hear about this from me, but..."

"I, I just, what about my kids?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry."

"It's, let's, let's go inside."

***

An hour later, Nicole and I are hanging out in her room. "So, you're dating my brother."

"Um, yeah. It's been about six months now. He, um, he gave me this necklace," I say, holding onto the chain.

"So, do you want to play a game?"

"Sure. How about would-you-rather?"

"Oh, I love that game! You go first. Would you rather, marry an elephant, or kiss an orangutan?"

"Marry the elephant. My turn. Would you rather hug a buffalo, or eat snails?"

"Oh, easy. Eat escargot"

"Really? Gross."

"Yeah, when I was about five, my parents and I went on a vacation in Paris. We had escargot, and baguettes, and croissants, yeah."

"Really! That's awesome. I've never even been out of state, forget out halfway across the world!"

"It's no big deal. So, my turn. Would you rather eat a pizza with gummy bears, or swim with sharks?"