Author's Note: Hey everyone! I would just like to mention that I WILL be reading through this story again in the near future and doing a good clean up of any grammatical and/or spelling errors. At the time I wrote Everything Changes, I didn't have a word processor, so I'd like to go back and fix all these errors now to help enhance and polish this story. Please bear with me, as I only have so much time to dedicate to my writing/reading. Thank you and enjoy! :)
PG13 CONTENT: Rated T for adult situation, mild language, VERY mild sexual content, and minor crude humor.
DISCLAIMER: Pokémon/Pocket Monsters belongs to Nintendo and Satoshi Tajiri.
Everything Changes
Chapter 1
The Dog Days are Over
It had been almost five years since the departure of a father who abandoned his son and wife for his own selfish dreams. Little to no communication sparked between the broken household, leaving an empty void in their once perfect world. Still they managed, and took their life day by day as if nothing had changed.
And yet, it did.
Ash Ketchum's feet purposely continued to kick the dash-board on his way to school that bright, yet chilly morning. The old beaten down red truck couldn't endure much more abuse, and neither could his mother. The ringing headache in Delia's ears grew sharper and sharper, her eyebrows furrowing as she watched the road.
"Ash, stop kicking the car," she said firmly to the nine-year old. "It can only handle so much."
Delia recalled that this old vehicle was the one she received as her very own from her parents, and the one that took her to the hospital during Ash's delivery. It had many special memories. Many she shared with her absent spouse.
Ash's feet immediately stopped. A sigh rang out of his mouth as his glossy brown eyes gazed out the window.
"I don't want to go Mom."
Delia gave a quick depressing glance at her son, and then turned her attention back on the road. "I know you don't honey, but just- just try to make the best out of it. All right? Just think, soon it'll be summer."
He moaned again, his head leaning back. "Yeah, in like four months."
The mother returned his response with a stern 'I mean it' look.
"Okay," he said outwardly with another huff, his neck sinking into his shoulders.
"Good."
The truck hit the brakes and came to an abrupt halt. They were now parked on the sidewalk near the Viridian Elementary School. Ash gave a look of his disgust towards the building as he glumly reached for his backpack in the back seat, swinging it over his shoulder. As he began to open the truck door however, he felt his mother's soft grip rest against his shoulder.
"Try to have a good day."
"I will."
A kiss was planted gently on his forehead as a small smile tried to grow from her lips.
Ash remained frowning.
Delia's eyebrows relaxed as she said warmly, "I love you."
"Love you too, Mom," he mumbled, slamming the door behind him.
Before driving off she watched him with shoulders hunched, walking up the school's front steps. A grimaced look soon took over her face as she saw a snickering Gary Oak in the corner of the stairwell, accompanied by a few of his rotten friends. The beat of Delia's heart made it almost leap from her small chest. Her eyes sank, foreboding dread taking over her tense body.
A lump resided in her throat. "Please, not again," she begged as she pulled away from the school. She could only pray that her son would be intact when she came that afternoon to pick him up.
Even at that however, she felt it did no good.
Ash was now fidgeting with his shoe locker, trying to open the pesky lock as his his teeth bit down hard on his tongue.
"Come on, open will ya..." he grumbled to himself.
"Well if it isn't Ashy boy struggling with his locker?" a nasally, yet familiar voice exclaimed. Gary stood directly above Ash, his hands firmly placed on his hips with his eyes peering down at the nervous boy.
"Never thought having trouble in both literature and math, would also lead to problems with basic neurological functions. But then again, it is Ash Ketchum after all."
The bully glanced behind his shoulder, finding his friends joining in on the harassment. Gary let out another soft snicker as Ash's lips formed a deep frown.
Ash hated it when Gary used 'big' words he didn't understand.
"Go away Gary," he snapped, diverting his eyes from his enemy. "I don't have the energy to deal with you now."
Ash then heard Gary let out a scoff as he continued to loom over him. His fingers fiddled desperately with the lock,as he felt sweat collecting on his forehead. Finally, his stubborn locker opened only for Gary to purposely take his foot and smash the tips of Ash's fingers, causing a sudden jolt to travel through his body. And to make things worse, the locker door was closed again.
"Oww!"
Gary crouched down slightly above Ash's eye level. His eyebrows narrowed as he settled his hands on his knees. "Better watch what ya say around me Ashy!" he threatened, grinning. "You don't wanna lose all your fingers do ya? 'Cause then you really wouldn't be able to open your locker."
"Just shut up and leave me alone!" he bellowed in return. "Don't you have anything else better to do?"
"Actually I do," he responded slyly, rising to his feet again. "Like telling everyone in school how big of a loser you really are!"
Ash's teeth remained clenched. His bruised fingers formed a deep tight fist.
"And don't even think about leaving on a Pokémon journey, ya copycat, 'cause you wouldn't last one day out there!" Gary went on, pointing his index finger at him.
Ash dared not to lower his head, for it would be a sign of weakness. He was fed up of always remaining submissive.
Another wily smile crept onto Gary's face as he stuck his nose in the air, all high and mighty.
"That's probably what happened to your old man," he claimed with hurtful intent. "He couldn't handle the demand of being a trainer."
That was the last straw for Ash. This hadn't been the first offense on Ash's father and certainly wasn't the last. Gary didn't know the half of what really happened, nor who the man was. Ash felt his cheeks becoming hot and flushed, his blood boiling. He shot a turbulent look, his severely bruised fingers grabbing the collar of his rival's shirt; his reaction to Gary's affront. He didn't even wince in pain from the grip he had formed with his bruised fingers.
"Take that back!" Ash ordered abruptly, slightly shaking him like a rag doll.
"Why?" Gary dared to ask, cocking another smile. "It's not like you've heard from him. He's probably couldn't even win one badge. Too big of coward to come back and show his face in town. Especially to your mom."
He managed to hit another sensitive spot. Ash had heard plenty of gossip about his parent's relationship, but what really triggered his inner rage was the mere mention of his mother. The only person he could call his friend.
"My Dad was a great trainer and still is!" he argued, bearing his teeth. "Your dad couldn't win one match against him!"
"And what makes you such an authoritative on this?"
Ash let out a groan, his eyebrows seeping deeper together.
"Because he told me you jerk!"
"Wow, and he's a liar too. Guess he really is worthless."
"Shut up! You know that's not true!"
At this point nothing Ash said or did seem to startle Gary. He planned on sticking around, throwing out a few more comments for the finishing touch. Ash waited restlessly for his response.
His smile grew larger, shaking his head. "You really are in denial. I should have expected as much."
Ash loosened his grip on Gary's shirt giving him a small shove, pushing him a few steps away from him. He wanted to stay a good distance from Gary before he had the urge to possibly knock out his front teeth.
He sneered in return as he waved, turning his back from Ash as his friends watched for their next cue to taunt and laugh.
"We'll catch ya in class, Ashy boy! That is, if you'll have your locker open by then! Hahaha!"
Gary and his buddies were on their merry way now, but their mocks and jeering still pierced Ash's ears. His eyes suddenly softened, his shoulders relaxing as he began to simmer down from the sudden confrontation. No, he was able to take a good look at his hand. By the sight of the color purple on his shaky fingers tips, Ash shed a couple of stray tears and some sniffles here and there. With the heckling dissipating, he was finally able to let out his reaction to the injury he had acquired.
Too bad it was the hand he wrote with.
Delia bustled her way to the front desk of her mother's inn, finding Leah herself there waiting for her as she flipped through some mail. The place seemed fairly quiet, which would help ease Delia's developing headache. Driving nearly every day to Viridian than back to Pallet for work was enough to strain her nerves.
It's better than no work, Delia forced herself to believe.
After all, her parents could only offer her so much money a month, and asking anything of her in-laws was like asking for a death sentence. Involving them would only mean repaying them for the rest of her life. She'd rather be scraping pennies, then crawl shamefully to her wealthy connections.
Also, the trouble between Ash and Gary was brewing immensely. And the more and more it went on, the more and more Delia was beside herself.
As she sat her soft colored tan purse on the front counter, her mother raised her head bearing a weak smile.
"Hey, you made it," Leah said in an uplifting tone. "Did he get off okay?"
"As okay as he's going to be," Delia answered, adjusting her name tag on her lavender blouse. "I don't know what to do anymore, Mom. He's so out of control lately and half of the time he won't even tell me what's upsetting him about school or Gary. Even when I coax him with my homemade chocolate-chip peanut butter cookies."
As she went on shuffling through some papers as a distraction, Leah placed her hand on Delia's wrist. She gazed up at her mother, not wanting her to become concerned and involved in her own problems.
"He's always had a falling out with Gary though, dear," stated Leah. "Practically since they were in diapers. It shouldn't be foreign to you."
"Yeah, but not to the level of giving someone a black eye," Delia rebutted, turning around to file papers in some folders on the back desk. "Honestly, I don't know what I'll do if Ash gives him one. Or if he comes home with one."
"They're just boys Delia. You don't think they'd really-"
"If his temper starts rising he might try," she interrupted, her eyebrows arching.
"Oh Delia, he'd never hurt anyone!" her mom reassured.
Delia bit her lip. She froze anxiously looking about, her fingers still resting on the paper. She couldn't ponder for too much longer for her mother would begin to get the wrong idea.
"Maybe I'm just worrying too much," she finally said, exasperated. "Ash is a good kid. I know he is-"
"And that's all you need to know," Leah stated firmly, cutting her off. "You know what would solve this problem? Actually sitting down with Gary's folks."
"No I couldn't," Delia responded, rejecting the helpful advice. "I haven't really spoken to Annie since- well since he left. Only on occasion have we really talked."
"Well maybe it's time, Delia," her mother insisted as they faced the front desk again. "You can't go on living with no communication. Ash's education and welfare is at stake and surely, Annie would want this resolved as much as you do and would understand where you're coming from."
A sigh rang out of Delia's mouth as she tugged on the back of her pony-tail to tighten it. She about left the house half-dressed just to get Ash to school on time.
"I don't know if she'd listen," she said explaining the disadvantage, passionately. "The last time we spoke about the boys was when they were in kindergarten and of course Annie and Chad couldn't see and own up to their son's behavior. Especially Chad. Blamed it all on Ash. Claimed we were overreacting and overbearing parents."
Leah could tell this agitated Delia, for she knew her daughter couldn't stand a bad parent questioning her abilities. Delia knew she wasn't the ideal parent, but she knew she was a far better mother than Chad could ever be as a father. Even her estrange husband was a better dad than he was. At least her husband tried to give Ash an equal amount of structure and love.
After listening, Leah rolled her eyes shaking her head in disbelief. "Annie honestly listens and sides with that man? Well, he sure hasn't changed much from his teenage years," she inferred. "I always remembered him getting you and J- Ash's dad mixed up in his nonsense."
"He's her husband," Delia said desolated, "it's none of my business how their marriage functions. It's not like mines perfect either."
"Well if that's the case, then you should meet with her when Chad's not around."
"I'll have to arrange a time with her. Maybe we can meet at the Pancake House for breakfast or something."
Leah nodded in agreement. At least her daughter was making an effort. She just felt so useless watching her little girl suffer like this. Only her advice would aid Delia for the time being.
"Sounds like a plan."
She couldn't help but reach out for Delia's hand again. She knew when her daughter was reaching her breaking point, and the mother was afraid it was getting awfully close. "Don't get discouraged dear," Leah said tenderly. "Everything will turn out just fine. You're a good mother."
Delia slapped the last remaining papers back on the desk, finding herself having a hard time to mellow down. She exhaled softly before answering.
"I'd like to think so."
Ash favorite part of the day arrived just on time.
Lunch was the only thing that would suffice his never-ending battle at school. Most of the time, Gary had left him alone due to his hunger pains too. Only this time, Gary had another trick up his sleeve. He wasn't going to approach Ash, oh no. He was going to wait. After slurping down his water and devouring his sandwich, Ash found himself making his way over to the garbage-can, seeing Gary seated straight ahead of him.
Just don't look at him, he told himself, holding his head high.
Gary couldn't resist, but chuckle to himself as he devised a quick plan.
He leaned over across to his friends whispering, "Hey, watch this," as they waited excitedly.
Ash was now drawing closer to Gary. He gulped a couple of times anxiously as he came near him, picking up his pace slightly.
As he approached him, Gary drew out his foot having it stick straight up in the air, waiting to capture his prey. He had a feeling this was going to work, for Ash was not paying attention to what lied below him. Gary then quickly hushed his friends, as they tried to restrain their effervescent giggles.
The sound of their soft laughter made Ash's eyes quickly peer over at their red faces, soon finding himself colliding with the hard floor, not knowing what exactly just happened. Gary rose up from his seat laughing uncontrollably as Ash looked up at him all achy and sore, wondering what Gary had done now to make him look like a fool. Then, it finally dawned on him as to what exactly happened. He soon glared furiously at Gary's feet, his face becoming flushed with embarrassment.
Gary's friends stood up, continuously cackling as well as some other students looked about trying to figure out what went down. They knew Gary was well-known for picking on Ash, so when the other kids spotted him lying on the ground, it didn't surprise them. More than anything, they were annoyed with Gary's antics.
Ash caught glimpse of a few shaking their heads in disapproval and some comments on Gary's ill behavior, especially from the girls.
"Ha ha! I knew he'd fall for it!" Gary announced, his arms clinging to his stomach from laughing so much. "Dumb and clumsy! Ha ha-"
Ash finally snapped.
This time, it was Gary who found himself on the floor. Ash struck him down as hard as he could, throwing one punch after another towards his nose in rage. Immediately, Gary fought back trying to lift Ash of his body, crying for his friend's help who instead, stood on the side-lines cheering for the fight to continue. Some others joined in, but a few scurried out searching for the nearest adult to help break up the brawl.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!" they heard them chant and soon there was a cheering section for both boys.
Gary had now managed to get Ash to roll over on his back, having his side ram into the leg of desk, as Gary's fist beat into his cheek. Ash growled back, squirming as he tried several times to hit Gary in the genitals with his knee. After many failed efforts though, it worked, having Gary fly right off of him howling in pain, clinging to his crotch. Now Ash had lunged for him again tugging on his hair, as Gary slapped him everywhere to pry him off. The commotion in the room brought in a whole group of other students as well as teachers. Their home room teacher though, appeared panting through the door way (it seemed he must have been on the other side of the building when he heard the news, running over to end the confrontation).
The two boys were back down on the ground again, this time Ash remained on top raising his hand once more to hit, but was soon lifted off Gary, thanks to their instructor. Gary wheezed heavily, as he watched Ash relentlessly fight out of his teacher's firm grip. Ash's feet were now kicking in the air viciously, frantically screaming garbled words at Gary, tears covering his entire face.
"Ashton, clam down!" the male instructor ordered, unflinchingly. "Ashton, listen to me! That's enough!"
By the sight of Gary's white face and bewildered expression, Ash had only hoped he got the message across to his rival.
Delia had managed to calm down and sink into the daily deeds of her job.
She juggled checking guests in and showing them to their suites, as well as giving an extra hand in the kitchen due to the shortage of staff. So as a result of going back and forth constantly, Delia found herself coming back out to the front desk with an apron and an oven mitt. Stripping her apron off, tucking it into one of the shelves underneath the desk, Delia noticed one of the assistant's her mother hired answering the phone. She couldn't hear much due to the bustling around the inn, but she could tell the woman on the phone was pretty concerned.
"Delia?" Jennifer called, cuffing her hand over the phone.
"Yes?"
"Phone's for you. It's Ash's school."
Her gesture seemed to warn Delia that it wasn't any sort of good news. Delia gave a deep sigh, as she took the phone dreading to hear what the problem was this time.
"Mr. Johnson?" she said, a little apprehensive. "What? When? Yes, I'll be down immediately! Yes I understand. Yes, thank you I should be there shortly."
Now this was serious. The principal had not said much on the matter, but by his tone and the words 'fight' and 'Ash', were not a good sign. Her heart raced as she reached for her bag, slinging it over her shoulder, as she scurrying to the front door. Leah though, soon appeared around the corner holding a fresh bouquet of flowers, her eyes widened by the sight of Delia's panicked state.
"What's wrong Delia?" her voice rising in distress.
"Ash got into a fight with Gary!" Delia cried.
"They're arguing in class again?"
"No worse, they hit each other!"
Leah's eyebrows lowered, fear of her grandson's condition haunting her. "What?! Is Ash okay?"
"I don't know all the details," she explained, practically horrified. "I have to go; I'll call you when I get home."
Her mother nodded in agreement as Delia reached for the door knob. Leah couldn't help however, but call out to her.
"Delia!"
She jerked her head around to find Leah's eyes softening, her voice soft yet firm.
"Go easy on him."
Disheartened as she was over the sudden news, Delia felt it was best to take her mother's advice this time. Even if it meant lightening Ash's punishment.
Everyone in the school knew Delia was the mother of one of the two boys in trouble, thanks to the frantic and distraught look on her face as well as her pushing past people, disregarding anyone was even there to begin with. She was a wreck by the time she reached the principal's office not to mention she accidentally ran a stop light on her way down to the school. This was the last thing she wanted Ash to do. It was a serious matter! It could permanently go on his school records, the teachers and students would look down on him, the day was an utter disaster!
Even with her parents, Delia really was her only support system. There was no partner who could help her through this. She was her own team-mate and that's what scared her most of all. Doing this all on her own.
He's in so much trouble... A fight? How could he do that? He knows how much pressure I'm under... Then again, my little baby is hurt! Hurt! I just need to calm down... That's right, take a deep breath and...
Delia knew her way to the principal's office like the back of her hand, which she was not exactly proud of. Ash was a great kid, a really sweet boy. So why did he act so differently when away from home? It was like he became a different person every time he opened the car door to go into that school. It was like the life was taken out of him. He was defeated before he even entered into class. This alone, was enough to drive Delia up the wall. She'd do anything and everything to work Ash through his issues with Gary, but a fight was another story. And he knew it was completely unacceptable.
Delia swung the door open to find Ash seated next to the door, his hands jammed into his coat pockets as his head hung low. Then, his eyes traveled up to his mother's solicitous face. She could tell he was sorry.
Her bottom lip quivered immensely as she fell to her knees, collecting Ash into a big hug, then examined his face stroking his head. Mr. Johnson the principal rose from his seat watching the mixed display of discipline and love.
"Oh, my baby!" Delia cried, her fingers gently caressing his bruised and scraped cheek. His bloody nose was also unpleasant for her to discover.
"What happened to you?" she continued sniffling, taking him into her arms again. "What were you thinking? You scared me have to death-"
Ash gave a slight moan as he pushed her away. "Mom, stop!"
Her eyebrow's soon narrowed to tell him he was out of line, but then rose when her attention was called upon Mr. Johnson.
"Mrs. Ketchum, thank you for taking the time out of your day to come down here early," he said composed, yet he looked exhausted by the sight of him taking off his glasses to rub the arch of his nose.
Delia pulled herself together, taking a tissue from her purse as she settled in a chair next to Ash, who now had his arms crossed, his head hanging low again.
"No- No it's fine I understand," she blubbered, drying her tears. "What- what exactly happened?"
"Apparently the fight broke out at lunch," he stated seating himself back down, his hands clasped together on top of his desk. "Gary Oak tripped your son purposely with his foot and Ashton reacted by punching him in the nose. Plus he um- your son knead Gary in the- well you know."
"He started it," Ash mumbled, glaring down at the floor.
"Ashton!" Delia growled, peering down at him.
The nose was one thing, but hitting someone in the genitals was another. She was flabbergasted when the principal had told her that part. Absolutely astonished.
"Then the fight turned into an all-out brawl," The principal went on explaining calmly. "Thankfully however, their teacher came in and stopped the fight after being told by a couple of witnesses. Pulled Ashton right off of Gary."
"Well I can assure you," Delia said reassuringly, "Ash does not behave violently at home."
"Mrs. Ketchum from what I understand," he carried on, "this seems to be built up tension between the two for the past few months. As to what it's over I do not know. Neither of the boys will say. My only assumption is just the common form of bullying."
"So what you're saying is," her voice rising, "Gary provoked Ash?"
"Mrs. Ketchum," he paused, looking at her sternly, "I am not trying to offend, but have you missed everything I have just said? Whether Gary is the perpetrator or not, Ash is reacting to the behavior. It's pent-up anger that caused your son to explode."
"But Gary purposely tripped him as you said," Delia argued, soberly.
"And your son finished it," Mr. Johnson responded, slightly irritated. "As wrong as Gary was, Ashton had no excuse for not controlling his emotions."
"So what was he supposed to do, huh?" she questioned, coming off peeved. "Go tell his teacher like he has done? All that man's does is give Gary about a hundred warnings."
Delia defending Ash's case seemed to surprise him due to his Mother's sudden change of being hysterical to her now composed presence. Ash watched attentively, listening to his Mother's words. Now that she was here he did feel a little safer about his fate.
Mr. Johnson however, went on disputing. Not a smart choice. If anyone knew that, it'd be Ash. Delia may have been a fairly even-tempered and positive young woman, but this twenty-seven year old knew how to hold her ground. And she was not about to cave in so easily.
"If he keeps being warned he'll get tired of picking on Ash and if your son would quit reacting-"
"What do you honestly expect from him?" she bickered, becoming annoyed. "He's only nine! I know that's no excuse for hitting someone nor am I trying to dismiss his bad behavior," she was now almost hollering, her arms being thrown up and down in the air, "but how much can someone handle before they have been pushed to their limits and have no self-esteem left?!"
Delia may not have realized this till after she said it, but she and Ash were facing the same problems. Stress. She had been pushed to her limit. Ash had been pushed to his limit. It was time for a vacation. Too bad that wasn't in the budget.
Mr. Johnson sat somewhat dumbfounded from the woman's meaningful statement as she wiped her tears away with the same damp tissue. Ash's mouth was noticeably agape, as he too was perplexed by his Mother's sudden, yet powerful outburst.
He could thank his mom for leaving his principal practically speechless.
"...You have a point Mrs. Ketchum," he stammered trying to strengthen his voice, "but you need to help your son get a hold of his temper. Gary will be receiving a punishment this time, but unfortunately Ash will have to pay for his consequences as well."
By this time, Delia had simmered down realizing she had just put Ash's principal in his place. This realization made her hesitant on how to appropriately respond. "... I understand."
"Since this is the first instant of physical assault and no one was severely harmed," he elucidated, following protocol, "I am going to go easy on Ashton and Gary."
Delia's eyes lightened up, she was now somewhat relieved. She then gave Ash a glance who was still sulking; looking at him as if he should be thankful for this miracle.
"I would also like to give both boys a second chance. They are very capable and I would hate to see their chances of getting into a prestigious school, ruined by a correctable mistake. They both will receive extra homework and will have cleaning duty every day for the next two weeks in their class. I have already informed their teacher and I have talked to both boys about behaving at least civilly with one another. However, if it happens again it will result in a school suspension."
Then, the man seemed a bit hesitant as he questioned whether the terms were made clear to Delia.
"You do understand, Mrs. Ketchum?"
An appreciative smile swept across Delia's face. "Yes I do and thank you. Really, thank you. And- how is Gary?"
She had now felt guilty for making Gary out as the bad guy. He wasn't innocent to say the least, but he was human and since Delia was very human, she did care for his well-fare in an instinctive way. Still, she couldn't help but think in the back of her mind how she wanted to scream at Gary's parents for letting his ego reach an unhealthy level only because she knew it wasn't the boy's entire fault for acting so poorly. In a way, she pitied him and wished she could help him somehow too.
"Nothing more than a couple of bruises. The nurse checked him out and his nose isn't broken. He's awfully lucky."
"I'm glad to hear," she replied solaced. "I apologize for talking out of line. It was inappropriate of me-"
"Please it's fine Mrs. Ketchum really," Mr. Johnson interrupted raising his hands up slightly.
He already felt somewhat intimidated by her and didn't care to set her off again. An angry mamma was the last thing he wanted to face.
"You're not the first or the last angry parent that I'll have to deal with." Delia could sense his nervous nature, questioning whether what she had said earlier to him was right. If anything, at least she got the message straight across without brute force.
"Uh, right. Thank you again Mr. Johnson," she said formally, rising from her seat as well as Ash.
She then looked down at the boy who was looming his eyes at the ground, her tone becoming stern. "I assure you I will have a talk with Ash when we get home."
"Ashton's punishment will begin on Monday. Until then, enjoy your weekend," Mr. Johnson finished.
She gave a slight nod. "Thank you again." Reaching her hand on Ash's shoulder firmly, Delia glanced back down at her son expecting him to do the proper thing before exiting. "Ash?"
He didn't raise his head to meet his mother's eyes, only grumbling quietly, "goodbye Mr. Johnson."
Mr. Johnson bared a half grin as they made their way out the door.
"Goodbye Ashton."
Delia constantly found her eyes darting off the road and back to her silent son. Her eyes quivered uneasily, thoughts racing through her head of what Ash had went through. Her mind was completely boggled about what possessed Ash to escalate that far. She was aware of Gary's tormenting, but was oblivious to the degree it was at. Delia had only wished she was more involved somehow. Maybe she should have been more persistent with the school, or maybe she should have switched him out of Gary's class altogether. Or maybe, she should have forced Ash to talk and this whole mess wouldn't have happened.
In the back of Delia's mind however, she knew she couldn't get it out of him. Lately he had kept a lot of things to himself. A characteristic that had never fit his profile before. Stubborn he may have been, Ash was never the secretive type so why was he acting up now? Delia soon feared they were growing apart from all the trouble he had handled, and her own personal matters she had to take care of.
Her emotions of disappointment in her son though, were overridden by her motherly tendencies. She was now tempted to take her hand off the wheel and swing her arms around him, protecting him from any further damage. Though the thought of doing that, made her realize she should probably wait to hug and soothe him when they got home.
Delia finally conjured up the nerve to speak.
"You don't know how much I wanted to comfort you Ash," she said gently, yet seriously.
Her brown glossy eyes peeked over at her son again who was busy staring out the window, giving no indication that he was willing to respond.
"Seeing you sit there with that bruise on your face made me so upset," she continued, trying not to choke on her words and to stay composed. "Seeing you so disheveled and stunned..." Delia's voice was starting to grow meek. Her watery eyes held back tears as she adjusted her throat.
"What has gotten into you?" she asked befuddled. "It's not like you behave this way! Is something bothering you?"
Ash let out a heavy sigh, his head still slouched against his hand. "Mom quit with the hundred questions, I'm fine."
Delia glanced over at him again, giving a kind and reassuring smile to the boy. "You know I'm always here for you."
"I know," he began testy. "You say it all the time Mom."
"Than what's it going to take for you to tell me what's really going on? I can only do so much Ash."
He didn't divert his eyes away from the window, but he could sense Delia's deep concern, yet what he wished to say would only make things worse between them. Ash didn't even know if his mother would listen. Or if she'd want to listen. The topic he would bring up was not one that was high on her list for discussion. The mere mention of it either sent her into grief or vexation. He wasn't the only one hurting and missing the same thing that tore them apart.
But in the reflection of the window, he saw the look on his mother's face. "It's nothing to worry over," Ash finally replied dully.
"Well I think the result of a fist fight is something to worry over," Delia responded perturbed.
"Mom really, forget about it," he insisted desperately. "I'll just stay away from Gary."
"I think that solution has been said and done."
"Mom, just stay out of it. It's fine, really. I just want to be left alone right now."
Turning himself more towards the window, made Delia's heart sank. She felt like nothing she did or said made any difference. Ash practically had his mouth zipped shut and any mention of the issue only led to him pushing her further and further away. More importantly, she didn't want to lose any chance she had at helping her son.
The car ride home was dead silent the rest of the way, even up to Ash unbuckling his seat belt, waiting for his mom to unlock the door, as well as untying and kicking off his shoes.
Delia set her purse and keys aside, attempting to break the awkward silence. "Ash I know you want space," she addressed patiently.
Swinging his backpack off his shoulder, Ash let out another groan of irritation. "Mom-"
"But you need to at least sit down with me and tell me what's going on," she said devotedly, her tone somewhat exhausted. "I love you, I give you everything you need, and we spend time together, what am I missing-"
"Nothing for the thousandth time Mom!" Ash exploded, his eyes meeting hers.
His chest pumped up and down wildly as he stared into Delia's startled expression. He tightened his hand around the strap of his backpack, as he continued frustrated and saddened. "What's bothering me is nothing you can fix or replace!"
Storming up the staircase to his sanctuary, Delia move to the end of the stairwell overwhelmed, hollering for him to come back. "Ash! Ash!"
The slamming of the bedroom door, determined he preferred to be locked away. Delia's head sunk, another deep sigh was released from her mouth.
What am I going to do?
Today was beyond awful. Delia felt lost, like there was no solution to this mess. Ash's acting out for unknown reasons on top of her worry of earning enough income, made Delia want to pull her hair out and throw in the towel. She knew however, giving up was not an option. She supposed there were no real benefits to being a single parent. Yet, Delia did not know how she could live without Ash. He was her right hand, and she would do anything to make sure he was in a healthy state of mind. Even if it meant letting him cool down in his room and delaying his grounding. Letting him soak in his solitude.
A subtle knock on the door made Ash rise from his bed. He looked down at the crack between the door and floor, noticing a shadow. It wasn't a mystery as to who it was.
"Ash, dinner's ready," Delia announced behind the closed door.
He remained frowning, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm not hungry."
"Are you sore?"
He hesitated for a moment before speaking, looking back down at the shadow.
"Yes," he finally admitted.
Delia let out a sigh, her hands placed on her hips. She had to figure out some way to coax him into eating.
"Well come down a lay on the couch," she offered plainly, her voice rising pleasantly at the last part. "I'll even let you eat there."
She then waited for a good few seconds, before seeing a little face from the dark room peep behind the crack of the door. Delia gave a small smile at the intrigue raised in Ash's voice.
"Really?"
"Oww! Oww! Mom, that stings!"
Ash's whining was due to his mother continuous dabs of rubbing alcohol on his cheek to prevent an infection.
They had just finished dinner, their dirty plates and silverware scattered across the coffee table with a few crinkled napkins here and there. Not to mention, a freshly baked pile of Delia's homemade chocolate-chip peanut butter cookies. Ash had already consumed about three of them, and Delia was a little more at ease to see it had opened him up a bit.
"Well hold still!" she commanded, sternly. "This will help you in the long run."
At her motherly ordered he bit his tongue, soaking in the last dab. Delia's expression mellowed down, her eyes resembling immense sadness.
Poor Ash...
The image of his bloody nose and scraped cheek as well as some bruises, still made Delia cringe from the recoil of it. She exhaled another deep breath as Ash swallowed a big gulp that had resided in his throat. His eyes glimmered down at the seat cushions, thinking it was probably about time for him to explain what happened that afternoon.
"I guess I just snapped," Ash acknowledged, sorry for his impulsive actions. "Lately, Gary won't leave me alone. He's always gotta do something to tick me off. And I just blew up... I'm sorry Ma... but he deserved it..."
"Ash," she responded steadily, "we do not wish ill on others."
"But he doesn't know when to quit Mom!" he said embittered. "He thinks it's funny, he and his friends and I don't understand why! I never did anything to him."
"Oh sweetie," his mom replied collecting him into her arms again, resting her chin on his head. She was now tenderly stroking his sore back. "Sometimes people pick on us for reasons we will never understand. Just hold your head high, square your shoulders, and show them how confident you really are."
"I'll try Mom," Ash inhaled, holding back tears, "and I'm sorry about getting into trouble today."
"Well you'll make that up by doing extra chores," she carried on. "I've already arranged for you to do some work for your grandparents tomorrow. And no griping."
"Fine," he mumbled, shoving his face into her warm chest.
Delia then gave him a loving pat on the back, kissing the top of his black knotted head.
"And Ash?"
This time he pulled himself away from her, his brown cloudy eyes staring up at hers as he smeared some dry tears away with his hand.
"No more fighting. It's unacceptable. Even if Gary was the perpetrator, I want you to be the bigger person and apologize when you go back Monday."
She watched Ash's face expression harden. He rolled his eyes, huffing in defiance. "Aw Mom, come on!" Hh shouted, bellyaching. "Isn't an apology to you good enough?"
"Ash," his mom warned.
He proceeded by ignoring her, throwing his hands up in the air in bickering. "This isn't fair Mom! Just when I thought you were beginning to listen to me, you change your mind again!"
"I am not changing my mind," Delia disputed sharply. "I am trying to help you do the right thing!"
"Do the right thing?" he repeated, his eyes widening. "He socked me in the face! I owe him nothing!"
"But you were misbehaving too!"
"Because he started it!"
This back and forth was getting nowhere. Delia was now fed up. Slapping her hands against her knees as she rose from her seat, she started stacking the dirty dishes into her arms.
"All right that is it!" she hollered, unwaveringly. "You have said enough tonight young man and for that, no T.V. before bed."
"No T.V.?" Ash questioned turning his head to watch her adventure back into the kitchen. "Mom, the Pokémon League Marathon is on tonight!"
He had now followed her in there, her back facing him as she started rising the plates, placing them in the sink.
"Well I guess you'll have to miss it." she stated stolidly.
"This is so unfair!" he griped, waving his hands in the air, scoffing harshly. "Why should I be punished for what Gary did!?"
"You know why Ash," Delia replied, standing her ground, "and I'm not going over this again! I felt helpless when I saw you all disheveled when I walked in the door! I was so scared... "
Ash took in a deep breath, as he heard his mother's faint sobs as she continued to wash the stains of the plates. Still, it wasn't enough to keep him silent on the subject.
"Why, Mom?" he persisted, befuddled. "I'm not a baby anymore! I'm almost ten!"
Delia looked back at her ruffled son. He wanted to be considered a young man. He wanted to grow up. He was so young though, that this concept was difficult for her to accept. At this rate, Delia thought she'd have a hard time when he turned twenty and was ready to leave the house to make his own start in life.
"You'll always be my baby. I brought you into this world!" Delia exclaimed.
"Eww Mom, don't be gross!" Ash rebutted, sticking his tongue out in disgust; unpleasant images were now popping up in his head.
"And for now until you move out of this house," she continued brushing off his childish reaction, "you follow my rules. Are we clear?"
Ash slumped against the counter, glancing away from Delia, muttering once more. "Not really..."
Delia stared at him ready to correct his behavior, till she realized she had overlooked something. A big something.
"Ash, give me your hand," Delia commanded reaching out her soapy hand.
"Wha- Why?" he answered, while his injured hand dove into his pant pocket.
"Ash, let me see your hand," she repeated seriously.
Ash sighed, his eyes looking in the opposite direction as he showed her his left hand.
Delia narrowed her eyebrows, her voice slightly irritated. "Your other hand."
"Mom," he started trying to convince her, "it's not that big of deal."
Neglecting his comment, Delia carefully pulled his right hand out of his pocket; he winced a little in pain as she lightly touched his hurt fingers. "Oh, my gosh!" she said stricken with shock. "What happened? When did this happen? Did they get caught in the door?!"
"Sort of," he said coldly, "you can thank Gary for that."
"He slammed your fingers on a door?!" his mom cried flabbergasted.
"My locker door, actually."
"Oh that is it!" Delia gently released his hand from hers, storming over to the phone reaching for the receiver, as she then flipped open a small book, containing her various phone numbers she kept on hand.
"I've tried to stay calm, but I have had it up to here with this nonsense! I'm calling Annie right now!"
Ash usually wasn't startled when Delia raised her voice, but he soon felt fear for Gary's folks to have to take an earful from his furious mother. Delia however, was nothing compared to her husband. He knew how to strike fear into people's hearts. Now that man could get his point across without brute force or foul language. His intimidating stare and tone was enough. Plus, he had done that to Gary's father on several occasions.
"And," Delia went on rummaging through the pages angrily, "I'll give a few choice words to Chad about his horrible parenting styles-"
"Mom, don't call, please!" Ash suddenly begged, rushing towards her. "Just forget it! He'll just say worse things to me! He'll tell everyone I went crying to my mommy! He'll embarrass me Mom!"
"But Ash, this has-"
"No, Mom please," he pleaded pathetically. "I'll go apologize like you said and do chores. Just please don't call his parents. Please? He'll make fun of me."
The desperation she had sensed in her son's voice made Delia put the phone back in its proper place, shutting the book she had brought out as well.
"Okay," she answered calmly. "I just didn't think sticking up for you would cave you into apologizing to Gary. Now I'm not even sure if I want you to... But you should. And I will talk to Annie-"
"Mom!" he exclaimed once more, still upset.
"In private," she explained, strongly, "and I will make sure a word isn't breathed to Gary about the matter. Okay, honey?"
Ash nodded, finding sincerity in his mom's words. "Kay."
After a short pause, Delia affectionately stroked Ash's messy hair cooing, "And sweetie, you can't get so stressed about what Gary thinks or says. It'll make you sick."
"But it's hard," he said, feeling feeble. "I always feel like I'm walking on eggshells when I'm around him. He always manages to trip me up."
"Well I will be having a talk with Annie," Delia repeated, hoping it would clam his nerves. "In the meantime though, I want you to put some ice on your fingers. I can't believe I didn't catch that during dinner..."
"It's okay Mom, really," Ash said honestly.
"How could I have not seen that?" Delia went on pondering, shaking her head dumbfounded.
"Mom, don't feel bad," he began hugging his mother's waist, a way of saying his thank you. "Only one of us can have an episode at a time."
She knew Ash meant that in a humorous sense, but she felt no sensation of a grin growing on her lips. It seemed that they did have to take turns when feeling out of sorts. She could only take the advice of her mother and her own that she had given to Ash, to help her cope with everything surrounding her. But something still kept haunting her inner thoughts.
Author's Note:
The concept of what led up to Ash's departure for his Pokémon journey intrigued me so much for me to start my own fanfic. I really hope my readers have taken a liking to this interpretation, for there will be more of our old familiar friends popping up, as well as my own original characters (hence: Ash's father and Gary's parents). This story will really show the deep rooted relationship between Ash and Delia, and how their damaged family was still somehow mended back together. Also just for the record, the title of the chapter was inspired by the song The Dog Days are Over, by Florence + the Machine. For some reason, when I started developing this idea in my head, that song played as the intro to the story like the opening for a movie or something. Anyway, the next chapter will be up soon so until next time, see you guys later!