Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers, but Ilove writing about them.
Dear Diary,
I thought that I had come up with the best idea when I invited Andros to spend Thanksgiving with me and my family. It was prefect. Cassie was going to be with TJ and his family, while Carlos had plans to spend Thanksgiving Day with his mom and sisters. That left Andros and since I was already going to my parents house, it seemed only natural and fair that I ask him to come along. I was even more thrilled when he accepted. We were just starting your dating relationship and this gave him a chance to see what he was getting into.
When we arrived at my Parent's house, my brother, Jeff, was already there…
"Ashley!!" Jeff exclaimed throwing his arms around the petite brunette.
"Jeff!" she cried with equal enthusiasm. He put her down, but still held her close. "I've missed you so much. Did you mom tell you I made the team again this year?"
"Of course," he said smiling at her. "And I thought she was suppose to tell you that I got straight A's this semester."
"Wow, that's impressive," said Ashley. She glanced over in the direction that she had left Andros. He wasn't there. She spun out of Jeff's embrace to look for him. To her surprise, he was talking with her parents on the porch.
"Who's that?" asked Jeff.
"That's would be Andros," Ashley replied with a smile.
Jeff nodded for a moment before asking, "Who?"
Ashley laughed at him and walked up to Andros. "Well, I guess you've met Andros. So, let's eat."
Mr. Hammond looked down at his wife, and she met his gaze. "Of course," she said looking at her husband before turning back to her children and their guest. "Come on in."
At the time, it never occurred to me that my parents seemed warier then usual. But after the meal got started, I noticed that they were getting quiet and then a real surprise….
"Honey," Mr. Hammond said to his wife. "Could I speak to you in the kitchen for a moment?"
Ashley looked slightly thrown. Her father was a public speaker by profession. He was skilled in the art of diplomacy and timely excuses, but this was not like him. Jeff was in the middle of telling a story and just paused before the "outburst". Mrs. Hammond nervously smiled and followed her husband into the kitchen.
"Any ideas?" Ashley asked looking to her brother.
Jeff shook his head and starred at the kitchen door. Andros watched the siblings, but tried to listen to what the parents were saying.
The ringing of the phone caused both Jeff and Ashley to jump, but it was Ashley who answered it. "Grandma?!" she said. "We weren't excepting a call from you until tomorrow. How's Hawaii?"
She nodded as she listened to the phone and smiled at Andros. He was talking quietly to Jeff. She assumed that it was so that they wouldn't bother her. "Ok Grandma, we'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye." She hung up the phone and sat back at the table.
"What did Grandma want?" asked Jeff. He was sitting hard against the back of his seat. Andros had his one elbow on the table. He looked as comfortable as ever.
"Just to talk," Ashley said with a smile.
She didn't say any more as her parents came back in and took their seat. "Where were you, Jeff?" Mr. Hammond asked as he picked up his fork.
"Um…"
I didn't really think about it because Jeff finished his story and dinner went on like normal. It wasn't until we were leaving that I got the slightest reminder that things were not so normal…
Andros was standing on the sidewalk watching some children play in a park across the street. Jeff was standing next to his parents while Ashley faced them from the porch steps. "Ashley, honey," Mrs. Hammond said quietly. "Maybe you could come by later. By yourself."
"Ok, mom," said Ashley, not suspecting anything. She gave them all a hug and joined Andros. Andros took her hand and they walked out of sight.
I sort of forgot about that night until Jeff called the other day. He was trying to tell me something about Andros when the phone went dead. I haven't heard from him in a couple hours. I'm going to go search for him. I write tomorrow and tell you what I found.
Love,
Ashley Hammond
