The group sat quietly in the living room eating pizza, the tension growing thick and unbearable. Spencer watched her family and didn't understand why everyone was quiet; usually the group was laughing and joking or telling about their days while sitting at the table.
"Mommy?" Paula glanced up from her slice of pizza, "Guess what I did today?"
"I have no idea," she didn't feel like indulging her.
"Daddy made me go to school with the big kids and we sat in these boring classes but then we went to lunch and the cheerleaders played with me and I colored a picture," Spencer put her plate down on the coffee table with Glen catching it before it teetered off, she came back a second later showing her mom the same picture she showed Ashley.
"You did this?" Paula asked looking at the scribbled mess of colors, Spencer nodded enthusiastically, a smile appeared on the older blonde's face, "It's very nice honey...you finish eating and I'll put it up on the refrigerator."
"Okay mommy," Spencer smiled happily taking her pizza in hand. Than she grabbed her soda to take a drink.
"Two hands," Ashley stated remembering the girl's loss of motor control and the two ruined blouses that the brunette had to get dry cleaned. Spencer quickly put her other hand on the cup before drinking.
"I think we should discuss what I came over for, the rain is getting heavier and I need to get back," Paula said sitting back down.
"Right," Arthur agreed but didn't really know what to say.
"Don't worry Arthur you can have the house and the cars, I don't need any of that in Ohio. I just want anything that's mine really, clothes...shoes...blow dryer that kind of thing. As for the kids it's up to them," both parents turned to Glen.
The sandy blond hair teen glanced between his parents, "I'm going to stay here only because I want to spend time with Madi before I ship off."
"Ship off?" His father asked.
"Yeah, I uhm signed up for the army..." Glen laughed awkwardly.
"You what?" Paula shook her head.
"Joined the army, I meet with my recruiter this Monday. He's going to tell me what I need and when I ship out to boot camp."
"When did you decide this?" Arthur never saw this one coming, not even a mile away.
"I've been thinking for a while but really made my decision during prom and then with what happened it really made me want to do it."
"Clay?"
"Well I need to be here for Chelsea and our baby, I can't leave her...I'm sorry mom." Clay felt like he was betraying her by staying in LA but than thought he'd probably feel like he betrayed his father and Chelsea if he went back to Ohio, it was a no win situation.
"I understand son, you can all ways come down and visit. Ben and I would love to have you and Chelsea over." Paula smiled wrapping her son into a hug.
Then Arthur and Paula glanced at Spencer at the same time, the girl seemed almost oblivious to the conversation as she ate her pizza but they could see she'd been listening, "As for Spencer," Paula began making her daughter look up, "the court will decide."
"What, why?"
"In her condition there is no way she'll be able to chose and besides you know she'll be coming with me since on your salary you wont be able to provide for her."
"I've done well so far," Arthur argued.
"Yes you have dear but think in a broader sense, who's going to take care of her when you're at work?"
"I will," Ashley shot out trying to be on Mr. C's side.
"And when you're at school, she can't keep going."
"It's going to be summer in like a week," Clay offered he too didn't want to see his sister taken.
"After that?" Paula asked, her slender legs folded over each other and she was laid back.
"She won't be like this forever," Glen scoffed.
"You don't know that, look all I'm saying is at the moment...in this condition you don't have the resources to take care of her. Think about it Arthur, when the judge asks say you'll hand her over," He glared at his wife, "Or don't it's your choice. I'll see you guys in court." Paula got up heading to the door.
"Mommy where you going?" Spencer asked following her mom into the foyer, Paula leaned forward and kissed her daughter's forehead, leaning in for a hug and placing her lips near the girl's ear.
"I'll be back soon baby," then she turned and ran out the door into the pouring rain while the sixteen year old watched her get in the car and drive away. She stood in the door way watching the red tail lights disappear. Spencer didn't know how to feel, every one is arguing and her mom left, her chest felt restricted and her heart felt like it was going to burst.
"Spence shut the door and come back in here," Arthur called. Dropping her head in defeat she shut the door and walked into the living room and sat on the floor in front of her pizza, "You okay?"
She nodded but still didn't look up; her finger's picked at the pepperoni, "Not hungry?" Ashley asked rubbing the small of her girlfriend's back.
Spencer shook her head and scooted over so she was slightly out of reach, "Can I go to my room?"
"Sure," her father said and she got up quickly and fast walked up the stairs.
"I promised Chelsea's doctor I'd be in today, he's going to wake her up." Clay stood throwing his garbage away.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Arthur wondered picking the half empty pizza box up.
"No that's okay,"
"I'll go, if we can stop by Madison's house on the way home?" Clay nodded and both boys grabbed an umbrella and ran for the car leaving Ashley and Arthur to do dishes.
"So how are you doing?" Arthur asked while washing a plate.
"Okay," she said drying a glass before putting it away and grabbing a plate.
"Ashley it's just you and me," He said making her put down the towel, "Really how are you dealing?"
"Truthfully Mr. C, I don't know. Everything is going at like super speed; it feels like I'm on a broken roller coaster." Sighing she sat down at the kitchen table placing her head in her hands, "I don't know what to do...I love her I do but I don't know how to deal with this whole regression thing. How can I take care of her? My mom was never around and I don't know the first thing about kids."
"You're doing a fine job,"
"Yeah now, it's only been a few days. What happens if she's like this for longer? I will do what ever I need to keep her in my life but do I not date anyone waiting for her to join the adult world afraid that the one time I do take a chance in the future that that'll be the time she wakes up and thinks I'm cheating on her..."
"Whoa, Ashley take a deep breath..." Arthur rubbed the brunette's back in lazy circles, "I think you're getting ahead of your self here."
"Sorry,"
"Don't be, look I understand...it's confusing and frustrating but I'm positive if you keep spending time with her, loving her and showing her there is nothing to fear, she'll be back before you know it."
"Really?" Arthur nodded and pulled the seventeen year old in for a hug, wrapping his arms around her in protection, "Thanks Mr. C..."
"This might be premature...but you can call me dad if you want."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes," Ashley hugged him harder.
"Can't breathe," He laughed, she untangled her arms and sat back with a slight blush spreading up her cheeks, he stood up stretching his tired muscles, "I'll finish up here why don't you go check on are little monster."
Ashley stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek, "Thanks for everything...dad." she smiled walking toward the stairs. She opened Spencer's door to see the girl sitting in her chair near the window watching the rain fall, her hair was loose and floated around her face. Blue eyes usually bright and full of life seemed dull and sad, a frown on her lips that Ashley hated, she told Spencer once that the worse thing in the world was when the blond didn't smile, it was said as a joke but the brunette meant it, "Hey?"
"Hi," Spencer's voice was low and she didn't move her eyes from the window. Ashley pushed her hair back, took a deep breath and walked over to her girlfriend to find out what was wrong...
TBC.
