Ashley sat on the white couch, pretending to watch the Victoria's Secret runway show, watching Renesmee warily. She would sit and stare at her shoes for a minute, jump up suddenly as if she had something important, sigh and sit down, repeating the whole cycle. Renesmee stood up and went to the phone, startling Ashley for a second. She picked up the receiver and punched in a button.
"Hello? Oh, hey Paul.. Is Jake home?" She paused as he replied. "Oh.." She bit her lip to keep her lip from shaking. "Alright. Yeah, no. No, its fine. I don't mind. Yeah, okay, bye." She said quickly and hung up. Her shoulders shook for a second but she stopped herself, suddenly aware Ashley was watching her. She turned and locked eyes with Ashley, smiling sheepishly.
"Are you alright, Renesmee?"
"I'm fine, really." She looked around the living room. "Jeesh, what a mess! Do you mind if we start tomorrow? I'm kinda tired and I just wanna go to bed."
Ashley nodded. Sure looks like you could use it, she added silently. Ashley turned off the TV and started to get up when the doorbell rang. Renesmee sniffed the air. Wait? Sniffed? Did somebody spike the punch? Her face perked up as she practically ran to the door. Her face fell as quickly as it had lifted when she opened the door.
"Oh, hi Leah." She sighed "Well, come on in," She stepped aside and slumped onto the couch. A woman, Leah, stalked into the house and hovered by the front door, hands shaking all the while.
"Jake's fine. Just thought I should let you know. Seemed pretty bad though. I'm just going to mind my own business and stay out of this." She turned around and stomped out of the bushes before Renesmee could say a word.
Renesmee sighed and got up. Ashley got up and followed Renesmee up the staircase. "This is my aunt's room." she said and pushed the door open. Ashley was at a loss for words. Directly across the room was a giant, jewel encrusted mirror, taking up most of the wall. Ashley explored the room as Renesmee started to peel the bed of its many throw pillows. She looked, not daring to touch any of the very expensive items.
Ashley lay awake as Renesmee breathed peacefully next to her. Ashley didn't mind. She'd had a hard day and deserved a good night's rest. As she lay there she thought of her old life, before her father left them for another woman, some exotic dancer, taking the money and leaving without a trace. Not one single letter in 7 years. Before her mother became an alcoholic, before the Step-dad and Dylan turned into a total jerk. A far away time when they were one big happy family and her mother and father were madly in love and Dylan read her story just before bed. A happier time…. She thought as she drifted off to sleep.