At school, Ashley's going to her locker to start the day. Madison, Sherry, and other members of the cheerleading squad approach. They begin laughing and some even point as they look at Ashley's face.
"Love the new look Davies, big improvement." Madison laughs, and the squad quickly joins in.
"Get the hell out of my way, now!" Ashley demands, she fails to see the humor in what happened to her face.
"I don't blame ya, if I had to look at that face in the mirror everyday, I'd wanna scratch my eyes out too…I'm just surprised ya didn't do it sooner." Madison and the other girls laugh, ignoring Ashley's warning.
"Ya think its funny that my mom tried to scratch my eyes out last night? Well, I want you to look into my eyes while I tell ya this so, you know that I'm not jokin'…Get the fuck away from me right now before I beat the shit outa ya!"
Madison looks back at her squad, smiles, turns to face Ashley again, and stands her ground, as if she's daring her to take them all on.
"This is pathetic ya actually think they'd stop me? Newsflash Chica, they hate ya as much as the rest of the school…they only follow ya 'cause they're too scared to stand up for themselves…" Ashley insists.
The other girls look at each other nodding with sad looks on their faces, basically admitting to themselves that Ashley has a point. However as soon as Madison looks in their direction, the girls shake their heads no in fear of what Madison might react if she knew how they really feel.
"…I'd be doing them a favor…no one will help ya…not even them! They'd join in if they had spines." The angry brunette finishes.
The other girls look at each other in agreement with Ashley's statement just as before. Ashley's right they are displeased with the way Madison treats them, but don't want to face the wrath of the Latina's temper.
Ashley is about to make Madison's decision weather to fight or not, for her. Madison promptly turns to the squad, and shouts.
"Vamonos!"
All the girls walk away in the opposite direction of Ashley.
Elsewhere, Spencer is on the way to his first class, but about to face a similar situation to that of his girlfriend. Jack is approaching, but not with Dick who is out sick.
"Spencer, I was wrong…" He pauses for the effect of false sincerity which Spencer isn't buying.
"I thought your mutant lookin' wheelchair ridin' ass was the only freak in your family…'til I found out your brother is a fuckin' flamer…you guys are a bearded lady, away from a circus. Jack continues then laughs.
Spencer looks at Jack like this is the first time he's ever seen him.
"Who are you?" \He continues to look confused before addressing him again.
"…Ooohhh Jack its you, I didn't recognize you without Dick's head up your ass! Spencer laughs.
"Ha ha ha very funny!" Jack answers sarcastically.
"Ya know what's not funny? All ya homophobic pricks who decided to believe rumors spread by the biggest liar in school rather than botherin' to find out if it's true or not? Even if it was true which its not! Bullyin' and discriminatin' is never okay! Do ya even realize how many people die 'cause of shit like that?"
"Whatever gimp!" Jack says as he turns to walk away. He stops when Spencer responds.
"Ya know what one good thing 'bout bein' in a wheelchair is?" Spencer asks with a smirk.
"Better parkin'?" Jack answers in his typical smartass fashion.
"No…bein' in this chair, makes me the perfect height to do this…!"
Spencer punches Jack in the groin. Jack immediately grabs himself, his knees buckle and he falls to the ground in pain. Spencer wheels calmly past after receiving a few high fives from on-looking schoolmates who are pointing and laughing at the fallen jackass. It's safe to say no one will rat Spencer out, and with no teacher actually seeing it happen, Spencer won't be getting in trouble.
Its after school, and the members of the basketball team are making their way into the locker room to change into their uniforms. Most of the other guys had hurried up and changed before Glen got there. The minute he opened the door he was attacked by the whole pack of them, nearly a dozen in total; the other three starters and all of the bench players, everyone, but Aiden who couldn't have picked a worse time to be late.
Glen's "Team mates" have knocked him to the ground and are kicking him repeatedly while shouting homophobic slurs at him. Glen is trying to tell them that he isn't gay, and that it was just a rumor, but the guys aren't listening.
Aiden enters…
"Stop!" He yells while throwing his bag to the ground and rushing over to them to break up the fight. He asks Glen if he's okay. Glen just nods slowly, while bent over, finding it hard to breathe.
Now Aiden is standing in between Glen and the rest of the team.
"What're ya his boyfriend? Aiden's back up on the team named Ronnie, (a read headed, short, skinny, white kid, who isn't physically opposing, but can shoot three pointers well) Says laughing.
"Yeah, that's why ya helped 'em get away yesterday ain't it Gayden? The team's starting Power Forward named, Drew "a bigger black guy who dominates the boards leading the team in both offensive and defensive rebounds) Asks in an angry tone that demands an answer.
"No! I helped 'em get away 'cause its not okay to kick someone's ass just 'cause they're different! Aiden shouts right back.
After a moment he is able to continue calmly.
I get that ya have a hard time trustin' Glen, he just moved here, and I get that the idea of sharin' a locker room with a guy who might be gay might be hard to get use to, but you guys have known me since first grade…You can trust me…He's not gay! Aiden ends up screaming the last part to make his point more clearly.
The team doesn't want to hear it, and now both sides are shouting at each other.
The Coach comes in.
"What the hell is all the yellin' 'bout? He screams over top of all of the yelling.
"We don't wanna play with a fag on our team." Ronnie tells him.
"What'd ya just say to me? Don't ever say somethin' like that to around me again! Ya got it?"
"Yes sir. Ronnie answers He is very scared.
" … On the court NOW!" The Coach commands everyone.
Now that the Coach and his team are on the court, he stands in front of them as they sit on the bench.
"I've heard the rumors, but I was hoping that I wouldn't have to address them. I thought my team would have the sense not to let a rumor divide them…it doesn't matter if its true or not. What does matter is that no one other than Dennison bothered to even ask Carlin if it was true before you started attacking him. This end now! If Carlin were gay I wouldn't treat him any differently. He'd still be the same person, he'd still be one of the most dedicated guys I've ever seen, and those things would still make him a better player than all of you. What ya should be doin' is tryin' to be more like him. The bottom line is those jerseys your wearin' make ya a team, but the hours you spend together becommin' better players, better men they make ya a family. Families stick together no matter what. Now, if any of ya don't wanna be part of this family…Get outta my gym!" The Coach finishes his statement still angry as he points to the door.
The Coach waits, but no one leaves.
"Good… I strongly suggest that everyone one of ya who's responsible for the shit Carlin's been goin through apologize right now." The Coach tells them in such a way that they know they don't have a choice.
Each of the team members at fault went to Glen and apologized, some reluctantly for whatever reason, most not.
"Now, I expect us all to put this behind us…Understood?" The Coach asks his team.
Everyone looks at Glen awaiting his reaction. He stands up.
"Let's play some ball…we got a game to practice for!" He says anxiously.
He's anxious to get past the hell he's been through. He really wants to get back to a life that makes sense. At the same time he realizes it could've been much worse. His torment didn't last very long. It was mainly confusion and misunderstandings brought on by rumors, but it could've been true. It didn't look like he was going to have a pleasant future. Glen won't likely soon forget this ordeal.
Glen's Inner Monologue
People reacted that way to me, and I'm not gay? Hope there ain't others like me, but I know its gotta be worse for people who are gay. That's so fucked up! God, I know I don't talk to ya much, but please watch out for the bullied, and help the bullies see how wrong and hurtful they are.
Saturday At Noon – One Week Later
Spencer and Ashley slept in since it's the weekend. Ashley just got up. She is checking her phone messages to see if anyone called her during the time she's had it off so she could sleep. She's unpleasantly surprised to see that Christine left her a voicemail at 9:15 A.M.
"I hope you're happy, your father just had me served with divorce papers." Christine said angrily before hanging up.
At this point Ashley can't help, but laugh. She continues laughing as she goes into Spencer's room. Spencer's already up, but he's still getting his shirt on. He puts his bad right arm in first so he can help guide it through the armhole with his left. Then easily slips his left arm in its hole, and pulls it over his head.
"What're ya laughin at?" He asks looking at his gleeful girlfriend quizzically.
Ashley doesn't say anything. She just sits down next to him on his bed puts her phone to his ear and plays the message. Spencer laughs too, now realizing what Ashley had already figured out. Christine was getting what she deserved for being such a bad wife and mother.
"So, I take it you are happy?" Spencer asks jokingly, already knowing the answer.
"Damn Right I am!" Ashley smiles.
"Great!" Spencer replies happily, because he loves seeing Ashley smile.
"That's not even the best part…The best part is that money is the one thing she actually does love, and now she'll have none!" Ashley laughs again.
"That is funny, but are ya sure?"
"Yep, Daddy made her sign a Pre-nup...It's bulletproof….a real Motherfucker!"
"Motherfucker…good one!" Spencer laughs.
"Yep, 'cause she's my Mother and now she's fucked!" Ashley wraps her arms around Spencer giving him a big hug.
There's a knock on the door as Arthur is bringing a basket of clothes downstairs to be washed. He's closest to the door. So he sits the basket down and answers it. He's a little star struck when he sees who's on the other side. "Hi, I'm not sure I have the right house? …I'm lookin' for my daughter Ashley." Raife tells him.
"Wow! You're Raife Davies!" Arthur says trying his best to hide his shock.
"And you must be the guy who's been takin' care of my little girl?" Raife asks.
"Yes sir I'm Arthur Carlin, my wife Paula and I think of her as one of our own. She's a great kid." Arthur says honestly.
"Nice to meet ya Arthur, and please call me Raife…"
Arthur nods.
"I'd love to see my daughter is Ashley here? Raife continues.
"Ashley, there's someone here to see ya!"
"If it's my Mom I don't wanna see her." Ashley hollers from Spencer's room.
"I'm not as mean and I'm way better lookin'!" Raife hollers back jokingly to his daughter.
"Daddy?!" Ashley asks excitedly.
"Yeah sweetie its me!"
Ashley comes running into her dad's open arms. He kisses her on her forehead. Spencer catches up to his girlfriend. Raife pulls away from Ashley's embrace reluctantly.
"Look at ya…my little girl…ya get more beautiful every time I see ya!" Raife says with a big smile on his face and a heart full of pride.
"I feel the same way…she's more beautiful everyday!" Spencer tells Raife happily.
"Daddy, this is my boyfriend, Spencer…he's the reason I've been able to get through everythin' mom's done lately!"
Father and daughter share a smile then, Raife looks at Spencer who is nervously awaiting his judgment. He has nothing to be nervous of. Raife just smiles and says
"Anyone who cares enough to do that is okay by me." Raife tells Spencer. It's clear that he is not at all bothered by Spencer's handicap.
"Thanks Mr. Davies!" Spencer smiles.
"What's with ya Carlin's and your proper titles? Call me Raife. He insists jokingly.
Arthur looks at his watch.
"Look why don't I take the family to the movies, or somethin' and you two can stay here, and catch up? …unless, you're plannin' on takin' her somewhere special?" Arthur asks.
"I don't care where I am as long as I get to spend time with Ashley." Raife says looking at his daughter.
"Awww!"She looks back adoringly.
Raife reaches into his pocket and pulls out a big wad of cash. He takes some hundreds off the top without bothering to count how much money it is, and tries to hand it to Arthur.
"This is for taking care of my Ashley." Raife said holding out his hand while Arthur looks down at the money.
"Thanks for the generous offer, but it was our pleasure…really." Arthur responds.
"At least let 'em give ya some concert tickets Mr. C." Ashley tells Arthur.
Raife interrupts before Arthur can respond.
"Can't do that, I decided to take an indefinite break… So, I can spend time with my daughter….If that's alright with her?"
"Hell yes!" Ashley answers ecstatically before another Davies family hug.
After the Carlin's have left, Ashley and Raife are sitting across from each other at the dining room table. For a moment they're happy that they're finally together again. Then Ashley starts the conversation.
"Mom, left me an angry voicemail this mornin'…said ya had her served with divorce papers!" Ashley laughs just as she did when she heard the message.
"I figured that'd make ya happy after the way she's been treatin' 'bout Spencer, the fight ya had, and the fact that ya had to move here rather than dealin' with her shit.
A look of surprise comes over Ashley's face.
"Ya know 'bout all that?"
"Let's just say, I had people keepin' an eye on ya safe while I couldn't…they would've stepped in if it didn't look like ya had it under control. Raife assures her.
Ashley doesn't know weather to be upset, grateful, or something else altogether.
"Well…I did mess her up pretty good." Ashley laughs.
"That's my girl!" Raife laughs.
"So, you're divorcin' her for me?" Ashley gets serious.
"Honey…I'd do anythin' for ya, but no among other things, she kept somethin' big from me…from us."
"What the hell'd she do this time?!" Ashley asks angrily yet confident that nothing Christine did could surprise her at this point.
"Well…it started with somethin' I did…I'm not proud of this, but I cheated on her…" Raife admits with a worried tone in his voice. He fears his daughter will lose respect for him.
"Dad its okay…I'm not naïve…you're in rock 'n' roll…as in sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll…it goes without sayin…besides, as despicable as mom is…serves her right!" Ashley reassures her dad. She's actually kind of happy to hear he cheated on Christine.
"Glad you're okay with that part 'cause there's more…It was 'bout three months after ya where born. The band was in Baltimore for a gig, and this pretty brunette named Anne, introduced herself to me backstage. Anyway…here's the part I didn't know until recently… nine months later…she gave birth to my daughter…" Raife is again worried about how Ashley will take the news which he himself has not gotten use too.
"Woah! Okay… I need to process this…ya hooked up with a chick backstage at a concert in Baltimore like three months after I was born, and just found out ya have another daughter…that I have a sister?"
"Yeah… I'm sorry…I know its crazy." Raife apologizes.
"It's cool… ya know how much I wanted a sister when I was little, but where's the part 'bout how all this is mom's fault?" Ashley wonders.
"Anne, tried contactin' me several times over the years to tell me I had a daughter. Also, she's not as fortunate as we are…She needed money to take care of Kyla, that's your sister's name by the way, I would've happily given Anne and Kyla everything they needed…that's what a father does, but thanks to Christine I never knew any of this.
"How's that possible?" Ashley asks.
"The first time Anne tried to contact me…She had gotten our old phone number somehow…not important…Christine answered instead of me…I guess she interrogated Anne until she found out enough to make her scared that someone else could get her money. But hell, I'm loaded, and she knew that as long as she was married to me there'd be plenty to go 'round. So she paid her off in exchange for me never knowin' I had a second child."
"Damn her!" Ashley screams at her mother's disgusting act.
"I'm tryin' to look at the positive…Anne got the money she needed to raise Kyla comfortably instead of being poor."
"Good point." Ashley says perking up a bit because she's proud of how her dad is handling the situation.
"How'd ya find out?" She continues.
"Normally lots of money leavin' our bank accounts isn't a big deal, but I started havin' Christine's spendin' looked into. They discovered a history of large checks written to a woman in Baltimore. We don't know anyone in Baltimore, and one thing led to another. Raife informs.
"Okay…I have a few questions…Does Kyla know 'bout us? Have ya met her, or does she want to meet us?" Ashley says getting excited.
"Yes, she knows 'bout us…I haven't met her, but I've talked to Anne and her on the phone, and she does want to meet us!" Raife tells her. He is excited too.
Will the other cheerleaders stand up to Madison? What will happen with Kyla? And more!