Stars Fell on Pallet Town
by Spruceton Spook
Part 9
The First Test
When Brock came out of his shower, he found Ash and Misty standing in his room, utterly speechless. Feeling the weird tension in the room, he had to ask.
"Ash is talking crazy talk!" Misty exclaimed, pointing at him.
"What?" Brock asked, swinging his bath towel around his neck. Little droplets of water still dripped from his spiky hair.
Ash sighed. "I think my parents still like each other," he clarified.
Misty turned to Brock with an incredulous face. "See what I mean?"
Brock shook his head confusingly. "Wait, wait! What do you mean you still think your parents like each other?" He returned Misty's weird expression. "Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they getting a divorce?"
"Ash, you're going insane!" Misty shouted. "What the hell did your mom do to you?"
"She didn't do anything to me," Ash answered with a grin. "That's because deep down she's glad I ripped up the papers!"
"Wait a second, what papers?" Brock asked. "I take a fifteen minute shower and I miss something?"
Misty sighed agitatedly. "He ripped up their divorce papers. You dumbass, I'm surprised she didn't tear your head off! What the hell are you talking about?!"
Brock's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You ripped up their divorce papers? What do have, a death wish or something?"
Ash shrugged. "That's what I'm saying! Why didn't she punish me, huh?"
"She must still be half asleep," Misty laughed, shaking her head. "I'd watch out later if I were you."
Ash chuckled and spun around in a circle. "But listen to me, guys! There's more! I think I can tell that she still likes him."
"How?" Brock asked doubtfully.
"Yeah, I'd like to hear this," Misty added, folding her arms in front of her.
Ash pounced to his window and looked down the road to see if his dad was coming, shrugged, then turned back to them. They stood looking confusingly at him, and this made Ash grin.
"Mom still has her wedding pictures hanging up," he said. "She's never taken them down."
Misty scowled. "So?"
"If she hates Dad as much as she 'claims,'" Ash replied, bending his fingers to look like quotes, "she would've had them ripped off the wall in a second."
He finished his statement and smiled anticipatively at his friends, who looked at him as if he was insane. They each had a grin on their face, and shook their heads back and forth sadly.
"Ash," Misty said carefully, coming up to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Ash face-faulted, but recovered immediately. "Why won't you believe me on this?" he asked strenuously.
"Because you have absolutely no hard evidence," Brock answered. "I mean, I could see you thinking this, say, if your mom was staring dreamingly at him when his back was turned to her or something. But this is stupid!"
"Yeah, Ash," Misty agreed.
Ash huffed and folded his arms in front of him. Sure, they could believe anything they wanted. But he was sure of it. Delia's way of speaking was almost exactly the same as when he had called her the other day, and he still wasn't even sure of that. Maybe his mom was crying because she really didn't want to do it. All the same, Ash knew that perhaps she wasn't lying, but not completely telling the truth. If she had, her voice wouldn't have been shaking…as well as her body. There just had to be something else.
"Fine guys, believe whatever you want," Ash said, opening his drawers to pull some clothes out. "But I'm gonna do whatever it takes to show them what they're doing is wrong."
Misty snickered. "And how are you gonna do that, huh?"
Ash turned to her and grinned sneakily. "You'll see," he replied. "Tonight, you'll see."
About a half an hour later, after Ash, Misty, and Brock were all dressed and ready for the day, Jay returned from the supermarket with bags of food. Delia had a delicious breakfast of waffles for them, and they all gobbled them up hungrily. It was near noon, and everyone was all awake after a long, deserved sleep.
Delia didn't mention the divorce papers at all, and she had no intention of doing so, that was until Jay asked Ash excitedly if he wanted to battle soon. Before his son had a chance to answer, Delia broke the news to Jay that they had to make a surprise trip to Viridian City to get new divorce papers. Jay was shocked, to say the least, and instantly asked what happened to the others. Delia looked nervously at Ash, who gave her his best beseeching face, and Delia replied with a guilty grin that she had spilled coffee all over the others. Her husband shook his head and mumbled something, not seeing Delia and Ash exchange winks. Misty and Brock tried to hide their smiles as best as they could.
"We'll have to go soon, Jay," Delia said, picking up the dirty plates off the table. "The town hall closes at five."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Jay said, pushing his chair out while wiping his mouth. "This is just what I wanted to do today," he added sarcastically.
"Well, sorry," Delia mumbled. "You know how clumsy I can be."
Ash, Misty, and Brock pinched themselves under the table to keep from laughing. Ash clenched his teeth shut, knowing a sudden outburst would blow the whole thing. He wouldn't have expected Jay to be angry with him that much, but it was still something he thought should be avoided. After all these years, he didn't feel like being reprimanded by his father for acting so irresponsibly. It would have weighed heavily on his heart and already fragile state of mind.
Delia and Jay left for Viridian City right after the dishes were done. They hurried out, figuring it was a good hour trip to Viridian by car and a good hour back, not to mention the possible waiting that they would have to do at the town hall. They had acquired their marriage license and were married in Viridian City, and had received the first set of divorce papers from there. Delia, who was never late for anything, wanted to get out as soon as possible.
"Bye guys," she said, waving to Misty and Brock and kissing Ash. "We'll be back in, I'd say, three, four hours."
"Okay," Ash replied, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"Be good," Jay said with a wink, closing the door behind him and Delia.
"We will! Don't worry!" Misty called after them.
As soon as the door was shut, Ash spun around to face Misty and Brock. His eyes were set directly to Brock's, however.
"Brock, quick! What fancy meal can you cook up in three hours?" he asked hurriedly and nervously, practically grabbing onto him.
Brock startled. "Wha—what?! What are you talking about?"
"Just—what can you cook up?" Ash asked again, his voice pouring out in an impatient tone.
"I don't know," he struggled, shrugging. "Why?"
"Yeah, what's the deal?" Misty questioned.
Ash calmed for a moment, and started to grin proudly. "When those guys come home, they're going to have a fancy, romantic dinner waiting for them!"
Misty and Brock frowned. "What?" they exclaimed together.
Ash threw his head into his hands, wondering just why they were playing dumb with him. He looked back sternly, but jokingly, at them.
"Can't you see?" he asked. "We're gonna set them up on a date tonight. A date here. There'll be a good dinner, fancy place-setting, romantic music, the works!"
"And just how exactly are we gonna pull this off?" Misty asked in a tone of ridiculous uncertainty.
"Well, they'll be home in a few hours," Ash explained. "By then, the table will be set, the dinner will be done, and we'll be gone." He turned to Brock again. "Well, what can you make? Nothing bland, or whatever. Something fancy!"
Brock shrugged, lost in the spontaneity of the moment. "I dunno, what does you mom have?"
Ash groaned and thought. "Well, she always has chicken. Make somethin' with chicken."
"How does chicken parmesan sound?"
"Fine, fine!" Ash replied, giving Brock a brusque shove into the kitchen. "Make that! Go on!"
"All right, all right, calm down," Brock chuckled, and headed to the freezer.
As soon as Brock was in the kitchen, Ash now turned to Misty, who was getting a good dose of humor out of this. Ash was jumping around crazily, more than she had ever seen him, and it was a shame he had no idea what he was really doing.
"All right, Misty, you're good at this," Ash said. "Help me set the table."
He grabbed her hand and dragged her reluctantly behind, her feet digging into the carpet.
"Ash, will you calm down?" Misty said. They reached the table, and Ash immediately sprang to get a good tablecloth out. "You're going crazy. You really think this is gonna work?"
"Of course I do," Ash answered simply. He held up two fancy tablecloths, one of white, lacy material, another one a plain white with a floral design. "Which one?"
"Ash…" Misty groaned.
"Come on Misty!" Ash cried imploringly. "You're the romantic here! Which one is better?"
Misty sighed and pointed. "The lace."
Ash smiled, and stuffed the other in the drawer, immediately setting to work with the tablecloth.
"Ash!" Brock's voice floated from the kitchen.
"What?"
"Your mom only has chicken breasts in here!" he answered, annoyed. "I can't make chicken parmesan with that!"
"Well, what can you make?"
"Uh…roast chicken."
"Then make that!" Ash shouted, shaking his head. "You're the cook, not me!"
He went back to smoothing out the tablecloth, which Misty had helped him do. Ash stood back and admired his work when he was done, smiling at Misty.
"What next?" he asked her.
"Plates would be helpful," she answered. "Say, what makes you think your mom's gonna want to sit down to this, anyway?"
Ash placed his hands on his hips. "I know my mom, Misty. She's a romantic just like you. She'll be thrilled over this, I guarantee it."
"Whatever," replied Misty. "Where are the fancy plates?"
Ash scrunched his face up. "Well, she has her fancy plates in the china cabinet there," he said, pointing. He took a deep breath. "But Mom doesn't like me handling them. They're really old and stuff."
Misty walked over to the cabinet and opened it. "Well, I'll take them out, okay? Besides, what's a fancy dinner without fancy plates?"
Ash grinned and relief spread throughout him. Misty was finally getting into the swing of it. He was glad, and as she placed the plates carefully on the table, he smiled graciously at her. "Thanks, Misty," he said softly.
She returned the smile. "Hey, ya know, I think this is nice," she admitted. "It's just—I've never seen this side to you before. I thought you hated this gushy love stuff."
Ash shrugged. "Well, when you want people to fall in love with each other as much as I want my folks to, you have to think right."
"Oh, Ash…I think this is great what you're doing for them," she admitted as she watched him carefully center the plates in front of the seats. "I really hope this works."
Ash looked up surprisingly at her. "You do?"
"Of course," she answered. "Why wouldn't I? Now, where's the silverware?"
Ash went over and got the silverware out. He looked at them admiringly, a whole new positive feeling taking over him. At least he wasn't alone now. Misty and Brock were sincerely helping him. Although Misty thought it was ridiculous at first, her sudden change of heart encouraged him more. Maybe, just maybe, it would work.
A few hours later, the table was set perfectly, decked out with fancy napkins, candles, and wine glasses. Brock's roast chicken was simmering in the oven, and he had the rice and broccoli in their respective pots. Since he had some time, he decided to clean the house a bit, figuring that Delia would relax more with a cleaner house when she came home.
Misty and Ash were seated on the couch, taking in the flickering TV sleepily. Pikachu and Togepi were asleep themselves, cushioned cozily in the small space between their trainers. Brock came in upon finishing the last of the housework and sat on the couch beside them.
"So, what's the plan after this?" he asked.
"When they pull up, we leave," Ash said. "I wrote this note for them so they won't get worried about where we are. We'll just go to Professor Oak's for a couple hours, I figured, so that would be enough time. The food will be hot on the stove, I already put a bottle of wine in the fridge, and some music will be on. All they have to do is relax and eat."
"Unless of course they call us up demanding we get home, and cut the foolishness out," Misty retorted, her eyes never leaving the TV.
"That won't happen," Brock said, motioning to the kitchen. "I make some pretty damn good roast chicken."
They all laughed, but not loud enough to hear Delia's car pull up beside the house. Their eyes all rose, and they tensed.
"Quick, let's go!" Ash cried, bolting off the couch. Pikachu and Togepi stirred, and jumped immediately into their arms. "The dinner's ready, right, Brock?"
"It has been for a while," Brock replied, ripping off his apron and throwing it up the stairs and out of the way.
Ash nearly collided with the stereo, pressing the play button hurriedly. Soft old jazz music began to hum from the speakers, while Misty dimmed the lights in the dining room. Brock, in the meantime, lit the candles swiftly, and they all rushed to the back door soon after. They were not out three seconds when the front door opened.
"Ash, we're home!" Delia called into the house. For a moment, she didn't realize the different atmosphere, but upon taking two steps into the house, she suddenly froze. Jay almost collided into her.
"Whoa! What's wrong?" he asked, but he didn't need an answer.
For a few good seconds, they observed the scene surprisingly. The house was dark, the music playing through it gently. With a look of shock, Delia walked slowly into the house.
"Ash? Misty? Brock? Hello!" she said. "Where are you guys?"
"Um, Delia," Jay said, waving her over. "Come look at this."
He was standing beside the couch, reading a small slip of paper. Delia came over and carefully pulled the paper out of his hands and read it slowly.
"They aren't here," he clarified, a small smile tweaking his lips. He looked over at his wife, who was reading the note, speechless.
"Dinner?" she asked, giving him a confused look. She sniffed, along with Jay, and sure enough, the delicious aroma of chicken floated through the air.
"Hmmm," Jay mumbled pleasantly, walking slowly into the kitchen. He went over to the pot and lifted up the lids, releasing small puffs of steam. As Delia came in, still in a state of disbelief, Jay smiled at her again.
"They made dinner for us, ya know," he said incredulously.
"Well, that's obvious," she replied, opening the oven to see the roasted chicken simmering. "But why would they do this?"
Jay sighed, turning to the dining room. Instantly, the place-setting caught his eye, and he gave Delia a nudge. "Hey. That's why."
As soon as Delia saw the wine glasses, her good plates and silverware, and the fancy lace tablecloth, she realized what was going on.
"Ash," she said.
Jay nodded.
Delia sighed sadly at the setting, but smiled softly nonetheless. "Aw, he shouldn't have done this. What…what was he thinking?"
"Guess you can't blame him for trying, can you?" Jay responded, shrugging.
Delia shook her head. "Guess not…"
"We…we are going to eat, aren't we?" Jay asked, his eyebrows rising in question. Delia almost grinned at his expression; she could basically see the drool begging to escape his optimistic grin.
"I don't know," Delia replied, suddenly feeling nervous. Sure, this was all fun and games for Ash, whose hopes were higher than the sky, but she realized then that for all the work they had put into this, they may as well eat.
"Come on, let's do it," Jay urged, walking over to pull the chair out for Delia. She tensed at this, but smiled anyway as she sat down. "I'll get the food for us."
Delia fidgety played with her hands under the table, her heart racing. At this point, she didn't know what to think. She figured it was no harm to sit down with Jay to dinner, which she had done for a few days before Ash had come, but the elegance of it all was a little intimidating.
Jay came in a few minutes later with the wine. Delia took a deep breath.
"Look what they put in the fridge," he said with a chuckle.
"How did Ash get in the liquor cabinet?" Delia asked with deadpan seriousness. When she saw Jay freeze in apprehension, she smiled and giggled reassuringly. "I'm kidding. I don't lock it anymore."
Jay visually reclined and laughed as he poured the wine into Delia's glass. "Oh good, I thought we had a future cat burglar on our hands!"
Delia was the one to laugh this time, and Jay sauntered eagerly to get the food.
Ash, Misty, and Brock never went to Professor Oak's. Oh sure, they were on their way there, with Ash looking back at his house anxiously every couple of seconds. Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore, and he darted back to his house, Misty and Brock having no choice but to follow.
They now sat in the bushes outside the dining room window, the small glare from the house giving them a little light. Ash stood on his tippy-toes but still cowered a little, trying to get the best look he could without being spotted.
"Ash!" Misty cried in a whisper. "What are you doing?! Get back here!"
"I have to see what's going on!" he insisted.
"But they'll see you!" Brock called, also in a frantic whisper.
"Hold on a sec," Ash said with a small laugh. "I have to see if they sat down! I have to see if they're eating!"
Brock and Misty gave up, trying their best to hide their smiles. They watched silently as Ash stepped up to look in the window, which was too high. Lightly cursing, he looked around, and spotted the large, green garbage cans sitting by the side of the house. With a smile, he pulled one of the cans over quietly to the window.
"What are you doing now?!" Misty asked annoyingly.
"You'll see!" Ash said, centering the can in front of the window. He searched around for a good step-up, finally leaping up onto the top. The can rocked around a bit, and Ash almost lost his footing for a second, but quickly steadied himself.
"You're gonna kill yourself, Ash," Brock told him. "Get down!"
Ash seemed to ignore him, however, as he carefully rose to his feet. The can wobbled a bit more, but he balanced himself by leaning on the window sill. Peering hazily into the window, a small grin spread slowly across his face, and his body started to tremble.
Delia and Jay were seated at the table, their forks delicately picking up the food. The wine was all poured, the candles were still lit. But that wasn't what Ash was noticing the most. They were looking at each other. They were talking. They were smiling. Ash's smile brightened more.
"They're...they're happy!" Ash squealed delightedly.
"What?" Brock and Misty asked simultaneously, not catching his words.
Ash turned to them. "They're in there eating dinner! I can't believe it!"
Suddenly, the measly, weak plastic lid to the garbage crumbled beneath his weight. Ash yelped as his footing fell out from underneath him and the garbage can gave way.
"Ash!" Misty cried loudly as the can tipped over, pitching Ash harshly to the ground. The two cringed as the noise occurred, and each opened one eye to see Ash sprawled flat on his back on the lawn.
Inside, the sound wasn't too inconspicuous, either. As soon as the crash occurred, Jay and Delia stirred, abruptly turning to the window.
"What the hell was that?" Jay cried, jumping to his feet.
Smiling slightly, Delia sighed and dumped her flushed face in her palm. "My guess would be our son."
They walked over to the window and peered out to see Ash sheepishly lying on the ground. Delia grinned at him and placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head. Ash just smiled more, waving at them meekly.
"Hi," he squeaked. "Enjoy the dinner?"
TO BE CONTINUED . . .