Concrete Angel
"Thank you all for coming tonight. We are here to raise money and awareness for victims of child abuse. Child abuse is a terrible crime that plaques many children in our society and even here in our community. Sadly the shame associated with abuse is so great that many victims never come forward, forced to suffer the long lasting and painful consequences alone. Tonight I have some special guests who would like to share with you." Mrs. Reitsma concluded her opening and gestured for Ashley to take the microphone.
Ashley rose from her chair, graceful and surprisingly well composed, dressed in a long black dress with gold accents to set off the gold locket around her neck. Her long brown hair was pulled up in a French twist, with a few tendrils framing her face, making her look vulnerable.
Andros noticed immediately how beautiful she was and picked up on her nervous habit of playing with her necklace. He shot her a reassuring smile to calm her down; she looked into his eyes and took a deep breath before beginning her speech. None of her friends knew what to expect.
"Thank you Mrs. Reitsma," Ashley began quietly, gaining confidence in herself, knowing she was doing the right thing. She had been silent for too long. "Good Evening. My name is Ashley Hammond. Mrs. Reitsma asked me to talk to you tonight. See, I was a victim of child abuse." Her statement caused the other four rangers to immediately sit up straighter, shooting each other looks of shock and horror at what her admission meant.
"When I was three years old, my dad remarried. He often worked long hours to provide for my brother and I and out step mom. My brother Jeff and I spent may hours alone with Shelley and it wasn't long before her temper got the best of her, and us. For the next three years of my life I was too scared to tell anyone what happened to my brother and me. I didn't even tell my dad. He was in love with Shelley. But she was a different person when he wasn't around. Nothing my brother or I did was good enough for her and she routinely beat us to do what she wanted. She didn't have the patience to put up with two little children. So when my little sister was born, Jeff and I were terrified at what she would do." Talking about Shannon proved too much for Ashley, as she succumbed to her tears. "Excuse Me," she said as she turned away form the podium to cry in earnest. Jeff jumped to her rescue, sitting her down next to their dad who put his arm around his daughter.
"I'm Jeff Hammond. For three years my sister and I were subjected to all sorts of abuse and neglect. It wasn't until after Shannon died that our dad realized what was going on. I remember that night so vividly, even ten years later. Shannon was sick or something, she kept crying out for her mom. Shelley was so fed up with her crying that she stormed into her room. I remember lying in bed and looking across the room at my sister Ashley who was also awake. We held our breath, not knowing what to do, we wanted to help our sister, but we honestly didn't know, and we didn't want to get beat again either. Shannon was crying one minute, and the next she was quiet. Too quiet, I thought. The next morning, Shelley was still sleeping so Ashley and I crept into our sister's room. Shannon wasn't moving. I shook her shoulders to wake her up but she still didn't' move I put my hand near her mouth but she wasn't breathing. Ashley started screaming for Shelley to wake up and I ran to get the phone and call our dad who was already at work. I ran back into the room with my dad on the phone. Shelley had just finished hitting Ashley pretty hard. She said, "If you don't shut up, you little brat, you're going to be dead too." She screamed at Ashley. My dad heard the whole conversation over the phone and immediately raced home with the police not far behind." Jeff stopped speaking, the whole room was horribly captivated by the story he told. Tears streamed down his face as he joined Ashley and their dad took over the microphone.
"You never think something like this could happen to you. Or your children. You want to believe that everyone loves children and will protect them. But I learned the hard way, you can't trust everyone. In retrospect, I think I married Shelley because I was lonely. Jeff and Ashley's mom had died only a year before and I wanted them to have a mom. For three years I had no idea that the abuse was going on. When I heard Shelley screaming at my precious daughter Ashley over the phone, I Was stunned. How did I not know about all of this? After Shelley was gone, Jeff told me that she threatened to send him and Ashley away if they told anyone, even me, their own father. But when I came home the sight that I found was about as horrible as you can imagine. Our three-year-old daughter lay unmoving in her bed, and my seven- year-old daughter was crumbled on the floor, bruises covering most of her small body. And then there was my eight year old son, even then he was protective of his sisters, hovering over Ashley, finally collapsing in tears only when the police had Shelley firmly in custody."
Ashley returned to the microphone. Blinking back the tears she finished her testimony. "This is the first time I've ever old anyone about my past. I was ashamed. I didn't pretend my life was perfect but I had learned not to dwell on the bad things too much. It ends up just eating you alive. After years of counseling, and the love of my dad and brother I have gone on to have a fulfilling and rewarding life. I have been silent for far too long, but I will not be silenced anymore by the past. I hope our story has been an encouragement to you, for those who have suffered abuse that there is hope at the end of the tunnel." Ashley looked over to her brother and nodded and he stepped forward to the microphone.
"I wrote this song a few years ago and I asked Ashley to sing it for you. IT paints a picture of the pain we have been holding in and holding onto." Jeff introduced the song, and the soft chords filled the room as Ashley's beautiful voice rang out.
She walked to school with a lunch she packed Nobody knows what she's holding back Wearing the same dress she wore yesterday She hides her bruises with her linen and lace
The teacher wonders but she doesn't ask It's hard to see the pain behind the mask Bearing the burdens of a secret storm He sometimes wishes he was never born
Through the wind and the rain She stands hard as a stone In a world that she can't rise above But her dreams give her wings And she flies to a place where she's loved Concrete Angel
Somebody cries in the middle of the night The neighbors hear but they turn out the lights A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate When morning comes it will be too late
Through the wind and the rain She stands hard as a stone In a world that she can't rise above But her dreams give her wings And she flies to a place where she's loved Concrete Angel
A statue stands in a shady place An angel girl with an upturned face Her name is written on the polished rock A broken heart that the world has forgot
Through the wind and the rain She stands hard as a stone In a world that she can't rise above But her dreams give her wings And she flies to a place where she's loved Concrete Angel
Ashley puts the microphone down and walks off the stage escorted by her father and brother to thunderous applause from the audience. Most of them have tears in their eyes; even the most unemotional listeners couldn't help but feel the pain that was shared. Mrs. Reitsma concluded the evening from the podium, and the other rangers race out of the auditorium to find their teammate.
They run into Jeff and Mr. Hammond in the parking lot. "Where's Ashley?" Andros quietly demanded, desperately wanting to comfort her but also to tell her how proud he was of her for telling such a painful story.
"She went back to the ship. She was completely exhausted." Jeff informed his sister's friends.
"No kidding. I doubt she got any sleep last night." TJ agreed with Jeff's assessment of Ashley's condition.
"She had nightmares last night too?" Jeff questioned the blue ranger.
"Yeah, how did you know?" TJ asked curiously.
"She's had nightmares for ten years now. I'm not surprised but I didn't think she would have them on the ship." Jeff stated. "Why's that?" Andros wanted to know.
"Because she feels safe there." Not wasting any more time, they bid Jeff and Mr. Hammond goodbye and teleported back to the Mega ship to find Ashley.
Ashley was sitting on a console in the bridge talking to Deca when the others appeared suddenly. There was awkward silence, as no one knew what to say or how to approach her. Finally TJ asked a question he had to know the answer to. "How bad was it?" Ashley looked at him with tears in her eyes, but before he could regret asking it, she asked the computer, "Deca, pull up my medical files."
"Of course Ashley." Deca replied, obeying the yellow ranger's command immediately. The others settled into their chairs to view the screen while Andros simply sat on the console next to her and wrapped his arms around her in silent comfort.
"December 12th, 1985, four year old Ashley Hammond admitted to Angel Grove Hospital with second degree burns."
That was when I was trying to light the fire in our fireplace." Ashley explained to the others.
"She had you making fires at four years old?" Carlos exclaimed in disbelief. "You could have been more seriously hurt." Andros said in wonder, and thankful that she managed to survive all that so she could be here with him now.
"March 19th 1986, Ashley rushed to AGH with a broken collarbone."
"I fell down the stairs." Ashley narrated as the file continued to pop up on the screen.
"You fell or you were pushed?" TJ asked. Ashley didn't reply, confirming their worst suspicions, and she continued on.
"Ash, you don't have to do this. I was just curious." TJ said trying to stop the brunette from reliving those terrible memories.
"It's okay Teej. I need to get this out." Ashley admitted quietly as she continued to hold onto Andros' hand for support.
"July 4th, 1986 Ashley admitted to AGH with burns from a fireworks related incident."
"We were up at Hangman's Island and Shelley had gone out and left my brother and I with two teenagers who were staying next to us. They let me set off some fireworks and they misfired and I burnt my hands." Ashley stated matter of factly.
It was a heavy silence that filled the bridge as they waited for the next entry. "This makes all our problems seem so petty." Carlos thought to himself as he turned to look at his best friend, who he had respected for many years, and more so now.
"How did she do it?" The question slipped out of the black rangers mouth, breaking the silence.
"How did I what?" Ashley inquired a bit confused.
"How did you get through all that to be the person that you are now?" Carlos asked in astonishment. Ashley was one of the nicest and most supportive people he knew, and her loyalty and determination made her a great teammate as well.
"I had the loving support of my brother and father, which is why we're so close now. But I had my share of counselors too." Ashley commented.
"November 21st, 1986- the school nurse examined her after her preschool teacher noticed bruises on her upper arms."
"February 7th 1987- Ashley missed four days of school with the flu."
June 11th 1987- Ashley admitted to Stone Canyon Hospital with multiple contusions and lacerations."
"There's a bunch more, but we don't need to see all of them." Ashley decided as fatigue eventually began taking its toll on the yellow ranger.
"How many times were you in the hospital Ash?" Cassie asked from her seat.
"I don't know for certain, but I'd say in four years I was in the emergency room 15 times I guess." Ashley acknowledged thoughtfully.
"And they never had any idea that all your injuries could have come from abuse?" Carlos spoke incredulously. Ashley just shook her head. "It just wasn't as common as it is now for children to be taken seriously when they say they've been abused. People now a days know what symptoms to look for and what questions to ask." Ashley commented.
"And there's more awareness out there, thanks to people like you who are willing to stand up and admit to being abused. Your voice gives people courage to speak up." Andros declared proudly. "And I'm so proud of you Ash for having the courage to speak up tonight. I know it was hard for you, but I'm sure you touched many lives." His kind words made Ashley tear a bit as she gave him a fierce hug.
"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed." Cassie declared as she stood up and made her way off the bridge, stopping first to give Ashley a huge hug. The others filed suit, and Andros escorted Ashley back to her room and she had no nightmares that night or ever again.
A/N: Thanks for reading my first online story. Hope you liked it, I am a big Ashley and Space fan so a lot of my stories are about them. This is finally finished!
"Thank you all for coming tonight. We are here to raise money and awareness for victims of child abuse. Child abuse is a terrible crime that plaques many children in our society and even here in our community. Sadly the shame associated with abuse is so great that many victims never come forward, forced to suffer the long lasting and painful consequences alone. Tonight I have some special guests who would like to share with you." Mrs. Reitsma concluded her opening and gestured for Ashley to take the microphone.
Ashley rose from her chair, graceful and surprisingly well composed, dressed in a long black dress with gold accents to set off the gold locket around her neck. Her long brown hair was pulled up in a French twist, with a few tendrils framing her face, making her look vulnerable.
Andros noticed immediately how beautiful she was and picked up on her nervous habit of playing with her necklace. He shot her a reassuring smile to calm her down; she looked into his eyes and took a deep breath before beginning her speech. None of her friends knew what to expect.
"Thank you Mrs. Reitsma," Ashley began quietly, gaining confidence in herself, knowing she was doing the right thing. She had been silent for too long. "Good Evening. My name is Ashley Hammond. Mrs. Reitsma asked me to talk to you tonight. See, I was a victim of child abuse." Her statement caused the other four rangers to immediately sit up straighter, shooting each other looks of shock and horror at what her admission meant.
"When I was three years old, my dad remarried. He often worked long hours to provide for my brother and I and out step mom. My brother Jeff and I spent may hours alone with Shelley and it wasn't long before her temper got the best of her, and us. For the next three years of my life I was too scared to tell anyone what happened to my brother and me. I didn't even tell my dad. He was in love with Shelley. But she was a different person when he wasn't around. Nothing my brother or I did was good enough for her and she routinely beat us to do what she wanted. She didn't have the patience to put up with two little children. So when my little sister was born, Jeff and I were terrified at what she would do." Talking about Shannon proved too much for Ashley, as she succumbed to her tears. "Excuse Me," she said as she turned away form the podium to cry in earnest. Jeff jumped to her rescue, sitting her down next to their dad who put his arm around his daughter.
"I'm Jeff Hammond. For three years my sister and I were subjected to all sorts of abuse and neglect. It wasn't until after Shannon died that our dad realized what was going on. I remember that night so vividly, even ten years later. Shannon was sick or something, she kept crying out for her mom. Shelley was so fed up with her crying that she stormed into her room. I remember lying in bed and looking across the room at my sister Ashley who was also awake. We held our breath, not knowing what to do, we wanted to help our sister, but we honestly didn't know, and we didn't want to get beat again either. Shannon was crying one minute, and the next she was quiet. Too quiet, I thought. The next morning, Shelley was still sleeping so Ashley and I crept into our sister's room. Shannon wasn't moving. I shook her shoulders to wake her up but she still didn't' move I put my hand near her mouth but she wasn't breathing. Ashley started screaming for Shelley to wake up and I ran to get the phone and call our dad who was already at work. I ran back into the room with my dad on the phone. Shelley had just finished hitting Ashley pretty hard. She said, "If you don't shut up, you little brat, you're going to be dead too." She screamed at Ashley. My dad heard the whole conversation over the phone and immediately raced home with the police not far behind." Jeff stopped speaking, the whole room was horribly captivated by the story he told. Tears streamed down his face as he joined Ashley and their dad took over the microphone.
"You never think something like this could happen to you. Or your children. You want to believe that everyone loves children and will protect them. But I learned the hard way, you can't trust everyone. In retrospect, I think I married Shelley because I was lonely. Jeff and Ashley's mom had died only a year before and I wanted them to have a mom. For three years I had no idea that the abuse was going on. When I heard Shelley screaming at my precious daughter Ashley over the phone, I Was stunned. How did I not know about all of this? After Shelley was gone, Jeff told me that she threatened to send him and Ashley away if they told anyone, even me, their own father. But when I came home the sight that I found was about as horrible as you can imagine. Our three-year-old daughter lay unmoving in her bed, and my seven- year-old daughter was crumbled on the floor, bruises covering most of her small body. And then there was my eight year old son, even then he was protective of his sisters, hovering over Ashley, finally collapsing in tears only when the police had Shelley firmly in custody."
Ashley returned to the microphone. Blinking back the tears she finished her testimony. "This is the first time I've ever old anyone about my past. I was ashamed. I didn't pretend my life was perfect but I had learned not to dwell on the bad things too much. It ends up just eating you alive. After years of counseling, and the love of my dad and brother I have gone on to have a fulfilling and rewarding life. I have been silent for far too long, but I will not be silenced anymore by the past. I hope our story has been an encouragement to you, for those who have suffered abuse that there is hope at the end of the tunnel." Ashley looked over to her brother and nodded and he stepped forward to the microphone.
"I wrote this song a few years ago and I asked Ashley to sing it for you. IT paints a picture of the pain we have been holding in and holding onto." Jeff introduced the song, and the soft chords filled the room as Ashley's beautiful voice rang out.
She walked to school with a lunch she packed Nobody knows what she's holding back Wearing the same dress she wore yesterday She hides her bruises with her linen and lace
The teacher wonders but she doesn't ask It's hard to see the pain behind the mask Bearing the burdens of a secret storm He sometimes wishes he was never born
Through the wind and the rain She stands hard as a stone In a world that she can't rise above But her dreams give her wings And she flies to a place where she's loved Concrete Angel
Somebody cries in the middle of the night The neighbors hear but they turn out the lights A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate When morning comes it will be too late
Through the wind and the rain She stands hard as a stone In a world that she can't rise above But her dreams give her wings And she flies to a place where she's loved Concrete Angel
A statue stands in a shady place An angel girl with an upturned face Her name is written on the polished rock A broken heart that the world has forgot
Through the wind and the rain She stands hard as a stone In a world that she can't rise above But her dreams give her wings And she flies to a place where she's loved Concrete Angel
Ashley puts the microphone down and walks off the stage escorted by her father and brother to thunderous applause from the audience. Most of them have tears in their eyes; even the most unemotional listeners couldn't help but feel the pain that was shared. Mrs. Reitsma concluded the evening from the podium, and the other rangers race out of the auditorium to find their teammate.
They run into Jeff and Mr. Hammond in the parking lot. "Where's Ashley?" Andros quietly demanded, desperately wanting to comfort her but also to tell her how proud he was of her for telling such a painful story.
"She went back to the ship. She was completely exhausted." Jeff informed his sister's friends.
"No kidding. I doubt she got any sleep last night." TJ agreed with Jeff's assessment of Ashley's condition.
"She had nightmares last night too?" Jeff questioned the blue ranger.
"Yeah, how did you know?" TJ asked curiously.
"She's had nightmares for ten years now. I'm not surprised but I didn't think she would have them on the ship." Jeff stated. "Why's that?" Andros wanted to know.
"Because she feels safe there." Not wasting any more time, they bid Jeff and Mr. Hammond goodbye and teleported back to the Mega ship to find Ashley.
Ashley was sitting on a console in the bridge talking to Deca when the others appeared suddenly. There was awkward silence, as no one knew what to say or how to approach her. Finally TJ asked a question he had to know the answer to. "How bad was it?" Ashley looked at him with tears in her eyes, but before he could regret asking it, she asked the computer, "Deca, pull up my medical files."
"Of course Ashley." Deca replied, obeying the yellow ranger's command immediately. The others settled into their chairs to view the screen while Andros simply sat on the console next to her and wrapped his arms around her in silent comfort.
"December 12th, 1985, four year old Ashley Hammond admitted to Angel Grove Hospital with second degree burns."
That was when I was trying to light the fire in our fireplace." Ashley explained to the others.
"She had you making fires at four years old?" Carlos exclaimed in disbelief. "You could have been more seriously hurt." Andros said in wonder, and thankful that she managed to survive all that so she could be here with him now.
"March 19th 1986, Ashley rushed to AGH with a broken collarbone."
"I fell down the stairs." Ashley narrated as the file continued to pop up on the screen.
"You fell or you were pushed?" TJ asked. Ashley didn't reply, confirming their worst suspicions, and she continued on.
"Ash, you don't have to do this. I was just curious." TJ said trying to stop the brunette from reliving those terrible memories.
"It's okay Teej. I need to get this out." Ashley admitted quietly as she continued to hold onto Andros' hand for support.
"July 4th, 1986 Ashley admitted to AGH with burns from a fireworks related incident."
"We were up at Hangman's Island and Shelley had gone out and left my brother and I with two teenagers who were staying next to us. They let me set off some fireworks and they misfired and I burnt my hands." Ashley stated matter of factly.
It was a heavy silence that filled the bridge as they waited for the next entry. "This makes all our problems seem so petty." Carlos thought to himself as he turned to look at his best friend, who he had respected for many years, and more so now.
"How did she do it?" The question slipped out of the black rangers mouth, breaking the silence.
"How did I what?" Ashley inquired a bit confused.
"How did you get through all that to be the person that you are now?" Carlos asked in astonishment. Ashley was one of the nicest and most supportive people he knew, and her loyalty and determination made her a great teammate as well.
"I had the loving support of my brother and father, which is why we're so close now. But I had my share of counselors too." Ashley commented.
"November 21st, 1986- the school nurse examined her after her preschool teacher noticed bruises on her upper arms."
"February 7th 1987- Ashley missed four days of school with the flu."
June 11th 1987- Ashley admitted to Stone Canyon Hospital with multiple contusions and lacerations."
"There's a bunch more, but we don't need to see all of them." Ashley decided as fatigue eventually began taking its toll on the yellow ranger.
"How many times were you in the hospital Ash?" Cassie asked from her seat.
"I don't know for certain, but I'd say in four years I was in the emergency room 15 times I guess." Ashley acknowledged thoughtfully.
"And they never had any idea that all your injuries could have come from abuse?" Carlos spoke incredulously. Ashley just shook her head. "It just wasn't as common as it is now for children to be taken seriously when they say they've been abused. People now a days know what symptoms to look for and what questions to ask." Ashley commented.
"And there's more awareness out there, thanks to people like you who are willing to stand up and admit to being abused. Your voice gives people courage to speak up." Andros declared proudly. "And I'm so proud of you Ash for having the courage to speak up tonight. I know it was hard for you, but I'm sure you touched many lives." His kind words made Ashley tear a bit as she gave him a fierce hug.
"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed." Cassie declared as she stood up and made her way off the bridge, stopping first to give Ashley a huge hug. The others filed suit, and Andros escorted Ashley back to her room and she had no nightmares that night or ever again.
A/N: Thanks for reading my first online story. Hope you liked it, I am a big Ashley and Space fan so a lot of my stories are about them. This is finally finished!