sweetiepie1972: Thanks for the vote of support.

broken clay of me:My story is probably pretty predictable. Most of the conflict will happen in much later chapters.

Caitlin: Thanks. It really means a lot to me to have such an enthusiastic review.

This might be a pretty boring chapter, but it needed to be done.

"Hi Mom?" Spencer called after the shower. She sat on the bed in a towel as Ashley got dressed.

"Spencer! What on earth happened to you. You where supposed to pick up Parker an hour ago."

Shit that was true, "I ran into Ashley at the store after I dropped Parker off. After Jake left, I went over to her hotel to have a couple drinks. I didn't want to drink and drive, so I crashed at her hotel room. I'll be over to get Parker in an hour and a half."

"Its good you where thinking responsibly," she said, "I'll see you then."

Spencer stifled a laugh about the responsibility thing, "Thanks mom," she hung up the phone, "Ashley?" she questioned, "When do you have to leave LA?"
"Four days including today. I leave on a red eye that fourth night."

"Come stay with me. Jake doesn't come back for a week. You can pretend to stay in the guest room until Parker goes to sleep and then..." Spencer winked.

Ashley smiled mischievously, "Sure. Let me pack my suitcase."

"I'm sorry, but right now, you'll just have to be 'Mommy's friend Ashley' until things start to unravel."

"Take your time Spencer."

"I've already taken 21 years. I don't want to take more time than absolutely necessary."

"Good."

"Hey Ash, Can I--" Spencer began to say before being hit with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, "Thanks," she smirked. Ashley had read her mind. Spencer changed as Ashley packed. Spencer threw in her old clothes in with Ashley's clothes, "Do you know where my house is?" she asked, knowing full well that Ashley had followed her to the grocery store. She just wanted to see if she got an honest response.

"Yeah. I map quested it before I came to LA. I drove past it a couple times before following you to the store yesterday," Ashley admitted.

"Want to meet there? Should I just throw you my key?"

Ashley thought for a moment, "I don't think thats the best idea. I'd be better if I came with you to get Parker. Wouldn't it be creepy if someone you didn't know was in your house when you came home? I want Parker to feel comfortable."

"Good point. I know I don't have boundaries with you, but he's ten. He's nothing but boundaries," she paused, "Are you almost ready?"

"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah," Ashley countered, "I've still got to check out you know."

"Duh."

She did so, then they got into their cars.

"Hey Parks!" Spencer held her arms out to her son, "Have a good time at Grandma's?"

"Yeah, but I missed you and daddy."

"I missed you too," shed turned to her mother, "Thanks for looking after him."

"Oh I had fun. Its good to have a kid around again. Let me grab his bag."

Spencer waved Ashley out of the car, "Hey Parker," she began, "Thats my friend Ashley," She pointed, "I knew her when I was in high school."

Ashley squatted down to his level, "Hey Parker. Its nice to meet you," She shook his hand."

"Hi," Parker replied simply.

"Ashley is going to stay at our house because I don't want her to have to sleep in a hotel anymore. No point when we have a perfectly good guest room right?"

"Yeah mom."

Spencer's mom came back with the bag, "Oh hi Ashley."

"Hello Mrs. Carlin," Ashley said, using the last name reflexively, "How are you?"

"A bit tired, but thats to be expected running after this little guy all yesterday."

"Yeah, that would do it to a 60 year old," Spencer countered, "Go take a nap mom. We should get going home."