A/N: I do not own the song lyrics that are in this chapter. I know lyrics are not allowed but this particular song plays an important role in the sequel of this story. Yes there will be a sequel because there is only a few more chapters left of this one.
Chapter 19: Ashley Gets a New Job
May 2005
It came from work at 8:30 and I had been working since 4 that morning, I was exhausted.
"Hey Addie" Ashley said. She was sitting on the couch folding clothes while Boston entertained himself in his swing.
"Hi" I replied "you seem different"
"Today was a good day" she said.
"What happened to make it that way?" I asked.
"Well Boston and I were coming home from Baby Yoga and I just happened to be walking past this trendy new bar" Ashley said.
"Do I even want to know the rest?" I asked.
Ashley rolled her eyes "Yes, well something told me to go in there so I did, they were looking for a new bartender so I'm employed again"
"So let me get this straight you work in a bar?" I asked "you were practically a God damn doctor and now you work in a bar!"
"You think that I like having to resort to working in a bar" Addie countered "I liked my old job but I want to be here for Boston, I'm the only parent her has"
Boston started to whimper in his swing. Boston had 3 stages whimpering, crying and then wailing, if you didn't do something before the first two stages you were screwed.
"Now if you'll excuse me your nephew is hungry" she said.
She picked Boston up. It was amazing how much he had changed in a month. The dark hair he was born with had fallen out and was now growing in blonde. Not to mention he had probably doubled in weight since then. He wasn't fat he was just very solid. This sucked because he was growing out of clothes like crazy. Ashley sat down on the couch and began to nurse Boston.
"So when do you start?" I asked.
"Next week" she replied "by the way Tyler called"
"And?" I asked.
"And eventually you are going to have to call him back because I am living vicariously through you love life"
"I don't know I think this thing with Tyler is moving too fast" I said.
"What could possibly be the matter? He is good looking and really sweet not to mention reliable and financially stable" Ashley said "what more do you need?"
"You don't understand" I said.
"Adrian I understand perfectly, look at me I have dated a handful of guys in my whole life and all but one turned out to be an asshole" she said "so now I'm sitting here alone with a child… please don't end up like that Tyler is a nice guy give him a chance"
Ashley finished feeding Boston and got up to give him a bath.
"Tubbie time" she said in a silly voice "Boston loves taking tubbies"
I grabbed the baby bath tub thing and put it in the sink. We both laughed as Boston splashed around in the warm water.
"What is so bad about being like you?" I asked "you are an amazing mother"
"Sometimes I really don't think so" she said "I want to give him everything he needs and I can't"
"It would have been easier if John was around but look at you, you are raising your son without any help from his father not many people can do that" I said "if I were you I would have had John's ass in court suing him for child support"
"Life isn't always about money" Ashley remembered John saying that to her at one time or another.
After that she busied herself with shampooing Boston's hair. I let her do her task unbothered.
"Are you ignoring me?" I asked once she had washed the shampoo from his hair.
"Yes" she replied
"Why because I am right?" I asked.
"No because you are annoying" she said.
She took Boston out of the tub and wrapped him in a towel. Then she walked into Boston's room and began dressing him for bed.
"Can you stop and just listen to me for 2 seconds!" I exclaimed.
"Listen Addie I appreciate what you are trying to do but I have to deal with my mistakes on my own" she said.
"So you view Boston as a mistake?" I asked.
"Of course not, I love Boston with everything I have but I wish him being here was better planned out" she said.
"That might be true but he is here and healthy so we should count our blessings" I said.
"Trust me I do everyday" she kissed the baby's forehead. "it's bed time now"
This was Ashley's favorite time of day where she could sit and rock her son to sleep.
"I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree, I was runnin from some honey bees. Drip dryin in the summer breeze after jumping into Calico Creek. I was walkin down an old dirt road past a field of hay that had just been mowed. Man I wish you'd just left me alone. Cuz I was almost home." she sang.
Craig Morgan's Almost Home was an unusual lullaby but it was a sweet song. I have no idea how she ended up singing it to him every night but she did and he loved it.
I sat on the couch listening to Ashley sing. She had an amazing singing voice but she chose to use it only when she was singing Boston to sleep.
"You know that song is about a man dying right?" I asked when she sat down next to me on the couch.
"Not exactly' she said "it's about going home"
"Gee I never would have figured that one out without your help" I replied sarcastically.
"You don't see the message the song is trying to put out" she said.
"And I really don't care" I said.
"Hater" she said.
"Don't make me go vintage Hulk Hogan on your ass" I threatened.
"Bring it on bitch" she retorted.
We were like little kids sometimes, play wrestling. I had just knocked Ashley to the ground when she grabbed my leg and pulled me down with her. Randy and Maddie walked in.
"Randy grab a seat and I'll make the popcorn" Maddie said "this fight should be good"
Ashley and I got up off the ground.
"Aww damn I was looking forward to some girl on girl action" Randy whined playfully.
Ashley smacked him in the arm.
"You are a nasty pervert" she said "and I can't believe that in a few months I am going to be related to you"
"Well you are so get over it" Maddie said.
"Hey guys Ashley is a bartender now" I said.
"Ash do you even know how to mix drinks?" Randy asked.
"Yes I bartended to pay my way through collage and medical school" she replied.
"Did you really?" I asked.
"Yeah I got my bartending license at 19 and I tended bar till I was about 23" she said.
"How did you get a license at 19 if you can't drink till you are 21?" Maddie asked.
"I have my ways" she said.
Maddie raised her eyebrow.
"What the teacher was hot" Ashley defended herself.
"You're nasty" Maddie said.
"Coming from the person who is dating the sex addict" Ashley countered.
"Ashley I wouldn't go there" Maddie said "because there are some things we know about your baby's daddy that you wouldn't want to be let out"
"This is John here there is not much that would surprise us" I said.
"Well Ash your boy wears thongs" Maddie said. Ashley seemed unsurprised.
"You knew?" I asked.
"Yes and it's not like he wore them all the time" she said.
Maddie, Randy and I laughed while Ashley seemed to get annoyed.
"You all are immature asses" she said "I'm going to be and if one of you wakes that baby up I swear I will kill you" she said.
"John wears thongs who would have thought" I said.
"Do you think she'll get mad if I go in and see Boston?" Maddie asked.
"As long as you don't wake him up then she'll be fine" I said.
"Well then I'm going to go see my beautiful nephew" she said.
It was just Randy and I in the living room now.
"So how's John doing?" I asked.
"He's ok" Randy replied. "he's a little quieter now"
"Maybe he's starting to finally grow up" I said.
"You know something that the rest of don't" Randy said.
"I know nothing" I said.
"Ok fine don't tell me but just know that I know" Randy said.
"If you knew you wouldn't be asking me what I know" I said.
"You know what I mean I know that you know something" Randy said.
"Well I am totally clueless" I lied.
"Sure you are" he retorted. "keep your secrets"
"Fine by me"
I was never really sure if Randy knew the truth about John and Boston but I never told him. I never told anyone the truth well until now but that is beside the point because what I know now doesn't really make a difference.