Chapter 548: Jamlyn
Saturday, February 25th, Morning
Saturday morning is going to be the early start of a long day. As she walked down to the kitchen, she could smell the scent of someone cooking breakfast filling her nostrils. It was nice to have another adult in the house, especially today with the events that will be happening.
Ashlyn walked into the kitchen and found no one waiting. Buck was cooking at the stove, and only two places were set at the table. No kids, there are five living under the roof, and there are not many places to hide.
"You're finally up," Buck said.
"Where are the kids?" Ashlyn asked.
"They're already fed and down in the gym," Buck said.
"Why?" Ashlyn asked.
"We're having breakfast together," Buck said.
"Why?" Ashlyn asked.
"We need to talk," Buck said.
"About what?" Ashlyn asked.
"A lot of things," Buck said.
"So, talk," Ashlyn said.
"First, sit down; breakfast is almost ready," Buck said.
"Fine," Ashlyn said and took her seat.
Buck walked over with two plates and placed one down in front of Ashlyn. He took his seat and made a show of saying grace. Ashlyn shook her head and poked her pancakes.
"What do you want to talk about?" Ashlyn asked.
"Eat, please," Buck said.
"My house, my rules, talk," Ashlyn said.
"You just sounded like your mom there," Buck said.
"Don't mention her in my house," Ashlyn said.
"Why? She's your mom; she gave birth to you and helped raise you; I noticed you've not been calling me dad," Buck said.
"Because you've lost that right that night," Ashlyn said.
"Also, I noticed you didn't follow the family naming tradition," Buck said.
"Why should there be an Ashley Buckingham Scott and a Dallas Scott?" Ashlyn asked.
"It didn't have to be Dallas; Katy would've been nice," Buck said.
"Again, why?" Ashlyn asked.
"It's a sign of respect for our family and their way, like calling me dad," Buck said.
"That's rich," Ashlyn said.
"What do you mean by that?" Buck asked.
"How you talk about family and respect," Ashlyn said.
Buck shook his head, "Well, you don't respect me, and you undermine me with Joplin and AB every chance you get," he said.
Ashlyn snorted, "How do I do that?" she asked.
"Last night with offering them to skip their bible study, and when you offered to talk to me about Joplin changing schools," Buck said.
"Oh, you mean the fact you're forcing someone else's beliefs on them?" Ashlyn asked.
"It's the family's faith, Ashlyn," Buck said.
"No, it wasn't Savannah's. She raised her kids secularly and sent Joplin to public school," Ashlyn said.
"How do you know that?" Buck asked.
"Savannah told me," Ashlyn said.
"What did you use, an Ouija board?" Buck asked.
"No, oh god no," Ashlyn said, "Those are a sham anyways. Savannah and I reconciled soon after Maeghan was born."
"She never told me," Buck said.
"I asked her not to," Ashlyn said.
"Why would you do something like that?" Buck asked.
"The same reason I didn't name my children the way you wanted or why I don't call you dad," Ashlyn said.
"What reason is that?" Buck asked.
"Because you kicked me out of the family," Ashlyn said.
"I didn't; that was your mom," Buck said.
"You let her, so you're just as guilty. You kicked a seventeen-year-old single mom out on the street. I survived; the woman and daughter who you thought would negatively influence me took me in and showed me the meaning of being a real family," Ashlyn said.
"Look, that was all your mom," Buck said.
"You're just as guilty," Ashlyn said.
"Why do you say that?" Buck asked.
"You let it happen!" Ashlyn said.
"You know your mom," Buck said.
"Also, you had no spine," Ashlyn said.
"If you feel this way, why did you offer us to live here?" Buck asked.
"Simple, Joplin and AB. Savannah and I talked about guardianship for each other's children, but the accident happened before everything was finalized," Ashlyn said.
"So, why didn't you challenge it?" Buck asked.
"They just violently lost their parents and didn't need people fighting them. It was just talk at the time, and we were even talking about the two older boys, unlike you and mom," Ashlyn said.
"She didn't want to separate him from his family," Buck said.
"Bullshit! It's because he's bi-racial. I played ball with his mom. Believe me, I know; I gave birth to three blonde-haired blue-eyed children and one Irish half-breed," Ashlyn said.
"Ashlyn, that's a bit harsh," Buck said.
"Yes, it is, but I'll never be as harsh as y'all were to my children and me," Ashlyn said.
"I tried hard for you," Buck said.
'Not hard enough," Ashlyn said and stood up.
"Where are you going? You've not touched your breakfast," Buck said.
"I'm not hungry anymore," Ashlyn said.
"Where are you going?" Buck asked.
"To work, I have a game to prepare for. Can you manage to watch the five kids until Eilish comes over?" Ashlyn asked.
"Ashlyn," Buck said.
"I have to go," Ashlyn said and walked away. She was already planning to stop off at Roasters Coffee Shop for a coffee and a muffin. Ashlyn shook her head; she had enough of Buck today already.
