Okay, here is chapter four. I know there's been some confusing about Ashley's age. But here is the deal. In the prologue she's in 9th grade, but in the whole story, she's 9 years old. The prologue was to tease a little, like look years into the future, and then the chapters are about the time where it all happened, and there Ashley and Ben were like 9 and 10. I hope that cleared things up a bit.
Disclaimer; I don't own friends, but I do own Ashley, Rachel and Barry's daughter. And I don't own the song "Only Women Bleed", I'm afraid Alice Cooper does that. ;)
Picking Up the Pieces
Chapter 4.
"But I don't get it, mom!" Ben said, throwing his pencil at the table, "I don't know how to do it!"
"Yes, Ben," Susan said, "It's easy, come on. It's math. Don't tell me your father haven't taught you this."
"Me and him never do homework." Ben said, "Can't you just do it for me?"
"No." Susan said, "You have to learn it, Ben! It's not that hard."
"Can we do it later then?"
"No." Susan repeated, "I'll ask Carol to do this with you."
With that she left and went in to get Carol.
--
"Mom?" Ashley smiled, "Why are we having pizza today? Is this a special occasion or what?"
"Yes, of course." Rachel said, "You know, pizza is not healthy, and it's only because I can't cook today, and really don't want to, that we're eating this."
"Is dad coming home soon?"
"No. He has to work late tonight sweetie." Rachel smiled, "So how was school?" she asked, to change the subject.
"Normal." Ashley said, but then she remembered, "Oh, actually…" she trailed off.
"What, sweetie?"
"I met this boy, Ben."
"A boy?" Rachel couldn't quite believe that, "You're only 9, Ash."
"I know, silly." Ashley said, acting adult again, "Not like that. I was kinda sad, because Steve had teased me, but then he sat down next to me, and we started to talk. He was really sweet and he gave me his phone number. I would like to call and play with him one day. Can't you call and set something up with his mom?"
Ashley was eager, Rachel could see that. She thought about it. It wasn't often somebody wanted to play with Ashley. She was mostly alone. She didn't get invited to any birthday parties, but now a boy wanted to play with her. Why not?
"Sure." Rachel said, "I could call right now, if you want to?"
Ashley's face lit up and she ran into her backpack to find the number, but she couldn't find the cordless phone.
"Mommy?" Ashley called from the living room, "I can't find the phone."
Rachel remembered what happened with the phone earlier that day and said; "I dropped it on the floor and it broke. I'll just use my cell, sweetie."
"Okay." Ashley said, coming into the kitchen again, "Call him mom."
Rachel smiled and took the piece of paper from her and dialled the number.
"Hello?" a voice said.
"Hi, this is Rachel Farber." Rachel said, "Am I speaking with Ben's mom?"
"Yes, this is Carol Willick."
"Okay, hi." Rachel said, "I don't know if Ben has told you anything about this, but he and my daughter talks a lot in school, and she wanted to know if he could play one day?"
"I don't know." Carol said, "I'll ask him. What's your daughters name?"
"Ashley."
"Oh…" Carol trailed off, "Actually, I do think he brought her up. Two seconds."
"Yeah, take your time."
Rachel smiled at Ashley, and mouthed, "She's gonna go ask him!"
Ashley lit up and clapped her hands.
"Yeah, he would love to." Carol returned.
"Great!" Rachel exclaimed, "Is tomorrow good?"
"That'll be fine." Carol said, "I've work off tomorrow. Should I bring them home here?"
"That's okay." Rachel said, "I actually don't work, but I can take them some other time if that is."
"Okay then." Carol said, "It's a date."
"Yes, I'll pick her up around 4:30 again."
"Fine."
"See you." Rachel said.
"Bye."
Rachel closed her cell, "You've got a date tomorrow." she joked.
--
"So, have you talked to Ben about the whole thing?" Chandler asked Ross, "About Emily not being there anymore?"
"No." Ross said, "Carol and Susan did that. I'm just glad I don't have to."
"Ben didn't like her anyway, did he?"
"No, funny, actually..." Ross said, "I think I'm gonna spend a lot of time with Ben now. Before I start dating again."
"That's a good idea." Chandler said, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Yeah, isn't it?"
"Hmm." Chandler said, thinking about how mature he sounded, he needed to make a joke, like, right now, "Or maybe you should just date now, you know?"
"What? Why?"
"If you wait too long, Ben is gonna beat you!"
Ross rolled his eyes, "Cheap shot." he said.
--
"Hi mom!" Ben said, dragging Ashley towards the car where Carol was waiting, "This is Ashley."
"Hi." Ashley said, shy.
"My name is Mrs. Willick." Carol said, "But really, you can call me Carol. It's easier."
"Thank you." Ashley said.
"Well come on then," Carol said, "You two lovebirds, get in the car!"
"Ben?" Ashley asked, "What's lovebirds?"
"I don't know." Ben lied. He really didn't think his mom was funny.
Why couldn't a boy and a girl be friends without being teased by everyone?
"So, do you have any siblings Ashley?" Carol asked, when they were on the drive.
"No." Ashley said, "My mom can't get pregnant again. She's lost a baby 3 times after me."
"Oh my God." Carol said, "I'm so sorry. How do your dad feel about that?"
"He doesn't care." Ashley said, "He didn't want the babies. He didn't want me either. He doesn't."
"Oh…" Carol said, thinking that this girl was full of shit.
"I know you don't believe me." Ashley said, "But it's true. My dad doesn't want me, but my mom loves me so much. You can believe it or not."
"Okay." Carol said, taking aback. This girl was really special!
"So, what are you planning on doing when you get home?" Carol asked them.
"I dunno." Ben said, "Probably just talk."
--
"Rachel, are you home?"
"Barry, is that you?" Rachel asked, sticking her head out of the shower.
"Yes."
"I'm in the shower."
"Can I join you?" Barry asked, slipping into the bathroom.
"I'm done." Rachel said.
"No, come on." Barry said.
"No, Barry." Rachel said, "I was on my way out shopping."
"Don't you have 10 minutes?"
"No."
"Are you saying no to me?" Barry asked.
"No." Rachel pouted.
"I thought so."
--
"Rachel, are you gonna pick up your daughter or what?" Barry yelled from the kitchen.
"Two seconds Barry, my hair has to dry."
"No, I need to talk to her."
"Pick her up yourself!" Rachel yelled, coming into the kitchen.
Man's got his woman to take his seed
He's got the power - oh
She's got the need
She spends her life through pleasing up her man
She feeds him dinner or anything she can
"You don't tell me what to do, I tell you what to do." Barry reminded her.
"But what if I'm busy?" Rachel tried, already knowing she'd get nowhere, but liking to be arguing with him. At least he brought some sort of feelings out of her, even though they weren't very lovable.
"You're never too busy to do what I want."
She cries alone at night too often
He smokes and drinks and don't come home at all
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
"I'll pick her up then."
"Of course you will."
Man makes your hair gray
He's your life's mistake
All you're really lookin' for is an even break
"Night Ash. Sweet dreams." Rachel smiled.
"Night mom."
Rachel went into the bedroom and found it empty.
Barry was out again – as always.
She dressed down and changed into a spaghetti strap and boxers.
She lay herself in bed, and thought about everything.
She couldn't keep the tears from coming.
He lies right at you
You know you hate this game
He slaps you once in a while and you live and love in pain
She cried her eyes out. She couldn't help it.
It hurt. It hurt so bad.
He hurt.
Everything did.
She cries alone at night too often
He smokes and drinks and don't come home at all
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
If she could just get out.
If she could just say stop.
If she just had the courage – the strength.
She could give herself and Ashley such a better home, she knew that.
But the problem was… She still loved him.
Man's got his woman to take his seed
He's got the power - oh
She's got the need
She spends her life through pleasing up her man
She feeds him dinner or anything she can
No matter how many times he hit her, no matter how many times he cheated, and no matter how many times he lied – she would always love him. She knew that.
She cries alone at night too often
He smokes and drinks and don't come home at all
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
It was more than just a marriage – it was everything she had.
Black eyes all of the time
Don't spend a dime
Clean up this grime
And you there down on your knees begging me please come
Watch me bleed
It was sad, yes. It was pathetic, so much.
But it was the truth.
An abusive husband, a little girl and a horrible marriage was everything she had.
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
Only women bleed
She was bleeding so badly, but no-one could see it.
She spend every night in every week, crying and thinking.
Dreaming of what it would be like to be free. How she would feel.
What she didn't know was, that in the room next to hers, her daughter was dreaming the exact same thing.
Only women bleed
All right, terrible, terrible, but it was a chapter that was needed and just needed to get it over with. The next one will be here really soon, and will hopefully be better, review me please. Thank Stessa.