Chapter 10 True Family
Ash was freaking out in the back of the police car while the cops were driving to the station. When Ash arrived she was placed in a holding cell. "This is ridiculous. I didn't do anything wrong" Ash declared. "Ms. Harper, are you aware you can go to prison for a very long time for using a fake coupon?" asked one of the cops. "I had no clue that the coupon was fake. My boyfriend gave it to me because he said I needed it more than he did because I've been stressed out about my performance tomorrow night. Now am I allowed my phone call or what?" Ash said to the police officers who allowed her to call somebody. While Ash was dealing with the cops Johnny was practicing his skateboard moves. "If I wasn't aiming to become a famous singer/musician I could be a famous skateboarder" Johnny thought to himself.
Johnny continued skating when all of a sudden he heard his phone ringing. He saw that it was Ash calling him and picked up right away. "Hey Ash, how was the massage? Do you feel less stressed?" Johnny asked. "Johnny, that coupon you gave me was fake. I got arrested and I'm at the police station. Please, I need help!" Ash exclaimed over the phone. Johnny was shocked to hear about the coupon and that Ash was arrested. "Don't worry Ash I'm on my way" Johnny said as he promised Ash to clear up this mess. On the way to the police station Johnny called his boss Buster Moon and filled him in on what happened. Since Buster considered Johnny and Ash along with the others like family he had no problem going with Johnny to find out what happened. Buster informed Rosita, Miss Crawly, Gunter and Meena about what happened. Without giving it a second thought they all said they were coming to the police station to help Ash in her time of need.
While Ash was in the holding cell waiting for Johnny her parents came into the police station. "Mom and Dad, what are you doing here and how did you know I was here?" Ash questioned her parents as she was unhappy to see them. "Well hello to you too. We were in the neighborhood when we saw you get arrested at the massage parlor so we followed the police car. I can't believe you got yourself arrested. What were you thinking?" said Robin. "We're very disappointed in you young lady. We raised you better than that" Frank declared. Ash got really mad at her parents for what they said and started arguing with them, "Raised me? How about trying to micromanage my life including what I want to do for a living and telling me who I should be with. That's why I blocked you both on my phone and social media especially after you two wanted me to break up with my boyfriend just because of who he is and who his father is.
As Ash and her parents continued to argue with each other Johnny and the others burst into the police station. Johnny and the others were all worried and Ash was happy to see her boyfriend and the others. "Ash are you alright?" Johnny asked as he held Ash's hand. "I'm fine now that you're here and the others as well" said Ash as she was happy to see Johnny. "Get away from our daughter. You're the reason why my little girl is in this mess in the first place" Frank said angrily. Robin agreed with her husband and demanded one of the officers to arrest Johnny. As everyone was yelling at each other Johnny got an alert on his phone that he forgot to check. "Is something wrong Johnny?" Buster asked. "It's nothing like that. I got a reminder of my security camera app about something I caught on camera that seemed suspicious to me. After Ash called and told me about what happened I wanted to see if the mail carrier who delivered my mail yesterday knew anything about the fake coupon I got in the mail.
The officers were curious to see the security footage on Johnny's phone and when they enhanced the footage they didn't see a mail carrier put the so-called coupon in Johnny's mailbox but two porcupines in the security footage. Johnny, Ash and the others saw the footage and realized right away where the so-called coupon came from. Frank and Robin tried to leave the police station without being noticed but that didn't work out for them because they were stopped right away by one of the police officers. Another officer let Ash out of the holding cell and when that happened Ash was furious and screamed, "IT WAS YOU! YOU LEFT THAT FAKE COUPON IN JOHNNY'S MAILBOX AND WERE TRYING TO GET HIM THROWN IN JAIL AGAIN!" Frank and Robin tried denying what they did but in the end they realized they were busted. "The other night after you stormed out of the restaurant after our chat we went over to Johnny's place. We were hoping that we could talk to Johnny to see if he would reconsider being in a relationship with you. When Johnny refused to even talk to us we came up with the idea for the fake coupon. We planted inside the mailbox thinking that Johnny would use the coupon but didn't think he would give it to you" Ash's parents both explained.
Everyone including the officers couldn't believe Frank and Robin's insane story. Then an officer said to Ash's parents, "Fake coupons, tampering with the mail and trying to frame another person is against the law. Being control freaks to your daughter makes you both borderline psychotic. You're both under arrest and I hope the both of you get therapy." The police officers handcuffed Ash's parents and began the booking procedure. Before Frank and Robin were led away Robin said, "Ashley are you actually going to let me and your father get arrested? We were only doing what we believe is best for you. After all, we are family." "Her name is Ash and after all of the bullshit you put her through we're more like family to her than the both of you will ever be" Buster pointed out. Ash was deeply touched by Buster's words and knew he was right. "Are you actually going to choose your friends and the gorilla who gave you that engagement ring over us?" Frank questioned. "First of all Johnny and I are not engaged. This is a promise ring not an engagement ring. Big differences! Second, my dear friends at the New Moon Theater have always been like family to me. They don't discourage me from what I want to do and they have been supportive of our relationship. Third, I love Johnny with all of my heart and we make each other happy. I don't know why you and Mom don't understand and after today I know you'll never stop being the way you guys are. It's best we never have anything to do with each other again. One more thing, if Johnny and I ever do get married you're not invited to the wedding" Ash declared to her parents before leaving the police station with Johnny and the others.
Everyone went to Ash's house to comfort Ash in her time of need. "You guys are the best and I can't thank all of you enough for coming to my rescue" Ash told everyone. "Anything for you Ash. We're just glad you're ok and not in jail and after everything you've been through today you need a hot meal and rest. So let's have dinner together" Buster pointed out which everyone was game for. Take out was ordered and as everybody was eating Ash recalled she hasn't finished practicing for the show she is doing tomorrow night. "Ash you'll be fine don't worry. We've seen you rehearse and you're going to do just fine" Johnny pointed out as their friends agreed with him. After dinner everyone helped clean up before going home for the night. Despite how her day went Ash went to bed that night with no doubt who her real family are and ready to put on an amazing show the next night.
