CH 3: Truths Be Told
That whole week Ash was with Heart she enjoyed her stay a lot. It was nice to hang out with her friend again after seeing her months ago. So once her week was up, the hybrid drove her to the bus station again and she would soon be on her way to her next city. Although, while driving, her thoughts went back to the nightclub.
"So, where are you going next?" Heart asked her as they came to a stop at a red light.
That knocked Ash out of her thoughts. "Huh? Oh! Um, Missouri. Jackson City." She answered.
"Man, you're that spaced out huh? What's on your mind girl?" The hybrid wondered as the light turned and she started driving again.
"Nothing don't worry. It's nothing crazy." Ash told her waving her hand to brush it off.
"Nah, I know when you're lying. Let me guess, you're thinking of that nightclub huh?" She leaned over and gave the bear a grin.
"Not in that way, you horny bitch." Ash pushed her playfully away.
Heart put her hands up quickly in defense before putting them back on the steering wheel, "Ok ok, calm your tits girl. I was only joking. Tell you what, while you're away. I'll go to the club, check it out and see if there's anything I can find for you. Ok?"
"Would you? That would be amazing of you honestly." Ash got excited her friend wanted to help.
"Yea I don't mind. Plus, now you have my interest in checking it out." She gave a small chuckle.
The bear then rolled her eyes and looked out the window. Soon they arrived at the bus station and they said their goodbyes. Ash was sad to leave her friend but knew that she'd be seeing her again soon.
Ash's adventures started up right where she left off. She was only 6 months into her travels and she had only seen half the country. So, she got on the bus and headed to Missouri for the second half of her trip.
After Missouri she headed to Iowa, then Minnesota and Wisconsin. She got to see snow up there but it wasn't as fun as when she was in Denver but she still loved seeing the powdered stuff. After that she headed to Chicago, Illinois. Indiana, through Kentucky and back into Tennessee to go to Nashville then down further into Alabama. She made it to Florida and went down to Orlando and experienced Disney World as well as Universal for the first time. She stayed about two weeks there to explore everything before continuing on. She saw the east coast beach for the first time as she stayed a few days in Daytona Beach as well.
After Florida, she went up to Georgia, then both the Carolinas. Heading north still, she hit Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio before going across all of Pennsylvania, hitting both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. She went down into Maryland and over to Delaware before going up through New Jersey and taking a small ferry to New York and got to see the Statue of Liberty. She explored New York City and even saw a play on Broadway.
She moved through the last month of her trip up into the smaller states north. Only staying for a few days in each before continuing. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and finally Maine. Once she finally reached the end of her trip…it was hard to believe it was finally over. It was a crazy thought that she made it from one end to the other of the United States. It was beautiful…she'd do it again.
On her final day, she headed to the airport. She hasn't flown this whole trip, only taking the bus or a train…but she wanted to this time for her trip home. So, she flew from Maine back home to Utah, asking Tori to help pick her up at the airport. The bunny agreed of course to see her friend again.
Flying wasn't that bad at all. Was so much faster for sure and she slept almost the whole time before having to switch planes and heading home. As she got back to the airport, Tori was there waiting for her ... .with her boyfriend in tow. Of course, she would bring him along…she never did get to meet him after a year. He was a tall wolf with gray fur…she didn't like him one bit and he didn't even say a word.
Ash caught up with Tori in the car as they made their way to the pizza plex. Back home. She was home sick, that's for sure, she missed everyone. She couldn't wait to get back into her own bed to sleep. Soon they arrived but Tori only dropped her off, she didn't want to stay or more so….her boyfriend didn't want to stay. So, they said their goodbyes before driving off and Ash headed inside.
As soon as she walked through the front doors her heart leaped for joy as the smell of the place hit her nose and she smiled happily as she started walking through the front lobby and into the main area. So many families were walking around as she went and was glad to see them all having a fun time. Looking at the clock, the band was probably finishing their last show for that evening so she might catch the end of it.
As soon as she got off the elevator she heard the music fill her and she walked quickly to the edge of the main floor to see the five of them up on stage. It made her smile and start to cry as she saw her family again…to think it's been a year. Well almost an entire year, her 22nd birthday was tomorrow after all!
She watched the stage show until it was over and headed to rockstar row. She knew they would be there after the show. Quickly she went to her room and put her luggage away in there before going to Freddy's room. She opened the door with her key card and stood there in the middle of his room. She was excited to see her dad again. She didn't tell him that she would be here today, especially since she called him every night. Wanting to surprise him and all the others, she told them she wouldn't be back till next week.
Soon the door opened from the back and Freddy walked out and when he noticed Ash he stopped dead in his tracks. There were a few seconds of silence before the girl smiled and waved. "Hi dad."
It didn't take Freddy long to go up to the girl, pick her up into a big hug and spin them around for a moment. "Ash your back!" He said happily before putting her down. "I thought you weren't coming back till next week?"
"I only told you that." Ash admitted with a chuckle. "I wanted to surprise you."
"Well tickle me surprised. The others will be happy with you being back too." He put a hand on top of her head to mess up her hair a bit.
"It's so nice being home. I missed this place so much." Ash admitted with a content sigh.
Freddy smiled. "Well, you grew up here your whole life. Then you get to see so much more than you ever have in a full year. At least from what you would tell me in your phone calls."
The girl nodded, "It was a lot. I had a lot of fun though. I'd do it again."
"I bet. Now how about we see the others. I'm sure they'd be excited to see you." The animatronic suggested.
She didn't have to be told twice as she quickly walked out of the room and started to visit the other members as well. Going to each of their rooms to greet them and they were all excited to see her again. All were very happy she was home safe and sound again now.
After their reunion, Ash just wanted to spend a night in her own bed. As she got ready for bed though…something still nagged her in the back of the head. The nightclub came back into her mind as she looked at herself in the mirror after brushing her teeth. She sighed and grabbed her phone, sending a text to her dad. She needed to talk to him and hopefully get some answers. He said he would be right there.
Ash left her bathroom and sat on her bed with a sigh. It didn't take long for Freddy to knock on the door and enter. "Sweetie? You wanted to talk to me?" He asked as he closed the door behind him.
"Yea..sorry if it's kind of sudden." The bear apologized as she held the nightclub poster now in her hands.
"Nonsense. What did you want to talk to me about?" Freddy asked as he got on one knee in front of her.
She sighed before unfolding the poster and showing the animatronic in front of her. "I went to this club in Tennessee when I went to visit Heart. Something pulled me here…I think it was because of her." Ash told him as she pointed to Frenni on the poster.
Freddy went silent as he looked at the poster he now held and the bear animatronic on the cover. "Ash…I don't…I don't know what you want me to say." He admitted.
"I just…I just want to know…who is my real mother? Is it her?" The girl finally asked.
Freddy sighed before handing her back the poster. "I don't know. I don't know any of that stuff sweetie."
The girl was saddened by that answer, "But…dad…didn't you-"
Freddy silenced her. "Ash…there's something I should tell you. You're old enough to know."
Ash felt something in the pit of her stomach knot up. "Know what?"
The animatronic bear took a moment before speaking, "You're adopted, Ash. I…don't know anything about your real mother. I'm not even your real dad."
"Adopted?" She repeated just to understand what she heard was correct. "But…I…how…oh god this is a lot to take in honestly." She said as she tried to wrap her brain around stuff as she was not accepting that at all. "I knew I wasn't an animatronic…I knew I was different. I just…didn't think I was adopted though."
"All I know, is that you were given to me, to all of us, to raise as our own. You weren't abandoned here or anything like that. You were just a baby. Only a few weeks old at most. As for where you're from…I don't know anything about that."
Ash looked down at the poster still in her hands. Freddy didn't know anything about her past, meaning he didn't know anything about Frenni or this club. She needed answers. "If you don't know where I came from…then who would?"
Freddy thought a moment before answering. "There is only one person I can think of that might know more than any of us."
It was then it clicked in Ash's head. "Fenri. He runs the pizza plex. He has for years…so he has to know something about me." She then folded the nightclub poster back up to put away for later.
"I'm sure he does but ask him tomorrow. You had a long trip home today. Rest." Freddy suggested and stood up.
"Your right." She yawned. "I'll ask him tomorrow." She stood and then gave Freddy a hug. "Thank you dad…for everything." The girl whispered as she hugged the animatronic.
He smiled before hugging her back. "You'll always be my superstar, Ash."
The girl tightened her hold before kissing his cheek and then going to lay down in bed. Freddy stayed and actually tucked her in, he hadn't done it in years but just felt the need to. He made sure she was comfortable before saying goodnight and leaving her room, flipping the lights out before closing the door behind him.
Ash stayed awake in bed for a little longer. Her mind was still working, even though she was tired. She was going to take the next few days to rest up before going back to work but at the same time…she wanted to figure out everything she could about her mother. If that girl at the club really was her mom or even if she wasn't…was she even still around.
Soon enough she calmed down to finally get some sleep.
When it was morning, Ash got out of bed feeling refreshed since it's been so long since she slept on her actual bed. It was nice to finally have a good rest at home. The sounds. The smells. She missed it all.
Once she got ready and dressed for the day, she headed out of her room and made sure to check on the animatronics before she decided to head up to the main office. She had to talk to Fenri. He was the one who might be able to answer more of her questions. Ash waved to all the guests who had just walked into the pizza plex to start off the day. It made her happy to see all the smiling faces.
Once making her way through some hallways she finally got to the office and knocked. Not long after she knocked, there was a 'Come in" on the other side. She opened the door to see the wolf typing away on the computer.
Fenri lifted his head from the screen, "Morning Ash. Hope you had a good rest on your first night back."
"Morning and I did, it was wonderful." Ash answered as she walked into the office. "Feels good to be back home."
"It's nice to have you back, Ash. We all missed you that's for sure. Freddy updated us all the time on how you are and where you were." He said as he turned to look at her fully.
"Of course, tonight I can tell everyone my adventures. At the moment though….I have other things on my mind." The bear admitted as she sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"That is fine. What is it I can help you with?" The owner wondered.
Ash took a small pause, looking at her lap before saying, "Freddy told me."
The wolf's one ear flicked as the other went back to tilt, "Told you what?"
Again she paused before looking up, "That I was adopted…he said I was old enough to know now. I'm glad he told me but now I have more questions."
Fenri looked at her surprised a moment before he let out a sigh. "Well, he is right. You are old enough. After all, you're 22 today. Happy birthday."
Ash blushed. Again, she forgot it was her birthday. She needs to stop doing that. "Thank you." She sat forward more in the chair. "Fenri…do you know where I came from? Who are my real parents? Please…I want to know."
Fenri didn't say anything as he stood up and went over to a filing cabinet. He opened it before pulling out a big folder that was held closed by rubber bands. He walked back over and put the folder in front of the girl. "Everything is in here."
Ash took the folder and was surprised. "What is this?"
"Your file. I've kept updates on you every year. Every picture I have taken from your birthday is in there as well as written letters and reports. A lot about you. All information…gets sent back to your real mom. She wanted updates on you so I made sure to give her everything I could. Although this stopped after you turned eighteen, I still send a letter now and then to the program to keep them up to date on you."
Ash looked at the folder before looking back up at the black wolf. "My mom wanted to have updates on me? If so then why couldn't she just raise me if she wanted to be in my life?"
Fenri shrugged. "I don't know the whole story. The program you were brought from only told me that your mother was in a situation where she couldn't raise you."
The bear nodded. It wasn't the answer she wanted but it sustained her for now. "Can…Can I take this back to my room? Just to have privacy when I look at this stuff?"
Nodding, Fenri told her, "Of course, just please bring it back to me when you're done ok?"
Ash stood up and nodded. "Thank you Fenri…for everything."
He smiled, "No problem kid. Now get going, I have some stuff to do for today."
Ash said her goodbyes before heading out of the office and quickly made her way back to her room, holding the file close to her and tight. Eventually she got back to her room without a problem and set the file down on her desk. She sat down as well and looked at it for a moment. There was so much happening right now. Soon enough she pulled the rubber bands off and opened the file.
Indeed, there were pictures of her through various stages of her life and many birthdays. Then lots of letters, some from Fenri that were copies he saved. Others from, what she assumed, was the program that her adoption was through. Then some with some elegant handwriting from someone they would sign as just '-F'
She hadn't read through the letters, not yet. She went digging to the very back of the file. To the beginning. Soon enough she found a few papers that looked like a form and decided to look at that. It had her name and her birthday as well as other info. She saw 'Reason for rehoming' and saw that it was filled out to say, 'Unhealthy living conditions.' Even though it was filled out on the paperwork, it still wasn't the answer she was looking for…she knew there was more to that blunt explanation but continued on. Soon enough, she saw 'parent name' on the files and when she looked…her eyes went wide.
Filled out in the mother spot…was Frenni Fazclaire. Father…unknown.
Ash stared at the name for what felt like forever…she was right. It was the girl from the nightclub. She went and grabbed the poster next to her bed and opened it to look at the picture of Frenni on it as she was dancing. No wonder she felt a strong connection to the bear at that club. She was her mom!
Looking back at the files she looked at the second page of the form and gasped at what she saw. It was a picture stuck to paperwork by a clip. She pulled the picture out and looked at it closely. It was a picture of Frenni, she could see the pain in her face just from the picture. She was….holding a newborn Ash in her arms as the tiny baby was wrapped up in a shirt.
"Wait a minute!" Ash quickly stood up and started to dig through the drawers of her one dresser. She dug a good bit before she pulled something out. She looked at the old, torn and beat up cloth in her hands. It was that same shirt Frenni wrapped her in and she kept it all these years despite it being ripped and not really looking like a shirt anymore. She used to sleep with it as a blanket when she was a kid. "No wonder I liked having this by me all the time." The girl started to cry.
She stayed like that a bit and brought the shirt back over to her desk and looked at the picture again. Soon she started to read through all the letters in the file. Most of them were mainly updating Frenni on her and a handful from Frenni asking how the girl was. She would talk about how things were going on around the nightclub she worked at. Soon enough she got through everything in the file…but it left the girl emotional. She put the file back how Fenri had it but didn't close it fully yet as she still had the picture out of Frenni holding her, the only thing in her mind was, "Mom…I have to try and see you…I need to talk to you…I want to know why…why did you give me up?"
She knew she only just got back not long ago…but she wanted to see her again. She knew that this was all too quick and irrational for her. She needed to plan this out. She opened her laptop and started looking at flights. Soon enough she found a cheap one about a month away. It would have to do for now. In the meantime, she could get back into the swing of things at home before she left again.
Ash booked the flight to Memphis and texted Heart to let her know she was coming back out for a visit. She would explain everything to her friend then. For now…she needed to get through this month until she could see Frenni again.