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I’m not sure how long we’ve been here its been at least four hours, but it doesn’t matter. I’m glad to be here, obviously the circumstances are terrible but I’m here with her, and she’s okay. I watch as she and my dad laugh at some remark one of them had made, it brings a smile to my face.

For what seems like the hundredth time today my mind drifts back to Mark O’Connor. He was going to be dealt with. I hadn’t decided if I would personally make him pay, or if one of my father’s lap dogs would do it for me. No matter what he would be dealt with without mercy, whether it was by my hands or someone else didn’t matter as long as he suffered.

I shake my head trying to clear my thoughts, today I wanted to focus on Ashley. Mark O’Connor would be dealt with when I knew for sure that she was going to be okay. For a moment silence washes over the three of us, and my stomach takes that as a cue to make a loud obnoxious growling noise. Ashley smiles at me and look over my shoulder to the clock.

"You’ve been here long enough go get something to eat, both of you." I shake my head and open my mouth to protest. Before I can Ashley shakes her head. "I’ll be fine, go eat." My father and I both stand and I nod my head and speak in a mock serious tone. "Fine, but I’ll be back." She laughs and shakes her head. I bend down and get her a quick peck on the lips. My father gives her a quick goodbye and we head for the door, I keep my eyes on her until the white hospital wall gets in the way.

My father shakes his head at my actions. "Young love." I smile as we continue to walk down the hall. When we reach the elevator we step inside and my father presses the bolded two. We stand silent for a moment before I break the silence. "Hospital food isn’t so bad." I was a frequent visitor to this hospital, in my family injury is no stranger. He wraps me up in a fatherly hug. "Everything’s gonna be okay." The elevator’s bell dings and the silver doors slide open with ease. He releases me from the hug but keeps his arm wrapped around my shoulder.

We step out of the elevator and into the crowded cafeteria. After grabbing a tray and cramming it with as much food possible we walk to the corner of the cafeteria and grab a seat in a secluded area.

We start to eat and I can tell by the look in his eyes that a serious conversation is coming. "So what are you going to tell her?" I give him a confused look. He picks up a French fry and dips in heavily in the ketchup before continuing. "She’s going to ask you what happened, you gonna tell her the truth?"

I look him dead in the eye and use the most serious tone possible. "I’m loyal to you first." He shakes his head and smiles. "I knew you’d say that." He leans back in his seat and lowers his voice. "Tell her the truth." I stare at my father a shocked expression covering my face. "T– Tell her?"

He nods his head and continues speaking. "I trust Ashley, and I wouldn’t mind having her on my side." I shake my head in disbelief. In the past I had no problem telling girls what kind of family I came from, but telling Ashley would be different. I had no emotional connection with the girls in my past, but things with Ashley are different. I love her. What would she say if she knew who I was, what I had done in the past? She would surely abandon me. But if I lied to her and she found out from another source would that be worse?

He places his hands on the table. "Spencer it’s your choice you don’t have to tell her. I’m one hundred percent behind you no matter what you decide to do." He breaks eye contact and begins shifting through things on the tray.