Ashley: “Where are the hidden cameras, where’s Ashton Kutcher?” I say, looking around.

Christine: “Ashley, stop. I’m serious.” I just look at her. “I thought you’d be happy for me.” I shrug, not knowing what to say.

Ashley: “Congratulations, hope you two will be very happy together.” I say, obviously not really meaning it, then get up from the chair, about to walk out.

Christine: “Ashley?” She whines. “That’s all I get? You could at least pretend to be happy for me.” I look over my shoulder at her, sigh, then sit back in the chair.

Ashley: “What do you want me to say mom? Do you want me to tell you the truth? What I really think?” She just looks at me. “I don’t like Mark…or his ignorant son. We’ve had this conversation before, I told you how I felt. If you wanna marry Mark, go ahead, I don’t care-” She cuts me off.

Christine: “You don’t care?!” She shrieks disappointedly.

Ashley: “Mom I-I didn’t mean it like that.”

Christine: “Oh, I’m sure.” She says sarcastically.

Ashley: “I didn’t! What I meant was, if you really like Mark enough to marry him, then do it. It shouldn’t matter what I think, because frankly I won’t like any guy that you see, because he won’t be dad. Me, I’m mostly worried about having to call his asshole son my brother.”

Christine: “Ashley!” She laughs.

Ashley: “Well he is.” I mumble. “So are we done here?” I ask getting up again, ready to go see Spencer.

Christine: “Not quite…” She trails off in a low tone. I look at her. “This is the part of the conversation I’ve been dreading the most.” I look at her confused.

Ashley: “What is it mom?” I ask, worrying about what she has to say. She sighs, looks at me, then down at the floor.

Christine: “You might want to sit down.”

Ashley: “Mom, just tell me what it is, please.” I plead nervously.

Christine: “We’re going to New York.”

Ashley: “Oh, you and mark are honeymooning there.”

Christine: “No…me, you, Mark, and Jake are moving there.” My eyes stretch and my mouth drops as goosebumps come over me. I’m speechless.

Ashley: “Huh?” Is all I manage to get out.

Christine: “We’re moving to New York.” She repeats. There’s a lump in my throat.

Ashley: “No…” It comes out shaky. I’m feeling nauseous.

Christine: “Ashley-” I cut her off.

Ashley: “We can’t! I can’t! Mom, everything’s here! My school, my friends…my heart. We can’t go, I love Spencer.”

Christine: “Ashley, Mark is getting a job that requires him to reloca-

Ashley: “I don’t care! I shouldn’t have to move because of him!!!”

???: “What?” I hear her nervous voice from the doorway, then turn and see Spencer standing there shocked. I get up and go over to her.

Spencer: “You’re moving?” She asks sadly.

Ashley: “No.” I say to her, trying to stay calm, but the shakiness in my voice must have said otherwise.

Spencer: “Where?” She asks me sadly.

Ashley: “It doesn’t matter because I’m not going anywhere, Spen.” I say cupping her face.

Christine: “Ashley.” I look at her.

Ashley: “I’m not.” I say, shaking my head, trying to stay calm. “I-I have to get out of here. I cant think, I need to go.” I say walking past Spencer. I hear her footsteps following behind me.

TBC