"Hey, Ashley," someone said. Ashley peered up at the familiar face. A beehive of cotton candy hair was piled on her head. Ashley stood up, grinning.
"Martha!" she said, walking around to give her a hug. Martha smiled and hugged her back.
"My, what a woman you've become," Martha said.
"How are things for you these days?" Ashley asked.
"Things are great for me. And you?"
"Oh," Ashley said. "They're okay…"
"I heard about your husband," she said. "I'm very sorry, Ashley. And about your father too." Martha peered over Ashley's shoulder at her parents who were politely looking away. "We've missed you, gal. Nice to see you back in Tulsa…"
"Nice to see you, also," Ashley said, smiling.
"You looked beautiful tonight," Martha said. "Then again, you always did…" She looked over her shoulder. "Well, I must get back to my company. Will I see you around?"
"I hope so," Ashley said. "Come see me at the Caboose sometimes. I'm working there now."
"Okay," Martha said. "I will. Goodbye, dear."
"Bye, Martha…" Ashley watched as she hobbled across the room. A hand tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to see her father waiting, his arms open.
"How about a dance with your old man?" he asked.
She laughed and took his arm. He led her to the dance floor, and they began to dance. It seemed like lifetimes ago that she had stepped on his shoes, clinging to him hoping she wouldn't fall off. Now, here she was, still Daddy's little girl. "Ley-Ley," he said to her.
"Yes, Daddy?"
"I want you to know that if I'm not here in the morning, I love you," he said. "The pain is getting much worse. I've already told your mother… She knows."
She clung tight to him, tears beginning to run down her cheeks. "Daddy, please don't go."
"I don't want to leave you," he said, starting to cry himself. "But sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do." He looked her in the eye. "Got that, Ashley?"
She nodded, and buried her face back in his shoulder. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you, too…"
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you, too, Angel." The music ended and he led her back to their table. She wiped her cheeks. Her mother smiled and said, "Ash, I think we're gonna head home. Will you be home soon?"
"Yes," she replied. She had promised Jenni she would stay until she and Isaac had had their dance. This promise had been a problem before, but now, at least, it wouldn't break her heart. She found herself sitting alone and mournfully dipping her spoon into a bowl of vanilla ice cream.
"Ashley?" Her head jerked up. Mrs. Hanson was smiling down at her. "Misery loves company," she said, sitting down at one of the empty chairs. She had her own bowl of ice cream. "How's your dad doing?"
"He's…not got much time left," Ashley said.
Mrs. Hanson nodded. "I remember how hard it was when my mother died. It felt like the whole world was coming to an end." She took a deep breath and flashed Ashley a pained smile. "That's probably the worst I've ever lived through."
"How'd you make it?" Ashley asked.
"Well, I remembered I had my kids and husband to tend to. Then, there's the fact that Mama was ready to meet her maker. She was ready to go home. She said she didn't know if she was ready to leave me, but when God calls, how can you turn Him down?" Mrs. Hanson said, her blue eyes sparkling with tears. "You remember my mother, Ashley."
"I do," Ashley said. "You were all so devastated."
Mrs. Hanson smiled and nodded. "I guess you've lived a rough life, already, though. You weren't so sheltered as I was. You'll be much better at this." Ashley questioned the truth in those words, but stayed quiet. "Taylor told me about your life in France. He never…meant to hurt you."
"I know," Ashley said.
"I'm sorry about your husband, as well," Mrs. Hanson said. "No woman deserves a man like that. I don't care if he's dead or not, or if he was a good person. No man should ignore his wife."
Ashley glanced at her bowl.
"I'm depressing you even more, aren't I?" Mrs. Hanson asked. She sighed without waiting for Ashley to answer. "Oh, dear. I'm sorry. So, how is working at the Caboose turning out?"
"It's nice," Ashley said.
"Yes," Mrs. Hanson said. "You talked with Martha?"
"Yes."
Mrs. Hanson glanced around. "Well, then. Ashley, I guess this is where I should wish you luck. I hope things turn out better for you than they've been thus far."
"Thank you," Ashley replied, giving her a faint smile.
Mrs. Hanson smiled and nodded. "I missed you, Ashley. Goodbye."
"Bye…"
It seems like everyone was saying goodbye to her tonight. She noticed then that Isaac and Jenni had begun their dance. The whole crowd was watching on. Ashley's eyes drifted over to Taylor, who was sitting alone. She was shocked to find he was looking at her sadly. Goodbye, Taylor, she thought as she slipped out of her chair, and headed for the door.
