I Never Knew

“Ashlyn, darling wake up its seven A.M. Rise and shine,” A short stature middle aged women named Tammy said, while sitting on her daughters bed. She was poking her with her index finger through her pink floral comforter. The girl turned her head to the right and disregarded her mother. Suddenly the comforter was removed and Ashlyn jumped up. “Mom! Get out, I’m up now are you happy?” Tammy looked into her daughters brown eyes with disbelief and slowly rose from the bed, and made her way out of the room. Ashlyn slowly put her fresh pedicure feet to the floor and made her way to her dresser. She picked out her outfit for the day. After she was dressed she walked into the bathroom and splashed icy cold water onto her face. It was then that Ashlyn remembered how much she hated her perky, upbeat mother. She never believed it was possible for someone to be that happy all of the time. Ashlyn dried off her face and brushed her long blonde hair. She was excited because her and her best friend Bridgette were going to an amusement park for the day. Ashlyn walked out of the bathroom and down the carpeted stairs, and made her way to the kitchen, where her mother was making fresh squeezed orange juice.
“Mom, I’m ready to get out of here… can I have that money now?” Ashlyn asked, however it sounded more like a demand.
“Sure, but at least eat something. Or have some juice.” Tabby said while eyeing the orange juice.
“No I’m okay. The money, please.” Tabby walked over to her black leather Gucci purse and handed her daughter enough money for her ticket to the amusement park.
“Mom, what if I want to eat something?” Ashlyn asked.
Tabby handed her daughter 30 more dollars. “This is all I have.” Tabby said. “Thanks mom!” Ashlyn shouted while walking towards the front door.
“Bye, sweetie, have fun.” Tabby said while returning to her juice.

Ashlyn stepped out into her yard while looking up at the sunny clear sky and smiled. She reached in her purse for her cell phone. She opened her pink cell phone and dialed Bridgette’s number.

“Hey” Bridgette said.
“Hey are you ready? I’m on my way.”
“Oh um… Ash I can’t go. My dad didn’t have any money for me…”
“Does he have at least ten bucks? My mom gave me thirty extra dollars.
“Nope. I’m sorry; I know you were really looking forward to going.
“It’s no big deal. We can do something else. Can I come over, you know I’ve known you for two years now and never been over…” Ashlyn said
“Um, wait a half hour until my dads gone. You know he doesn’t like me having friends over”
“Okay. I’ll be there in thirty minutes then. See you in a bit.” Said Ashlyn, while closing her phone and placing it back into her purse.

Ashlyn walked over to her black BMW and stepped into the car, starting it up. She was excited to actually be going to Bridgette’s house. She’s never been over and they have been best friends forever. “Not today,” Bridgette would always say.
She arrived at Bridgette’s house, exactly 30 minutes after they spoke. She opened the car door and walked towards Bridgette’s house. She extended her arm and knocked on the door. Within seconds Bridgette answered, her curly brown hair was in her blue eyes. She had a smile on her face and she led the way into her home.

Ashlyn stepped in, and looked around. The house, small was very messy. Newspapers, bills, unopened mail covered the wooden floor. Ashlyn had never seen a bigger mess in her life.

“Let’s go up to my room, it’s not messy. I promise.” Bridgette said while walking towards the stair case. Ashlyn followed, when they arrived into Bridgette’s room Ashlyn sat on Bridgette’s twin sized bed, which were covered in thin white sheets. Her room was small and plain, with a very small amount of belongings.

“See Ash, I’m embarrassed. My house is nothing like yours!”
“It’s no big deal. I don’t mind. I’m your best friend. There is no embarrassment between best friends!”
“Great, I was scared you wouldn’t want to talk to me anymore or something.”
“Never so what do you want--” Before Ashlyn could finish there was a loud bang, and there were foot steps headed towards Bridgette’s room.
“Shit,” Bridgette whispered while, beginning to tremble.

There was a loud bang on Bridgette’s door that made Ashlyn jump. Bridgette walked toward the door and slowly opened it. Ashlyn looked up at the figure at the door a middle aged man who hasn’t shaved in a week who was obviously drunk, coldly stared at Bridgette.

“Come with me,” The man said.

Bridgette followed him out of the room, and Ashlyn sat very still on Bridgette’s bed. Ashlyn heard loud screaming and suddenly a bang. It felt like forever but within minutes Bridgette was back in tears.

“Can we go to your house for a little?” She asked.
“Um yeah sure are you alright?” Ashlyn said while walking over to Bridgette.
“I’ll be fine as soon as we get out of here.”

Bridgette walked out of her house very quickly and Ashlyn kept up. Finally they made it into Ashlyn’s car.

“Bridgette… Does your dad beat you?”
Bridgette didn’t answer. She just started out of the window.
“Bridgette I want to help you. What does he do to you.
“He does a lot to me, beating and more.”
“Would you like to stay the night, and possibly stay as long as you want, until we get you some help. My mom wont mind,” Ashlyn said while looking over at Bridgette.
Bridgette nodded her head.

The rest of the car ride was silent. Ashlyn realized that her best friend has been living a terrible life. But she always acted as if nothing was wrong, she was always so happy. Ashlyn realized that she had everything and more. She had love and more than she needed to be happy, and she was taking it all for granted.

They finally arrived at Ashlyn’s house and they slowly walked in.

“Ash, can I take a nap? I don’t really feel like talking to anyone right now?”
“Go ahead.”

Bridgette walked up the stairs and Ashlyn watched and stayed silent until she heard the door shut. Finally she walked into the kitchen where her mother was enjoying her fresh squeezed orange juice. Ashlyn sat next to her mother and gave a generous hug. She then looked into her mothers eyes.

“Mom, Bridgette’s dad abuses her. We need to help her!”
“What?”
“He hit her today, I think it was because I was in her house when no one was supposed to be over.”
“We’ll report it to the police. She can stay here as long as she needs to.”
“Mom. Thank you, thank you for everything. For loving me unconditionally, for being so positive, for always supporting me! Thank you. I never realized how good I had it until today.”

Tabby extended her arms and hugged her daughter. Ashlyn held on tightly, with tears running down her cheeks.