Late Breakfast with Ashley

Ashely went with Spencer to his SUV, where she took the chance to start texting. Spencer wondered just who she was texting but decided against asking, even when she started giggling. He pulled up by the Corner Coffee House, which was his choice for coffee and the occasional lazy lunch or late breakfast.

The two sat at a table where Ashley looked at a menu whilst Spencer decided if he could watch someone eat in front of him, or if he'd have to join in. Soon enough, a waitress comes over and takes their order. Spencer decided to have a slice of key lime pie whilst Ashley ordered a full breakfast.

After the waitress left, Ashley asked "So, you been here long?"

"Only a few years. I used to be a lobbyist in D.C., but I needed a break from all that."

"A career change?"

Spencer shook his head. "Retirement. I mean I do some freelance consulting here and there."

"Oh, that must be nice."

"It is a nice change of pace." Spencer took a deep breath, hiding the real reason for his move. "So how about you? What made you want to move?"

"Just needed a change of scenery." There was something deflective about Ashley's tone. It reminded him about how he'd talk just after his wife passed. "I use to work for Principal Winters a few years ago and she said there was an opening here so I took it."

"Fair enough. How long you've been teaching?"

"About 12 years now."

"And what about painting?"

"Ever since I could hold a paintbrush." Ashley chuckled. "What about you? Are you into the arts?"

"Not really, but my daughter, Amy, is."

"So she gets that from her mother?" Her words served as another reminder he didn't want.

"Yeah, she did."

"Does Amy go to Carter?"

"Yeah."

"You must be fairly involved with helping out, then?"

"Only recently."

"Well, I think it's great when parents get involved with helping out."

The food arrived, so the two began to eat. Spencer quickly finished his key lime pie, which left him alone with his thoughts of his wife. How she use to love key lime pie or that time they were on holiday in Hawaii and they gorged on a large dinner after refusing to eat the 'food' on the airplane.

When Ashley finally finishes her meal, she said "You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm just... thinking."

"Okay."

"I can pay for the meal."

"No, no, it's fine. You've just moved. I'll pay for it."

"But I had so much more."

"How about we split it 50/50?"

"Alright then."

Spencer smiled, knowing he still had some of his negotiation skills. Once they've paid the bill, the two went back to Ashley's apartment.

"Well thanks for that Spencer, that was lovely."

"Not a problem."

"See you around."

"Bye." Ashley left the SUV, so Spencer took off, his mind again rushing back to how much he missed his wife. When he got home, he did his best to occupy his mind with other things, such as his freelance work, or what he had planned for dinner. Before he knew it, it was time to pick Amy up from school.