Ashley didn't knock, when she got home. She planned to slip into her old room and say her hellos later.
Her plan was truncated, when her mother opened the door like she'd been standing behind it all afternoon, hand already on the knob. Her eyes quickly changed from excitement to worry immediately she sighted her.
"Ash," she said, pulling her in by the shoulders, "Come in, baby. You look tired, is all well?"
"I'm fine," Ashley said, the lie small and practiced. "I… I just need to be home tonight. I need some space."
Her mother searched her face. "Space from what?"
"Just… space." She tried to smile like it was nothing. "Please."
Her mother nodded, once. "Okay, I'll give you the space but only for a while ok?" She took Ashley's bag and set it by the stairs. "Tea?"
" No, I'm fine."
