Unconventional

Ashley came out in jeans that looked like they had been painted on, zipping up her coat. Scott ushered her to his truck and drove her to his favorite restaurant, serving great burgers and other pub food.

The two of them couldn’t believe how easily they could talk to each other and how the conversation never lagged.

“So, tell me about the photos. Diana said you were always behind a camera,” Scott asked as they split some fried pickles.

“Well, my grandfather got me my first camera when I was twelve. I loved having it in my hands and the power it gave me. I was obsessed with it.

“Grampy and Dad got me enrolled in classes anywhere they could find them. I was on the yearbook and a school newspaper staff member in high school too.

“My school photography teacher helped me enter some contests, and then I went to the Chicago Institute of Art and learned so much!

“I had some great professors and actually did a few shows in college and even sold some pieces,” Ashley explained.

“So, what are you doing now? You said you have been traveling,” he asked, genuinely interested.

“Grampy—actually, Diana’s dad—died about two years ago and left me some money. I have always wanted to do a book on America, the people, their homes, the land, everything.

“Leaving me that money, he made it possible for me to travel and fulfill my dream. I had no idea what path I would take, but I have been driving around and taking pictures.

“I am putting together a book and hope to get it published and maybe take better shots and exhibit them in a gallery,” she told him.

“What’s the endgame? After that, what do you want to do?”

She swallowed her last bite and sipped her drink. “Well, I’ve always dreamed of opening my own gallery and selling my work. And then, I guess, get married and have a family.”

Scott felt a pang in his gut when he heard that. “And do you have prospects on that?”

Ashley blushed again and shook her head. “Haven’t had a boyfriend in a few years…”

The relief that flowed through him shocked Scott. They continued talking and getting to know each other. Ashley told him about her life in Cincinnati with her dad and grandparents.

She told about her stepmother, Miranda, and the good relationship they shared and about her two much-younger half-brothers, David and Nick.

He learned about her dad owning several car dealerships that her other grandfather had started, with her dad eventually taking them over.

“So, how does Diana fit into your life?” he asked, almost hating to hear the answer.

“She was always a bit unreliable growing up. On more than one occasion, I was left at school because she forgot to pick me up.

“Her behavior was erratic, and Grampy was around to take care of me with Dad working so hard with his dad. Thinking back, his watching out for me was his way of making amends for Diana’s behavior and health.

“Although I don’t know why he felt guilty about it, that’s the impression I got. Once Dad and Diana divorced and Diana took off, Grampy took it hard. He tried to get her to keep in touch, but she wasn’t interested.

“I know he tried reaching out again before he got sick, but she never answered. I think that broke his heart,” Ashley recounted in a sad voice.

Scott hated hearing her be so sad. He reached out and took her hand, feeling the softness of her skin, which made his heart race. “I’m sorry that she did that to you and your grandfather.”

Ashley let him take her hand. “Thanks. I know it was her illness and not her. But sometimes, it was hard to understand that while growing up…”

Scott was shocked at her maturity about the whole situation and doubted he would have been able to accept that so early if it were his mom.

But his mom was the best, and he never had to wonder if she loved him. Linda Jackson still lived in the house Scott had grown up in, on the western slope of Colorado, with his dad, Chuck.

She called her son every Saturday morning to check in and did the same with his older sister, Megan, who lived thirty minutes from them, despite seeing her and her family all the time.

“So, can I ask what happened with your leg? You seem to have a limp?” Ashley asked cautiously.

“Sure. It’s not a secret. I served in the Marine Corps for fifteen years. I was going to make a career out of it, but an IED in Iraq injured me and several of my brothers, and I was medically discharged.

“I have some nerve damage in my knee, and sometimes, it bothers me more than others,” he said after taking a sip of his water.

“What do you do to help it?”

“Well, I have a hot tub in the backyard, and the heat helps. Actually, riding my motorcycle helps too. I can stretch out, and the vibrations somehow ease the pain.

“It was too cold to ride yesterday morning, and ice had covered the roads. So I had to settle for the heating pad and ibuprofen.”

“You have a hot tub and a motorcycle?” she asked.

He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. Is that good or bad?”

“Oh, so good! Can you take me on a ride? I’ve never been on one before and have ALWAYS wanted to! And I just love hot tubs.” She grinned.

Scott chuckled. “Well, that depends on how long you stick around. It’s a little cold right now for the bike. If you stay until it warms up, I will absolutely take you on a ride.”

He kept to himself how much he wanted to feel her arms wrapped around him and her body clinging to him.

“And use the hot tub anytime you want. That’s what it’s there for.... So how long do you think you might be staying?” he asked, trying not to sound anxious. He realized that he was still holding her hand, rubbing her skin.

“I’m not sure, if that’s alright? I want to work on my book setup and visit some places here in Colorado. But anytime you have had enough, just let me know, and I’ll go to a hotel.

“When I had planned this, Diana didn’t say anything about it not being her place,” Ashley clarified.

At the mention of Diana, they both slowly pulled their hands away and looked guilty. Ashley took another drink. When their food arrived, they were thankful and dug in.

They talked about lighter subjects during the meal and the cookie skillet they both consumed. Scott insisted on paying, then they drove back to his house.

“So, Scott, how did you and Diana get engaged?” Ashley finally asked as they pulled into the driveway.

He sighed, “I’ll explain inside…”

Ashley followed him inside, and they settled on the comfy couches in the living room; Scott leaned over and rested his upper body on his knees.

“I met Diana at the rec center downtown. I was getting a soda and messing with my phone. She bumped into me and we talked a little.”

“We met again the next week and went to grab a bite to eat after our groups. We became friends. She needed some help, and I had her move in. And that’s about it.”

“Diana isn’t the type to take a class or be a joiner. So what group are we talking about?” Ashley asked, confused.

Scott licked his lips nervously, making Ashley’s stomach flutter. “Well, I was there helping a friend with a grief group for veterans, and Diana was there for a court-ordered substance abuse group…”

Scott was worried about how Ashley would react to his revelation. He was shocked when Ashley nodded and said, “That makes more sense.”

“That doesn’t shock you?”

Shaking her head, Ashley replied, “It’s not the first time she has had to attend court-ordered therapy, and it probably won’t be the last. You forget I grew up watching her ups and downs. Not much surprises me anymore....

“Although, you surprise me.”

“I do?! Why?”

“You are not her type. You’re good, stable, and level-headed, basically the opposite of Diana,” she explained.

Scott could feel his resolve breaking, and he desperately wanted to tell Ashley the truth. But he knew he had to talk to Diana first. “Um, thanks, I think. I’m still stunned that you aren’t shocked by this whole situation.”

She looked at him head-on. “It wasn’t easy growing up with a mother who was bipolar and wouldn’t stay on her meds.”