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but be reminded of herself when she was younger. She had spent many days hung over, trying to remember what had happened the night before.
    Ashley returned to her friends, and a newly-poured beer was waiting for her.
    “You OK?” Jess asked.
    “What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. There was an intoxicated girl in the bathroom. I was making sure she got back to her friends safely.” Ashley took a sip and shot a quick glance over to the sports section.
    “He's gone.” Jess gave a knowing smile.
    “What?” Ashley tried to give her best I don't know what you're talking about expression.
    “You can relax. He left.”
    Ashley took another sip and shrugged, waving her hand in dismissal. “It doesn't bother me, honestly.” She glanced around again, taking a sip of her beer as she did so.
    “Honestly?” Jess raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
    Ashley shrugged again and felt foolish, as though she were over-compensating for her lack of credible excuses by fidgeting. She made a conscious decision to control herself. Ashley had dated Jay all throughout high school. They had grown up together in Sweet Home. Ashley couldn't help but think their relationship had been purely out of boredom and convenience—and the fact that there weren't any other suitable partners to choose from in such a small town. He was a star when it came to sports, quick reflexes and lots of strength, but he was also funny and seemed to like making everyone laugh in class, much to the teachers’ disappointment.
    She felt her lip twitch as she recalled his smile, his eyes would sparkle and he had had such a great sense of humour, in fact she couldn't remember a time when he wasn't making someone smile.  “He's an adult. I'm an adult. We’re free to make our own choices. If he wants to—”
    “It's OK Ash. You don't have to justify yourself to me.”
    Ashley bit her lip and nodded.
    “But you're right we're free. This is ’Merica!” Jess raised her glass and her voice and was greeted by several cheers from nearby patrons who also raised their glasses. Jess and Ashley clicked glasses and continued to down their drinks.
    She still felt uneasy; she knew that with Sweet Home being such a small town that she was likely to bump into Jay again at some stage. But  seeing him in the bar had felt awkward and surreal—and unsettling. Their relationship had ended so abruptly following the death of her father. Ashley had simply sent Jay a text message saying it was over and she was leaving, and  hadn't bothered to answer his phone calls or text messages. There was no point. She had made up her mind that she was never coming back to this town. That was, until her mother had to go and decide to get re-married.
    She couldn't help but notice Nicole had left as well—was Jay the man she had referred to earlier? From the looks of the other men sitting in the sports screening area, it was highly likely.
    The night continued with a blur of colorful lights, head-pounding music, laughter and feeble attempts at dancing. It was ironic that her first night back in town was beginning to resemble the same way she had spent most of her nights when she actually lived here—a drunken blur that she would likely forget—and regret—in the morning.

Chapter 4
     
    When Ashley awoke the next morning, everything hurt. Her head was throbbing like it was about to explode, and her mouth was so dry she could barely swallow. It was 11:45 a.m. and she groaned as she rolled over in bed and slowly opened her eyes. She squinted as the harsh sun light stung her eyes. She blinked a few times until her eyes adjusted.
    She gasped in horror at the black creature sitting on the bed staring at her with its one beady eye. It was her mom's old cat, Jasper, although his fur was more patchy than she remembered. She was surprised he was still alive, she thought he’d died already. After all, he be almost twenty years old.
    He stared at her, a bit of drool dangled precariously from his lower lip.
    “Rowr.”