Author’s note: A comment I got regarding the last version of the Ashley story was that Ashley had a solution dropped in his lap. He didn’t really work for it. So I changed the ending and in this version he struggles to find a room and solves the problem himself. The story starts when Ashley and Owen are returning from Pauls Valley.

The story has multiple pages. Please see the number at the bottom.

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We didn’t talk much as we drove back. The normally talkative Owen was quiet. I wondered why? Was he upset by my behavior at the party? I really didn’t do anything to embarrass him. As we approached the campus he finally spoke.

“Want to go to the school cafeteria for lunch?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

He parked his car in the parking lot of his dorm. As we walked out he noticed that the car was not aligned properly in the parking lanes.

“Just a minute,” he said as he opened the driver side door and got in. I saw him turn the ignition key but the car wouldn’t start. After several attempts he gave up.

“Damn it,” he said. “I don’t know what’s wrong. I had just changed the battery. Could be the alternator. If that’s the case we are doomed. It may take several days to get the parts for this foreign car.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll work out.” I said, even though I wasn’t sure what was involved in getting the part. I had to say something to console him.

“I do worry. I had promised to take you around to look for a room. Now I can’t,” he said.

“It’s not the end of the world.”

“Shit, man,” Owen stamped his foot as he said that.

Continue reading “Ashley Ending” →