Aspen

Aspen stared at the man who had speculated correctly. He was extremely observant and quite frankly it scared her to death. She never drew attention to herself. It was a habit. The more left unseen the better off she was. Her mother had died at a young age and her father was a busy man who rarely had time for her. Her step-mother was beautiful and young. Despite all outer appearances of kindness, the woman was the devil. Constantly reminding Aspen how perfect the world would be if she committed suicide. Aspen was talented and beautiful in her own way. Though she did not retain the same thin waist as Xochitl, she was curvy in all the right places. Her breast large and bottom round and firm. She just was not made to be genetically thin. Her step mother sought out every opportunity to remind her of her curvy body. She would take pleasure in torturing Aspen with her words. Reminding her constantly how beautiful her friend was and how she lacked any natural beauty. Often telling her that she was too fat for an outfit or wishing she was dead out loud. Of course all the bullying never happened around her father. Once, when Aspen was younger, she told her father about what was happening. He had refused to believe her stating that she was just having trouble coping with a new mom. Aspen soon gave up and endured it. Xochitl however, did not. Xochi took the opportunity when her step mother would bully her in front of her to bully the bully back. She would have ammo in her back pocket for life as long as the woman had heart set on hurting her best friend. She didn't believe Aspen deserved that. She would offer Aspen to spend Thursday through Sunday at her house. Xochitl's parents never minded, Aspen was a good child with a mellow disposition. However, Xochitl could not save her the remaining three days of the week, as her parents couldn't take on another child full time. Expenses were tight in Xochi's house and although they welcomed Aspen with open arms, they could only help so much. Xochi's parent's had a total of 5 children. Their house rambunctious and loud at all times. I far cry from Aspen's quiet and desolate home. Their house emitted a warmth and coziness that Aspen's lacked. Xochitl's parent's had a constant revolving door of their children, and their friends. Aspen was just assumed to take the second eldest position as Xochitl was the oldest. They would often watch the younger children and help Xochitl's mother around the house. Aspen smiled at the memory the smell of baked goods, cleaning products and loud laughter could be heard at anytime in the home. It was then that she noticed Bill was waiting for her to reply.

"You could say I experience something like that at home. Since college, I haven't really been back. I spent freshman and Sophomore year volunteering with Xochi in Africa. She works the animal side of things while I intern and work as a nurse in one of the remote hospitals. During the winter/fall/spring break I'm usually with Xochi's family." she finally replied

"Don't your parents want on the holidays?" asked Bill

"No. My mom was my dad's soulmate. He usually spends the holidays in some country working hard to bury his emotional trauma. Holly, the step-monster, usually goes home for the holiday's. Dad just sends cash and wishes me a happy holiday."

"They sound like fantastic parents...." Bill mumbled "....yer stronger than you think Aspen. It takes a strong person to become a better person than their parents." Aspen's corner of her lips came up to a soft smile.

"My dad isn't bad. He's just broken. He doesn't know how to live without her. Even though all this time has passed. I think that is why Holly hates me. I'm a remnant of his last love. I think she feels like if I'm gone he will start to love her. He won't though." Aspen replied

"Well your living situation is a fix" said Bill. Aspen cocked her head to the side as if to question his thought. "Damn women, y'all never seem to know your standing in quick sand."

"It's not that it isn't unpleasant but Xochi's home is really my home. I have never not had a warm home. Xochi and I became friend's before my mother passed. Her mother was my mother's cousin. So we are distantly related I suppose. Her family has always treated me like a daughter. I am loved enough that my heart has found strength." she replied she began fussing with her hair. Tying it into a single braid. She reached inside Xochitl's jacket pocket and pulled out a scrunchy to tie off the braided hair. It was then she looked up to find Bill studying her.

"Yer a lot stronger than what I expected. Most women don't find their strength until they are much older than y'all. How old are ya two any how?"

"We both just turned 22 this last December."

"Yer both still so young." he said his voice turning somber "Life is already difficult as it is... now we are all here. Waiting..."

"I know" she sighed out

"Go to bed Aspen, I'll wake one of you up if something happens or if I'm tired" he stated. Aspen didn't bother insisting she would stay up. They both had been abducted late at night and her eye's were heavy. She yawned and laid next to Xochi snuggling up to her. It wasn't to long till she heard Bill humming a song she was unfamiliar with.

"What's the song?" she murmured as her eyelids started to droop

"Just a song I used to sing to my kids when they were younger." he stated before he began to hum again. The sound was mellowing and it wasn't long till Aspen fell asleep. Bill stood up and walked away from the girls. "Alright Rory, you have your profile for Aspen. I'll give you Xochitl's tomorrow." he yelled into the abyss. On another deck Rory smiled to himself.

"Don't even think about it." stated Levi, looking at Rory warily.

"Please, I like to keep my options open. We have another beauty down there. I'm just dying to know her profile." Rory said as he smirked