Amore

It was Tuesday, October 5, 2021. It was evening. Ashley had loud music playing in her lit bedroom. The song that was playing was High Road by Mastodon while Ashley was on her smartphone.

Ashley’s Mom opened Ashley’s door and stepped inside. “Will you please turn that down or turn it off?!” Donna exclaimed. Donna walked over to Ashley’s radio and unplugged it.

“Hey, what’s your problem?!” Ashley exclaimed.

“My problem is that your music is too loud!” Donna exclaimed. “Don’t you have headphones or something?” Donna looked around the bedroom. “And this room is a mess!” “When was the last time you cleaned your room?!”

“None of your beeswax!”

“Well, I want you to get this room straightened up!

“But I don’t feel like it!”

“You’re gonna feel like it! Or else!”

“If it bothers you so much, why don’t you do it?!”

“Okay, that’s it! You’re grounded!” Donna exclaimed angrily.

“What?! Why?! What did I do?!”

“When I tell you to do something, I expect for you to do it! Now, I’m not gonna take anymore disrespect from you! You’re fourteen years old! Therefore, you should know better!” Donna spoke angrily.

“Whatever! I’m still not cleaning my room!” Ashley spoke angrily.

“Clean this room right now or you’ll be grounded for a whole week!” Donna yelled angrily.

“No! Leave me alone!” Ashley shouted angrily.

Then Donna and Ashley went ahead and got into an angry shouting match.

***

It was Wednesday, October 6, 2021. The whole family sat down at the dining room table together to have dinner. No one was talking at first and Ashley was still upset about her Mom grounding her for a week.

Then someone decided to finally break the silence.

“So, did any of you girls learn anything interesting at school today?” John asked them.

“I learned more about multiplication.”, Rebecca replied.

“I learned more about decimals.”, Amore added.

“I learned more about why I hate my life.”, Ashley added.

“What’s wrong, Ashley?” John asked her.

“What’s wrong is that Mom grounded me for absolutely no reason.”

“I grounded you because you didn’t do what you were told to do. There’s a huge difference.”

“Well, switching topics, how is the restaurant doing?” Rebecca asked John.

“It’s doing great as usual, sweetie.”

“Ashley, could you please hand me the salt?” Donna asked nicely.

“No.”

“Here you go, Mom.”, Amore spoke while passing the salt.

“Thank you, Amore. At least we have three other daughters who respect their mother.”

“Ashley, Amore, I need you two to rake the leaves for me this Saturday while I’m at work.”, John ordered.

“Ugh!” Ashley exclaimed angrily. “Why can’t Mom do it?!” “I’m so sick of you two always telling me what to do!” Then Ashley stopped eating prematurely and went to her room.

“I’ll go talk to her.”, John reported. John got up from his chair and went to go chat with Ashley.

“Hey, what are decimals?” Rebecca asked Amore.

“You’ll know the answer to that question in about three years.”

***

John knocked on Ashley’s door. “Go away!” Ashley yelled angrily. John entered Ashley’s room.

Inside, Ashley was lying on her bed while throwing a ball up against a wall.

“Ashley, I know you typically get an attitude whenever I or your Mom ask you to do something. But when we ask you to do something, we expect for you to do it. Plain and simple. Now, are you gonna rake the leaves like I asked?”

“Nope.”, Ashley replied.

John went ahead and grabbed the ball that was keeping Ashley busy at the time. “You know, things would turn out a whole lot easier for you if you just do what you’re told. Just trust me on this one. I and your mother only want what’s best for you.”

Ashley went ahead and sat up on her bed.

“No, you don’t!” Ashley exclaimed. “I’m already grounded! And now you wanna punish me even more by raking leaves!”

“Hey, don’t take that tone with me, young lady!” John exclaimed angrily.

“No! I’m taking that tone with you!”

“Okay, that’s it! I’ve just about had it with you! Whatever time your mother grounded you for, I’m adding a week to it!”

“What?!” “But that’s so not fair! That means I’ll be grounded for two weeks instead of one week, which is what I was previously grounded for!”

“I don’t care! We’re not gonna take this kind of behavior from you!”

Donna entered the room. “Your father is right!” Donna exclaimed. “You either do what you’re told or face the consequences!”

“Ugh! I hate you, people!” Ashley yelled angrily.

Then Ashley went ahead and got into a shouting match against her parents.

Meanwhile, the other three daughters continued eating at the dining room table and heard Ashley arguing with her parents.

“So, I think we can all agree that Ashley is the bad apple of the family.”, Rebecca spoke.

“I’m so right there with you.”, Amore replied.

Rebecca added, “I wonder how many more weeks Mom and Dad will add to Ashley’s time being grounded.”

“Probably until Ashley turns 30.”, Amore replied.

Then the angry verbal arguing stopped.

Amore’s parents left Ashley’s bedroom. And Ashley went ahead and slammed her door shut while angry. Amore’s parents walked back into the dining room. “So, is Ashley coming back to finish her dinner?” Amore asked her parents.

Donna emptied the rest of Ashley’s food into the trash.

“That pretty much answers your question.”, Rebecca spoke.

“No, sweetie, she’s done eating.”, John replied.

“All of us are having dessert without her tonight.”, Donna added.

“We’re having dessert tonight?” Rebecca asked them. “Boy, Ashley sure did pick a bad night to get herself in trouble.” Then the rest of the family kept eating dinner until dessert arrived.

***

It was Thursday, October 7, 2021. It was evening. The light was on in Ashley’s room as Ashley was lying on her bed while on her smartphone.

Ashley’s parents entered Ashley’s bedroom.

“What in the world has gotten into you?!” Donna asked angrily.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”, Ashley replied.

“This is what she’s talking about!” John exclaimed as he held up his smartphone.

“You made a very negative Facebook post about us and posted it to social media for the whole world to see!” Donna exclaimed angrily.

“Of course, I did. I’m still mad at you two. Remember?”

“Just because you get mad at someone doesn’t mean you should express your feelings with a social media post!” John exclaimed.

“Delete it!” Donna exclaimed. “Now!”

“No.”, Ashley replied. “Why don’t you make me delete it?”

Ashley continued scrolling through her social media news feed. Then John snatched Ashley’s smartphone from her hands. “Hey, give me my phone back!” Ashley yelled angrily.

John replied, “No. I’m taking this thing away from you while you’re still grounded. That way, you won’t be able to post mean things about people on social media.”

“But that’s so not fair! It’s my property!” Ashley exclaimed angrily.

“We’re the adults here, and you’re the teenager!” Donna exclaimed angrily. “Therefore, you can’t tell us what we can and can’t do!”

“Oh, but you can tell me what I can or can’t do like I’m a slave or something! Yeah, that’s totally fair!”

“You’re not a slave! And no one is treating you like a slave! And no one said that life is fair!” Donna exclaimed.

John added, “It’s called tough love. We’re only doing this because we love you very much. And every time you do something wrong, it’s our job to punish you. But this time, we’re taking your phone away to punish you instead of just grounding you like we always do.”

“Well, if you love me so much, why don’t you just kick me out of the house for good or send me to military school?!” “I’d rather deal with life that way than to keep living with you two!”

Donna replied, “Social media is very powerful! It’s not a place where a person can just write anything and have it seen by the public! Social media can get you in a lot of trouble if it isn’t used properly!”

“Whatever! Just leave me alone!” Ashley yelled angrily.

Ashley quickly got under her cover and laid there.

John added, “Ashley, I just want you to know that we’re only doing this for your own good.”

“If you two don’t leave right now, I’m going to scream at the top of my lungs!” Ashley yelled.

“Come on, honey. Let’s go. I hope this teaches her a very valuable lesson.”, Donna spoke. Then Ashley’s parents left the bedroom. And Ashley continued lying there on her bed.

***

It was Friday, October 8, 2021. It was in the overnight hours. Ashley was sleeping in her bedroom, which was filled with blue lighting. As a result, everything in that bedroom looked blue.

Amore quietly snuck inside Ashley’s bedroom and closed the bedroom door behind her. Ashley quickly sat up on her bed. “What are you doing in here?” Ashley asked her.

“Ah!” Amore exclaimed. “Oh, I had no idea that you were awake.”

“You have ten seconds to tell me why you are in my room after Midnight or else I’m throwing you out of here. Literally. Ten, nine, eight-.”

“Okay, okay! Look, I felt kind of bad for you and what you’ve been going through these past few days. So, if you ever want or need anything, I’m right here.”

“Anything, huh?” Ashley asked her as she smiled. “Okay, you little redhead. You can start by giving me forty bucks.”

“I said anything!” “Not everything!”

“Then get out.”, Ashley replied while pointing at the door.

Amore turned around and started to leave.

“Just kidding!” Ashley exclaimed.

Amore turned back around.

Ashley replied, “Okay, I’ll give you a task that should be easier for you. Go into the kitchen and make me a late-night snack. I want two PB&J sandwiches and a glass of milk. Make sure you cut the sandwiches, diagonally, in two. And don’t get caught.”

“Your wish is my command.”, Amore replied. “By the way, is your boyfriend hiding around here somewhere?”

“Nah, not this time.” “Why?”

“Well, that sure is good news. Because if they catch him here in your room, you’ll probably be grounded until 2023.”

“Um, excuse me?!” “I’m starving over here!”

“Oh! Right! I totally forgot!” Amore exclaimed. “Don’t worry, Ash. I’ll try and remember everything you asked me to do. Two PB&J sandwiches and one glass of milk coming right up!” Then Amore went ahead and left the bedroom before heading into the kitchen. And Ashley went ahead and waited for her little sister.

***

Amore quietly went into the kitchen and turned on the kitchen light. She opened the dishwasher and pulled out a plate, a glass, and a knife. Then she went into the refrigerator and pulled out some bread, some milk, some peanut butter, and some jelly.

She closed the refrigerator and dishwasher. Then she started making her sister two PB&J sandwiches. Rebecca walked into the kitchen without Amore’s knowledge.

“What in the world are you doing?” Rebecca asked her.

“Ah!” Amore exclaimed. “Oh, it’s you.”, Amore spoke while more relieved.

“Why are you making yourself two PB&J sandwiches in the wee hours?”

“They’re not for me.”

“Well, who are they for?”

“They’re for Ashley. I kinda felt bad for her since our parents took away her phone for the first time ever. So, we both agreed that she can come to me for anything. And this just so happens to be included in anything.” “Why are you up in the wee hours?”

“I got up to use the bathroom and saw you sneaking into the kitchen while you weren’t looking.”

“Okay, well, tell no one else that I did this for her.” “Understood?”

“My lips are sealed.”

Then Rebecca went ahead and went back to bed.

***

Moments later, Amore went back into Ashley’s bedroom with two PB&J sandwiches along with a glass of milk. “Here you go.”, Amore spoke as she gave food to Ashley.

Ashley went ahead and examined her food. Then she examined the food some more. “Hey, I thought I told you to cut both of the sandwiches diagonally.”, Ashley commented.

“I’m so sorry, I totally forgot.”

“Well, go fix the problem, slave.”

Ashley gave the plate back to Amore. Amore sighed and left the bedroom before going back into the kitchen.

***

It was Friday evening. Amore, Rebecca, and Lisa were at the dining room table eating Little Caesars pizza for dinner. “Hey, where in the heck is Ashley?” Rebecca spoke. “She should’ve been down here by now. She’s missing out on some awesome pizza from Little Caesars.”

“Knowing her, she probably got banned from eating for a week.”, Amore replied.

Meanwhile, back in the hallway, Donna approached John. “Honey, could you see what’s going on with Ashley?” Donna asked him. “I knocked on her door multiple times to tell her we’re having Little Caesars for dinner, and I’ve gotten no response.”

“That sure is weird. All our girls always respond to Little Caesars for dinner. I better go check on her.”

A short time later, John knocked on Ashley’s door. “Ash, it’s time to come on out and have your dinner.” “Ash?” “Ashley?!”

And then there was still no response. And as a result, John went ahead and entered Ashley’s bedroom. What he saw inside was an open bedroom window and no Ashley.

John looked inside the bedroom closet. Then he looked under Ashley’s bed. And Ashley was still nowhere to be seen or heard.

“Oh, no.”, John spoke to himself.

Donna came into Ashley’s bedroom.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Donna asked him. “Where’s Ashley?”

“I don’t know! I can’t find her anywhere! I think she ran away from home!”

“She did what?!”

“I’m calling the police.”, John replied. John pulled out his smartphone from his pants pocket and started dialing 911.

“Who in their right mind runs away from Little Caesars?” Donna asked herself.

***

Moments later, Amore’s whole family was in the living room without Ashley.

“She did what?!” Rebecca exclaimed.

“I know. We’re all just as surprised as you are, sweetie.”, John replied. “Anyways, we talked with the cops earlier this evening. They said they are gonna offer a cash reward for anyone who finds her and brings her back to us.”

Donna added, “I feel like this might be somehow our fault. Maybe we should’ve rewarded her for being good instead of taking away her phone.”

John replied, “Honey, we were doing the right thing by taking her phone away. Bad behavior will not be rewarded in this household.”

Donna replied, “But now she’s not in this household anymore. That poor girl is now lost out there in the real world with no roof over her head, no loving and caring family, and no smartphone! We can’t even call her!”

John replied, “Well, when we do get her back, I’m making sure I put locks on her bedroom windows so she can’t sneak out again without our knowledge.” “Well, you kids can head off to bed now.”

Donna added, “Also, Amore and Rebecca will be raking the leaves tomorrow.”

“No problem, Mom.”, Amore replied.

“Yep, what she said.”, Rebecca replied. “Good night.”

All three daughters left the living room to go get some shut eye.

John told Donna, “Don’t worry, honey, she’s gonna be found and brought back home sooner rather than later.”

Donna told John, “She better come back here before her face starts appearing on milk cartons.”

***

It was Saturday, October 9, 2021. It was in the afternoon. Amore and Rebecca were busy raking up leaves and bagging them in the backyard.

Ashley walked up to Amore and Rebecca. “Hey, you two.”, Ashley spoke.

“Ashley, you came back!” Rebecca exclaimed. Rebecca ran over to Ashley and hugged her. Then the hug stopped.

Amore ran over to Ashley and hugged her. Then that hug stopped as well. “You had all of us worried sick, young lady!” Rebecca exclaimed.

“Yeah, Rebecca is right.”, Amore replied. “Where have you been? And why in the world did you run away from home?”

“I only ran away temporarily to get away from Mom and Dad since they’ve been bugging me ever since Tuesday. Second, temporarily isn’t over yet. I’ve been staying inside my boyfriend’s basement without the knowledge of his Mom and Dad. And that’s where I’ll continue to stay until I feel like coming back home.”

“But how long is temporarily?” Rebecca asked her.

“Until my punishment is over. I’m just so sick and tired of those two always trying to run my life.”

“Ash, they both gave you life in the first place.”, Amore replied. “With the help of The Stork, of course.”

“I don’t care. I’m just glad that Mom and Dad are so out of my life right now.”

“Well, does your boyfriend know you’re here?” Amore asked.

“He sure does.”, Ashley replied. “By the way, where are Mom and Dad?”

“Dad is at work. And Mom is inside taking a nap.”, Amore replied.

“Awesome! That’s just what I wanted to hear. Well, I guess I better go before Mom wakes up. Or, and this is very unlikely, the Amore restaurant has to be evacuated.” “Now, before I go, I need you two to promise me that you won’t spill the beans about what I just told you.” “Do you promise not to spill the beans until I come back home?”

“We promise.”, Amore replied.

“What she said.”, Rebecca replied.

“Great!” Ashley exclaimed. “Now, if I find out one or both of you broke the promise, both of you are dead meat. No questions asked.”, she meant figuratively. “Got it?”

“Got it.”, Amore replied.

“What she said.”, Rebecca replied.

“Okay, well, I’ll be heading back. And don’t you two worry about me. I’m not in any danger at all and I’m completely safe. I’ll be just fine. See ya.” Then Ashley went ahead and began walking away. Amore and Rebecca saw Ashley climb over the backyard fence.

“So, Rebecca, how good are you at keeping secrets?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never kept a secret before.”

“Come on, let’s continue taking care of these leaves.”

Then Amore and Rebecca continued doing what they were previously doing.

***

It was Sunday, October 10, 2021. It was in the afternoon. John was sitting in the living room drinking an ice-cold beer and watching football.

Rebecca came into the living room. She sat down on the living room couch next to her father. “Hi.”, Rebecca spoke.

“Hi.”, John replied. Then John took another sip of his beer. And John continued watching football.

“So, I just came here to tell you not to search for Ashley at her boyfriend’s house.”

“Oh, is that so? Why do you say that?”

“Um, because, um…she’s not there. Yeah, that’s what I was going to say. She’s currently not present at that location.”

“Rebecca, I, your mother, and the cops never thought to look for her there.” “Why are you bringing this up just now? Is there something you need to share with me about Ashley?”

“Uh, no. Nope. Nothing to share here.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I just wanted to tell you that because Amore already called Eric and he said she’s not there.”

“And how do I know you’re not lying?”

“I and Amore can check his place for you.”

“Okay, well, I guess I’m gonna have to tickle the truth out of you.”, John spoke playfully.

“Now, I don’t think that really will be necessary.”, Rebecca spoke playfully.

Then John began tickling Rebecca. And Rebecca began laughing. And Rebecca continued laughing.

Rebecca gave in after John stopped tickling her. “Okay, okay, you win!” Rebecca exclaimed. “Ashley has been hanging out in Eric’s basement without his parent’s knowledge while she’s been away from home.”

Donna walked by and heard everything that Rebecca previously said.

“What?!” Donna exclaimed.

Rebecca replied, “Well, I’m just gonna go ahead and spend the rest of my Sunday in my room while you two bring her back home.” Then Rebecca went ahead and went back into her bedroom.

Donna replied, “I’m going into Ashley’s room right now to see whether or not I can find Eric’s address or phone number in there.”

John replied, “Okay, honey, you go do that.” Then Donna went ahead and went into Ashley’s bedroom. And John went ahead and continued doing what he was previously doing.

Moments later, Donna came back into the living room. “I got it! I got Eric’s address! Come on, honey! Get your shoes and jacket!” “We’re going to head over there right now and get our daughter back.”

“Alright. You go ahead, dear. I’m kinda busy watching sports over here.”

Then Donna went ahead and started getting ready to head outside without John.

***

Moments later, Eric and Ashley were napping on the basement couch in the basement of Eric’s place. Eric’s Mom walked down into the basement and saw Eric and Ashley napping. “Hey!” Eric’s Mom exclaimed. “Wake up, you two!”

Eric’s mother successfully woke Eric up, but failed to wake Ashley up. “Your girlfriend’s Mom is here to pick up Ashley.”, his Mom spoke.

“Oh, no.”, Eric told himself.

“Ashley. Ashley. Ashley, wake up.”, Eric told Ashley as he was trying to wake her up. Eric successfully woke up Ashley.

Ashley went ahead and started yawning and stretching. She continued yawning some more. Then the yawning stopped. “What is it?” Ashley asked him.

“Your parents somehow found out you’re here. I’m so sorry.”

“What?!” Ashley exclaimed. Then Ashley turned her head and saw Eric’s Mom standing behind them. “Oh, hey Eric’s Mom. Didn’t know you were standing there.”

“Hi. Now, get whatever belongings you brought with you and get out of here.”, Eric’s Mom replied. Then Eric’s Mom went ahead and exited the basement.

“How in the world did your parents find out you were down here?”

“I think I know how. Once, I get back home, I’m gonna make sure Amore and Rebecca wish they were never born. Well, I better start getting ready to head back home. See ya later, Eric.”

Then Ashley went ahead and kissed Eric and started getting ready to head back home.

***

It was Sunday evening. Ashley was lying on her bed throwing a ball up against the wall in her lit bedroom. A knock was heard at Ashley’s bedroom door.

Ashley left the ball alone and quickly sat up on the edge of her bed. “Ashley, I and your mother wanna have a chat with you.”, John told Ashley. “Can we come in?”

“Sure. It’s not like I have anything better to do.” Ashley’s parents entered the bedroom and closed the bedroom door that was behind them. “Okay, go ahead. Lay it on me.” “What’s my punishment this time?”

John replied, “Before we discuss your punishment, we just wanted you to know that what you did was stupid, foolish, and dangerous. Imagine what would happen if you got kidnapped or something while you were on your way to hide out at your boyfriend’s place. Or worse.”

Donna added, “In the past fourteen years we’ve known you, this has got to be the most idiotic thing you’ve ever done.”

John added, “What were you gonna do? Huh? Move away from a family who loves you and cares for you very much to a stinky and smelly old basement without our knowledge?”

“No, I was only gonna go away temporarily to get away from you two. Look, I’m sorry. Okay? I promise I’ll never do something like that ever again while I’m still under 18.”

“Well, since you put it like that, apology accepted.”, John told her. “But we’re still gonna have to punish you even harder than before you snuck out.”

“Okay, I totally understand.” “So, what’s my punishment gonna be this time?”

“You are now grounded for three weeks instead of two.”, Donna replied.

“However, since your attitude is a little better than before, we’re gonna go ahead and give you your phone back.”, John spoke while holding out Ashley’s phone in his hand.

Ashley got up and got the phone.

John added, “Now, when I or your Mom tell you to do something, we expect for you to do it. We don’t care whether you have a bad girl personality or not. And we also expect you to give us the respect we deserve, or you’ll get punished even harder. Are we crystal clear, young lady?”

“Okay, I’ll try and be a better daughter next time.”

“That’s my girl!” John replied.

“Well, I’m gonna go ahead and get dinner ready.”, Donna added.

John added, “I have a very good feeling that dinner is gonna be a whole lot better than the cheap gas station food your boyfriend was gonna offer you.”

Then Ashley’s parents went ahead and left Ashley’s bedroom.

A few moments later, Ashley got back on her bed and resumed playing with her ball. Amore and Rebecca entered Ashley’s bedroom. “Uh, hi Ashley.”, Amore spoke.

Ashley stopped what she was doing and sat upon the edge of her bed. “You two totally snitched on me. Didn’t you?” Ashley asked them.

Rebecca replied, “Actually, I snitched on you by accident. Those are two totally different things, and I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Well, I said that I was gonna make both of you pay if one or both of you ended up telling on me. But since it was an accident and you said you’re sorry, I’ll go a little easier on you. From now on, you are both my slaves until my punishment is over.”

Rebecca replied, “What?! Hey, what gives?! I thought you said you were gonna go a little easier on us! I said it was an accident!”

“Yes, you did say that. But what I previously had planned was way worse than what you’re getting. Get ready to make me a late-night snack, read me bedtime stories, and clean my room every single day along with possible other tasks.”

“What?! That’s your idea for a lighter punishment?!” Rebecca exclaimed.

“Oh, I so hate your guts right now.”, Amore told Rebecca.

“And the punishment starts…”, Ashley told them. “Now. Drop and give me fifty.”, Ashley finished.

“What?! Why do you want us to do push-ups?! How in the world is that pleasing to you?!” Amore exclaimed.

“Because it just is. Now, get on the ground.”, Ashley spoke happily.

“Well, Rebecca, you heard the lady. On the ground we go.”, Amore replied.

Amore and Rebecca got on the ground and started doing push-ups while counting how many push-ups they were doing out loud from zero to fifty. “Sweet!” Ashley exclaimed happily. “I’m now an official slave owner of multiple slaves. I never wanna run away from home again.”

Then Ashley laid on her bed and got on her smartphone with a grin showing on her face. And Amore and Rebecca continued being her slaves until her punishment was over.