Chapter 4
The First Secret
Ashley
Ashley was finally in the homestretch, putting the final touches on her dissertation.
Now, the big question was, What’s next? If she had her druthers she’d apply for a research grant at the University of Winchester or the University of Bristol in the UK.
Oxford would be her very first choice; however, Ashley knew the competition was intense.
Ashley also wanted to take a couple of months to bring it down a notch. Get some rest. See some people. But, if she wanted to pursue her desire for research, she would have to snap to it.
She planned to start by getting some advice from Professor Thatcher, but before she could reach out to him, he was reaching out to her.
Her phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hello, Ashley. Thatcher here.” He had a lilt to his voice.
At first Ashley thought something might have gone wrong with the paperwork, her dissertation. But much to her surprise, it was the complete opposite.
“Ashley, I know you’ve been toying with the idea of doing research rather than teaching.”
“Yes, my mind has wandered in that direction,” Ashley said confidently.
“One of my colleagues in the UK has an opportunity to extend a research grant.”
“Seriously?” Ashley could not believe what she was hearing.
“Yes, dear. Oxford. You’ve heard of it, correct?”
Ashley was dumbfounded. She pinched herself. Yep, she was awake. She pinched herself again to be sure. “Professor, I have been thinking about a few places. Of course, Oxford would be my first choice, but I thought it would be next to impossible.”
“Well, it might have been next to impossible, but it certainly wasn’t impossible.”
“I am dumbstruck. Can we meet so you can tell me more?”
“Certainly. How about tomorrow? Ten?”
“Perfect,” Ashley said. “Thank you, Professor. I cannot tell you how much this means to me.”
“Glad to hear it. My colleague Reggie will be quite pleased as well. He was concerned that he wouldn’t be able to find the right candidate, then I mentioned you.”
“Thank you so much for your confidence in me.” Ashley was still dumbstruck.
“You earned it. See you tomorrow.”
Ashley could barely contain herself. She wanted to share the news with her mother, but she wanted to have all the details first. Who? What? Where? When? All of that had to be figured out.
The following day, Ashley met with her professor and they had a conference call with Reggie Fenway, professor of literature, University of Oxford.
Ashley thought he sounded affable, polite, and charming. Fenway explained what was expected and what her research would entail. She was to find similar sociological mores across several different cultures, through their writings. It was like being a word detective.
“The position begins in January. Is that amenable?” Fenway asked.
“Yes! Yes, of course,” Ashley eagerly agreed.
“Splendid. Students will be arriving the second week of January. If you can make your way across the pond by January fifth, we can get you settled.”
“That is quite workable for me.” Ashley tried to contain her excitement.
She decided to wait until she was home to discuss this with her family.
She wanted to tell them in person and she’d be back in Doylestown in four weeks.
As much as she wanted to shout it from the rooftops, she kept it on the down-low.
Ashley communicated weekly with Dr. Fenway, making plans, revising plans, and going over details.
The next thing on her list was to find housing.
Even though the big move was nine months away, she knew she had to start planning ahead.
Dr. Fenway introduced her to a few associates who could help Ashley get situated.
They put her in touch with the Graduate Accommodation Office, who sent her information for several flats to check during her introduction meeting in the fall.
All were within the Oxford city center. She would be able to bike to campus.
She was excited that she’d be able to bring her teal-colored bicycle with her.
It was her metaphorical anchor. Whenever she wanted to clear her head, she would hop on “Lily,” which she had named after the imaginary friend she had when she was a child.
The next few weeks were filled with packing and shipping. She decided to rent a car and drive home rather than have her mother or father make the round trip. She bid her friends and colleagues a fruitful future and set off to start the next chapter of her journey.
Ashley arrived at her mother’s house a few days before she was expected. Her mother was delighted but also a little flustered. “Honey! I wish you would have told me! I have to make up your bed!”
Ashley hugged her mother. “I wanted it to be a surprise.” Ashley was a little nervous about the next surprise she would have to drop on her parents.
But it could wait another day. She wanted to settle in for now.
Unpack. Unwind. It was early May. She was to report to Oxford in September for a five-day orientation, then return in early January.
She had time to choose her words carefully.
Jessica called Todd to find out where he was. They joked about writing their own version of Where’s Waldo? but use Todd’s name instead.
He answered the phone right away. “Hello, dear. What’s the latest?”
“Our darling daughter has returned,” Jessica said with much glee, and pressed the speaker button.
“Already?” Todd was equally surprised.
“Yes. She pulled in about an hour ago.”
“Hey, Pop!” Ashley called out.
“You drove?”
“Yes. I rented an SUV. I didn’t want to put anyone out of their way.”
“Fetching you is never out of our way,” Todd protested.
“Your father’s right, but it actually works out for the best. I still have three more weeks of school. Who knew being a principal could be so exhausting!”
“Well, you only have five more years to go.” Todd reminded her of her overall retirement plan.
“I don’t know what I was thinking!” Jessica said jokingly. “So, where are you right now?”
“I’m in South Carolina. Doing a little fishing.”
“How long do you plan on staying?” Jessica asked.
“I was planning on another week, but I can buzz up the interstate to see our girl.”
“I would love to see you, Dad, but no reason to cut your trip short. I have a lot to do for the next few days.”
“If you say so, but I will cut it down to three days. Besides, this area gets flooded with people on the weekends. Best I skedaddle before the throngs of tourists arrive.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” Jessica said. “Let’s have dinner on Saturday. How does that sound?”
“Works for me,” Todd said. “Glad you’re home, Ash.”
“Me too,” Ashley responded. She was happy her father would be around sooner than later. She could break the news to both of them at the same time.
Ashley kept busy doing laundry, unpacking, and re-evaluating her wardrobe. She would have to get weather information for the UK in the winter.
Saturday came quickly and Ashley was nervous. How would her parents react to her moving so far away? But it wasn’t as if any of it was permanent. It was just another step in pursuit of higher learning. Who knows what will happen next?
Todd arrived around four. He had been on the road since five a.m. There were lots of hugs and people talking excitedly over each other. Jessica quelled the noise. “Todd, why don’t you go upstairs and take a shower? Ashley and I can work on dinner.”
“Did anyone ever tell you that you are bossy?”
“That’s because I’m the boss.” Jessica stuck her nose in the air. “Now get moving.”
Jessica was preparing a pork tenderloin for the oven while Ashley took care of the sides of green beans, sauerkraut, and potatoes. The kitchen smelled delicious.
“I’m really glad to be home,” Ashley said, and placed her head on her mother’s shoulder.
“I’m glad you’re home, too,” Jessica said. “You know we haven’t discussed your plans now that you have your doctorate. I know you said you wanted to take some time to decompress, but what’s next?”
Ashley’s knees got a little wobbly. “I do have something to discuss with you and Dad, but let’s wait until dinner.”
“You sound mysterious.” Jessica gave her a side look.
“Patience, dear Mother,” Ashley said, and kissed her on the cheek.
Todd ambled down the stairs and inhaled the wonderful aromas emanating from the kitchen. “Something smells incredible.” He entered the room. “Makes me want to move back in.”
Jessica stared at him.
“Kidding,” he said. “Although taking a long, hot shower felt pretty darn good.”
“What’s the matter? Are you getting road weary?” Jessica occasionally wondered how long the travel bug would hold.
“Not weary, but there are certain comforts that cannot be replicated living on wheels.”
Jessica snorted. “Exactly.”
Ashley set the dining room table and Todd opened a bottle of wine. Several minutes later, dinner was ready to be served. They said grace and passed their plates to Jessica, who dished out the scrumptious meal.
“Ashley said she has something she wants to discuss with us. Don’t you, dear?” Jessica said easily.
Ashley took a deep breath and began. “I’ve been offered a research position.” Before she could finish, her parents were applauding and then asked in unison, “Where?”
Ashley gulped. “University of Oxford.”
“Oxford, Georgia?” her father queried.
“Oxford. As in England.” Ashley waited for the reaction. Her mother turned pale. Todd grabbed her hand.
“I know it’s far,” Ashley reasoned, “but it’s an amazing opportunity.”
Jessica’s eyes welled up.
“Mom, I thought you’d be happy for me.” Ashley’s eyes filled with tears as well. She slumped in her chair, folded her arms, and grimaced.
“Oh, honey, I am.” Jessica was clearly shaken.
Todd looked over at his ex-wife. He nodded, then spoke. “Ashley, honey, you know how much we love you.”
“Yes, of course,” Ashley said warily. What was going on?
It was Jessica’s turn to speak. “There is something you need to know.” She hesitated, then Todd took over.
“When your mother and I got married we decided to have children right away.”