Chapter 6: A Fragile Connection

The Smiths' curiosity about Ashley only seemed to grow as the afternoon wore on, and Mia and Ethan continued to pepper her with questions. "What's your favorite food?" Mia asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Ashley shrugged, feeling a sense of frustration creeping in. "I don't know." Ethan's next question was, "Do you like playing games?" Again, Ashley's response was a shrug. "I don't know." Mia tried again, "Do you have a favorite movie?" Ashley's shoulders rose and fell in a tired motion. "I don't know." As the questions continued, Ashley's sighs grew more frequent. She was trying to be patient, but it was hard to answer questions about things she couldn't remember or didn't know. Finally, she let out a deep sigh and said, "That's enough." Karen, who had been watching the exchange with a kind expression, nodded in understanding. "Let's have dinner," she said, standing up from her seat. "I'm sure you're all hungry." As Karen began to serve dinner, Ashley's stomach growled in response to the delicious smells wafting from the table. But when she looked down at the plate in front of her, she felt a wave of doubt wash over her. She hadn't eaten in so long, she wasn't sure if she felt hungry anymore. The food on her plate looked amazing – a juicy chicken breast, steaming vegetables, and a side of creamy mashed potatoes. But Ashley's appetite had been suppressed for so long that she couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't hungry. She looked up at Karen, who was watching her with concern. "I...I don't know if I can eat," Ashley said, feeling a little embarrassed. Karen's expression softened, and she reached out to put a gentle hand on Ashley's arm. "It's okay, sweetie," she said. "You don't have to eat if you don't want to. Just take your time, okay?" Ashley nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Karen. She picked up her fork, but instead of taking a bite, she simply sat there, unsure of what to do next. The Smiths began to eat, chatting and laughing around the table, and Ashley watched them, feeling like an outsider, but also a sense of longing to be a part of this warm and loving family.