"A Step Towards Healing"

As Ashley lay in bed, lost in her sea of despair, she was startled by a knock at the door. She groggily got out of bed and made her way to the living room, where she found her friend, Rachel, standing with a concerned look on her face. Rachel had been trying to reach out to Ashley for weeks, but Ashley had been pushing her away. Today, however, Rachel had decided to take matters into her own hands. "Ashley, I've been worried sick about you," Rachel said, as she walked into the house. "I've been calling and texting, but you've been ignoring me. I had to come over and see for myself how you're doing." Ashley shrugged, not knowing what to say. She felt like she was a mess, and she didn't want Rachel to see her like that. But Rachel didn't seem to care about Ashley's appearance. She walked over to the couch and sat down next to Ender, who was playing with his toys on the floor. "How's my little buddy doing?" Rachel asked, scooping up Ender in her arms. Ashley smiled weakly, feeling a pang of guilt for ignoring Rachel's calls and texts. "He's doing okay, I guess," she said. Rachel looked up at Ashley, her eyes filled with concern. "Ashley, you need to take care of yourself," she said. "You've been cooped up in this house for weeks, and it's not good for you or Ender. Why don't I take Ender for a few hours, and you can go get a shower, and maybe even go for a walk outside?" Ashley shook her head, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over her. "I don't know, Rachel. I just don't feel like it." But Rachel was insistent. "Ashley, listen to me. You need to get out of this house, and get some fresh air. And Ender needs to spend some time with someone who can give him attention. I'll take him to the park, and we can play with some other kids. He needs that." Ashley looked at Ender, who was smiling up at Rachel, and she felt a pang of guilt. Maybe Rachel was right. Maybe Ender did need to spend some time with someone else. As if reading Ashley's mind, Rachel said, "Why don't I take Ender, and you can go to the spa? They have massages, and facials, and all sorts of things that can help you relax and unwind. You deserve it, Ashley." Ashley's eyes widened in surprise. The spa? She hadn't been to a spa in years. But something about Rachel's suggestion resonated with her. Maybe it was the idea of getting out of the house, or maybe it was the idea of being pampered and relaxed. Whatever it was, Ashley felt a spark of interest ignite within her. "Okay," she said finally, making a decision. "I'll go." Rachel grinned, and hugged Ashley tightly. "That's my girl," she said. "I'll take Ender, and you can go get a massage. You deserve it." As Rachel left the house with Ender, Ashley felt a sense of trepidation. She hadn't been out of the house in weeks, and the thought of going to the spa was daunting. But she knew she needed to do it. She needed to take care of herself, for Ender's sake, and for her own. With newfound determination, Ashley got out of bed, and began to make her way to the bathroom. She turned on the shower, and let the warm water wash over her, feeling a sense of relaxation wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something new. Maybe this was the start of her healing journey.