Later in the afternoon
Ashley had tried to talk her husband out of bringing the pineapple but he just looked so proud to have it she finally gave in. She'd made a pasta salad herself. It was easy enough.
She was glad to be able to socialize with her various family members. It had been a little while since they'd all been together for a happy reason. She couldn't shake the fear that her mother would show up, though. And she constantly watched the door just in case. Anyone who knew her would notice the tension in her shoulders. She kept a smile on her face, though, and enjoyed the very hood coffee.
She did stay very close to her husband but not so close that it would seem she was eavesdropping on the conversations he was having.