Ch. 22

I'm glad I told all of them together about my mate. Dad understands too well what it's like to be judged by what you are and not who you are. I know he'll like Toni.

"I'm sorry that didn't go the way it should have." Ash still sounded so upset.

I shook my head.

"Don't be. I felt the support from you, mom and dad. Thank you." I squeezed him in a side hug.

"You'll always have my support in anything you do. I'm here for you Twinkie." He smiled real big at me.

It made me think of the first time he got in a fight with a kid who was being mean to me. He had a swollen cheek and some scrapes from the fight, but he gave me a big grin when he won. I remember feeling so loved and protected. He's like my sunshine on a dark cloudy day. My great protector. I teared up again… I'm overly emotional.

"You're the best brother in the world, Ash. I mean that."

He squeezed me real tight.

"Let's get you ready for that date." He said, pushing me to my room. "Where are you going anyway?"

"I don't kno