Summary Of Ashes By Susan Beth Pfeffer

In the short story called, “Ashes” by Susan Beth Pfeffer, the protagonist is dealing with the complicated relationship between her divorced parents. Ashleigh, the main character, is questioned by her dad if she can borrow her mom's money for his own problems. Ashes, short for Ashleigh, like the compliments she keeps receiving from her dad. Ashes complex relationship with her parents makes her choose between her mom or her dad. One lesson this story suggests is that no matter how much you love someone, you have to let them handle things on their own.
In the beginning of the story, the readers can understand that is Ashes talking about her parents. Her mom is a practical person and always ready for anything, extra batteries for flashlights

Her dad tells Ashes to order whatever she likes, making her feel special. While they wait for their food her dad keeps looking at the door, as if waiting for someone. “What is it,” I asked him. “It’s nothing,” he said. “Oh well, Ashes, you can always see right through me.” He was the one who’d been looking right through me toward the door but I didn’t say anything.” This quote expresses that her dad was ignoring her and she knew it but she said nothing.
Another detail that explains Ashes showing love to her dad is, “You owe them 200 hundred dollars?” I asked, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.” This quote provides an explanation of her caring a lot for him. She later found out that her dad was having a chance at something big and he needed to pay a debt of $200 to some people. Ashes were willing to help her dad pay his debt, but when she found out that her dad wanted her to steal from her mother, she was shocked. She cared for her dad but she also loved her mom. Therefore, even if Ashes loved her dad, she is hesitant to steal money from her

As they came back outside Ashes suggested to him to sell his car. “You’re your mother’s daughter,” he said. “Good head on your shoulders. Problem is, I’d never been able to find another car this cheap to replace it. No, Ashes, the teapot’s the way to go.” This conversation between them shows that she does not want to steal her mom’s emergency money, she wants to find another way out, but the only way would be to sell the car which her dad could not do. Her dad says that the teapot is the way to go, telling her that it was the only option.
At the end of the story, Ashes and her dad are about a block away from her apartment, sitting in his car. Her dad was already prepared about what to do. He had a plan the whole time and he was trying to manipulate her into stealing the money. He had everything planned out like if Ashes did not come back in ten minutes he would leave. “... I could hear my father’s car keening in the distance. “You’re one in a million,” it cried.” This quote illustrates that the car is echoing what her dad said. He would have to sell the car if she did not steal the money from her mom, or he would have to do something