But her real mission began at home.
Ashley watched Helen closely. Her mom was younger, radiant, but stressed – stuck in a marriage with a man Ashley knew would betray her. Two years. That's when Michelle would appear.
Ashley played the long game. She gently nudged Helen toward change.
After dinner, she cornered Helen while she was folding laundry. "Hey, Mom? If you could do anything – just for you – what would it be?"
Helen laughed. "Win the lottery and sleep in every day."
"No, seriously."
Helen considered. "Well… I used to like baking. Before things got too busy. I always wanted to open a little bakery. Something cozy."
Ashley's heart lifted. "You'd be amazing at that."
Helen smiled. "Why the sudden interest?"
"Just thinking. You deserve something that's yours."
Helen looked at her curiously. "You're fourteen."
Ashley shrugged. "Fourteen and wise."
But she also knew that she can't just sit still and wait for her mom to get sick.
At the clinic, Helen frowned at the medical form. "I haven't had a checkup in years."
"Let's just go," Ashley had insisted. "It's covered by your healthcare. And we can get milk tea after."
She made it sound casual, but her hands trembled as Helen went in. In the old life, they wouldn't have found anything until it was too late. This time, Ashley planned to make checkups a yearly tradition – for all of them.
Helen came out with a clean bill of health.
Ashley nearly cried with relief.