Hello?

"Hey mom."

Did you ask her out yet?

"What?"

No? Bye.

"What the-!" Ash gasped after his mother ended the call. He called her again. "Answer it!"

He cursed under his breath after she hung up on him. He tried again but this time, she didn't even let the phone ring.

"I can't believe this woman gave birth to me." Ash left his room and walked to the living room, where Misty was sitting on the couch reading a book. "I need you to call my mom."

"Why don't you?"

"Because my phone is not working."

"Okay." Misty took out her phone and called Delia. She and her have gotten closer after Misty's parents passed away. Misty called her often to check on her. "Hi Del-"

"Give me that!" Ash snatched away the phone. "Hey, it's me!"

What? I don't want to talk to you! Give Misty back the phone.

"Well, I need to talk to you!" Ash walked back to his room under Misty's confused looks. He closed the door. "Don't hang up and listen to me, okay?"

Fine. It's not like you have anything interesting to say, but here I am, doing my mother duties.

Ash rolled his eyes. For God's sake... "I don't think you love your only child enough."

Child my a$$! You're like twice my size!

"Would you hear me out?" He was pretty used to his mother's language, and that wasn't even the problem.

Don't you shout at me like that!

Ash wanted to hit his head against the wall. His mother has always been a handful but sometimes, he forgot how it's like to deal with her. She was a very Palletian woman. "I'm not shouting!"

And you don't even apologize! You know what, only child? I'm so done with you!

By now, Ash was lying down on the bed, his face buried onto his pillow. "I'm sorry."

Good. Now, what were you saying?

"I wanted to know if the town is organizing the spring festival this year." Ash rested on his side. He stared blankly at the picture on his nightstand. It was him, Misty and Brock from college days.

Yes. The harvest was really good this year so everyone is happy and everyone is ready to spend money on the festival like fools.

"With the flowers and everything?"

Of course. We're even planning for a buffet this year and I'm cooking too. People worked hard on their lands so I guess they deserve it. Ronny worked hard too.

"Like he does all the time." Ash smiled. Ronald was his stepfather. He and Delia got married when Ash was six. "People in town must be happy you're cooking."

Your mother is a star, Ash. I shine so bright I ruin people's eyes.

"Of course you do." He laughed a little. "This is when I get to ask you for a favor."

I don't like favors very much, especially when they're from my adult son. I'm already taking care of your dog for you.

"You only have one adult son."

I'm actually nice! Even if I had twenty sons, I'd do them favors. You'd be my favorite, though.

Ash laughed again. "Can you please let me talk? This is Misty's phone and I need to give it back."

Just so you know, I am not telling Misty anything. It's your job to tell a woman how you feel, not your mother's job. 

"You went too far." Ash sat on his bed. "But it's got something to do with Misty."

Do you want to bring her to the festival and do your thing there?

Ash felt like crying. She really ruined it for him. He was so excited about surprising his mom with the idea but she was so damn... ugh. "Do you know everything?"

Yeah, pretty much. Why?

"You could have at least showed some excitement – you know, to encourage me?"

Encourage you? Your father lived for only twenty years and he's accomplished more than you have – and he was an orphan!

"Okay, mom. Got it." Ash was trying not to laugh. His mother was easily triggered. "That's what I'm planning to do, so If you could get a room ready for Misty too it'd be great. I'm going to ask her to come – and I will make her come. I need her with me to do this!"

I'd gladly do it. I love visitors, especially when it's Misty from all people-

"I know you do."

Don't interrupt me! So, I was saying, she's going to give birth to my grandchildren at some point. I need to be in good terms with the woman.

"Come on..."

I've got to work on the flowers we'll be using for the festival. Are you done whining about how you need me to support you?

"I'm done."

Give the phone back to Misty.

"I thought you needed to harvest the flowers."

I do what I want! I'm not the child; you are!

Ash put his hand over his mouth to stop himself from huffing. He walked back to the living room and gave Misty back her phone. "She wants to talk to you."

"Oh, sure!" Misty smiled happily. "Hi Delia! How's everything?"

Ash could hear his mom boast about the great weather as he walked his way back to his room. He closed the door.

He made his way to his closet and opened it. Ash grabbed a box from the bottom and opened it.

It was his father's dark blue and black yukata, gently and carefully folded. His mother gave it to him after he graduated college, tears in her eyes. She told him it was a luck charm, a souvenir she cherished. Ash took it everywhere he went, and since he didn't know how to fold it back, he left it inside the box, and enjoyed its sight inside it. His father passed away when his mother was still pregnant, so Ash never saw his father. This souvenir was really important for him too.

Ash smiled, running his hand over the soft tissue of the yukata.

"I guess it's time to get you out of this little box..."

"Ash?"

Ash hid the box quickly inside the closet and shut it close. He shouted, "The door is open!"

Misty got inside. She looked very excited. "Your mom said they're organizing the spring festival this year!"

"I just heard about it too."

"She asked me if I could come to the festival and I said yes." Misty blushed slightly. "I hope you don't mind."

"No, at all." Ash raised his eyebrows. "I'm sure you'll have fun."

"Aren't you going?" Misty frowned slightly.

"Ahem..."

"Please?"

God, he loved this. Why can't he win like this all the time? "Fiiiine. We can go together to Pallet. I miss my dog anyway."

"Yaaas! It's going to be great!" Misty clapped her hands together. "I'm calling the school right now to book some leave days in advance!"

Ash watched her leave. She was running so fast she ran into the couch and fell on it.

He laughed and said, "Thanks mom."

-

Check out the stories by IceCreamAndPizza2 because they are great c: