Susan Pfeffer's Ashes

Ashleigh is faced with the decision of taking her mother's money to help her father or not taking it and disappointing him. Ashleigh’s parents are divorced and she is living with her mother. Her dad gave her the nickname of “Ashes” but her mother hated the nickname so they had a fight. Ashleigh did not take her mother’s money because she thinks her dad is irresponsible, she knows her mom would be mad if she stole the money, and she was questioning her dad’s motives for taking the money.
Ashleigh did not take the money because she thinks her dad is irresponsible. In the short story “Ashes” Susan Pfeffer states,”He’s an irresponsible bum”was her way of wording it. I knew he was both.” (Page 1) This quote shows that Ashleigh’s dad is irresponsible
In the short story “Ashes”, Ashleigh states, “With mom, there are a lot of rainy days and she takes a grim sort of pleasure in being ready for them.” (Susan Pfeffer Page 1) This excerpt from “Ashes” shows that Ashleigh’s mom would be angry if she took the money which supports the argument that Ashleigh did not take the money. Ashleigh’s mom likes to be prepared and would be mad if she needed the money and found that Ashleigh took it she would be resentful to Ashleigh so Ashleigh did not take the money because she didn't want her mother to be angry at her. In the short story “Ashes” Ashleigh’s dad states, “She’d never let you go hungry,” (Susan Pfeffer Page 2) This supports the idea that Ashleigh did not take the money by illustrating that Ashleigh’s mom would be mad if she took the money. The quote shows that Ashleigh’s mom always provides for her and would be mad if Ashleigh stole from her so Ashleigh would not take her mom’s money. In the story “Ashes” Ashleigh tells the reader, “She’s the most practical person I know,” (Susan Pfeffer Page 1) This quote from the story supports the point that Ashleigh did not take the money by showing that Ashleigh’s mom is very practical. Ashleigh’s mom is practical and would be able to see other solutions to the problem so she would be mad at Ashleigh for taking the money so Ashleigh did not take the money. Ashleigh did not take her mother's
In the story “Ashes” Ashleigh asked her dad if he was waiting for someone at the diner, he said no but continued to watch the door. This piece of evidence shows how Ashleigh’s dad was being suspicious at the diner so she would not give him the money because it could be for something terrible. In “Ashes”, Ashleigh asks, “Why don’t you sell your car?” (Susan Pfeffer Page 4) This quotes supports the argument that Ashleigh did not take her mother's money by showing that her dad wouldn’t sell his car to get the money. Ashleighs dad would not his car so the investment is probably not worth it so Ashleigh did not give her father the money. Ashleigh asks, “You’ll be able to pay her back by friday?” in the story “Ashes”. This quote supports the claim that Ashleigh did not take the money by showing the doubt Ashleigh has about her father being able to pay her mother back. Ashleigh thinks her dad would not be able to pay her mother back so she did not take her mom’s money. Ashleigh did not take her mom’s emergency money because she was questioning her father’s motives for needing the