Bridgett, her self-centered sister entered, and grabbed the piece of toast off the plate, before Kerry could even take one bite.
'Thanks for asking, first' she snapped.
Bridgett didn't respond, took a single bite of the toast before throwing the rest of it into the trash bin.
'What's wrong with you', Kerry shouted
'What? What'd I do now', Bridgett asked.
'You! You take the toast off my plate, without even asking. Then you just take one bite and throw the rest away'
'And...'
'And do you know how many people out there would be grateful for that piece of toast', Kerry replied
Bridgett looked at Kerry, looked at the trash can, looked back at Kerry and said 'It's only a piece of toast'
Kerry threw her hands in the air, and replied 'Yeah, to us. But to some people, that one piece of toast is the only food they will have all day'
Bridgett smirked and said 'Whatever, Mother Theresa'
She walked past Kerry, into the living room as Kerry shouted 'Mother Theresa was a great person, so I take that as a compliment'
CJ entered from the living room and said 'Can you keep it down? I've had a very long day and would like to get some sleep'
'Long day from what? Eating pizza and playing video games all day' Kerry quirked.
'Hey, I... yeah that sounds about right', CJ replied as he poured some cereal.
'Didn't you drive your car off a cliff', Jim asked as he walked into the dining room.
'No, why', CJ responded
'Oh nothing... it was just a dream. Just a beautiful dream', he replied with a wry smile.
It was later on, as Bridgett was lying on the bed, listening to a CD. Ever since their father died, Bridgett spent most of her time in her room, reading her father's sports articles, looking at pictures. Even going to parties or dates didn't seem like that big of a deal anymore. She had totally withdrawn from everybody and everything.
Kerry had come up to change for a party and saw her sister just sitting on the bed and said 'Do you wanna come'?
She just shook her head
'You need to get out of the house one day, Bridge'.
'What's the point? What's the point in anything, anymore' Bridgett responded as a tear fell from her face.
Kerry sat down next to her, and put her arm around her and said 'Moping around won't make dad come back'
Bridgett nodded and said 'I know... hang on I'll go with you'
Bridgett went to the closet, grabbing her jacket when something fell out
Kerry went to pick it up and said 'What are you doing with a joint'
Bridgett snatched it and said 'None of your business and you didn't see this'
'How many of these did you smoke', Kerry asked
'It's none of your business, so stay out of MINE', Bridgett yelled
Kerry sat Bridgett down on the sofa and said 'You know, you don't need that. You don't need drugs to use as an escape'.
Bridgett sighed and said 'I know. Please don't tell mom'
Kerry looked at her sister, and said 'We have to'
Bridgett shook her head and said 'No. You can't. And what about when I covered for you and told mom you went to Jessica's house when you and Kyle really camped out at the lake last weekend? You owe me'
Kerry didn't like being put in that situation and but finally agreed and said 'Ok. But only as long as you promise me this will be your last one. You have to promise me'
Tears fell down her face and with hands trembling said 'I... I can't'
'Why not'
'Because... I... I'm addicted', Bridgett said, sobbing
'Oh God', Kerry sighed as she took her sister in her arms, trying to comfort her.
CJ stepped forward, and put his hand on her shoulder, as Bridgett looked up and said 'How long have you been standing there'?
'Long enough', he softly responded. 'We need to let your mom know'
'I can't. I'm scared', Bridgett said, with a shaky voice
'How about if we tell her together', CJ said and Kerry nodded her agreement
Bridgett nodded as Kerry took her hand, as they left the bedroom and walked downstairs
'Aunt Cate', CJ called as they walked down the stairs, but were greeting with silence
'Aunt Cate', he called louder, waking up Jim who was dozing in the recliner.
'Where's my damned cane at', he muttered sleepily
'Never mind the cane. Where's Aunt Cate', he asked.
'She went to the store, like YOU were supposed to', Jim retorted.
'Yeah sorry, I forgot' CJ replied
'Typical response. I bet if Aerosmith called, you'd remember that'
'Did they call', CJ asked full of excitement
'Sure they did, along with the Queen of England', he quipped
Cate enters the back door, carrying a bag of groceries
'Need any help' Kerry offered
Cate looked at her and said 'Who are you, and what have you done with my daughter'.
Kerry rolled her eyes and the lame joke and went to the car and brought another bag into the house.
'We need to call a family meeting', Kerry said
Her mom laughed and said 'Only an adult can call a family meeting'
'Fine. FAMILY MEETING', CJ announced
'She said only an ADULT can call a family meeting', Jim insulted.
'What's this about', Cate asked, as they all gathered in the living room
'Somebody has something they need to tell you', CJ said as he nodded towards Bridgett
'Bridge, what's going on', Cate asked as she sat down.
She sighed and collected her thoughts and said 'It's... it's been real hard... since... since dad died'
Cate nodded and said 'I know it's been and I am so incredibly proud of the way each of you stepped up and pitched in. You kids have been my rock. My support. And I am so incredibly proud of each of you, and so incredibly lucky to have such a great family. And I know dad would have been...is incredibly proud of you as well'
'Don't count on it', Bridgett said.
'Why? What's going on', her mother said as she moved closer to her.
Bridgett was silent, unable to speak. Kerry moved over to her, and took her hand, looked her in the eye and said 'You can do this'
Tears started to well up in Cate's eyes and said 'Whatever it is Bridgett, I am your mother and will love you and be here for you. No matter what'.
'No matter what'? Bridgett replied as her mom nodded.
'No matter what', her mom comforted
Bridgett paused for a few seconds and said 'After dad died, I was falling in a downward spiral. I was so used to being in control over everything, but all of that changed. Somebody offered me something saying it would take the edge off and help me relax... and I took it'.
'What was it', her mom asked, already knowing the answer
Bridgett tried to compose herself, as the tears were beginning to show and replied 'It was a joint'.
Cate dropped her head and asked 'How many'
'I don't really know. But I think I'm...addicted, now'. Bridgett said as she broke down sobbing.
'Can you score one for me', Rory asked
'Rory, OUT', his grandfather commanded, pointing towards the staircase.
'Oh honey, why didn't you come to me when you first started using pot. We would have gotten some help, or something', Cate said, hugging her daughter.
'I was ashamed. I was embarrassed to let you know how weak I was'
'Who said you were weak. Is this the same person who was Class President and organized the school fundraiser and dance', Cate said with a smile
'How can you be proud of me. I'm a druggie', Bridgett replied
Her mom shook her head and said 'No you are not a druggie. You're a kid who made a bad decision, is all. And I am still proud of you. Admitting you need help is a sign of great strength, not weakness'
'But dad always gave his 'only losers do drugs' speech. I don't want dad to think I'm a loser, too'.
'You're not a loser, Bridge. You're not. OK? Yes you made a bad choice, but you owed up to it, and are ready to take accountability. Your father also had another speech he loved to say... 'Take accountability for your actions'. And you are Bridgett, and I know he is very proud of you.
Cate took a deep breath and said 'Would everybody mind if I spoke to Bridgett in private for a while'.
'Well I need to gas up the van, anyway. C'mon and you can fill up' CJ said as he stood up.
'My life is now complete', Kerry replied sarcastically as she followed CJ to the van and they got in
"Your mom is pretty cool. If it were my parents, I would have been kicked out', CJ mused
'I thought your parents did kick you out', she replied
CJ chuckled and said 'Yeah, but it was time to move out anyway'
CJ put the van in reverse and backed out of the driveway and said 'I just hope you don't think less of your sister. I mean I know you guys butt heads and fight all the time, but right now she needs a friend. She needs a sister
Kerry nodded and said 'I know I call her shallow and superficial, but underneath it all... and I swear if you tell her this, I will kill you... but underneath, I'm jealous of her. She has this most incredible strength, that I can't even begin to imagine
'Don't sell yourself short, there.. You're pretty terrific too', CJ said with a smile.
It was later on, as they returned and Cate went over to Kerry, hugged her.
'What's that for' she asked.
'Bridgett said it was your idea for her to come and tell me what was going on. I knew you kids were having a hard time adjusting and all, but to think you would need to resort to drugs...
'Please don't be angry with her', Kerry asked
'Oh I'm not honey. We all grieve in our own ways. Some ways, such as crying and talking are good and healthy ways to grieve. And some... like smoking pot, isn't'
'So what now', Kerry asked
'We're going to help Bridgett get the help she needs'. her mom said
They hug goodnight as Kerry goes to their room, to find the light turned off
'Bridge, are you asleep', Kerry quietly asked
'No', she replied
'So what happened', Kerry asked
'Mom and I are going to see a counselor about rehab'
'Wow...rehab', Kerry softly commented
'I'm sorry for putting you thru all of this. You're my little sister. I'm supposed to be the one looking out for you, not the other way around'
Kerry sat down by her and said 'You're not putting us thru anything. Believe it or not, I do love you and want you to get better'
'Thanks'
'Sure. Can I get you anything', Kerry asked
'Yeah. I could use a joint, right about now', she said
'WHAT? How could you even WANT one of those things', her sister asked, clearly upset
'Relax, it was a joke', Bridgett said
'Well considering the situation, I don't think it's anything to joke about', Kerry replied.
'I don't know why I make light of this', Bridgett said
'I do. I think you're scared, but don't want to admit it', Kerry softly challenged.
'I am the school president. People look up to me. People expect me to be a leader and...' Bridgett said, trying to fight the tears
'Even leaders get scared sometimes. That's when you realize they're human, too', Kerry interrupted
'But I am. I'm scared Kerry. It's like this thing has me locked in its claws and I don't know how to get out', she said, crying.
Kerry hugs her sister tightly and said 'And we're going to fight it. All of us. We'll just take it one day at a time'
'One day at a time', her sister said
'Right. One day at a time. Now close your eyes and try and get some rest'
'Thanks', Bridgett said
'Anytime', Kerry said, giving her big sister a quick peck on the cheek, before going to bed