Disclaimer: I don't own anything. That's my final answer.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. I'm glad I left you all a little surprised. That's what I was aiming for. Score! This chapter was a lot of fun to do because I got to write about a character I rarely get to do. I hope that I did a good job. Let me know if I did or didn't.

Meredith: The Weekly Meeting

Finishing her last phone call of the day, Meredith took her final sip of her drink. She breathed at ease, thinking, "Thank God". She looked at the time and realized that she only had forty-five minutes until she had to be at the school. Dammit.

Meredith collected her belongings and made her way to the door. As she was putting on her coat, Pam handed her a note, "Meredith, you had a message from the principle of your son's school. He said that the meeting was bumped up."

Meredith turned on her heel, "For how long?"

Pam handed her the note, "Fifteen minutes early."

Meredith snatched the note and cursed, "Shit!" She turned around and ran out of the door. As she was running to the elevator, she figured she could just take the stairs. As she ran down the stairs, she started feeling dizzy. "Maybe I shouldn't of had that third drink." She slowed her pace but as soon as she got to the first floor, she quickened it again.

She ran out of the building and ran into Dwight, "Meredith, where are you going? There's still an hour and fifty-seven –

"Not now, Dwight." Meredith ran to her van and got into the driver's seat. As she bent down, she felt some pain from her waist. She groaned at the pain, but put her car in gear. As she was backing up, she saw Dwight in her back rear window walking towards her. Meredith swung out, trying to scare him off, but Dwight was insistent, "Meredith, I will have to –

Meredith threw a half-full cup of unknown liquid at him, "Get lost!" and drove off at high speed. Looking back through her window, she saw Dwight wiping off his glasses, causing her to chuckle to herself, "Sucker."

As she drove down Church Street, she glimpsed at the clock, 3:17, she only had thirteen minutes until the meeting. She was approaching a stop sign and looked around to see anyone around. The coast was clear as she turned the corner without stopping. She continued to look back to make sure she wasn't caught. The last thing she needed was another DUI. She already had to go to court next week because she had to pick Jake from a concert he snuck into last month.

As she approached the school, she saw a few students with their cell phones, chatting and laughing at one another and seemingly carefree. Meredith took a moment to look at the young girls, remembering when life didn't seem so unbearable. When life didn't have to be tolerable with a drink in her hand. When she could wake up and actually look forward to make contact with other people. The only contact she had was whenever she met someone at the bar or her coworkers. And even with those few times of contact, she needed to be inebriated to deal. She sighed as she pulled into the parking lot. If they only knew.

Meredith made her usual walk into the principle's office, a walk she was just as familiar with as her bedroom into the bathroom. She knew that if she needing to, she could make the walk in her sleep. She waved at the security guard, who gave her a fist bump and a tilt of his brim. She headed into the main office and noticed the secretary, "Hey Ms. Palmer, how was your day?" She gave Meredith her usual friendly smile.

Meredith shrugged, "It's going." She walked up to the coffee maker and poured herself her usual cup of coffee. She was making her way to her usual seat to pour some better stuff from her "Fun Flask"; the secretary beckoned her over to her desk.

She pulled out something that was wrapped up in a napkin. "I knew you were coming today, so I saved a donut for you, your favorite."

She handed her the donut and Meredith pealed back the napkin, revealing her favorite donut, chocolate cake, and smiled, "Thanks, Stephanie. I haven't eaten all day." She took her seat and started to munch on her treat.

Stephanie smiled, "I know. You never eat." She chuckled, "I thought I'd try to put some meat on those bones of yours. You're just so thin."

Meredith looked down and saw her own body: flat-chest, pudgy stomach, no hips to save her life. Oh yeah, she was in peak condition. She shrugged, "I never really have time to eat." But there's always time to drink.

Stephanie nodded, "All I have is time to eat. I think I gained twelve pounds since I started working here." She giggled as she went back to some filing.

Meredith looked over at Stephanie, who was a young girl, probably in her late twenties. It was common knowledge that every day around one o'clock, she would give her usual dictation with the principle, and gave him more of her services usually after Meredith's meetings. She was sure that Stephanie gained twelve pounds… in her boobs.

As Meredith was imagining what those "meetings" really entitled, the principle, Mr. O'Brien, came out of his office, "Ms. Palmer, come on in." He beckoned her into his office. He spoke to Stephanie, "Are you prepared for our meeting, Stephanie. I have a few new things we need to cover."

Stephanie discreetly opened and crossed her legs, "Always, Mr. O'Brien." She gave him a sly smirk, giving him seductive eyes.

Mr. O'Brien cleared his throat, "Very good. I'll see you than." He gave her a cult nod and a quick wink and followed Meredith into his office. He walked over to his desk and straightened his tie, "Ms. Palmer –

"What did he do this time?" She shook her head and took a sip of her newly enhanced cup of coffee. "Is he expelled, yet?"

Mr. O'Brien shook his head, "No, Ms. Palmer. Jake has not been expelled… yet." He straightened up in his chair, "Ms. Palmer, I understand that it can be difficult to raise a son, especially for a working mother –

"Will you cut the crap, Donald? I come here every week. I have a standing appointment every week to discuss Jake. We both know that kid is only a few years away from joining his father in the slammer." She sighed with her head in her hand, "Let's just stop dancing around the subject so we can both get back to our… duties." She took a quick glimpse at Stephanie through his glass window and shook her head.

Mr. O'Brien was taken aback by her outburst, "Ms. Palmer, I thought that you more than anyone would have more faith in your son."

Meredith shook her head, "I'm not in denial. I have a bad seed, a bad apple, filled with tiny little worms. He's just like his father. He doesn't respond well to authority, he's prone to early alcoholism; he probably steals from the school. I know he steals from me. It's just a matter of time that he'll get caught into something that he or I can't talk his way out of. It's just a fact that I had to deal with. I love my son, I just hate the person he is."

Mr. O'Brien was stunned by Meredith's bluntness of her son's persona. "Ms. Palmer, I want you to know that you shouldn't give up on your son so quickly. Jake is… Jake is a bright boy. He has he potential to be –

"A criminal mastermind." Meredith downed the rest of her drink and placed it on Mr. O'Brien's desk.

Mr. O'Brien shook his head, "He has the potential to be a good student. He just needs… he needs a little guidance in the right direction." He sighed and took his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose, "I have a suggestion." He put back on his glasses, "Keep in mind that it is pretty radical and might be a little unorthodox –

Meredith chuckled, "I've already tried beating it out of him. I've tried the church. I've tried community service; I've tried sports, which got me a restraining order from the entire Little League Teams of America. I tried volunteering, which got me another restraining order from the Scranton's Soup Kitchen. I have tried everything. The boy will not rest until he strained every resource I have or I kill myself." She walked over to the coffee maker in the corner of the office, "Well… I'll tell you this much, I'm not going without a fight." She took the cup to her head and downed it in one large gulp.

Mr. O'Brien nodded, "Have you tried therapy?"

Meredith laughed out loud, "Therapy? Who do you think you're dealing with here? Will Hunting? What next, is Robin Williams gonna waltz in here trying to 'save' him with humor. Face it, Don. The kid is not worth the time. Let's just ride this out until he can be safely incarcerated."

Mr. O'Brien stood up, "Meredith… um… I mean Ms. Palmer, I need you to have more faith in your son if we're gonna help him."

Meredith shouted back, "That's what I've been saying, he's unhelpable. He's a lost cause. He's –

"Your son." Mr. O'Brien took a seat next to her, "He is your son. No matter what may happen to him, he is your son, Meredith. You can't give up on him. You need to have faith in him. Jake will never be any better than he is if you just give up on him. We both know that he needs you. He's only fifteen." He rubbed her back, trying to put her at ease.

Meredith nodded, "I know. It's just… it's so painful. I want to be the best mother, but he makes it so… difficult. I love him… so much. He's my baby… but the boy he is and the man he's becoming… I don't want to know."

Mr. O'Brien put a hand on her shoulder, "When I said 'therapy', I meant for you both." He walked back to his desk, "I think if you two can talk in a place where both of your feelings about things are expressed, maybe we can truly have some breakthrough."

Meredith looked confused, "Me and Jake in… therapy? You're nuts!" He started pacing in the middle of the room. "It would never work. He'll never talk and we would never have any progress." She shook her head, "We're a lost cause." She sat back down, "We're both lost causes."

Mr. O'Brien shook his head, "Well… I have more faith than you two have in yourself." He wrote something down on a sheet of paper. "This is a friend of mine. We went to school together. He's a specialist in this type of family counseling. I already called ahead and he has high hopes for you two." He passed the paper to Meredith. "By the way…" He smiled, "Jake seemed okay with it."

Meredith looked up, "You talked to Jake about this already?"

Mr. O'Brien nodded, "Yes, and he seemed interested in it."

Meredith nodded, "I'm sure he did." She chuckled, "I can see it now. He'll make it a new conquest to turn away every psychologist on the eastern seaboard." She shook her head, "Perfect."

Mr. O'Brien shook his head; "You need to have a little more faith in him than that. He could really surprise you."

Meredith simply shrugged, tried of arguing about the inevitable. She collected her purse, "So, is that it? Are we finished?"

Mr. O'Brien nodded, "Yes, for now. I want you to come in early next week, maybe Tuesday, so we can discuss some of the points you should cover in your first session." He stood up and patted Meredith on her back, "Just try to have more faith and don't give up on Jake. He still needs you, whether you or him are willing to admit that."

Meredith nodded, "I'll see you next week." She nodded again and walked out the door, where she saw Stephanie and the three top buttons of her blouse unbuttoned. "See ya next week, Stephanie."

"Bye, Ms. Palmer." She waved and walked into Mr. O'Brien office. Mr. O'Brien waved at Meredith and walked into his office, closing the door behind him.

Meredith walked down the hallway and looked at the bulletin boards and trophy cases along the wall. She noticed plaques and paintings from different students for different honors. She noticed photographs and pictures from different events and activities that happened throughout the year. As she looked at the walls of the main hallway, all she could imagine was the pride she would have felt if she saw Jake somewhere along the hallway, just a small piece of him would do. She sighed, knowing that Jake was just a part of this world as she was like those carefree teenagers she noticed on her way in. She looked at the wall and realized that Jake and her were both outcasts in their own ways. She realized that trying to change Jake was like trying to change her. It would be difficult, but at the end of the day, she can understand the person he is becoming and hopefully shape him into someone she wants him to be.

As this thought floated in her brain, she noticed Jake talking to a girl down the hall. He was leaning against the wall, facing the girl, who was looking through her locker. They were talking and from where Meredith stood, they were enjoying each other's company. He was making her laugh, which was a big deal to Meredith, so much so that she thought that she might actually smile. She watched from the other end of the hallway, not wanting to barge in, so she watched from afar. She was smirking when the girl closed her locker and kissed Jake on the lips. Jake kissed her back and pulled away. He said something and walked away, heading in Meredith's direction. As he walked away, the girl shouted, "See ya tomorrow!"

Jake turned around and waved, "See ya." He continued to walk when he noticed his mother, "Meredith? What the hell are you doing here?"

Meredith cleared her throat; "I was with your principle at our weekly meeting." She tightened her grip on her purse strap. "So… who's the girl?"

Jake rolled his eyes, "Nobody."

Meredith cocked her head, "Didn't seem like anybody to me."

Jake smacked his lips, "Just leave me alone, Meredith." He started to storm off.

Meredith stepped in front of him, "Stop calling me 'Meredith'. How about 'Mom'."

Jake shook his head, speaking slow, "I don't have a mother." He continued to walk away.

Meredith stopped him short, "Yes you do!" Jake walk some more, but she pulled him back. "I'm your mother, if you like it or not."

Jake yanked his arm back, "Don't try to be a mother now. It doesn't look good on you." He walked outside into the parking lot, where it was turning to early evening.

Meredith yelled, "I know it doesn't, but that's who I am. And you're my son."

Jake rolled his eyes, "You're just now noticing that? God, you're drunk more often than I thought you were."

Meredith stopped in her tracks, "What did you say to me?"

Jake turned on his heel, "You're a drunk, Mom. You're always drunk!" He sniffed the air, "You're drink now!" He smacked his lips, "How am I supposed to be anything better if you're not trying to be better?"

Meredith spoke softly, "I'm trying."

Jake yelled, "Well try harder. You're always 'trying', but you just go right back to it. No wonder I'm screwed up!"

Meredith ran to his side, "You're not –

Jake pulled away again, "Yes I am. I'm screwed up because of you. You hate me."

Meredith shook her head, "No I don't. I love you –

Jake smacked his lips, "You hate me. Just admit it!" He tried pushed her away when Meredith grabbed his arms and hugged him to her. He struggled, "Let go of me."

Meredith held him tighter, "I am not going to let you go. I will never let you go." She held him until Jake stopped struggling and began to cry. Meredith rubbed his back cooing him, "It's okay… It's okay, honey."

Jake continued to cry and let his mother hold him in the middle of the school's parking lot. Meredith couldn't remember the last time they were this close. She couldn't remember the last time Jake hugged her or when she hugged him. She took the chance to smell his hair and remembered all those times when he was a baby and she would give him baths and smell his sweet hair. She remembered when he used to want to spend every moment with his 'mommy', be 'mommy's little helper' and be 'mommy's big boy'. She remembered when she didn't have time for him anymore and how he looked when she was too drunk to read him a nighttime story. She remembered how heartbroken he was when she didn't show up to his plays or assemblies. She remembered how he started to yell at her and started calling her 'Meredith'. She remembered when he came home with his ear pierced. She remembered when he when he was brought home by the police the first time. She remembered when he was suspended from school the first time. She remembered when he told her that he hated her the first time, and the look of hatred in his eyes. She remembered when she realized that he was a lost cause and the pain that it caused her. Standing now in the parking lot, holding him, she realized that he could be helped after all. All he really needed was her to be with him every step of the way. They could help each other and be better, together.

She let go of Jake and looked into his eyes, whith were red from his crying. She wiped away the tears from his face. "Are you okay?"

Jake breathed in and out slowly, nodding, "Yeah. I'm okay." He wiped his face, "You?"

Meredith chuckled, "I'm better now." She hugged him again, as he hugged her back. After several more minutes, Jake pulled away, "I'm hungry."

Meredith noticed that her stomach was growling, "Yeah, me too. Wanna grab some food?"

Jake nodded, "Yeah. Could we get Chinese?"

Meredith nodded, "Yeah, sure. Sounds good." She tousled his hair, which made him smile and quickly roll his eyes. "Come on, it's getting late."

Jake ran to the car, "Could I drive?"

Meredith laughed, "Yeah right, buddy. Get in the passenger's seat."

Jake rolled his eyes and walked around the other side. When he hopped in the van, he started to mess with the radio. Meredith got in the van and saw what he was doing, "What do yo think you're doing?"

Jake continued to search on the dial, "Trying to find some good music."

Meredith nodded, "Your music to the restaurant, mine on the way back home." She put her van in gear and made her way out of the parking lot. As she was driving, she noticed the same stop sign, feeling a small smirk on her face. As she approached it, she made the turn without stopping.

Jake noticed and turned to her, "You didn't stop."

Meredith shrugged, "Yeah? So what?"

Jake nodded approvingly, "Cool."

Meredith smiled to herself. Only her child would think that breaking the law would be something to be proud of.

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More to come. In the next one- shot, we'll see a practice of a cover band. Check it out! Thanks for all the reviews again. You guys rock!

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