Chapter Three – How do you solve a problem like Jean?

It had been two weeks since Sean had left and still Chris had heard nothing from his elder brother; he was very worried but at least being back at school gave him something to focus on. Jean had gone bipolar again; she wasn't eating, sleeping and would only talk to Stacey. Danielle had been kicked out following an argument with Stacey after Jean nearly burnt the house down whilst in Danielle's care. Chris thought it was stupid that Danielle had left over something so stupid and had tried to talk her in to coming back but Danielle seemed adamant that she was staying away from The Slater household

Charlie was being irritating; he had taken it upon himself to fill in the brotherly role and had constant man to man chats about video games and girls. Chris was grateful for Charlie's compassion but it wasn't needed. Chris began spending more and more time with Jay, Peter and Lucy and he would have been with Lauren if she hadn't confessed to hitting Max with the car on Halloween. Chris twigged that's why she was on edge when she talked to him the morning before Tanya's court hearing

Chris returned home from school one day to find Jean stepping into a car and Stacey yelling after her

"Mum, please don't go" Stacey cried as Jean left the square in the back of the car

"What's going on Stace" asked Chris

"Mum's... had to go... Back... in-into... c-c-ca-re" Stacey said through her tears

"What" said Chris angrily

"I'm sorry" said Stacey trying to give her younger brother a hug

"GET OFF ME" Chris yelled "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE ALL OF YOU"

Chris ran a million miles an hour to his room and proceeded to barricade himself in, causing serious concern to Mo, Charlie and Stacey. Chris stayed inside for days and didn't have anything to eat

A few days later he heard Jay's voice through the door

"Chris, its Jay" said his best mate "Let us in eh"

"GO AWAY" roared Chris

"Please, everyone's really worried about you" said Jay sounding concerned

"I just want to be left alone" said Chris putting his head in his hands

As Charlie escorted Jay out of the house; Chris let himself out of his room and went downstairs and apologised to Stacey for taking his anger out on her. "It's OK, babe" said Stacey giving Chris a hug "What do you say I make you a sandwich".

Chris accepted the offer and began walking to the living room, but as he did he felt faint and before he knew it he was on the sofa with the concerned voices of Mo, Charlie and Stacey surrounding him

"W-what happened" said Chris nursing his head

"You fainted son" said Charlie putting a blanket over the confused teen

"How long was I gone" said Chris, he noticed Stacey was on the verge of tears

"Only about five minutes" said Mo "Now you behave you little drama queen, I left Whitney Dean covering the stall"

Stacey sat down next to Chris

"I'm so sorry about all of this" she said

"It's OK, it's not your fault" said Chris

"I'm the one who has to look after you" said Stacey "I always have, that's all I know and seeing you unconcious just made me feel like I'd failed you in some way"

"You've never failed you've been brilliant" said Chris "Now, where's my sandwich". Stacey laughed and hit him with a pillow

Maybe, just maybe, things were finally piecing back together and it took Chris fainting for that to happen