Chapter Four

She just focused on the food. Her mother had made all of her favorites. The main dish was this insanely yummy chicken casserole. It was the only casserole that Piper actually craved. Her mother made it in such a way that Piper knew only her mom could produce that wonderful flavor. She had offered to teach it to Piper and now she thought she'd ask her to teach her. Alex would love this once she got out.

Cal asked her about the prison food and Piper told them the story of how she insulted Red. She left out some of the details about how long she went without food. She did say that Alex tried to share her food. Then she shared some of the microwave recipes she'd learned from other inmates.

"I'd like to try the cornchip casserole," Neri said. Piper's mom rolled her eyes but she had a bright expression. Her father said it probably wouldn't taste the same on the outside. Piper thought about his words and they started to have a discussion about how the environment affects things like joy. It was interesting and they were able discuss it in an academic way for the majority of the meal. Piper watched them and spoke here and there. She observed the family unit that had developed in her childhood home and thought maybe having Cal stay here was the best thing that happened to both her parents and the young couple.

"I'm really glad to be home. I...that first night I was at Litchfield...by that night, I knew I was lucky because I had someone on the outside. I..am grateful, though I act like an ass. I got a job today...just a part-time one but if I have to sit around..I'll get ancy," Piper shrugged as if to say she didn't think she would do well with time on her hands.

Her father seemed startled for a moment then said, "I think it is good b- um Piper that you want to work. Are you fine?" He seemed to stumble over the words, then look down at his meal suddenly interested in his green beans with yummy sliced almonds.

"I'm fine Dad. I mean...no I have PTSD and I am going to need a bit of help. But this is just a clerk job and I should be able to handle twenty hours a week," Piper said quietly. "Oh I'm used to functioning without sleep if that is why you're worried."

Cal cleared his throat. "Mom told us you had a bad dream last night." Piper nodded and shrugged some.

"I dreamed in prison too...but not like that," Piper admitted.

"Was it about that big guy breaking Alex's arm?" Neri asked as if she was asking about a plot twists of a television show at the water cooler. Her father's face paled and Piper realized he had seen the video. Piper didn't want to flash back to that moment but she did. She saw Alex's eyes, pleading for her to shut up and not look. The stubborn set of her jaw as she took the pain rather than submit to his terror.

"Piper...Piper…" Cal was saying her name and Piper just shivered all over...blinking harshly to bring this world back into focus. Piper leaned back in her seat.

Piper nodded quietly after a moment, " Yyes usually it is some variation on that theme...though there are other things that appear now and again. I think maybe my worry about Alex has made it worse." Her father frowned and moved back in his chair. Her mother changed the subject and her sister-in-law apologized for bringing it up. Piper gave her a weak smile and ate a bit more. There was wine at dinner and she wanted to drink a few glasses. She didn't. She knew she was a lightweight and if she got drunk the need to talk to Alex would overwhelm her.

She did finish her one glass though and finally said to her dad, "Is tomorrow morning a good time for you to sit down with me and explain my inheritance?"

Everyone went silent. Her mother looked like she was about to reprimand her for asking it outright like that without prefacing it with how she learned of it. "Sure Piper. I'll have the family solicitor here. If you want, they can represent you or if you'd rather, we can switch everything over to a New York firm," he said then took a bite. Piper switched to drink her water. Cal offered her another glass and she shook her head. She was still shaking some and the fact her hands shook pissed her off. She started to say something about how she would pick someone in the city that would be honest with her. But she took a deep breath.

"I want to stay here a few months...if that is okay? If it is then keeping it with Kane-Morton seems smart. I am keeping my personal account and I have some things I need, like medical care," Piper continued in her even tone. She wouldn't transfer her fear and anxiety into arguing with her dad. Cal had asked her not to be snarky.

"Of course it is and make whatever appointments you need, we'll take care of it," her father said as if it was nothing and she should expect it. Piper took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Daddy, I need to pay for things if I can...I need some control." She whispered it rather than use sarcasm and yell. She'd probably yell at him at some point tomorrow but right now she just didn't have the fight in her. Maybe it was the 'Daddy' part but he seemed to tear up and swallow hard.

"Your father will set up whatever account you need and I will make the appointments you need. You can pay us back if need be...while we're at it we will get you decent insurance as well. I would think your part-time job isn't offering it," her mother interjected. Piper nodded agreeing and was glad that she jumped in and settled everything. She was going to clean up but felt so damn tired that her mother sent her to bed.

Cal hugged her tightly before going downstairs. "You did great, thanks. Sorry about Neri, she really has this fascination with dreams lately." Piper patted his cheek and headed up to bed. She left all the lights on as she crawled into bed in her most comfy clothes. Piper thought of Alex and fell to sleep in less than three minutes time.

Piper woke only once with a dream. She wasn't screaming this time so at least her parents weren't disturbed. She didn't remember it just the anxiety of her dream and an aching need for Alex. Piper played on her phone for a few hours...doing research on incarceration numbers and the fastest growing population in prison...women. She fell back to sleep and then Piper woke at 7 and was happy for the four hours of sleep she accomplished. Now that Cal was downstairs, Piper had the upstairs bathroom all to herself and she thought maybe she had enough time before she set about her day to soak in the tub. She felt guilt when she thought about how Alex was probably in line for the shower or perhaps had already showered...definitely she had already eaten.

She loved that bathroom because the tub was big for a wall unit and it was quiet. She could see the oak tree in the backyard through the window. The water was wonderfully warm and the bubble bath she found was one of her own. It was lavender and very soothing. Piper had wrestled her guilt over the luxury and had finally allowed herself to enjoy it when Neri opened the door to the bathroom.

'Your damn brother would not wake up and bring this upstairs. I hate the stairs, so I'm going to go climb into your bed," she said handing Piper Cal's phone. She set up in the water, trying to cover herself but the phone was in her hand and her sister-in-law had waddled her pregnant self out.

Piper leaned up out of the bath, making sure not to put the phone over the water with her slippery hands. "Hello?"

"You know, I've never met her but that woman is hilarious. She called your brother the most creative names as she climbed the stairs...and apparently you've had dreams and maybe my voice will help that," Alex said in her sexy voice.

"Hi….Yeah...you sound amazing. I love you and miss you," Piper said in a rush, her face bright and her smile huge.

***Hmmm the reviews are wonderful...keep them up! I'm starting work soon and the frequency of posting may slow. Check out the real Piper at piper on twitter. Recently she posted a link to an article about how companies are making a fortune off of e-messaging systems set up in places for prisoners. Families are paying huge prices so their incarcerated loved ones can actually hear from them. My first cousin is one of those individuals. Riddled with drug abuse his whole life from childhood, he is now serving 7 years on drug related charges. His sisters can't afford to keep him in commissary let alone contact him through some way expensive messaging system. There is something fundamentally wrong with a system that lets people profit from the most vulnerable citizens. Anyone else out there got a family member in the US penal system? Peace Fae***