Week 3: Jealousy

"Hey, are you coming over later?"Rick asked.

"I have a lot of homework,"Shelley responded without looking at him.

"You say that everyday. What's the difference if you just do it at my house?"he demanded. They stopped walking once they reached the Parker's house. Rick had started walking Shelley all the way home now, knowing she wouldn't follow him to his house anymore. He resented it, and he let her know everyday.

"I dunno...it's just kind of tradition now for me to help Edgar after school."

"The bat boy? Shell, I thought that was for like one day,"he complained.

"Well, he says I teach some stuff better than my mom does..."

"What are you doing wasting your time with that freak when there are more important things to do?"he asked, looking accusingly at her.

"Like hanging out with you?"she asked, giving him a teasing look.

"Well, yeah, actually,"he said, as if this was obvious, "You are my girlfriend."

"Look, I'll come over later if I have the time,"she said quickly.

"I don't get it, Shelley. What do you see in that thing?"

"He's not a thing, Rick. His name is Edgar, and he's really nice,"she said without thinking.

"You act like he's your friend now or something,"he mused aloud, looking suspiciously at her. Shelley didn't say anything for a while. She felt her voice rise up inside her, ready to tell him the truth, to take a chance and see what would happen. But instead fear gripped her, and she found herself putting on her best fake smile and turning back to him.

"Please, Rick, don't make me laugh. He's just another one of my dad's expirements,"she said, letting the lie fall from her lips like lead. He looked reassured when she said this.

"Alright, well, come over later,"he told her.

"I will,"she said, turning, "See you!"

"Hey!"he called, grabbing her by the wrist and yanking her back toward him, "Kiss me goodbye." She smiled apologetically and gently reached up to kiss him. He could feel her begin to pull away when he suddenly grabbed her by the waist and forcefully pressed her mouth against his. She slowly got into it and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back. Unknown to Shelley, Edgar had appeared at the living room window, having heard her voice from outside. He frowned when he saw them hugging each other that tightly, their faces glued to each others. What were they doing?

Rick finally released her, smiling triumphedly as they stared at each other for a moment. Shelley's face was flushed, and her heart beat rapidly with excitement.

"What was that for?"she asked.

"Just because,"he said with a smoldering smile. Shelley felt her breath catch in her throat. This was one of the many reasons so many girls fell for Rick Taylor. Flashing one last smile, she kissed him goodbye one last time and turned back toward the direction of her house.

She slipped through the front door as quietly as she could. This was a game she and Edgar always played: she would try and come home as quietly as she possibly could and wait to see if he had heard her come in. Whether her mother had figured it out already or not, Edgar clearly had heightened senses that allowed him to see and hear more acutely than anyone she knew. If he beat her there, which he usually did, he would stand in the hallway expectantly, beaming brightly because he was so excited to see her. She didn't know what it was about her that was so great, but she always looked forward everyday to seeing him waiting for her, as if he had been waiting all day for her to come home. And when she finally did, he would look shyly down at his hands and quietly ask in a small voice if she could help him with something. There was always a little hesitation in his eyes, as if he were really scared that, even though she had been doing this every day for a week now, that one day she would say no.

Sure enough, he appeared in the entryway, but immediately Shelley could sense there was something wrong. She couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. Still, she didn't say anything.

"You're late,"she teased, "What happened to your super-awesome-supersonic hearing, Mr. Clark Kent?"

"Who?"he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Superman?"she asked, laughing at his puzzled expression. "So what are we doing today?" He raised his eyes a little, looking a little happier.

"Mrs. Parker teach me table manners,"he answered, leading her back into the living room, where Meredith had laid out a dinner tray, complete with dishes and silverware. Shelley didn't see why he would ever use this, since he never ate dinner with them, but she sat on the floor and joined them anyway.

They spent the whole day together like that, just the three of them. A couple hours later, Meredith let Edgar go outside under Shelley's supervision. She watched from the kitchen window as Shelley excitedly showed every thing that hadn't already been explained to him, pulling him along and eagerly showing him the tiny world of the backyard.

When Thomas got home from work, they were still outside together. He looked out the window and saw that they were playing tag, laughing loudly and chasing each other around the yard.

"Meredith, how long has he been out there?"Thomas asked, turning to his wife.

"About an hour. Maybe two,"she replied casually, "He loves it out there."

"I really don't think we should be exposing him like this, Meredith,"he said, looking out the window nervously, "Especially for this long..."

"They're just having fun."

"What if the neighbors see him?"

"Then they'll see him,"she said, shrugging, "Besides, I think it's good for Edgar to play around a bit. Heaven knows he needs sun, he's so pale." Thomas stared at Meredith disbelievingly, wanting to say something about the way she had been treating him lately, or about her lack of concern for his opinion. All she seemed to care about was what was best for the boy. But instead, he kept his mouth shut and let the disappointment he felt for having hoped today would be different slam him down.

When dinner was ready, Meredith called them both inside. They stumbled in, flushed, a little sweaty, but laughing and smiling all the same.

"Mom, can we have a family night like we used to?"she asked when she had sat down at the table and Dr. Parker had thrust the brown paper bag into Edgar's chest, "You know...play a board game or watch a movie?" Meredith glanced up at Thomas and smiled.

"What happened to going over to Rick's?"she asked innocently.

"Oh yeah, right...well, I can hang out with Rick anytime. I've been over every night this week, he'll understand. Besides, it'll be fun for Edgar."

"I think that would be a wonderful idea,"she said, trying to hide her smile.

Once dinner was over and Edgar had emerged from the bathroom blood-free, Shelley launched right into the rules for her favorite board game. Edgar had never played any games, but by the sound of it, it sounded almost frustrating. He wondered why people liked to subject themselves to so many rules for fun.

Shelley opened a cupboard Edgar had never looked into before and pulling out a colorful box. "I think you'd be really good at these. They're for brainiacs like you. " She set the game on the living room table and looked up to see Edgar standing there, watching her from a far distance. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to play. Hadn't Shelley called this part of a "family night"?

"What are you standing over there for? Get over here!"she called to him as the other family members assembled around the table. Edgar felt his heart elate a little as he moved to join them. It made him feel like he belonged.

Shelley had to slowly explain the rules to him twice before he said he understood how to play. He lost the first time, but beat both Shelley and Dr. Parker the second time, much to everyone's surprise.

Even though it was a school night, Meredith let Shelley pick out a movie to watch.

"Please let Edgar's first movie be somewhat educational,"she pleaded. Shelley rolled her eyes as she scanned through their measly selection. Edgar simply watched her, having never seen a movie and not knowing what exactly was going on. She had tried to explain to him that movies were like stories that were illustrated on a tv screen, but Edgar didn't understand. She was pulling out thin boxes, not tv screens. How could stories be inside those little boxes?

"Hey, Mom, does Disney count as educational?"Shelley called behind her, "They are classics."

"I guess,"Meredith sighed. Shelley fished for a little while longer, talking to herself under her breath, saying things like "I wonder what boys would be into..." or "Maybe Bambi? Oh wait, the mom dies, Mom may not like him seeing that..." Finally she seemed to come to a decision.

"Mom, how about Aladdin?"she called.

"Sometime today, dear." Dr. Parker got up off the couch and moved toward the door.

"I think I'm going to go to the study for a while, then..."

"Thomas, sit and watch the movie,"Meredith insisted.

"We've seen it a hundred times with Shelley. I know the songs by heart, I've watched it so many times with her when she was little."

"This isn't about Shelley, dear, it's about Edgar." Thomas stared at his wife coldly, keeping his mouth shut as his blood boiled with annoyance. He wanted to say what he was thinking, to tell her that the boy wasn't his child, and therefore it wasn't his responsibility to father him, but nothing came out. He wouldn't let it come out.

Grudgingly he went back to the couch, purposely not sitting in his usual seat on the end, so he could sit next to Meredith. She tried not to react to this. Usually Shelley sat between them, but Thomas was determined to force his way into Meredith's view and attention.

"Scoot over, Thomas,"she suddenly said as Edgar approached her.

"Why?"he asked without thinking, knowing he sounded ridiculous, making a big deal over a seat, but at the moment, he didn't care.

"Edgar's sitting here,"Meredith replied dryly.

"He can sit on your other side,"he said, maybe a little too contemptuously.

"Shelley likes the end seat,"she answered bluntly, as if that settled the matter. He was about to say something, but Edgar suddenly appeared, looking confused as he always did, unsure where he belonged and looking as if he still wasn't sure if it was okay that he had been invited to participate in this activity.

"Come sit right here, sweetheart,"Meredith instructed Edgar before Thomas could say anything. Edgar obeyed, and Thomas could feel his annoyance creep up the scale. For some reason, he couldn't seem to bring himself to blame Meredith, though. After all, the boy wouldn't even expect this treatment if Meredith hadn't brainwashed him into believing he was loved and wanted close by all the time.

Shelley popped in the movie and Thomas simply sat there, fuming. He couldn't concentrate on anything the characters were saying. He was watching Meredith the entire time out of the corner of his eye, gently wrapping her arm around the boy's shoulders, holding his hand when he began to get nervous. He watched the boy as he leaned over a little and saw that Shelley had her head rested on her mother's shoulder, growing bored with the all-too familiar images and sounds flashing across the screen. She too, seemed much more entertained by Edgar's reactions. Thomas watched as Edgar pretended to watch the movie for a while, then slowly he shyly laid his head against Meredith's other shoulder. This nearly drove Thomas over the edge. Shelley had always been the one to bring them together: the thing they could share as husband and wife. This boy was throwing everything out of balance. Now Meredith had two children she loved more than him, and one of them wasn't one he could share with her. He didn't want the boy to ever think that he could be shared.

He wanted revenge.

Thomas was barely aware of the movie ending. Shelley seemed close to falling asleep. Meredith gently asked Edgar how he liked the movie. Thomas didn't even hear his answer. Shelley stood up, yawned, wished everyone a goodnight, and tiredly went up the stairs to go to bed. Meredith left the room with Edgar to help him get ready for bed, leaving Thomas alone in the room. He sat there for a little while longer, then slowly got up and went to Edgar's room.

He walked in just as Meredith was leaving. Thomas waited until she had left the room to make his approach. When she was finally gone he turned to the boy, who hadn't even noticed he was there.

"So, Edgar,"he said, startling him into a sitting position, "Did you have fun tonight?" Edgar slowly turned around, surprised to see Dr. Parker in his room. Thomas had never come in to wish him goodnight.

He nodded, offering a weak, confused smile.

"You've come a very long way since you first came here, haven't you?"he asked.

"I... think,"he replied, looking shyly down at his hands. Thomas glared at him and forced a smile back, taking a seat on the edge of the bed where he was sitting. Edgar waited expectantly, not really understanding why he was asking him these questions, but still not saying anything.

"Do you like it here, Edgar?"he asked.

"Oh yes! Very much,"he replied enthusiastically.

"You've gotten quite attached to us...Why, you're practically a member of the family,"he commented, smiling wryly as he turned to the boy, "You must feel pretty indebted to Meredith and I for taking you in like we did."

"I very grateful for...for all you done for me...,"he said slowly.

"As you should be. I mean, not everybody would be willing to take someone like you into their home." Edgar looked down, and Thomas had to hold back a smile as he saw the boy's face contort with hurt.

"Someone...like me?"Edgar asked politely.

"Oh, you know what I mean, Edgar. Uh...someone so...high maintenance."

"What does 'high maintenance' mean?"he asked slowly.

"Oh, well...like hard to take care of,"he explained. Edgar's face fell when he heard this.

"...I'm sorry. I try not to bother. I really... am very grateful, though...,"he murmered softly.

"No doubt, I'm just making sure you realize how far you've come. I mean, you're actually kind of likeable now. You've grown up to a point where Meredith actually enjoys waiting on your every need, which is really saying something considering she initially wasn't too keen on keeping you in the first place." Edgar stared at him, feeling his heart break.

"I not know that...,"he mumbled, remembering that night she had first sang to him and let him fall asleep in her lap, feeling his heart rip as he did so, "I thought she wanted me..."

"Oh no. Actually it was me who suggested we keep you. You know, being a veterinarian and all, it's hard to watch innocent animals die just because nobody wants them." He let this sink in, smirking as Edgar's head sunk down low, knowing he had successfully hit a weak point.

"Good thing I convinced her otherwise,"he continued, the urge to smile almost uncontrollable now, "Look at you two now. You've gotten so close." Edgar looked up at this.

"I really love Mrs. Parker,"he replied softly, trying hard to control his voice, "I want work really hard to...to make her...proud of me."

"Oh, don't we all? Meredith has that attractive, likeably personality. That's one of the reasons I married her. And I suppose you think she loves you too?"

"I...um...I don't know...,"Edgar replied unsurely, looking down at his feet.

"I would imagine Meredith would say something like that. She has this uncanny ability to make just about anybody feel loved," Edgar frowned, confused.

"...You make seem like she not mean it,"he said slowly.

"Well of course she doesn't mean it,"he laughed, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Take it from someone who knows her. She rarely means anything she says."

"...She sound like she mean it,"he said softly.

"That's just because you don't know her like I do,"he insisted, patting the boy's shoulder, "Trust me, Edgar. I think you're just misunderstanding. You still have a lot to learn."

"...But...then why she do all this for me if...if she didn't love me?"he asked, hurt.

"Again, it's just Meredith's way. We all care about you, of course, but don't flatter yourself. Especially considering...what you are." Edgar stared at him, unable to comprehend what he was saying.

"...What?"he said slowly, shaking his head.

"Oh Edgar, don't make me say it. You mean you couldn't figure this out for yourself?"Dr. Parker asked, faking a concerned expression. Edgar slowly shook his head, and Thomas let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Come on, son, don't tell me you actually thought we wanted you as part of our family? You know how much embarrrassment you've caused us? Edgar, Edgar...,"he said, leaning over to place his hand on his shoulder, "You're a very bright boy, Edgar, but let's face it: You're an animal. You're not one of us." Thomas watched in twisted satisfaction as the boy's eyes filled with rising moisture. Edgar looked down at his hands, suddenly ashamed of himself.

"...But I trying really hard to act human,"he said softly, struggling to control the emotion in his voice, "I trying as hard as... as I can, Dr. Parker."

"Trying can only get you so far,"he replied, "But by all means, try all you want."

"...I feel very stupid,"he mumbled, "I realize now I very selfish..."

"Oh, come on now, don't be upset. Practice makes perfect, as they say,"he said with a quiet smirk, standing, "Well, I'm glad we got to clear this up, Edgar. Don't put yourself down too much, kid. Once you can act properly, we'll find you a good home with a family who actually wants you and doesn't mind taking care of you." Edgar hesitated, feeling tears threaten to fall.

"...Thank you, Dr. Parker...for telling me."

"Anytime, kid,"he said, smirking as he left the room, "Anytime..." As soon as Thomas turned his back to the boy, he let the satisfied smirk he had nearly betrayed finally show. Finally, he felt, he had balanced the scales. His wife may have abandoned him, but he had made sure that the boy would not reach out to her anytime soon. Meredith was the boy's entire world. If this did not teach him his place, he didn't know what would.

As soon as Dr. Parker left the tears Edgar had been holding back finally began to fall. The world once again felt red and raw to him, and everything he thought he knew was now being questioned. The perfect image he held of Meredith as a kind, warm motherly figure who loved him dearly was suddenly warped and tainted. His throat felt sore and constricted as he fought down tears. Why was he upset? Had he really thought otherwise? Dr. Parker made it all seem so silly - he felt like a fool for letting these feelings of love and want creep into his heart. Of course he was just a pet to her. He hadn't even thought of it until now - but he was a full-time project. Mrs. Parker had spent hours and days tutoring him, caring for him, teaching him all she knew. He was nothing but a nuisance to her - an annoying amount of work. Of course she didn't care about him as much as he did for her.

Edgar squeezed his eyes shut and tucked his knees up to his chest. He had gone and assumed that everyone here cared for him at least a fraction of what he felt for them. But now he knew he really didn't understand the human world. Suddenly all his hope that he could ever fit in, all his dreams that he might one day fit into a family were stripped away from hiim. He felt so alone...

"Edgar!" His ears perked up as he heard Mrs. Parker calling his name. He stayed where he was, unmoving, not ready to get up and face her when he didn't know how much longer he could hold it in. After a couple of seconds, Mrs. Parker poked her head in his room.

"Edgar, did you remember to brush your teeth?" She stopped when she saw him, curled up in a ball on the bed.

"Edgar? What's wrong?"she asked, laying the clothes on the bed and sitting down on the edge of the mattress. He didn't answer; instead he looked fixedly down at his arms.

"Nothing,"he mumbled, not looking at her.

"Something's wrong,"she insisted, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. He shook his head emphatically, refusing to make eye contact with her.

"Edgar, you can tell me. It's okay,"she encouraged him softly. He hesitated a moment, testing the truthfulness of this statement. She stared at him sadly and held her breath, waiting for the walls around him to come down. Maybe today would be the day he finally opened up to her. But he remained sitting with his back to her, his arms wrapped protectively around him because it was the only way he knew how to hide his heart from people. It was the only way he knew how to protect himself from things like what Dr. Parker had told him.

"It's nothing...,"he finally said, looking down at his hands. She stared at him for a moment, gently rubbing his back.

"You just keep doing your best, dear,"she said softly, then slowly got up off the bed and left him there to wonder what his best was, if it wasn't what he was already doing.


AN: Dont' you just want to punch Dr. Parker in the face? Poor little guy. :( Anyway...next week, back to Meredith. It's going to get a little disorganized here on out. I'm going to have to break the two-chapter pattern and start slowing down the time scale to every 3 or 4 days. I have a one-chapter bit of Meredith I will post Sunday regardless of whether it's ready or not, and then mostly Edgar/Shelley stuff until the end. There's a lot of things in the second act that I have parts written out for...but I think I've decided I'm only going to go to the end of Act 1. I might share some of my extra stuff later, once this is done...maybe. Depends on my mood, what color underwear I'm wearing that day, the constellations, what songs come up on shuffle, the position of Mars, you know...important, relevant things like that.