The Other Parents
Ch. 7 Derek and Casey's Non-fight
Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews and alerts. The next couple of chapters are very angst but there's happiness ahead. This is a Derek and Casey story. I am sticking with the strange format. I doubt I'll do it again on any story but for this one it works. Please enjoying I am still planning 20 chapters. Some of the chapters will be a little short. Thank you again.
Cindy
Abby was busy making after school snacks when Derek and Casey came in from school. Abby smiled at the two and asked. "How was school?" "Fine." Derek mumbled not even looking at his Mom or Casey. Casey sighed and said. "Abby I'm not feeling well I think I'll go upstairs and lay down." "Is there anything I can get you Casey?" Abby asked a little worried. "No thank you I just need to go rest." Casey answered politely. Abby nodded watching Casey run up the stairs like she couldn't get away fast enough.
"What happened?" Abby asked Derek curiously. "What um uh nothing happened she probably just has a headache." Derek answered. "Are you sure everything is okay?" Abby questioned again hoping to get Derek to talk. "Yeah everything is fine Mom." Derek said. "If either of you need to talk about anything Dennis and I am both here for both of you." Abby said. "I said everything is fine Mom." Derek snapped. Abby nodded sadly watching her oldest son walk away.
Abby was upset she still couldn't get the older kids to open up to her. She wasn't sure what she could do to help them if she didn't know what was going on. They had seemed fine before now. They had been leaning on each other mostly. But now it seemed things had changed and Abby didn't know why or how to help them.
At dinner that night Abby could sense the tension between Derek and Casey. Everyone else seemed to be talking and even joking around. And though Abby was happy to see the other kids adjusting she was really getting worried about the older kids. "My first soccer game is Saturday morning at ten." Lizzie announced. "You know I'll be there." Edwin said with a wink at his best friend. "I would love to see you play. I've heard you're amazing." Abby said. Lizzie smiled brightly and said. "I'd like that Abby." "I can be there too Sweetie." Dennis said. "I want to go." Marti said. "I think we all should go." Abby suggested. Derek said. "I guess." "Okay." Casey said.
Edwin started talking about the up coming science fair. Dennis quickly agreed to help Edwin with the electronics. Abby who wasn't that good with Science offered to help with painting the machine. Lizzie warned them that Edwin was known to go a little over board with his inventions.
Even Marti joined in on the conversation talking about school. She was trying out for the Talent show. She was going to do a magic show with Edwin and Lizzie's help. Then Marti started telling every second of her school day. Dennis smiled at the little girl. He had missed his girls so much and now he had them had Marti as well as the boys which he had never had before.
Dennis joined Abby in trying to make the older kids talk. "How is school going Casey?" Dennis asked. "Fine Senior year pretty easy." Casey answered and then went back to starring at her plate. "And Derek how is school going for you?" Dennis asked. "Fine." Derek answered simply. "Are you excited about your upcoming dance class?" Abby asked Casey. "I might not take it." Casey answered. Derek shot Casey a surprised look.
"So when does Hockey practice start back up?" Dennis asked Derek. "Soon I guess." Derek mumbled. Abby sighed and took her turn again. "Are you two looking at Colleges yet?" Abby asked. "I was accepted with a full scholarship at Queens so I'll probably go there everywhere else isn't the full scholarship." Casey answered. "And you Derek?" Dennis asked. "Where ever I get a Hockey scholarship. There's a few school interested I guess." Derek answered.
Then it got quiet again. Casey finished eating and excused herself to do homework. Derek quickly followed saying he had a project due. Dennis and Abby kept talking with the other kids. They even offered to help them finish their homework.
Later that night Dennis and Abby decided to check in with the older kids again. Dennis went to talk with Casey and Abby with Derek. Casey told Dennis she just had a bad day and was tired. She promised to talk with him if things got any worse. Abby completely failed. Derek yelled at Abby told her to just leave him alone. Abby left and ran into Dennis in the hall. "Did you get anything out of Casey?" Abby asked. "Nope, did you?" Dennis asked back. "No just pissed him off." Abby answered. They finally decided to give it a few days and see what would happen.
The Next day Derek and Casey were overly polite to each other. The other kids noticed first. Abby over heard Edwin and Lizzie talking. "This is way worse then them fighting or the silent treatment." Lizzie said. "I know have you tried to talk to Casey?" Edwin asked. "I tried she says nothing wrong and that nothing happened with Derek." Lizzie answered. "Derek said pretty much the same." Edwin said.
"Do you think this brought up well you know?" Lizzie asked softly. "Yeah I'm sure it has but you know Derek he doesn't do feelings." Edwin answered. "Yeah and Casey over thinks and is too emotional." Lizzie said. Abby stood there in shock. What was going on with the two older kids?
Abby decided to talk with Dennis. He said it was probably nothing. They both knew the kids use to fight all the time. Dennis said this was better than fighting. Abby agreed but thought there was much more to the story.
