Ok, so parts of this update may seem a little random but hey, that's my writing… random and at times without sense of direction…
Chapter 6: I'm going in
"When will they get here?" Joan asked, her voice bright with fresh excitement.
"I don't know honey. It could take a while," Carolyn answered and smiled at her daughter who was literally bouncing up and down at the prospect of seeing her big brother again. The smile didn't reach the eyes, though. Carolyn had a hard time trying to forget the dead look that had constantly been in Derek's eyes the last six months. She would keep up her hope, mostly for her little girls, but she wasn't convinced that a camping trip could have made her son snap out of his depression.
On the other side, Mark and David were her last hope. Maybe Derek needed time with boys for a change, needed to clear his head in the fresh air.
"But when Derbear gets back, where will Meredith be?" Kathleen asked, real concern in her voice. It was so like her to consider everyone.
Nancy snorted, rolling her eyes. "Can't we just take her back to-?"
"No," Carolyn announced in a firm voice, making Nancy stare at her feet with the corners of her mouth twitching down in a grimace. "No, she's staying here for now. We'll figure something out."
"But she's no fun!" Amelia huffed; clearly disappointed that she hadn't gotten around to show off the dolls to the new girl. "She doesn't do anything, she's just in Der's room all day…"
"I know sweetheart, just give her some time," Carolyn plastered on her fake smile, repeating a sentence she had repeated so many times in the last two days that the words no longer made any sense to her.
Because two days it had been, two days since she had woken Meredith up from her nightmare, two days since Meredith had been crying on her shoulder. There had been no nightmares, not a single sound; but by the looks of it, that was because Meredith had not slept at all. The girl had an unhealthy pale complexion and dark shadows under her eyes
She hadn't said much these last two days. As a matter of fact, Amelia was absolutely right; she didn't do much. Meredith had stayed in Derek's room all day and hadn't touched the food Carolyn brought her.
Carolyn knew that her own words were true; she had to give the girl time. But Meredith had inhaled a lot of smoke and her body had to heal. It couldn't when it didn't get rest or nutrition at all.
And after all, Carolyn had hoped for progress in Meredith, but it seemed like the emotional outburst had scared the girl into silence – like they were going backwards.
To top it off, social services had yet to speak directly to Dr. Grey; they were getting her voicemail and couldn't reach her at the hospital. That woman was apparently always in surgery, always working. Although Carolyn's heart was breaking for the girl who's mother hadn't bothered to get in touch with her in the last two days, a little part of Carolyn was glad. The fact that Ellis hadn't made any contact certainly made it clear to everyone, including social services, that she wasn't fit to take care of Meredith.
Carolyn sighed. It was crazy, she barely knew the girl… but if Meredith was going to need foster care… why not take her in?
"They're here!"
Carolyn's head snapped up and she looked out the window in time to see Mr. Hanson's enormous car make its way up the driveway. It was really too big; the family consisted of only David and his father since the mother had moved out two years ago. Of course the size of the car made it perfect for camping trips.
"Girls, calm down!" she yelled after her four daughters who had whirled past her and into the hallway.
"Yeah, stop being so childish all the time, seriously, you're giving me headache," Carolyn heard Nancy say and shook her head at her 13-yearold daughter's attempt at maturity.
Then there was a loud noise followed by the other three girl's laughter.
"Oh now you throw shoes at me? That's really mature…"
"But we're children, we're supposed to be childish!" Joan sniggered and Kathleen and Amelia quickly joined in.
"Yeah, give us a break Nance. Der's home now so you can just go back to picking on him…"
"I don't pick on Der!"
"Suuure you don't, Nance," Joan agreed in a too-innocent voice. There was another loud noise followed by another peal of laughter.
"Hey!" Joan grinned. "I thought you were too mature to throw shoes at people?"
"Oh I'm only just getting started" Nancy growled but Carolyn could hint a smile behind the harsh tone.
"Girls," she called again as she walked out to them. "Behave."
The girls settled into silence.
"Yes Nancy, behave" Joan then smirked and Nancy ignored her but couldn't quite keep the scowl off her face.
There was a loud thud on the door.
"I'll get it!" Kathleen ran to get the door, closely followed by Joan and Amelia while Nancy decided to walk in a more dignified pace like her mother.
"We're back!" A familiar voice announced. Kathleen opened the doors and in came Mark, covered in mud. Right behind him was a just as soiled David and all the girls squealed loudly, complaining that the boys were dirty.
Then entered a man with warm, brown eyes and a nice smile, carrying several heavy bags. He grinned at Carolyn who couldn't help but grin back.
"Ah, Mr. Hanson. I see you brought two of the boys back in one piece, but please, do tell me what you have done with my son." He really did have a nice smile, Carolyn thought.
"You can call me Craig anytime dear," he laughed and small wrinkles around his eyes showed. "And as for your son, Derek is-"
"Right here mom," a voice muttered behind Craig. Derek was carrying a backpack and was even muddier than the other boys. Carolyn's heart dropped when she saw the cold look on his little face; Derek was exactly how he was before he had left, sulky and quiet.
"Hey loser, you missed me?" Nancy smirked. Derek's face didn't change at all; it was like he had not heard her at all.
Craig noticed the sombre expression that Carolyn's face had become and patted her shoulder.
"Can I invite myself in for a quick cup of coffee before I get Mark and David home? It's been a long drive" he asked and winked at her.
"Of course," Carolyn nodded, barely able to keep the concern out of her voice.
"I'm going to shower," Derek mumbled and headed for the stairs.
"Has he been like that all week?" Carolyn asked once they were alone in the kitchen. The kids had gone off to the living room and high-pitched cartoon-voices were now coming out of the TV.
"Pretty much" Craig sighed and accepted the coffee cup with a grateful nod. "He only talked when he absolutely had to and stayed inside the tent most of the time; although I'm almost sure he didn't get any sleep at all. When he finally spoke this morning, he offended both Mark and David so much they wouldn't talk to him the whole drive home."
Carolyn hid her head in her hands.
"I-… I really hoped it would help him to get a little away from all this. I would have gone away with him myself much sooner if I wasn't so busy at the hospital and now it seems like it didn't help at all. I don't know what to do…" Tears were gathering at the corners of his eyes. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and looked up to find Craig closer than she expected, smiling sympathetically at her.
"I, um, I don't mean to insult you, but have you considered professional help?"
"What, like a shrink?" Carolyn laughed a humourless laughter. Craig nodded. "I can't say I haven't thought about it. I actually suggested it about a week after the incident. I got some counselling and the girls had a talk with Dr. Andrews, too, but Derek simply refused. I don't want to make him do something he doesn't want to do. Although, if it keeps going like this, it might be…" Carolyn couldn't say no more, afraid that her voice would shake too much.
"In his best interest" Craig finished.
"Yeah."
"Well, if you need anything-"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T GO INTO MY ROOM?" a loud voice asked from upstairs. Carolyn took one look at Craig who mouthed 'go' before she ran upstairs.
Derek, wet-haired and in a clean t shirt, and Nancy were standing outside the door who held a sign that read 'Derek' in fat, blue types. Amelia was clinging to the wall, obviously blocking the way.
"Mom says we have to leave Meredith alone and give her some time," she said, stubbornly sticking her chin out. She noticed Carolyn carefully approaching. "Tell him mom!"
"Mom!" Derek protested.
"Derek, we have a visitor and she's not feeling so well. We let her use your room while you were away. You don't really mind, do you?" Carolyn asked, carefully observing him; he seemed so far from his former cheerful, charming self. Maybe that self was gone for good. The thought pierced through her as she silently grieved for what felt like the loss of her son.
Derek seemed to deliberate that for a moment. Then anger, a lot of which probably had nothing to do with the current situation, overtook his features.
"Oh really? You just assumed that I wouldn't mind? That I'd let some dumb girl move into my room? Well, here's some news for you. I do mind!"
"Derek!" Carolyn protested and it suddenly hit her, why it was so hard looking at him. He looked so much like his father, the thick black curls, the slightly crooked nose, the earnest blue eyes; only Christopher's eyes had never held the hatred that his son's held now.
"You know what?" Derek asked after a second of consideration. "This is bullshit. I'm going in." And with that he shoved a scowling Amelia out of the way and went into his room, slamming the door shut behind him.
"Mama! He wasn't supposed to do that!" Amelia screamed, outraged.
"I know sweetie," Carolyn sighed.
"Well are you going in to get him?" Nancy asked.
"No." Carolyn hesitated and plastered a smile on her face for the sake of her daughters. "No, let's just go downstairs and give him some time to cool off. "
Let's see what Derek and Meredith will think of each other… next update
