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Chapter 10
There were only 3 more days until the school trip. Wyatt felt kind of nervous already. Not because of the trip itself but because of the way his brother and father were acting towards each other the closer the day of the departure came. Chris was even more quiet.. Wyatt knew that his little brother was still angry at him. He knew it, because Chris wasn't talking to him like usual. Leo stayed away from home more often. Every Wednesday, there was a teacher meeting. And the other days, he spent with his friend Larry or stayed in magic school to work on something. Chris hadn't been out since his night in the club. Wyatt has asked him several times, if he wanted to go out with him and his friends but Chris always said, that he was still grounded, even though Leo hadn't said anything about how long Chris was grounded, anyway.
But today, Wyatt wouldn't allow any excuses. He needed to go to the mall and Chris would come with him. It couldn't be good, for a teenager to stay in his room all day long.
"We are going to the mall, I still need some things for the trip and I don't want to go alone. Come on." Wyatt said down on the edge of Chris' bed. "We can play some video games, too and eat some sandwiches."
Chris took a deep breath. He was still mad at Wyatt for just leaving him on his own. Well, with his dad. Even though, he knew it was good for his brother. And it were only ten days. He would just orb to his grandfather if he couldn't stand his father anymore.
"I'm still grounded," Chris said.
"That's nonsense. You only were grounded until you cleaned the Manor. Which you did. So you are not grounded anymore. Let's go."
Chris still wasn't moving.
"Come on, Chris. Let's spend some time together before I leave, okay?"
"Okay," Chris sighed. Maybe Wyatt was right. They always had fun together with. And apart of his only friend Tony, there was no other person for him to be together.
The two brothers drove to the mall and strolled through the different shops. The played some video games and later went into a small fast food restaurant.
"Wyatt?" Wyatt turned around at the sound of his name.
Amanda stood outside of the restaurant with a lot of bags in her hand. She waved.
"I'm right back," Wyatt said. He walked over to his friend. "Hey, what are you doing here?"
"Just buying some things for the trip. My mum is over there. You didn't need to come out."
"That's okay. What did you get?"
Amanda started to tell him about the stuff, she had bought. Wyatt wasn't really interested, but wanted to be polite. He looked around. They were in the area where all the cafes and restaurants were. Wyatt saw a black haired woman sit at a table. In front of her a cup of coffee. She seemed to wait for someone. A moment later, she stood up to greet a man with a kiss. The man sat down and Wyatt stared at him shocked. It was Leo. That's for staying in magic school.
"Wyatt, Wyatt! Are you still listening to me?" Amanda asked getting her friend's attention back.
"Ehm… sorry, Amanda, I was distracted."
"It's okay. I see you tommorrow in school, right? Tell Chris 'hello'!"
"Yes, I will. Thanks. See you!"
Wyatt stared inside the café a second longer, but there was no doubt. It was his father. Leo hadn't noticed him yet but was talking to the lady.
The blond boy went back to his brother and sat down. He couldn't tell Chris about what he had seen and had to make sure, that he wouldn't see their father. His baby brother was still missing their mother like crazy. How could he tell him, that their dad had already moved on to the next woman. Wyatt could imagine that his father felt lonely and maybe needed a woman at his side. But Piper was only dead for two months.
"Wyatt! Are you okay?" Chris asked. His brother looked like he had seen a ghost.
"Yes, sure. It's just…something that Amanda told me. I shall say hello to you from her."
"That's nice of her," Chris answered not really caring.
Wyatt's gaze wandered over to the café time and time again, while Chris was telling him somethig. He should be glad, that Chris was talking to him again but he couldn't concentrate. They needed to leave before they ran into their father.
"Are you done with your drink?" Wyatt asked.
Chris took the large gulp and nodded. "Yes. Do you want to leave?"
"Yes. Let's go somewhere else. Maybe we can watch a movie, would you like that?"
"Yeah, sure."
Wyatt minded, that Chris was walking at his left side, so he couldn't see into the café. The older brother didn't know, what to think about the situation. He wanted his father to know that he had spotted them. That he knew about his secret.
They were already at the exit of the mall. This was his last chance. "Chris, can you go to the cinema, already. Look, what you want to watch. I forgot to buy toothpaste."
Chris shrugged. "I come with you."
"No, that's okay. It'll only take a moment."
Wyatt waited for his brother to be far away enough. Then he jogged back to the café. His father was still sitting there with the lady, having fun talking to her. Wyatt walked straight over to them.
"Hi dad!"
Leo looked up, staring at his son. "Wyatt. What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same."
Leo looked at his female friend unsure what to do next but the lady took control over the situation. "I'm Barbara." Her voice was soft and understanding. It annoyed the hell out of Wyatt.
What did the lady's name matter, anyway?
"It's nice to finally meet you, Wyatt. I have heard so much about you already."
"I wish, I could say the same."
"It's not like it seems, Wyatt," his father tried to explain.
"It seems, like you were meeting with a lady in a café, two months after mum died, having fun talking to her."
"I'm a psychologist," Barbara told him.
"I see." But he didn't understand?
"When your mum died, I just needed someone to talk to. And Barbara is a witch as well. It's easy to talk to her," Leo told him.
"Okay," Wyatt replied. They had needed someone to talk to also. "If she's your shrink then, why are you meeting here and not in her surgery?"
"I admit, we became friends," Leo replied. "And it's so much easier to talk at a neutral place. You know, I'm not crazy, or something. I only need someone, who listens to me. Apart from the family."
Wyatt nodded. His father was meeting a shrink. "Okay." Wyatt still didn't know what to think.
"Wyatt, let's talk about it tonight, okay?" his father purposed.
"It was nice to meet you too, Barbara." Wyatt turned around. He left the café but felt someone holding him back. Leo looked at him closely. "Where is Chris?"
"We go to watch a movie now. He's already there. I wanted to talk to you alone."
"Thanks."
"You know, it's funny. You are sitting here seeking help from a prfessional while I'm caring for your son, who maybe needs help himself. You get your help. We help ourselves."
Leo sighed. "Wyatt…"
"No, it's okay. I see you tonight."
Wyatt walked off, he didn't turned around once more. He just needed to leave his father and this woman.
Wyatt went through the mall to the cinema, where his brother was already waiting for him impatiently. He wouldn't tell Chris, that he had seen their father. It would only turn out into another argument. And maybe it was true and the relationship between Leo and Barbara was really only platonic. Maybe…
"Wyatt!" Wyatt could tell from the tone Chris' used that his brother had tried to get his attention for a while now.
"Yes?"
"What's with you? If you don't want to watch a movie, it's okay. We can just go home."
"No, no," Wyatt quickly reassured. "We go. Have you chosen something?"
Chris had indeed. Wyatt bought them tickets. It was difficult for him to keep something secret from his brother. More so if it was something this important. The blond boy couldn't concentrate on the movie at all. But it was okay, the story was for shit. Wyatt himself had never chosen a movie like this, but it seemed like Chris had fun and that had been his intention.
When the two boys got home, Leo sat in the kitchen reading the newspaper. Or looking at the newspaper. He had thought about how to explain the situation to his oldest son without sounding like an uncaring egoist. He was sure that Wyatt hadn't told Chris and he was glad about it. His 14 year old son, shouldn't learn about Barbara. Obviously, Chris had still not dealt with his mother's death. Leo didn't need a professional to understand that. But he needed a professional to learn how to change it. Barbara had told him, that Chris' rebellious phase would increase, if they couldn't find a way for him to deal with his anger and grief. Therefore, Leo was kind of thankful that Wyatt would be in Washington for a few days. That would help his older son to regain his strengh and Leo to spend some time with Chris alone. They needed to bind a bit more, so Chris wouldn't search for other ways to get his father's attention.
Chris went into the kitchen, getting something to drink. He saw the look between his brother and father and could tell that these two were up to something. "Is everything okay?"
Leo smiled at his son. "Yes, of course. Everything's fine."
"You can tell me, you know?"
"Can you go to your room, please? I want to talk to dad for a second," Wyatt said.
Chris shrugged. He left the kitchen. Sooner or later Wyatt would tell Chris what was going on. If it was something important.
Wyatt sat down opposite his father. "I'm sorry for how behaved earlier in front of your friend."
Leo smiled. "Don't be sorry all the time. Maybe I should have told you. I just didn't want to seem…weak. I mean, I am the father. I should be able to help you boys, instead of breaking down myself."
"That's not it. You lost your wife, just like we lost our mother. But it's not fair that you can go seeking professional help, while we had to deal with it on our own. Maybe if we three had talked about everything together it would have helped us all."
Leo nodded. "Maybe. But I couldn't help you guys. I didn't how. And you seemed to do okay and Chris wanted only you to help him."
"That's not true. But you weren't helping him. Who else should he have turned to? But don't think, I like to play father all the time. Don't get me wrong, I love my brother more than anyone in this world, but I'm not his father. And I don't want to be. I want to be the big brother. I like that."
"I know. I acted wrong. But that is why I meet with Barbara. She helps me and then I can help you."
Wyatt shook his head. Maybe her therapy was slowly working. Too slowly? "We'll see."
Leo could hear the mistrust in his son's voice.
"Should I stay away from the field trip?" Wyatt asked.
"No. No way. I need the time with your brother. And you need a time off. Don't worry, we'll handle it."
Wyatt took a deep breath.
"You worry about everyone. Like Piper did. Don't."
the blond smiled lightly. "If you all didn't act like you were crazy, I wouldn't have to worry."
The plane, that would bring the 20 teenagers to the capital city was supposed to leave at 8 o'clock Friday evening. Wyatt would have liked to orb there, that would have been easier, but he wasn't afraid to fly either.
Amanda and Ray were already there. Wyatt pulled Chris along with him to meet his friends. The seperation was hard for both of the brothers, as they had never been apart from each other for more than a weekend.
Ray wore a t-shirt that read 'California Dream'.
"Isn't it embarassing?" Amanda cried.
But the two boys only laughed. "Come on, Mandy! You have to be proud of everything you have."
"And all he has, is that shirt," Chris said.
Amanda laughed. "Right. And don't call me Mandy."
"Man, what's with you guys? You're on my side, Wy, aren't you?" Ray lamented.
"Sure, pal. But your shirt should have an arrow to the right."
"Why's that?"
"Because I stand on your right side."
Ray rolled his eyes. "Man, didn't we want to share a room?"
Wyatt put an arm around his friend. "Oh, come on. It's funny."
"Okay, boys and girls, we need to get through the security check now," Mrs Mitchell yelld over the crowd of students.
"Ray, come her to say goodbye," his mother screamt. She was clumsy but had amazing blond hair and was really nice. Ray had five younger siblings, who were all scattered around their mother.
"Guys, that was embarassing," Ray said. He went over to his mum, though. Amanda shrugged and moved over to her mother as well.
"Alright, Wyatt," Leo said. He hugged his son. "Have fun, buddy. Don't worry about anything," Leo let him go.
Wyatt nodded. "I will. Thanks." He moved and embraced his little bother. "I'm really going to miss you. Be nice to dad, okay? You know, he's really trying. Promise?"
"Promised." Wyatt hugged him a bit tighter and then took a step backwards. "Okay. I need to go."
"Be safe," Leo told him.
Wyatt only nodded and hurreied to catch up to his friends. When he turned around once more, he saw his brother leaning against their dad as Leo showed him something. Amanda took her friend's hand and dragged him away.
It was already after midnight when the telephone rang. Leo didn't even try to get to the phone. Chris had sat down on the sofa as soon as they had gotten home again with the phone on his lap. It was 3 o'clock in the morning in Washington. Every student was dead tired and wanted nothing more but to lay down and sleep. Unfortunately, the teachers Mrs Mitchelll and Mr Riley insisted that they'd call their parents first to tell them everything was okay.
Wyatt was surprised that his brother answered the call. Chris had an aversion about telephones.
"Chris, I only want you to know, that I'm okay. The room's very nice. But we are all dead tired."
"What time is it in Washington?"
"Around 3. Tell dad, I love him."
"I will."
"And I love you too."
"Me too." Chris heard someone yell in the background and then it clicked and the line went dead. Chris stared at the receiver a second. That was an odd conversation between the brothers. Chris had expected more. Of course, they only partd like 4 hours ago but still. Wyatt could have at least told him how the flight was. He didn't even say when he would call again. But Wyatt said, he was tired. That must be it!
Leo entered the living room a cup of tea in his hand. "Was that Wyatt?" He sat down on the sofa next to his son.
"Yes. He says, they are very tired but the room was nice and he loves you."
"I'm sure, they'll have lots of fun." There was this awkward silence that always appeared between father and son. "Do you want some tea?"
"I hate tea."
"Maybe, you like this one, though. It's not some herbal tea, your mum liked. It tastes like peaches."
Chris looked at his father sceptically. "Tomorrow perhaps. I think, I'll head to bed."
"Okay, sure. Hey, do you want to do something fun tomorrow?"
"I wanted to meet with a friend if I'm allowed."
Leo had never declined the house arrest. "Yes, that's okay."
"Cool. Good night."
"Night, Chris!" 10 days. How were they supposed to bind in 10 days?
To all the Wyatt fans: I'm sorry you know have to do without him for the next few chapters. It won't be long and other things are going to happen, to make up for it. I guess, we can let him have some time off.
(Keep Barbara in mind for later!)
Don't forget to leave your review!
I found another great song by Rob Thomas that fits to this story, in my opinion. It's called 'ever the same'. Take it as an aplogy for sending Wyatt away ;-)
We were drawn from the weeds
We were brave like soldiers
Falling down under the pale moonlight
You were holding me
Like someone broken
And I couldn't tell you, but I'm telling you now
Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you and we'll both fall down
Fall on me
Tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you, forever in me
Ever the same
We would stand in the wind
We were free like water
Flowing down
Under the warmth of the sun
Now it's cold and we're scared
And we've both been shaken
Look at us man,
this doesn't need to be the end
Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you and we'll both fall down
Fall on me tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same
Call on me
I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me
Forever it's you
Forever in me
Ever the same
You may need me there
To carry all your weight
But you're no burden I assure
You tide me over
With a warmth I'll not forget
But I can only
give you love