Chapter 21

What Nic It's Bad

Hearing her phone's alarm go off Priyanka instinctively shot up in bed and attempted to shut if off. After several fumbled attempts she managed to turn it off. Looking at the time she let out a sigh.

7:30 a.m.

Thank god she thought happily. I finally have a normal schedule.

Priyanka had a love/hate relationship with her job. She loved being a doctor and helping people. She hated her schedule that usually required her to wake up anywhere from two to four in the morning. She also hated how some of her patients and colleagues seemed not to have even an iota of common sense.

Seriously it was her number one complaint about being a doctor.

People's lack of common sense.

If more people just took a brief moment to think before they acted the hospital's number of patients could be cut in half and the number of trivial mistakes made by staff could also be reduced immensely.

It also would have spared her daughter and foster child a punishment.

All they had to do was take a moment to think things through and they wouldn't have been in this predicament. They could have been enjoying their summer vacation hanging out with there friends and making the most of other opportunities that summer provided.

But no they had insisted on acting without consideration of the potential consequences of their actions.

First Connie started wearing contacts without her or Doug's permission and adding insult to injury she removed the lenses of her two hundred glasses and pretended for three whole months that she was still using them.

Then there was the punk who had been harassing Stephanie. Instead of telling her or Doug, they had broken his nose and three of his fingers when he made a salacious comment about them.

While both of these were serious issues that she and Doug had dealt with accordingly. There was still the main cause of these issues that she and him had to deal with.

Their children didn't trust them.

Stephanie and Connie had both preferred to go behind their backs instead of talking to them because they didn't trust them.

Similar to the past couple of weeks Priyanka thought of ways to prove to them that their wellbeing was her and Doug's biggest priority.

As she poured herself a cup of coffee she thought of what Doug had suggested.

Give them limited privileges and make a habit of talking to them at least two times a week about

them. No judgement, no punishment, just pure communication.

Letting out a sigh she knew that he was right and that he would love hearing her admit that.

"Doug, after I get home from work we're going to talk to Stephanie and Connie." Priyanka said as she placed her cup down, "We're...we're going to try your idea."

Instead of replying he just smiled brightly as he stifled a chuckle.

I knew she'd realize I was right soon enough he thought happily as he kissed her before she walked out the door.

"So you two kissed!" Smokey squealed excitedly.

"Yes! That's why we all weird on Saturday!" Mala said excitedly, "It was crazy he kissed me right as the fireworks went off!"

"Really? That's so romantic!" Smokey squealed, "Now tell me what took you so long!" Smokey shouted as she pulled Mala into a hug that had pinned her arms to her side.

"What do you mean?" Mala asked as she managed to get her arms free so she could hug Smokey back.

"You spent time with him before Saturday and you didn't take the opportunity to make out." Smokey explained.

"Okay first thing we didn't make out it was just a couple of quick kisses." Mala explained snarkly, "We also hadn't seen or heard from you, Connie, or even Stephanie and we were worried."

"Yeah right." Smokey said blowing a raspberry, "You were just being a chicken. BAWK! BAWK!"

"Me, a chicken? Yeah right." Mala said dismissively.

"Oh that's right you're Mallory Lazuli girl without fear." Smokey said in a mock forties radio voice, "Unless your weakness Steven Quartz-Universe is involved."

"What?" Mala said in false anger, "Who informed you of my weakness?"

"Hahaha! So you admit it! Steven is your weakness like really cute small animals and chocolate chip cookies are mine." Smokey said before giggling then snorting to which they covered their mouth in an attempt to stop it only making it worse.

"That's so frickin' adorkable!" Mala laughed as a dark blush filled Smokey's dark brown cheeks, "I need to get a video of this."

"No!" Smokey squeaked in an unusually high pitched voice.

"What! It's not possible! There is no way that could be more adorable." Mala laughed as Smokey yelled at her in the high pitched voice.

"Stop it!" Smokey squeaked as Mala tickled them, "Stop! Please Stop!"

"No way Jose! This is too cute!" Mala squealed.

Vidalia was walking by when she heard Smokey laughing like a maniac while speaking in their down right adorable, I can't stop laughing squeaky voice. Mala, of course was making Smokey laugh even more despite their protests. Smiling to herself she could tell they were having fun.

While Vidalia knew that it was going to be a long difficult road to help Smokey through the deeply ingrained issues they had, moments like this would only make that journey easier. Smiling to herself Vidalia left them alone wondering what Smokey would think when they found out that her and Yellowtail wanted to adopt them and permanently cement their place in their family.

"So you got the suicide attempt Dr. Maheswaran?" Dr. Conners asked.

"Yup." Priyanka asked as she walked down the hall, "What about you?"

"I had a stabbing." He replied tiredly, "Correction. A severe impaling. Emily Kane, she was run through with a pool stick."

"You're kidding me right?" Priyanka asked shocked.

"Nope." He replied shaking his head, "I'm honestly surprised she's alive and that the pool stick didn't severely damage any of her vital organs."

"That's incredible." Priyanka said as he walked off leaving her alone to look at the notes left by the doctor before her.

Julie Rivera.

She was Hispanic and in her late thirties. Brought in almost two hours ago by a concerned "friend" who's name was,

Ivana Tinkle.

"Hmph real mature."

Ivana claimed that she had downed a bottle of one hundred fifty milligram Xanex and was drinking like a fish before that.

Making her way into the Emergency Room she was surprised to see that it was empty except for one little "room" which not only had the curtain pulled but the sound of singing was coming from it.

Cuz I don't really like

The person I've become

This isn't who I thought

I'd turn into when I was young

But now I'm grown

And they say I'm no good (no good)

No good (no good) no good (no good)

I'm just a drug addict drunk

I'm no good (no good) no good (no good)

no good (no good)

They say I need to turn my life around

"Now Ms. Rivera tell me how you really feel." Priyanka joked half heartedly as she stepped through the thin white curtain.

"Ms. Rivera was my mom. She was also a junkie and a whore so I'd really like it if you didn't get us mixed up. Just call me Skinny." The woman said with a dry laugh her bright hazel eyes world weary and tired, "And I was feeling pretty shitty until I drank that absolutely fantastic dye that reminded me of one my mom used to make."

"I would appreciate it if you refrained from cursing." Priyanka said already irritated with the woman.

"Yeah sorry n shit." Skinny muttered, "I just haven't been having the best day."

"I could tell." Priyanka commented as she checked Skinny's vital signs and noticing that her IV bag was already half empty despite being here for a little under two hours, "Downing an entire bottle of one hundred fifty milligram Xanex while consuming enough alcohol to rival a frat house isn't something most people would do on a good day."

"It was half a bottle and I doubt I've drank enough to rival a frat house." Skinny said with a tired sigh, "So when can I get the hell out of here?"

"In a couple of days." Priyanka answered, "So why did you do really do it?"

"What do ya mean?" Skinny asked.

"All the other kids were doing it doesn't seem like a valid excuse." Priyanka said looking at the notes of Dr. Smith, who was tending to Skinny before the shift change.

"Fist fight with my baby sister." Skinny said dejectedly, "Haven't seen her in fifteen years and instead of a hug I get a right hook that knocked me my ass. Heh I got her back good though."

"Hmph. Sounds like you have a great family." Priyanka scoffed as she took notes of Skinny's vitals

"I thought doctors were supposed to be nice to suicide attempts. Or is it attempters? Whatever?" Skinny said with a chuckle, "Also aren't you supposed to introduce yourself?"

"We're supposed to keep you alive and my name is Dr. Maheswaran." Priyanka answered absent mindly.

"I like you already, Dr. Maheswaran." Skinny laughed tiredly, "I like you a lot."

Priyanka just shook her head as the woman fell asleep. This wasn't the first suicide attempt she had to handle as a doctor, but that didn't make it any easier of a situation to deal with it. It was always awful seeing people who were down on their luck rolled into the emergency room as they knocked on death's door.

"You need to seriously get that door fixed." Lapis said as Peridot drove her to her car, which was parked in front of the gym serving as an alibi for her whereabouts.

"I did. Well I thought I did." Peridot replied as she wondered why it had randomly started raining today. The forecast had predicted sunny and mildly cloudy skies.

"Someone could have seen us." Lapis scolded, "I love you but I can't risk Jasper finding about us."

"Why don't you leave her already? It's pretty obvious she's damaged and she's been cheating on you for years." Peridot said with a harsh tone.

"I plan on doing it but I want to get Greg's help breaking the news to her." Lapis replied as she looked out her passenger side window.

"Why would you need his help?" Peridot inquired thinking about how Amethyst had mentioned that they were unusually close, "Especially since she's probably sleeping with him."

"Pfft what?" Lapis snorted.

"You said they were incredibly close friends that spend a lot of time together. Which makes it pretty obvious that she's sleeping with him." Peridot explained as if it were the most obvious thing ever.

"First off, Jasper doesn't like men. Second thing Greg is just friends with her, because he's afraid that she beats me." Lapis said confidently as she recalled the couple of times she had accompanied them for coffee.

I know this is gonna sound crazy but is everything okay with you two, Lapis?

What do you mean Greg?

You said she might've hurt me if I tried to follow her. You and her haven't been having problems like that? Have you?

Oooh no. Not at all, I can calm her down usually.

Okay. I'm sorry that I'm prying it's just I worry a bit.

It's okay Greg. I totally understand.

"Not to mention he's with my neighbor." She added with a laugh.

"Really?" Peridot asked as she turned into the gym's parking lot.

"Yup." Lapis said as Peridot parked next to her car, "I'll text you the moment I get the chance."

"Okay." Peridot replied as she gave Lapis a goodbye kiss before she got off the car.

As Lapis drove back to the apartment complex she began thinking about how odd it was that Jasper hadn't been texting her as soon as the rain started. She usually made Lapis talk to her so she could focus on something else. She could be with Greg which would explain why she didn't text. He did make her feel safe after all.

Which if she was honest with herself was a great thing. It made her life a million times easier. Instead of having to deal Jasper's nightmares or PTSD epi

"Excuse me!" Navy shouted as she ran out the door almost knocking Lapis down.

"Navy what's the rush?" Lapis asked slightly irritated.

"Steven's aunt Amethyst, tried to kill herself and Greg needs me to pick up Steven!" Navy shouted as she ran to her Dodge Aspen.

"Holy shit." Lapis replied thinking of how Amethyst was always cheerful and full of energy, "Did Greg say what pushed her over the edge?"

"Nope. It's just he doesn't want Steven there!" Navy shouted as she got into her SUV.

"Well shit." Lapis said as she watched Navy speed off, "I'll have to make sure I go see him."

All Lapis could think of as she made her way to her apartment was making sure Steven was okay. He was a really sweet kind kid that didn't need that kind of bullshit in his life. She really hoped that Amethyst hadn't done it in front of him or when he was home.

"My love I'm home." Lapis said loudly as she walked into the apartment yet no reply came, "My love are you here?" Yet again there was no response.

She could be with...no that wasn't possible. He was at the hospital and it was raining outside not to mention he would have probably gave her the keys to his van letting her bring Steven to the Richard sisters. Maybe she fell asleep after all she dropped off Mala. After all she did drink enough to kill a small bar's worth of people last night.

Walking to her bedroom Lapis's breath hitched in her throat as she saw Jasper's soaking wet and shivering leaning against the closet door. Her head was down and her long wet hair was preventing Lapis from seeing her face. The skin on her knuckles and hands was torn and badly cut in several places, dripping dark crimson blood on to light brown carpet leaving a darkish reddish brown stain on it.

"Jasper what happened?" Lapis asked as she ran up to her only to pushed away.

"I know," Jasper hissed as she lifted her head showing that her bright hazel eyes were heavy with tears, "and I want a divorce."