It was another difficult day for the DiNozzo family. They would be saying goodbye to another of their sons. At least this was just a temporary goodbye. The question was just how temporary and what the future would hold. Jake was being sent away to a boarding school in Maine. It had been a hard decision to make but it was what was best for the boy. It was away from the hurt of losing his brother and it was far away from the bad influences that were Jake's friends.
The school Jake would be attending was meant to turn around wayward teens. It was not one of those cruel places that was more like a prison. Tony and Maggie had showed up unexpectedly and requested a tour. Everything was wonderful. The children were not permitted to leave campus on their own but they had regular trips on the weekends and some evenings. The children woke up early and did half an hour to an hour chores before breakfast. They were given a hearty meal and then they had school from eight until three. They had therapy and free time in the afternoons, dinner at six, and then they had free time until bedtime at ten o'clock.
Nobody knew for sure how long Jake would be away. As of now he was going away for the school year but if he did well. They may let him finish out his school career or at least middle school. Of course they would see Jake on a semi regular basis. He would come home on most holidays and he could be present for the birth of his baby sister. If he so desired. Letting Jake go would be hard but it was for the best for him. He needed help and Tony and Maggie could not give it to him.
Tony was going to miss having Jake around. Jake was a great kid and Tony knew that he could turn around. He had seen kids come back from worse. Kids who did not have the luxury of supportive parents or immediate therapy. Tony had full faith in his eldest step-son and he knew that he would give it his all. He just needed some time away from the heart break.
Maggie was crumbling. Sending Jake away was the last thing she had ever wanted. Sending any of her children away was a life long nightmare. The decision was nowhere near easy. It had come with so much heartbreak and tears. It was hours of dialogue with Tony and her. She had spoken to Jake's therapist and his counselor at school. She had spoken with Gibbs her own colleagues and several friends. They had all given the same answer and came to agreement. Jake needed intensive treatment and he needed a change of location. The family could not exactly pack up and move to another state. Sending Jake away was the best they could do. Besides he needed to learn how to live on his own.
"I hope you know that we are not sending you away to be cruel. We are doing what is best for you and we love you." Maggie explained to Jake.
"You've given me this speech about fifty times already. I get it." Jake scoffed, shoving his last shirt into his clothing suitcase.
Claire took the day of Jake's going away off. Tony would be flying with Jake out to Maine but the entire family would be making the drive to the airport. Claire was hurting knowing that her brother was leaving. She was going to go away to college in a few months. It was hard having to send Jake away. He was just a kid and it was weird when kids were sent away. She just hoped that the treatment would work for Jake and he could begin to heal.
Jake wanted to be pissed off but he understood where his parents were coming from. They had done all they could to turn him around. This was a last ditch effort. Jake wished that he could turn himself around and be the son his parents wanted. Believe it or not he had actually tried. He had been doing well but seeing Jared and Danny had ruined everything. They only wanted to screw around and Jake just wanted to be included. They turned their backs pretty fast but when he screwed around. At least he was in control of something. Maybe he would find a better control at this stupid school.
Austin was once again confused. He had heard that the family was going to the airport but he only saw three suitcases and a small duffle bag. He was even more confused when they got to the airport everybody was crying and saying goodbye to Jake. They walked towards the gate but only Jake and Tony walked through. Again everybody cried and as they walked away. He heard Tali say that Jake was gone too. Why were his siblings leaving one by one? Would he just disappear one day.
Tali was hurting. Jake and her never got along but that did not mean that she wanted this. She did not want another sibling to go away. She did not want Jake to have been so damaged that he had to be sent away. She was hurting pretty badly but it was clear that she was not as hurt as Jake. If she were. Then she would be sent away too. With tears in her eyes she walked away from the airport. She got into the backseat and closed her eyes. As Maggie slowly drove away. Her dad would be back in the morning but Jake would not be back until the baby was born. The family was broken even further and it was breaking her already broken heart.
Tony lingered for a long time. Jake had insisted that he could set his room up on his own and all the paperwork was filled out. Tony did not fly home until the next morning. He had booked a hotel room nearby but he was in no way ready for this. What did you do after sending your son away?
"Hey Tony?" Jake called.
"What is it son? Jitters?" Tony asked.
"I'll miss you guys. See you in a few weeks." Jake replied.
"Call anytime. You get Cyber time every other day." Tony reminded.
"I know and I will." Jake promised.
A/N: Will this school be able to help Jake? New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.