SCOUT - WEEK TWO - FRIDAY
When the orderly made her morning rounds, waking everyone up, Scout pulled the pillow over her head. Her sleep had been fitful at best. Some bizarre myriad of images from Tripp's, her singing, her dad in the audience... only he didn't smile and cheer for her anymore... and his eye was swollen shut.
Devon tapped her on the shoulder as Scout tried to push the nightmares back. The blonde smiled at her, signing with sincere enthusiasm. "Visiting hours begin at 9:00 this morning. Your parents are on the schedule."
Scout's stomach turned. What would she say to them? What would they say to her? And the disappointment, the worry, all of it. Days of therapy told her several things. One, she had to own her problem. Something she might be on the verge of within herself, maybe even to Yuuta. But admit she was wrong, that she'd nearly gotten herself killed, that she'd lied to her dad, hurt him physically and emotionally- and her mom, the things she'd said. Her cheeks burned as she tasted bile.
"Do I have to accept visitors?" She signed. When Devon's face fell Scout elaborated. "What if I don't want- if I'm not ready?"
Devon shook her head. "Not if you don't want to. You can follow the regular schedule instead." She turned to make her bed then looked back, stopped and signed. "You have really great parents, Scout. They love you. With parents like yours it might be uncomfortable at first, but then it will be okay."
Scout closed her eyes, trying to push the idea away only to have her mind filled with terrible pictures. She waved at Devon. "I'm not ready. Just- not yet. I can't."
Devon nodded. "Okay. I'll tell them up front. Maybe tomorrow, okay?"
Scout didn't answer.