Chapter seven…Living in Fear
Author's note: ok I know this isn't the long chapter you hoped for after waiting a whole week for an update. However these characters are not playing nice and cooperating with me. Instead of going on with the story it seems we are circling. Therefore I am posting this chapter and then sitting back while I try and figure out an answer to continuing with out circling.
"I thought we could all go out and take Ethan to the zoo or something today. He's been here for a few days now and I think he's getting a little bored with the manor." Piper suggested as Phoebe walked into the kitchen for her morning cup of coffee.
"What gave you that idea?" Phoebe asked trying to avoid answering the question. If they left and Charlie saw them then he would know where Ethan was. She'd been able to keep him indoors and away from the windows but she didn't know how much longer it would last. Apparently Piper thought it had gone on long enough.
"Gee I don't know. It could have been the broken window from indoor baseball, or maybe it was the whole Kit in the microwave thing. No I got it, it was definitely the large quantity of broken antiques piling up in the trash." Piper said sarcastically trying to make the situation humorous might help her sister ease up a little. Ever since Ethan got here Phoebe had turned into some sort of window law enforcement agency. If Ethan tried getting close to a window or a door Phoebe was there pulling him away. Yesterday Piper had felt so bad for the kid she'd snuck him to the kitchen window to look out. Phoebe had almost caught the two of them and it had actually made Piper feel a little guilty. Imagine that, feeling guilty for looking out a window. Things had to change around here, soon.
"I told you I'd pay for everything." Phoebe said exasperated chasing after Ethan as he ran after Kit, no doubt with intentions of seeing how the poor thing would act locked in the freezer. Cole intercepted the boy and Kit escaped unharmed.
"What are you up to now?" he asked.
Swinging Ethan up on to his shoulders so the boy couldn't get away so easily, Cole joined the sisters. Piper saw her opportunity and grasped it.
"That isn't what I meant." Piper continued. "I've seen how restless everyone in this house is getting and I think we would all benefit from a trip out of the house."
"So go. No one is making you stay. Ethan and I can color or watch TV or something." Phoebe said defensively. Piper shook her head and felt her heart give a little tug. Charlie shouldn't be allowed to turn her sister into a hermit. Phoebe had always loved to go out party, true the zoo wasn't exactly party material but it was a way out of the house, the same house Phoebe hadn't left in days, not even for a trip to P3 with family.
Cole felt the same about Phoebe. She was wearing herself thin trying to keep Ethan away from windows, away from breakables, and away from danger. She was trying to be the perfect mother for him and at the same time his new best friend. All this was giving her was sleepless nights, tired eyes, and a slow sad shuffle. Ethan was already nuts about her but she didn't see it. Phoebe was trying to make up for the last three years and protect him from his father at the same time, all the while asking for very little help. The effort of it all was taking its toll.
Cole placed a hand on her shoulder and started to rub it. He could feel how tense she was, things weren't getting any better and she wasn't relaxing any. She shook his hand away and reached up to grab Ethan from his shoulders. He pretended that her brushing him off didn't hurt.
"I think what your sister is trying to say is that you need a break." Cole put in. "That both of you need a break." He continued gesturing toward Ethan.
"Nonsense. I'm fine." She tried unsuccessfully to convince them. Her appearance and behavior betrayed her. "Besides Ethan doesn't want to go to the zoo. He wants to stay and play with me. Don't you Ethan?" Phoebe asked cheerfully.
"Zoo! Me want Zoo!" Ethan said struggling out of Phoebe's arms and landing on his feet on the floor, instantly breaking into a run. Phoebe went to run after him but Cole stopped her by grabbing both her shoulders. She tried to break free but he tightened his grip.
"Cole let go I have to go keep Ethan away from the windows or he'll see him." She said without thinking and instantly regretted it. Cole slowly turned her around to face him.
"Who?" Cole asked already knowing the answer. He needed to hear her say it though. She needed to hear herself say it.
"Nobody…I…uh…" Phoebe said stalling.
"Pheebs" Piper pleaded with her sister.
"You know who, so stop it. This is just wasting time." Phoebe said angrily trying to shake Cole's hands off her. Cole tried to get her to look him in the eyes; she might actually listen to what he was saying if he could accomplish that small feat. Phoebe only turned her head in defiance. She knew what he was going to say and she didn't want to hear it right now.
"Phoebe, look at me!" He demanded a hint of anger laced the words. Piper remained silent. It was time someone got stern with her. They'd all been treating her like she'd break at any minute. Her every wish had been fulfilled and her desires granted. Piper had thought that Phoebe needed it at first but now she realized that it had only set her sister back. Babying her had told her it was ok to let Charlie control her, it was ok to hole up at home and shut out the world because the world was a hard place to live, because monsters and demons lurked in the shadows out there, and because out there people got hurt.
Phoebe still hadn't turned to face Cole although Piper could tell that she was having a hard time not doing what he had asked her to. Phoebe's lower lip was quivering barely discernible and her sleeve was fluttering slightly. Tears had started to well up and threatened to break free at any moment, but still she stood her ground.
Cole on the other hand was
obviously in more distress. Rage was
building in side of him and he could barely keep himself in check. He let go of one of Phoebe's shoulders and
clenched his fist with his free hand then released it. Clenched then released. Clenched then
released. As if doing so could keep him
from exploding at her. His jaw was
locked in determination and defiance. He wasn't backing down this time.
Yet Piper could tell he didn't
want to yell at Phoebe. Everything in
him seemed to be holding back. From his
eyes shone gentleness, understanding, and compassion mixed with the anger he
was trying hard to suppress. His grip
on her shoulder had gotten tighter and then he had almost released her all
together. Since she wouldn't look at
him, Cole focused his eyes on her cheek hoping to win their little face off.
Phoebe lifted her chin in one last show of pride and Piper watched as all the anger rushed out of Cole's body and he pulled his stubborn prize to him, hugging her tightly. She watched as her sister went limp in his arms and gave in to what she was feeling and then she quietly tiptoed to the doorway.
"Piper. You should take Ethan to the zoo. He needs to get out of the house." Phoebe called after her sister.
The words seemed to lodge in Piper's throat and for a moment she couldn't reply. She knew it had taken a lot for her sister to say those words.
"Alright." Piper said with a smile. That was the sister she had missed.