Wsk8r, no I don't mind if you use the house idea in your story!
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*Robbie's POV*
"Robbie, I'm getting my own apartment, and I think you should too." Kevin informed me after Mrs. Camden walked into the house.
"I can't. I don't have any money."
"Well neither do they. You are just one more mouth they have to feed, they can't afford it. Think about it." He picked up Sam, who was chasing David around the yard, and headed inside.
I didn't want to be a burden to the family, but what other choice did I have? I had a partial scholarship, but I still needed all the money I had for school. But then, if I didn't spend so much time taking care of the house, I could get another job. I had a little extra money right now, I could probably rent a small apartment for awhile. I decided that as soon as the phones were hooked up, I would make the calls and get out of here as soon as I could.
*Lucy's POV*
I walked back outside to grab some more bags and passed Robbie on my way. "Hey," I greeted him, and he stopped.
"I'm moving out. I don't want to be anymore trouble for you guys. I'm gonna stay in an apartment." Without waiting for my response, he walked away, leaving me staring after him in shock. So Robbie was leaving. Dad was gone, Mom was pretty much gone too, Kevin and Robbie were leaving. Why should I stay? It was too late. I now realized sadly. There was nothing I could do to save my family. I didn't want to abandon them, but what choice did I have? I could stay and spend my life babysitting the twins and bringing in the money, never go back to school, and have to deal with my mother and siblings depressed silence. Or I could move in with the man I loved, get a part time job, and complete my courses and become a minister. The choice was obvious, but it still hurt. I found Kevin in the living room and grabbed his arm. I took a deep breath, making sure I was positive about my decision before saying, "I want to move with you."
*Matt's POV*
A week after Lucy called to say my family was moving, I got off work, got excused from my classes, and boarded a plan to California. I know it is pretty stupid to fly across the country just because my family was moving, especially since I had just been there a month ago for the funeral, but I had to. Something in Lucy's voice when I talked to her made me feel like something was very wrong. After the plane landed, I took a taxi to the address Lucy had given me. When I arrived, I paid the cab driver and took a look at the house. It was small and old, but not too bad. I knocked on the front door and waited for nearly two minutes before it opened. Simon stood in the doorway, glaring at me. "Hey!" I greeted him.
"Hi." He replied, not appearing the least bit surprised to see me.
"Uh, can I come in?" I asked awkwardly. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
He stepped aside and I entered the small living room. There were plates of food and glasses all over the place, and the floor was littered with Sam and David's toys. The twins themselves were sitting on the floor playing with some blocks. "Hi guys!" I said, walking over to hug them. I stopped suddenly when I got close enough to see how dirty they were and how smelly. "Uh, Simon? When's the last time they had a bath?"
"I dunno. Maybe four days ago?" He answered, sitting down on a ripped chair.
"Four days?! That's disgusting. Doesn't Mom know?"
"I don't think so. She doesn't do anything for them anymore." He didn't sound at all concerned.
"What is going on with you guys? Where's Lucy?"
"Lucy moved out with Kevin. Robbie's gone too. Mom hasn't come out of her room in almost a week. If Ruthie or I don't do it, it doesn't get done." He answered matter-of-factly.
Wow. Mom must be seriously depressed. I can't believe Lucy would leave like that. I have to do something. "Do you have Lucy's number?"
"Ruthie does. RUTHIE!!!!!" He yelled up the stairs.
She walked down, barely acknowledging me, and turned to Simon. "What?"
"What's Lucy's new phone number?"
"555-3467. But you can't call her from here. We couldn't afford to pay the phone bill."
"I'll be back." I told them, as I raced out the door. I walked for about 5 minutes before coming to a small gas station with a pay phone, which I used to call Lucy.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hey, it's me. I'm here, in Glen Oak. What happened?!"
"What do you mean? What are you doing here?" she sounded confused.
"Simon and Ruthie are running the house by themselves. What happened to Mom? The twins are being neglected, the house looks like a dump."
"I know." She answered, sounding like she was about to cry. "I feel so guilty about leaving them, but I didn't think there was anything I could do."
"Lucy, they cannot survive like this. None of them has a job."
"Simon just got one, at the movie theatre in the promenade."
"That is not going to pay the bills! We need to get Mom back on her feet. That's the only way they'll survive. She needs some counseling and maybe some anit-depressants. I'll talk to Doc from the hospital. I gotta go." I hung up quickly and dialed Doc's number.
"Hello?"
"Hi, this is Matt Camden…"
*Ruthie's POV*
"Where do you think he went?" I asked Simon, not really caring.
"I dunno."
"Has it really been 4 days since we gave the twins a bath? And how long has it been since we've eaten?"
"I don't remember. But it doesn't matter, we have to save for the bills. They should be coming in in a few weeks. Maybe we can order a pizza or something on Saturday."
"Mom hasn't eaten all week. Is she gonna be ok?" Before he could answer, the door opened and Matt walked in.
"I got mom an appointment with a psychiatrist. If we can convince her to go, maybe she'll start acting like herself again."
"You think?" I asked, actually interested. Maybe our lives could get back to normal. When Matt nodded, I stood up. "Let's go"
I didn't bother to knock on Mom's door because I knew she wouldn't answer. I walked in and tried to adjust to the darkness of the room. "Mom, we have to talk to you. Matt's here."
"Matt?" she whispered, and he grabbed her hand.
"Mom," he said gently. "We want to help. I made you an appointment with a psychiatrist. He'll help you through this. I know it's hard, but you have to be here for Simon, Ruthie, and the twins. They need you."
"No," she cried "They don't. They hate me. I heard them say it. I'm a horrible mother."
"No, Mom." Simon spoke up. "You are just going through a rough time. That is not your fault. If you refuse help, then it will be your fault."
"Mom, I don't hate you." I told her, almost crying myself. "I was just mad that you weren't there for me when I needed you, but I never stopped to think about what you were going through. Now I know how hard it was for you, and I'm sorry about what I said. We really do need you."
She sat up slowly and looked at us. "I'll try." She whispered. "I promise I'll try to get better."
"Thanks Mom." I said, giving her a big hug. "I love you."