CHAPTER SIXTEEN

            Scott felt two strong hands lifting him to his feet.  He didn't know where he was or what he was doing there.  He opened his eyes.  Was that Peter?  He couldn't sustain consciousness.  His eyelids fell closed once again.

Two Days Later

            "Scott, are you awake?"  Those same hands were gently shaking him, trying to awaken him.  "Scott?  It's Peter.  Talk to me."

            Scott struggled to open his eyes.  "Peter?"  His voice was barely audible.  His throat was very dry.   There was a strong pain in his left arm.  "Wh-where am I?"

            Peter's voice was calm, soothing.  "You're in the hospital."

            Scott sat up slightly in the bed and looked around the room.  There were flowers and cards all over.  "What happened?"

            Peter sat down next to the bed.  "I found you in the woods.  Shelby helped me actually.  She was worried about you – thought you might be trying to hurt yourself, not runaway."

            Scott touched his left arm – it was in a cast.  He looked at Peter questioningly.

            "You broke your arm when you fell.  Knocked the wind right out of you."

            Scott wasn't sure what to say.  There were so many questions in his mind, but he wasn't sure what to ask first.  "Where's Shelby?"

            "She's not allowed to visit you until you're out of the Psych Ward."

            "Psych Ward?"

            "You were trying to kill yourself, weren't you?  I didn't just imagine that noose."

            The memories.  Scott was flooded with feelings of guilt and pain again.

            Peter must have sensed Scott's uneasiness.  "It's okay," he said quietly.  "You're safe here."

            Scott looked Peter directly in the eyes.  "My mom is dead because of me."

            "No, Scott."  Peter was firm this time.  "Your mom is dead because a drunk driver crossed the center line and struck your mother's car head on.  You didn't do anything to cause it."

            "But she was coming to see me…If I wouldn't have made her promise to visit…"

            "She would have visited anyway," Peter finished.  "She loved you.  She wouldn't have wanted you to blame yourself."

            Scott nodded, not sure he believed that.  "I cheated on Shelby."

            Peter nodded.  "Well, then you two will work it out.  Shelby loves you too."

            He shook his head.  "She won't when I tell her what happened."

            "Shelby?  The girl who has been camped out in the waiting room since they brought you in here?  The girl who helped us find you?  The girl who forgave your drug use, your lies?  Your relationship has been through so much – and it's still standing.  All you need is honesty and love.  And I think you have both of those things already."

            Scott stared out the window.  "So I guess I'm going to jail when I get out of here?"

            "Is that what you want?"

"Horizon is my home.  Why would I ever want to leave?"

            Peter sighed.  "Scott, I owe you an apology.  I didn't see how much pain you were in.  I knew you hadn't grieved over your mother's death, but I had no idea that you were even thinking about suicide."  He paused.  "I let you down."

            Now it was Scott's turn to be stern.  "No, Peter.  You've never let me down.  You've always been there for me.  Always."

            Peter smiled.  "I think we can arrange for you to return to Horizon.  IF, and only if, you complete your program here."

            Scott nodded.  "Deal."

One month later…

            Scott and Shelby were alone on the lawn of Horizon, snuggled in each other's arms.  Shelby had indeed forgiven him and Scott had fulfilled his promise to Peter.  He had a long road until he recovered completely, but as long as he was at Horizon, with his friends, he would make it.

            "What are you thinking about?"  Shelby interrupted Scott's thoughts.

            "About how much has happened in the last few months."

            "I'm just glad that you're here."

            Scott picked at a few blades of grass.  "I think about that a lot.  I mean, what if you hadn't found me in time?  What if I would have gone through with it?"

            "Don't think that way Scott.  We DID find you, you DIDN'T go through with it."

            "I know. It just makes me appreciate life more I guess."  He kissed her cheek.  "Made me realize how much good stuff is in my life."

            She smiled and kissed him back.  "You're the best thing in my life, Scott Barringer."

            "Hey Lovebirds!  Give it a rest!"  The rest of the Cliffhangers interrupted their romantic moment. 

            "Care to join us in a game of football?"  Auggie asked.

            Scott and Shelby exchanged glances.  "You're on," she said, as the pair joined their friends. 

Finally, things were back to normal….

The Trouble With Scott  © 2002