December 28th, 2003
This Christmas wasn't a very happy Christmas for Faith and Bosco. They were in and out of the hospital with Vincent for the past week. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with him. They had been running so many tests. He was still bleeding and he had developed a fever and rash. It was rare to see this in a child his age. They pretty much ruled out cancer, which was a relief to Faith and Bosco. Dr. White stepped out of the room and looked at them.
"Anything?" Bosco asked. Dr. White nodded.
"We finally found something." Faith started to cry. Weeks of not knowing had been stuff on her.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Vincent had a type of intestinal infection. He probably got it in the first couple of weeks of his life. It likes to stay unnoticed for awhile and then strike the body. Believe it or not, we did catch it early." Dr. White said, "If we didn't…Vincent's immune system is just too new to handle this. It's very rare to see this type of infection in a child his age."
"What can you do?" Bosco asked as he rubbed Faith's back.
"We're administrating some medication right now. There are some side affects with this medicine, but nearly to as bad as what he was having." He said, "He still has a fever, but we're pretty confident that once this treatment goes through his system it'll break."
"Thank you." Bosco whispered. Faith looked at him.
"What if these medications don't work?" She asked.
"Then we'll try a stronger dose, but I'm pretty sure they will work."
"Okay" She said. "Can we see him?"
"Of course." Dr. White smiled. Bosco and Faith got up silently. They were sick of hospitals. They wanted to take their son home. The couple walked into the room. Vincent was in the crib hooked up to an IV.
"He's asleep." Faith whispered.
"The medication probably knocked him out." Bosco said giving his wife a small hug.
"I'm so glad they finally figured out what was wrong." Faith said softly, "I was so scared, Bosc."
"I know." He said, "SO was I, but now our boy is going to be okay." Faith nodded slowly.
"I want to take him home." She said.
"Tomorrow. You know that." Bosco said.
* * *
"He has a rash, Bosco." Faith said from the kitchen sink where she was bathing the baby.
"Side affect of the medication and you know it." Bosco said sitting on the couch fixing Charlie's fire truck.
"But it looks pretty bad." Faith bit her lip.
"Faith." Her husband said firmly. Faith sighed.
"I know." Vincent kicked his legs splashing the water on Faith. She chuckled gently, "Yes. Give mommy a reality check." He was home. That was something great, but it was still very scary. They had to bring Vincent back to the doctors in a couple of days to get more blood drawn to make sure the infection was leaving his body. Slowly, but surely things were returning to normal.
January 10th, 2004
Emily sat on the couch reading. Believe it or not, she was still on semi-punishment. Faith looked at her as she breastfed Vincent.
"You're turning thirteen soon." Faith said. Emily looked up from her book.
"So?" She asked
"It's a big age to be turning." She said.
"No it's not." Emily said, "Fourteen is big. Fourteen is when I get my driving permit." Faith shuddered. She didn't even want to think about her daughter, "Speaking of which, I should get some practicing in"
"Later." Faith said.
"It's always later, ma. Can't I do something now?" Emily asked.
"If I remember correctly, you're still on restriction." Faith said. Emily frowned deeply.
"Fine." She muttered as she got up. "I'll be in my room." Faith shook her head. Some things wouldn't change Faith concluded.
"Sweetie, is Vincent sucking you dry?" Bosco asked.
"Of course. Come sit with us." Faith patted the couch.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Bosco walked over to his wife and son. "I am a little jealous." Faith chuckled softly.
"My breasts are off limits for awhile." She said unlatching Vincent.
"Gee, thanks." Bosco smiled as Faith handed him his boy. A knock came upon the door, "Burpy time." Faith got up and walked to the door. Her face dropped when she saw who was there.
"Ma!" She cried. Faith's mother stood there with a large black eye. "Come in! What are you doing here?"
"I had no where to go Faith." She said. Faith looked at her mother. She had more than a black eye. She was covered in bruises and cuts. The blood inside of Faith's veins boiled.
"That son of a bitch!" She snapped.
"What's going on?" Bosco walked into the hallway.
"Oh you're feeding Vincent. I'll go." She said.
"No!" Faith hissed, "You're staying here and I'm going." Faith grabbed her jacket. She would beat the shit out of her father.
"Faith, you're not going anywhere." Bosco said.
"The hell I'm not." Faith said, "Stay here and take care of her." Bosco growled when he saw her leave. He looked at her mother.
"He better not lay a single finger on her." He said.
* * *
Faith stomped up the pathway to her childhood home. Al the lights were on inside the door was wide open. Typical, Faith thought. She walked inside.
"Dad, where are you?" She yelled. She walked further ito the house. She could already smell the liquor. Jack Daniels. A perfect choice for her father. "Dad?"
Jack was sitting at the kitchen table. He was nursing a bottle. Faith growled and stomped into the room. She grabbed his arm.
"Come on."
"Don't touch me." Jack said looking at his daughter.
"You don't deserve that have a choice." Faith said, "You hit mom and I'm god damn tired of this shit. It's been going on too long."
"You can't don't anything. She's not going to press charges." Jack said as he got up and went to the fridge. He went to grab a beer, but Faith grabbed his arm.
"I can do plenty." Faith said. Jack snatched his arm away from her.
"Don't ever touch me, Faith." He hissed.
"Why? Are you going to hit me?" Faith frowned.
"I may." Jack glared at her.
Come on. I'm taking you to the station." She said. Jack growled and pushed her.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." Jack yelled.
"You need help!! I'm so fucking tired of this shit. I'm so tired of your drinking. I've moved out but yet your drinking still affects me." Faith said, "God your god damn ass in my car." Jack reached out and slapped his daughter.
"Don't talk to me like that. I'm your father." Faith looked at him as she held her cheek. She laughed bitterly.
"Now I can charge you if mom won't." She said.
"Whatever, Faith. Go home to Fred and mind your business." Jack said grabbing his beer. Faith laughed.
"I'm not married to Fred, Dad. I have a new husband and a new baby. God, you really are brain dead." Faith shook her head. "I'm leaving, but expect a squad car to be here in ten minutes." She walked outside of the house. She couldn't believe her father. Even after all these years, he was still the same. Why couldn't he just change and be a normal father? Faith sighed deeply, why did she even get involved? She needed to earn to stay away.
