Rosie was sitting at the table at lunch on Monday with her friends.
"So how was your weekend?" Cass asked
"Boring. Got caught in a lie was grounded." Rosie said
"Ah. That sucks." Cass said
"I have already figured out that we wont get away with lies around dad. How did you think you would get away with it?" Hayley asked with a smirk
Rosie stuck her tongue out at her sister.
Nolan put an arm around her. "Be nice."
"Ha!" Hayley said
Rosie gasped playfully at Nolan. "Taking my sister's side."
Nolan chuckled and kissed her
Rosie chuckled and kissed him. "You're lucky you're cute."
They finished eating and threw their garbage out.
Rosie's phone went off with a text.
'Rosie. Why weren't you honest with me about what happened and how you were feeling?' Aaron had spoken to Dave that morning and found out the truth.
Rosie felt her heart in her throat, but she didn't reply. She didn't feel good anymore. But she went to her afternoon classes.
Her final class was social studies. Same teacher she had first and second year.
Mr. Darvis had been teaching her for three years, so he knew something was up with Miss Rossi. He knew she had, had a lot of changes in her life recently and had seemed to be handling it well but something was off. She wasn't being disruptive just sitting at her desk tapping her pencil and looking off deep in thought.
He went over to her desk and bent by it. "Everything okay?" he asked
Rosie was drawn out of her thoughts when Mr. Darvis spoke.
"Sorry. Yeah. Just thinking… about the assignment." She said
"You need any help?" He asked
"No." Rosie said
"You sure everything is okay?" He asked
Rosie nodded.
"Okay." He said. He got up and went back to his own desk.
Rosie tried to focus on the assignment, but it was no use. Thankfully the bell rang soon. She packed up her stuff and went out running into Nolan.
"Hey. What do you have planned this afternoon?" Nolan asked
"Newspaper." Rosie said "You?"
"Football." Nolan said
"Right. Mr. First junior quarterback in like a hundred years at this school." Rosie said with a smile
Nolan smiled.
"And you were worried about not getting on the team last year." Rosie said
"Any plans after newspaper?" Nolan said
"Homework, social studies class. Had a hard time focusing so got nothing done." Rosie said
"You're okay?" Nolan asked
"Yeah. Just long day." Rosie said
Nolan nodded. "Okay." He kissed her before he headed for the locker rooms.
Rosie headed to the newspaper room and got her assignment for the week and started to work on it.
Her phone went off again with a text
'You cant avoid me forever you know. So I would like you to call me this evening.' Aaron said
Rosie ignored it. Again. Feeling worse about it. She finished what she could do in newspaper before heading out and texted her dad.
'Have a lot on my mind. I am going to rock climb for abit. Be home for dinner.' She sent before she drove to the gym and grabbed the bag she kept in her car and went inside.
She changed and went to the rock wall and spoke to the person belaying that day and she started to climb. She was pushing herself too hard and ended up hurting her shoulder. She whimpered.
The belayer heard the whimper. "You okay?" he called up to her
"No. Hurt my shoulder." She said. "On rappel." She said to signal she was coming down.
The belayer made sure he did his part to help her come down safely.
Once she was down she removed the equipment.
"Do you need ice?" The belayer asked
"No. I'm going to head home and ice it there." She said
"Okay. Hope its nothing to serious." The belayer told her
"Thanks." Rosie said she went and changed and drove home. When she got home she went inside.
Sascha was excited to see her. She pet him and went into the kitchen.
"Hey." She said
"How was rock climbing?" Hunter asked
"Hurt my shoulder abit." Rosie said
Dave came in behind her "How bad?"
Rosie looked up. "Not to bad."
"Let me see" Dave said.
"Can I shower first?" Rosie asked
"Fine." Dave said
"Go. Dinner will be ready shortly." Hunter said
Rosie went and showered and changed into comfy clothing.
She went downstairs and sat at the table.
Dave came over to her with an ice pack "Can I see now?"
Rosie pushed the sweater off her shoulder and showed him.
"Its looking a little swollen." Dave said
"What exactly did you do?" Hunter asked
"Tried to reach a hold that was to far away." Rosie said
"Happens." Dave said
"You're not upset?" Rosie asked
"Nope. You got hurt a little and you stopped climbing right away?" Dave asked
"Yes." Rosie said
"Injuries happen in any athletics endeavors. As long as you stop and take care of it quickly not a problem." Dave said before putting the ice pack on it.
Rosie flinched abit at the cold before relaxing and using her opposite hand to hold it on
"So. What did you have on your mind that you needed to clear your head about?" Dave asked.
Rosie looked at him "You told on me to Uncle Aaron. He's angry with me."
"I don't think he's angry with you Rose. Didn't he ask you to text or call him?" Dave asked
"He did." Rosie said
"So do that after dinner. You will see he isn't angry with you." Dave said
Rosie nodded abit. They ate dinner.
"How was newspaper?" Hunter asked
"Good. I am responsible for reporting on the final football game of the year." Rosie said
"Well makes it easy when you don't have to try to hard to get an interview with the captain." Dave said
Rosie chuckled "Yeah. I'll have to talk to a few people from the team. And the Junior Captain is on the list."
"He want to play football in university?" Hunter asked
"Yes." Rosie said
"Know which universities he is interested in?" Dave asked
"I do." Rosie said, "And what he wants to study."
"You planning on sharing?" Hunter asked
"Nope." Rosie said with a smile "We agreed not to share each others plans with anyone."
Dave and Hunter nodded. "Okay." Dave said
Rosie finished eating. "I have homework." Rosie said
"Go ahead." Dave said
Rosie went and got settled in her room and worked on homework. She rubbed at her shoulder after abit.
Sascha noticed and whimpered he could tell she was in pain he went and pawed at the door.
Rosie looked at him "You want out?"
Sascha whined
Rosie went and opened the door for him and got back to work leaving the door opened.
Sascha went and found Dave and head butted him gently and spun in a circle.
"Is Rosie okay?" He asked and he followed him to her room where she was rubbing her shoulder
"Scale of one to ten how bad is the pain?" Dave asked
Rosie looked up.
"Sascha must think its pretty bad. He came to find me." Dave said
"Sold me out huh?" She said to Sascha with a smile
Sascha laid on the floor and put his paws over his nose.
"Ooh. Buddy I'm not upset." Rosie said she got down to his level and pet him.
"You didn't answer my questions." Dave said
"I'm fine." Rosie said
"I need a number. And don't lie." Dave said'
"Five." Rosie said
"Okay. You need to ice it." Dave said
"Actually." Rosie went into her gym bag and pulled a little sachet that was blue out.
"Someone from the gym gave me this awhile ago. It's a sample of some heat rub stuff its supposed to better and non-toxic. Better than stuff you buy in the store." Rosie said
Dave put his hand out for it.
Rosie gave it to him. Dave looked at it. "Want me to help you put it on?"
"No I can do it." Rosie said, "I feel where it hurts."
Dave handed the package back to her.
Rosie opened it and put some on her hand and rubbed it into her shoulder slowly.
"Wow. Smells very strong." Dave said
"Yeah." Rosie said she rubbed till it was all blended. "Seems to heat up quickly though.'
"Let me know how it works." Dave said
Rosie nodded. She went back to her homework.
Dave left her alone.
Rosie finished her homework about an hour later and put her books away. She went downstairs to look for a snack.
"How's your shoulder?" Dave asked
Rosie rotated it slowly. "Doesn't hurt anymore."
"Good. That stuff seems pretty good." Dave said
"Yeah it does." Rosie said
"Maybe you should see if you can get more. With you rock climbing and your sisters in sports too we should have some on hand if it works that well." Dave said
"I'll talk to the woman at my gym." Rosie said
"Okay." Dave said
Rosie took out some celery and hummus from the fridge and prepared a snack and sat at the table to eat.
Dave sat with her. "Homework all done?"
"Yup." Rosie said
"You call Uncle Aaron?" Dave asked
"Not yet." Rosie said
"You planning on it tonight?" Dave asked
"Maybe." Rosie said
"Rose." Dave said
"I'll handle it. This is between me and him." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "Okay. I'll let you handle it." He knew he needed to step back and let her learn from her mistakes. Natural consequences could be very beneficial.
Rosie finished her snack and put her plate in the dishwasher.
"I'm going to read for a bit." Rosie said
"Okay. Good night." Dave said
Rosie went and kissed his cheek "Good night."
Dave gave her a hug and she went upstairs and cuddled up and read.
She texted Nolan.
'How was football?'
'It was good. Newspaper?' he asked
'Good. Got the article about the final football game. I will need to interview the captain and a few other people. Maybe you can help me with that? *winkface*' rosie sent
'Well I can definitely get you an interview with the Captain. *winkface*'
'And maybe that captain can suggest who he thinks also represents the team well.' Rosie sent
'Haha. I can definitely do that. You manage to get your homework done?" Nolan said
'Yes. I also actually went climbing for a big. I irritated my shoulder. Don't worry I'm okay.' Rosie sent
'You been icing it?' Nolan asked
'I did and I also used some heat rub stuff.' Rosie said
'Good. Glad you are taking care of yourself.' Nolan said
'Like I'd have a choice.' Rosie sent back
They finished texting and Rosie went to bed.
/\/\/\/\
Rosie got up the next day and got ready for school. She grabbed herself some breakfast and sat down.
Hunter was already in the kitchen.
"Good Morning." Rosie said
"Good Morning." Hunter said. "Sleep well?"
"Meh." Rosie said
"How's your shoulder?" Hunter asked
"A little sore but better than yesterday." Rosie said
"Dad said you have something that helps?" Hunter asked
"I just had a sample of some stuff. I will get more when I talk to the person from my gym who gave me the sample." Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "Okay."
Rosie ate her breakfast and grabbed her lunch from the fridge.
"See you tonight Papa." Rosie said
"Don't forget therapy." He said
"I know." Rosie said as she left the house and went to her car and drove to school.
She went inside and had her day at school. After school she went out to her car, and the front drivers side window had been smashed.
"What the hell?!" She screeched.
Taylor came over. "Oh my god. What happened?"
"I don't know. I just came out and this was here." Rosie said in tears.
"Okay. Its okay. Its just a window. Is anything taken?" Taylor asked
Rosie looked in the car. She didn't keep much in there. She looked in her trunk and nothing as taken. "Doesn't seem to be."
"Okay. Than its just a window. Replaceable." Taylor said
"I have therapy. And I cant just leave my car here." Rosie said almost whining.
"Nathan's brother owns a car repair shop. Give me your keys I will get it fixed. See if I can get you a good deal." Taylor said
"No. I cant. Its my car. I mean you can call his brother I'll go through him its fine I just… I have to take care of my own car." Rosie said
"Call your dad." Taylor said
Rosie did so. "Hey Rosie. What's up?"
"Someone broke the window of my car in the parking lot. I cant drive it, but I have therapy. I have someone who can fix it Nathan's brother owns a repair shop. But I-I." Rosie said
"Okay breath." Dave said, "Its just a car window."
Rosie took a breath. "Taylor has offered to get the car to the shop since she knows Nathan's brother, but I cant just let her do that can I?"
"I unfortunately am going into a meeting I cant miss. And Papa is in the next town doing a showing. I'm going to get someone to come get you to therapy. Yes. You trust Taylor right?" Dave asked
"Well yes." Rosie said
"Friends help us when we need it. Its okay to accept it." Dave said
"Its not irresponsible?" Rosie asked
"No bambina." Dave said softly.
"Okay. I'll do it. Thank you daddy." Rosie said
"I'm not sure who it will be someone from the team will come take you to therapy." Dave said
"Okay." Rosie said
The call was ended, and Rosie handed Taylor her car keys.
"I will make sure it gets fixed." Taylor said taking them.
Rosie nodded and gave her a hug. "Thank you. I owe you."
"Nah. You brought me and Nathan together. I still owe you." Taylor said with a smile
"How about we just say we will always help each other?" Rosie asked with a smile
"Deal." Taylor said Taylor took out her phone and called Nathan's brother.
Rosie listened to the conversation and smirked when the call ended Rosie looked at her.
"Already fitting in well with Nathan's family?" Rosie said
She shrugged. "His brother is a big fan. His parents they don't hate me. But think we are to young to be so serious." Taylor said
Rosie nodded. "Sorry."
"Its okay. We are in love and that's all that matters." Taylor said
A car pulled up "Well shit. That's the last person I was hoping would be picking me up." Rosie said
"Oh?" Taylor asked
"Uncle Aaron. I have been avoiding him…" Rosie said
"Ooh." Taylor said. "Doesn't the universe work in marvellous ways?"
"Fucking karma. Not sure what for." Rosie said
"Avoiding your Uncle perhaps?" Taylor said
Rosie chuckled and gave her another hug. "Thank you."
"Of course." Taylor said
Rosie went over to Aaron's car and got in. "Hi." She said
"Hi. You okay?" Aaron said
Rosie did up her seatbelt and they drive started "I'm okay. Thank you for coming and getting me."
"Of course. You have been avoiding me." Aaron said
"Would you buy I've been busy?" Rosie asked
"Nope." Aaron said
Rosie nodded abit. "Sorry."
"I thought you knew that you could always talk to me. About anything. Especially if we have a problem." Aaron said
Rosie nodded abit
"Are you scared of me?" Aaron asked
"No. Of course not." Rosie said
"Than why didn't you talk to me?" Aaron asked
"I didn't want you to feel like you did something wrong…" Rosie said
"Rosie. That's why we talk about things. When I found out that you hadn't been honest with me I thought you were scared of me now." Aaron said
"I didn't intend for you to find out anything." Rosie said
"I get that. But I did and in this family nothing gets kept secret very long." Aaron said
Rosie nodded "Sorry Uncle Aaron."
"Okay. Tell me what happened." Aaron said
"I had a nightmare that night. From the time I was in California." Rosie said
"Was it because of me using the belt?" Aaron asked
"I don't know but I do know I woke up and when I figured out where I was I knew I was safe." Rosie said
Aaron nodded "I'm glad you still feel safe in my home and with me."
"I do. I'm sorry I wanted to not make you feel bad and I ended up making you feel worse…" Rosie said
"Its forgiven. But you need to talk to me in the future about problems. Because you are part of a family that does not run from our problems. Okay?" Aaron said
"Okay. Understood." Rosie said
Aaron pulled into the parking lot of her therapists office. "An hour correct?" Aaron asked
"Yes." Rosie said
"If I'm not here when you get out just call me." Aaron said
"Okay." Rosie said. She got out and went inside and flopped on her therapist couch and talked his ear off about her last month.
As the session was ended Orrick looked at her. "So. You have been doing very well. And I am proud of you." He said
"Thank you." Rosie said with a smile.
"You have been in therapy only once a month for four months and two of those months full remission. Correct?" Orrick asked
Rosie took a breath. She had heard this speech before from Orrick and she knew where this was going.
"How unethical would it be for me to lie and say that I wasn't?" Rosie said with a small smile
"Rosie." Orrick said eyebrow raised
"Yes. That is correct." Rosie said. "I just recognize the speech. And I don't like it."
"Rosie. You are doing well I'm not saying you shouldn't find another therapist. Its just my services are limited to as long as an eating disorder is being actively fought. Will you always have struggles? Probably but right now I have to move on to other teens who are in active eating disorder." Orrick said
Rosie nodded abit.
"I know this is hard. But this is a good thing. You are strong, healthy, and happy." Orrick said
"Orrick you are the only therapist I have ever found that actually cares. And has actually helped me. And not dumped me…" Rosie said
"Rosie. I can help you find you someone to talk to. Someone who you can trust and talk to." Orrick said
Rosie shook her head. "No. I'll figure it out myself."
"Rosie. No. I know you still need someone to talk to." Orrick said
"You can give me names. Doesn't mean I am going to make any attempts to contact them." Rosie said
Orrick took a piece of paper out of a folder on his desk and handed it to her. "Take it anyways."
Rosie took it from him grumpily.
"This is a good thing Rosie. You are doing well." Orrick said
"Yeah. Whatever." Rosie said, "We done?"
Orrick nodded "We are for today. I'm not just ending our therapy like this. I do want one or two more sessions before we formally end our time."
Rosie got up "I'm all better right? So why waste either of our time." She said before she left his office and went out of the building and got into Aaron's car.
Aaron took one look at her. "What's wrong?"
Rosie held up the piece of paper. "I'm all better so I no longer have a therapist. He has given me names of others."
"You should be happy. You're fully recovered." Aaron said
"I don't care if I don't have the only therapist I have ever been able to fully depend on." Rosie said
"Rosie." Aaron said, "You need to talk to your dad and papa and find yourself someone new to talk to." Aaron said
"I will tell them what happened but I'm not getting a new therapist." Rosie said
Aaron figured that was better than nothing. And he would let them deal with it.
Rosie looked at her phone. "Is 400$ a good price for a car window being replaced?"
"Yeah. Pretty standard." Aaron said
"Okay." Rosie said
"I'm sure your dad will pay for it." Aaron said
"Yeah. Well its my car and he has been making me save money for things like this so." Rosie said
"I think he is making you save to teach you about money management." Aaron said with a smile
"Well. I have managed my money well. So I can afford to fix my car." Rosie said
Aaron chuckled. "You sure you don't want to be a lawyer?"
"That's three." Rosie said
"Three?" Aaron asked
"Three people who have asked me that." Rosie said
Aaron nodded.
"Why did you switch from being a lawyer?" Rosie asked
"When I got into being a lawyer I wanted to help stop bad people. But when it came to it I wasn't stopping them before the damages were done. As a profiler I stop them before they end up hurting more people." Aaron said
Rosie nodded.
"Why do you want to be a journalist?" Aaron asked
"I just have always known that's what I wanted to do. I love writing. And keeping up with current events. I'm curious about the world. I think I might decided to not be a crime journalist but still want to be a journalist." Rosie said
"Okay. Well if you don't plan to be crime journalist will you still minor in law?" Aaron asked
"Yeah." Rosie said
"What made you decide crime journalism?" Aaron asked
Rosie looked out the window.
"Rosie?" Aaron asked
"I don't know…" Rosie said
"If you don't want to tell me that's okay." Aaron said
"I thought if I could search out the stories of crimes that I could report on them and help law enforcement bring down the bad guys…." Rosie said. "I know its stupid and unbelievably dangerous."
"When we are young we don't always realize the dangers of things. I'm glad you see how that would be dangerous now." Aaron said
"But I still do want to help law enforcement bring down the bad guys…" Rosie said
"A lawyer can do that. And various careers with in the law enforcement field. What Penny does for example. Or crime scene investigators, forensic scientists, FBI agent." Aaron said with a smile
Rosie chuckled. "I'll tell my dad you suggested that to me."
Aaron chuckled. "I was kind of kidding. Yes I think you would be an amazing FBI agent. But I don't see that as being what you want to do."
"Its not. It's an honorable career but not what I want to do." Rosie said
Aaron nodded.
"I honestly think if I tried he would lock me up and throw away the key." Rosie said with a chuckle
Aaron smirked. "I feel like even that wouldn't stop you from doing what you wanted."
Rosie smiled.
Aaron pulled into her driveway.
"Thank you." Rosie said
"Anytime." Aaron said
Rosie got out and went inside.
She went into the house. No one else was home. Sascha ran to the door and greeted her. Rosie pet him and went and let him out in the back yard to do his business. She went to the kitchen and turned on the oven and threw the premade casserole in to heat through. Its what she had been asked to do.
She let Sascha back in and went and changed out of her school clothes into comfy sweats and went back downstairs and worked at the kitchen table on her homework. But she couldn't focus.
Hunter came home a little later and saw her sitting at the table. He could smell the food cooking. He went over to her and kissed her head.
"Hey." he said
"Hey." Rosie said putting her pencil down.
"Dad told me about your car. Are you okay?" Hunter asked
"Yeah. I have reported it to Uncle Will and he said he would look into it. My car is at the repair shop, and it will be fixed. I will just need someone to take me to pick it up. I guess tomorrow after school." Rosie said
"Okay." Hunter said. "I can probably do that."
"Thank you." Rosie said
"Do you know how much it will be?" Hunter asked
"Yes. I got the price." Rosie said
"How much?" Hunter asked
"400." Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "Okay. That's about average."
"Yes. That's why Uncle Aaron told me too." Rosie said
"How was therapy?" Hunter asked
Rosie let out an annoyed laugh.
"What happened?" Hunter asked
"I'm all better. Don't need therapy anymore." Rosie said
"Rosie." Hunter said
"What? That's what he told me. I am in full remission, and he has ended our therapy because he doesn't think I need it anymore." Rosie said
"Oh. Well that's great. You are in full remission. You should be happy." Hunter said
"I'm glad I'm healthy again. But I wasn't ready to end the therapy." Rosie said
Hunter nodded. "Well he is specifically for eating disorder therapy. We can find you someone else you can talk to."
"No." Rosie said "I am not going through trying to find someone to talk to again. Orrick was the only therapist I have ever had that I felt I could be completely open with. And comfortable with."
"I'm sure Orrick has names of people who can help. And you have at least one more session with him right?" Hunter asked
"Why would I bother wasting my time or his when I'm all better." Rosie said
Hunter sighed. "He did say he wants another session right?"
"Yes. One or two but I'm not doing it." Rosie said
"Yes you are." Hunter said
"No I'm not." Rosie said
"I'm not having this argument. You are going to the last session or two." Hunter said
Rosie shook her head. "No. I'm not. You can ground me till I'm forty and I still wont go." She got up from the table and went to her room slamming the door.
Hunter sighed. He checked on the food and took it out when it was ready. He went and knocked on her door. "Dinner is ready."
"I'm not eating with you." Rosie said
"Yes you are. Lets go." Hunter said
"No." Rosie said
Hunter took a breath. "I expect you downstairs in the next five minutes." He went and plated up dinner for the two of them.
Rosie texted her dad 'Are you coming home tonight?'
Dave texted her back 'No sorry bambina I'm out of state. I figured Papa would have told you.'
'We had an argument. I'm not talking to him.' Rosie said
'I'm sorry you had an argument. But the longer you don't talk to him the worse it will be.' Dave send before he texted his husband.
'What did you and Rose argue about?' Dave sent
Hunter sighed. He was going to tell him when they talked.
'I guess Orrick thinks its time to wind down their sessions. He wants to have a session or two more and Rosie is upset that their time is coming to an end and has said she is not going to those two sessions. I told her she was going, and it started to be a yes/no argument, so I put an end to it by saying she was going that was that. And she said she wasn't. didn't care if I grounded her till she was forty. She wasn't. She stormed off to her room and slammed her door. And now. Is refusing to eat with me. But I have it handled. Promise.' Hunter sent
'I'm sorry Hunt. You sure you don't want me to say something to her?' Dave sent
'Yes. I'm sure. She and I will have to figure this out together. It's her and I having the problem.' Hunter said
'For the record I agree with you she needs to go those sessions. If you need the backup let me know.' Dave said
'Thank you. Love you. Stay safe.' Hunter said
'Love you too. And I will.' Dave said
Rosie had not come downstairs. Hunter went up and knocked on her door again. "Rosie. We need to not let this issue sit. We need to talk about it."
"Screw you." Rosie said
Hunter took a breath and went into her room.
She was sitting on her window seat.
Hunter went over to her and pulled her from the seat and swatted her butt hard. She yelped
"You will not speak to me that way." Hunter said
Rosie took a breath. "Or what?" any sense of self preservation was gone from Rosie's brain at the moment.
"Or that one swat will turn into a full spanking." Hunter said
Rosie crossed her arms and said nothing.
"Sit." Hunter said
Rosie sat back down crossing her legs in front of her and keeping her arms crossed.
Hunter sat across from her.
"Rose. I get that its hard. Therapy has been a really big help to you. And I know you liked having someone to talk to that kept your secrets and someone that you could open up to without worry of judgement or trouble even if you did something that you shouldn't have." Hunter said. "And I know it has been hard for you to find that person. So I get why you are upset that the sessions have to end. And I get why its hard for you to want to try a different therapist. And dad and I wont force you to see another therapist. But you are going to the last one or two with Orrick." Hunter said
"I'm not ready for it to end." Rosie said
"Because you're going to miss talking to him or because you don't think you are at a place where it could end without a relapse?" Hunter asked
"Both." Rosie said
"You haven't skipped any meals that dad and I don't know about right?" Hunter asked
"No. I haven't skipped any meals and haven't tried to since California in the summer." Rosie said
"Do you still feel like you are doing something wrong when you eat?" Hunter asked
Rosie shook her head.
"And you think that will change if you don't keep having sessions with Orrick?" Hunter asked
Rosie let out a breath.
"Is it really both reasons?" Hunter asked
"No…" She said so quietly that Hunter could barely hear her.
Hunter pulled her into a hug.
Rosie hugged him. "I'm sorry papa."
"Forgiven. Now. Come eat." Hunter said
Rosie went with him, and they went downstairs and had dinner and spent the night watching a movie before going to bed