Ch.9
"I don't believe it."
Fox stood their, trying to absorb what Gwen was telling him.
"He really did it to himself?" Teresa asked.
"Yea." Gwen said sadly.
"Jesus, I knew he was having a hard time dealing with everything, but I never thought-" Fox trailed off.
~How could you not notice the pain he was going through Fox? He's your brother! ~ He thought angrily to himself.
"I can't believe this." Teresa said. "This is all my fault." She cried.
"Teresa don't say that," Gwen said.
"I've been ignoring him, he feels guilty because of me."
"He knows that you're going through a hard time Resa" Fox interrupted. "We all are."
She didn't say anything.
"Can I go talk to him?"
Gwen smiled.
"Sure."
Fox gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"No I think I need to talk to him myself."
He nodded.
She let go and walked down the hall. She looked around.
"it still looks the same," she said to herself she hadn't been here since the day she was released 2 years ago.
She got to Ethan's room and walked in. he immediately looked up.
"What are you doing her?" he asked.
"I could ask you the same question."
He looked away.
"It's all my fault," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Ethan turn around and look at me." she pulled a chair up beside him.
He didn't move.
"Ethan, LOOK AT ME." she said sternly.
He could tell she was serious, and slowly turned to face her.
"Ethan…it's not your fault."
He didn't blink.
"What happened is not your fault. I don't blame you…Fox doesn't blame you, Gwen doesn't blame you…and I know my son wouldn't blame you either."
He eyes welled with tears at the mention of Little Ethan.
"He was my godson," he choked out.
"And he wouldn't want to see his big uncle Ethan in so much pain because of him."
Ethan cried.
"Teresa…"
She grabbed his hand.
"It will be ok Ethan."
She stroked his hair.
"You will be ok"
He wiped his eyes.
"I don't think I'll ever be ok again."
"Don't say that Ethan…you are going to be fine…I know you will."
He attempted to smile.
She looked around the room.
"It feels so weird being back here."
"It's been a long time hasn't it?" he asked.
"Yea…" she sighed. "And its going to be a long time before I have to come back…isn't it Ethan?"
he looked into her eyes.
"You wont have to come back again."
She smiled.
"Good."
She looked at her watch.
"I better go…I know Gwen wants to come back and see you." She kissed his hand and got up walking towards the door. She stopped before she walked out.
"You know maybe when you feel better, me you Gwen and Fox can all go away for a weekend or something…you know…like old times."
He smiled.
"I would like that."
"Ok. I'll see ya later Ethan."
She smiled as she made her way back to the waiting room.
"He'll be ok," she said to herself.
After a few hours of visiting, Gwen insisted that Fox and Teresa go home and get some rest. The pulled into their driveway, too tired to get out of the car.
"What a long day" Teresa sighed.
"Yea it has been…" Fox said. " So I guess sex is out of the question right?"
"FOX!"
"What? I was just wondering."
"I'm going inside," she said smiling. As she walked by the car, Fox beeped the horn at her, causing her to jump.
"Oh now its definitely out of the question," she said teasingly.
"Ouch" Fox said walking behind her.
They walked to the door. It was then Teresa noticed something on the door.
"What is this?" she said reaching for it. She carefully unfolded the paper. Fox watched as her eyes scanned over it. The color drained from her face, the paper falling from her hands.
"Resa what's wrong? Fox asked concerned.
She didn't say anything.
He bent down and picked the paper up, looking over it.
It wasn't an accident.
"Oh my god." He looked over at Teresa.
She was shaking.
"What does this mean?" she asked.
"I don't know," he said.
"But I'm going to find out."