Boys you can break
You find out how much they can take
Boys will be strong and boys soldier on
But boys would be gone without warmth from a woman's good, good heart
Braedin, Kelly and Caiden talked well past the dinner hour before Braedin realized that Kurt was probably ready to kill him for missing dinner.
Hey Cade, sorry, but I really have to go now. Kurt'll kill me for missing dinner and when Kurt's upset, Derrick and Chels really get scared. Kell, can you take me home? Braedin apologized to his sister. He didn't want to leave, but he knew that it would be more trouble to stay, than to go.
It's okay Bray, it really is, I wasn't even expecting you to show up. I'm just glad to see you both. Hopefully, soon, this will be over and I'll be able to see you all the time again. Caiden said forgiving her twin.
Okay, I'll see you later Cade, Kell how bout that ride? Kelly hesitated, she did NOT want to go back to that area, it was hard enough that she had to be back in Chicago.
Kell, you don't have to. I can take the subway. I'd just like to talk with you for a little bit longer, we all miss you. Braedin said noting the uncomfortable look on his older sister's face.
Would you? I mean I'd love to talk with you for a little bit longer, but I just don't want to go over there. Kelly said.
Yeah, that's fine. How bout you keep Caiden company and tomorrow after school maybe I'll come by again. Braedin said.
That can definitely be arranged. Kelly said.
Okay good. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Kell, bye Cade. Braedin said giving both of his sister's a hug before leaving. On the way out he ran into Dr. Lockhart.
Oh hey, Dr. Lockhart. I was just leaving. I wanted to thank you for helping my sister. It really means a lot to me. I'm so glad that I know that my sister is safe and I don't have to be at a constant worry about her now. Braedin said politely.
Yeah, you're welcome. She's a great kid. It's terrible to know what she's been through, and yet she is still so positive and knowing what is important and what isn't. Dr. Lockhart said, speaking very fondly of her patient. But, you said you were leaving, can you get home all right? Dr. Lockhart was concerned.
Oh yeah. I'll be all right. He said with a pained look on his face.
Are you sure? She said noting the look.
Yeah, my stepfather won't be happy, that I'm late. He'll yell a lot when I get in and Chelsea and Derrick will cry, then he'll, well I mean you've heard what kinda things he's done from Caiden. A little bang bang and then I'll go to bed without supper and a frozen bag of peas on my eye. Braedin said.
How bout I get take you somewhere to eat? I could bring you home after and say you we're helping me out or something. If you want, I wouldn't make you go back home. Dr. Lockhart offered.
I'll take you up on that offer. Braedin smiled. Thanks for all of this. Taking me to eat, caring for my sister, listening to her problems. She told us everything you've done for her, and it means so much to us. Kelly left when I was twelve and Caiden, she's like my everything, I've been so scared for her safety ever since she's left and now I know that she'll be safe because she's here and you and Dr. Carter are looking out for her. Braedin explained.
No problem. So, what are you craving for dinner? Dr. Lockhart asked thinking that the conversation was becoming awkward.
Um... I don't know. We usually just have fast food or something quick. Kurt can't cook so sometimes we miss dinner all together.Okay, how about... Chinese or what? She offered.
Chinese would be great. Dr. Lockhart escorted Braedin out of the hospital after signing out. The two walked towards the Chinese restaurant, Great Mandarin, nearby.
Caiden, I'm so sorry. I could have prevented all of this from happening to you, but I was too cowardly. Kelly apologized to her sister.
It's not your fault, I know it's hard to tell people. I had trouble telling Abby, -er Dr. Lochart and the police. You actually had it happen to you, I just had him try, and I saw it happen. I was just the third party, it never happened to me so I didn't feel like I had anything to hold back. Caiden explained not thinking her sister was guilty at all.
Still, I'm going to take the blame for your broken leg, and all of your injuries. Kelly said.
No, you don't have to really, I swear. I'm going to be fine now. Abby, she said that everything will be all right, if you want you can go back to NYU, we all know you love it there. Caiden smiled.
No I'm going to stay here. We're on break right now anyways, and I'm going to stay here with you until we get Kurt sentenced. Kelly promised.
That's great, we're going to have to find a way so that Chelsea and Derrick can see you again. Caiden said knowing how long it had been since Chelsea and Derrick had seen Kelly.
I really miss them. How've they been?I don't know, I was gone too, it's not like every birthday I came out of hiding just to wish them a Happy Birthday. Caiden said with a smirk.
I guess that was a stupid question.No, it wasn't, Caiden paused. Just came out without you thinking about who you were talking to.
Dr. Lockhart and Braedin were seated at a small table in the corner of the restaurant looking at menus.
Wow. This all sounds so good. Braedin said.
It's better than what the menu makes it out to be. But I'd say that the Sesame Chicken and the Beef Lo Mein are definitely the best options here. She suggested.
Okay, I'll consider that.So, Braedin, does your stepfather hit you often? She knew she was being blunt, and straight to the point, but it was something that was bugging her and she needed to know.
Well... um... yeah I guess you could say that. I mean, he hits any of us if we do something wrong. Chelsea, is sick a lot, we don't know what it is, but she gets stomach aches a lot and fatigued really easily. And Derrick, he's learning to be potty trained, he's only 18 months, but Kurt says that diapers are too expensive. Derrick doesn't know better, he's too little to be potty trained. I get hit everytime one of them does something wrong, and even harder if I don't do something right. Caiden was right for leaving, our situation sucks. But it's like our English teacher said, if your life sucks, it's not like you can go back to the dealer of life and say gimme a new hand of cards.' Braedin explained.
Okay. I'm not letting you go back to Kurt's house. Social services would kill me if I just took you back home. You can stay at my place tonight. Dr. Lockhart put her foot down.
Really? Oh, gosh, thank you Dr. Lockhart. Braedin said with a huge grin on his face.
Hello, what can I get for you tonight, Abby. The waiter said knowing her by name, because the restaurant was one of those local-everybody-knows-your-name places. Oh, I see you've got company? Who is this?This is Braedin Adams, he's the brother of a patient of mine. Abby explained not wanting to tell this Long Duck Dong' his real situation.
Oh of course, Mr. Adams, what can I get for you as well?Um.. I'm going to have the Beef Lo Mein. Braedin said hastily.
And Abby? Let me guess, your usual.Yes please.So, you went with my selection. Dr. Lockhart smirked.
Well I figure, you've been here a good amount of times, you'd know what is good. Braedin said with his own smirk.
Do you have everything you need if you were to stay over tonight? Dr. Lockhart asked.
Um.. yeah, well I don't have any clothes, but I can manage. He said.
You sure? Oh, shoot. I was going to talk to Carter, the other doctor who's working with your sister and I was going to go over there. Let me call him, so that we can meet at my place. Dr. Lockhart said.
She dialed Carter's number on her cell.
Hey Carter, it's Abby... yeah, I'm fine are you?... No, I can still meet with you, but could you come over to my apartment to talk... No it's just that I've been talking to Caiden's brother, and if social services heard that I drove him back to his house after what he's told me, they'd kill me... Yeah everything's all right, I'll tell you about it later... Okay see you tonight um.. about 9-ish, we just ordered food now... Great Mandarin... Yeah, if you want to come over and meet us here you can... Sure I'll do that... Yeah see you in fifteen minutes... Okay... What Carter?... Yes yes, okay... Carter if you don't shut up we'll be off the phone at the same time you get here... Very funny. See you later... BYE CARTER! She hung up her phone and started laughing.
Sorry about that. He's just a little weird. Dr. Lockhart explained to Braedin who was eyeing her with a that was the weirdest conversation I've ever heard look.
Yeah so Dr. Carter is coming over? Braedin asked.
Yeah, he's coming to get food with us, then over to my apartment. Dr. Lockhart explained.
Oh, is he your boyfriend? Braedin asked innocently.
No, it's not that at all. It's that, well you can't tell Caiden this because it might not work out, but according to the detective they've got the warrant to search and arrest your stepfather, or something like that and Carter knows what's going on and so he's going to tell me tonight.Good. That's really good! Braedin said. Hey um... Dr. Lockhart, what's going to happen to Chelsea, Derrick, Caiden and me?You know, I'm not really sure. I can promise you that you will stay together, but I don't know where or when.
Okay, that's 5 pages, SOOOOO sorry that I've been late (3 weeks) on updating this, I've been really busy, softball's a bitch when your coach schedules seven games over a ten day period. Midterms are also over so let's hope that I wont procrastinate, like I did on this. Once again sooooo incredibly sorry on not updating this. Oh and please review, I'll have a larger incentive to write if you do.
Five of my Magic Brownies' if you can guess which movie I was watching while writing this.