Part 16

Iris walked into CCPD and headed over to her dad's desk. Joe looked up and tried not to laugh at his coffee drenched daughter.

"What happened to you?" asked Joe

"Caitlin Snow's little brat kicked me making me knock over a tray full of drinks at Jitters." Said Iris

"What did you do to provoke such an attack?"

"Nothing. The little brat just kicked me for no reason.

"Try again without lying. You did something to either the little girl or her mom."

"I might have grabbed Caitlin's arm when I told her that her boyfriend is here looking for her."

"Damn it Iris! Why in the hell would you do something like that? Do you hate that woman so much that you don't care that this bastard could kill her?"

"Why do you give a damn about that bitch? Dad, Caitlin Snow ruined things for me with Barry. Because of her he hates me."

"No Iris you ruined your friendship with that young man yourself. You refused to accept that he loves that young woman. It is time you grow up and move on."

"Caitlin Snow should have stayed gone."

"I am warning you. Leave her alone. If you don't then what she does to defend herself or daughter is your own fault."

"Dad! That brat assaulted me!"

"You want to have a six year old charged with assault?"

"Aren't her parents responsible for her actions?"

"I can tell you right now the worst that will happen is a fine. More then likely nothing will come of it."

"Fine."

Iris stormed out bumping into Eddie on the way. Eddie walked over to Joe.

"What happened to her?" asked Eddie

"Apparently that little girl of Caitlin and Barry. Iris was hassling Caitlin at Jitters. Crystal didn't like it and kicked Iris causing her to spill coffee everywhere."

"Oh I would have loved to see that! Maybe I will talk to Courtney and see if it was caught on the security cameras."

"I kind of want to see it too."

"You know if Caitlin wants to she could press charges against Iris. There is a hand shape bruise on her arm."

"I doubt Caitlin will though. Eddie, I noticed today that medical alert bracelet Caitlin was wearing. Do you know what it is for?"

"Yeah. Caitlin is deathly allergic to peanuts. She does carry an epi pen with her at all times."

"Does Iris know about it?"

"Not sure. But I remember in high school there was a peanut free zone in the cafeteria. She wasn't the only one at school with the allergy. From what her brother Charlie told me when Caitlin was nine she nearly died when a kid in her class brought brownies with peanuts to share with her class."

"So if Iris knows and deliberately gives Caitlin something with peanuts it could be seen as attempted murder."

"Yeah. Joe, I hate to say it. But your daughter has totally lost it."

"I know. She wanted to charge a six year old with assault."

"I could just see the look on Cecile Horton's face. She would probably yell at you asking if you were out of your mind or something."

"She is scary for being such a small lady."

"You got a think for the DA don't you?"

"That is none of your business."

Eddie just laughed.

Caitlin walked into the staff lounge rubbing her temples. She really enjoyed her job most of the time. But today had started off bad with that encounter of Iris at Jitters. Only to get worse learning that Richard was there looking for her most likely to beat the crap out of her before he would finally agree to end things. But after her last patient she wasn't sure it could get much worse. It was an eight year old boy who had been shot in a drive by. Turned out that his fifteen year old cousin who lived with his family had joined a gang. A rival gang had come gunning for him and got the kid instead.

"You might want head to the locker room and change those scrubs Caitlin." Said Henry

"Yeah I know. I will in a minute. I just needed to get away from things out there for a few minutes."

"As hard as we try we can't save everyone."

"I know. But it is just so hard to lose a child."

"Especially one that is so close to your own child's age. I have been where you are. When Barry was four a little girl came in that had been beaten by her mother's boyfriend. She didn't make it. I went home after that shift and just held my boy. So at the end of the day go home and hug your daughter tell her how much you love her."

"Thanks Henry."

"Anytime. Don't worry about your other problems either. You are family and we look out for each other."

"I still don't know how you could forgive me. I kept your granddaughter from you for six years."

"Caitlin, you did what you felt you had to. Just promise me that you are done running."

"I am done running. I know what I want and I am going to stay and fight for it. Now you and Nora will definitely be at Crystal's birthday party next Saturday right?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

"My brother and his family are coming. I still haven't heard from my mother."

"Caitlin, I am sure your mom is just busy."

"She makes time for Charlie and his family. But she doesn't for me. I don't understand that."

"Honey, I can't explain why your mom does what she does. But she must have a reason."

"I get that but it would be nice if I could count on her to support me. I screwed up by not waiting for Barry to explain what really happened. I should have trusted him."

"None of us blame you. Caitlin, you have never had an easy life. Trust has never come easy for you. But just remember that you have a lot of people that love you."

"Thank you. I would hug you but I need to go change out of these bloody scrubs."

"I will take an IOU."

Caitlin smiled and headed to the women's locker room to change.