Chapter 482: Raven Hill
Tuesday, February 14th, Late Evening
(Song lyrics in italics)
The Land Rover SUV pulled up the drive of Raven Hill. The tires made odd sounds on the frost frozen ground. The sounds they vaguely remember from their short time above the frost line. It happens here, but not often of for this long.
Finally, Haley parked in front of their home for the last sixteen years. They named it Raven Hill; Lucas joked that they should've called it Tyburn Tree. When asked why Lucas replied no one would get the humor.
Haley looked at Nathan; she locked them when he moved to open the door. He looked at her with a curious stare.
When your day is long
And the night, the night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go
'Cause everybody cries
Everybody hurts sometimes
"What's up, Hales?" Nathan asked.
"Why haven't you been talking to me?" Haley asked.
"Talk to you about what?" Nathan asked.
"Your feelings and what you're going through," Haley said.
"What are you talking about?" Nathan asked.
"The paternity test," Haley said.
"In that's what this about?" Nathan asked.
"Yes, you've been off, and you're doing that Scott man thing of keeping it all in," Haley said.
"You've been so busy with the label, and I've been busy with the kids," Nathan said.
"Nate, we promised to talk to each other about stuff like this," Haley said.
Nathan sighed, "How did you know about this anyway?" he asked.
"Tim told me," Haley said.
"Tim?" Nathan asked, "That's why Tim found me at the River Court?"
"Yes, and I sent him," Haley said.
"Why did you send him?" Nathan asked.
"Because you wouldn't talk to me," Haley said.
"What's there to say? We've been through this how many times?" Nathan asked.
"I lost count, but…." Haley said and cut herself off.
"What were you trying to say?" Nathan asked.
Haley shook her head and looked out the windshield into the darkness of the night. She watched a few moments the tree branches slowly danced on the light wind.
Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go (hold on)
If you think you've had too much
Of this life, well hang on
"Hales?" Nathan asked.
Finally, Haley turned to face Nathan. She sighed, "You've been acting different this time," she said.
"I have?" Nathan asked.
Haley nodded, "yes, you have," she said.
"I haven't noticed," Nathan said.
"I've noticed it; you've not been your usual self," Haley said.
Nathan nodded, "Possible," he said.
"Tell me, Nate, please," Haley said.
Nathan sighed and looked out into the woods. After a few moments, he drummed the dashboard. Haley watched as Nathan was thinking; finally, he turned to face her.
"Something feels different," Nathan said.
"What feels different," Nathan said.
"What feels different?" Haley asked.
"The whole thing, the situation, Miléna, hell the boy, he looks so much like Wyatt," Nathan said.
Haley nodded, "Miléna pointed it out when she saw a picture of the boys," she said.
Nathan nodded, "I just have a different feeling," he said.
"Why?" Haley said.
"For some strange reason, I find her story rings true, at least for her," Nathan said.
"Yeah," Haley said.
"More credible than some," Nathan said.
Haley laughed, "Like that waitress from North Dakota, who claimed she was with Brian when he was in Finland," she said.
Nathan laughed and nodded, "Yeah, and Brian was always popular in Finland," he said.
"That's okay," Haley said.
'Cause everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand, oh no
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you are not alone
"So, yeah, I'm nervous about getting the results," Nathan said.
"Yeah, are you thinking that she's right?" Haley asked.
Nathan nodded, "yes, I kind of do," he said.
"So, what are you thinking about doing with them?" Haley asked.
"I don't know," Nathan said, "But Ashlyn's mom is in the hospital."
"How do you know that?" Haley asked.
"Lucas mentioned it," Nathan said.
Haley sighed, "Ashlyn's been so closed off recently," she said, shrugging.
"Oh my, how is Ashlyn taking it," Haley said.
"I don't know," Nathan said.
"I know Ashlyn hasn't been close to her mom and dad for years," Haley said.
"Fifteen years," Nathan said.
"I can't imagine what she's going through," Haley said.
"Me either," Nathan said.
If you're on your own in this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much
Of this life to hang on
Well, everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
Everybody hurts, sometimes
"You know we've not seen Maeghan, Logan, and Landen in a while," Haley said.
"Oh, I've not noticed," Nathan said.
"Ashlyn's been reclusive lately," Haley said.
"Except for when she came back from Miami," Nathan said.
"I can't believe they live apart; I never wanted to be separated from you or the boys," Haley said.
"Ashlyn didn't do well in Miami, and she didn't want to take Brett from Huck," Nathan said.
"So, what's going to happen?" Haley asked.
"I don't know," Nathan said.
Haley grabbed Nathan's hands. "Are you worried that the Hall of Fame won't call you?" she asked.
Nathan shook his head, "Why do you ask?" he asked.
"I just thought about this week is when they announce the inductees," Haley said.
"I know and, no, I'm not worried," Nathan said.
"Why?" Haley asked.
"I think it's long since passed," Nathan said.
"Still, it would be nice if you did get in," Haley said.
"Maybe," Nathan said, "Let's head inside; it's, cold, getting late, and the babysitter needs to head home."
Haley nodded, "Sure," she said.
They got out of the SUV and headed inside.
And everybody hurts sometimes
So hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts
