Chapter 2: Making Changes Part 2
Tayler remained quiet for a while after leaving the cemetery. Then again, what was she to say, she was sitting in a car with strangers, and going to live somewhere five hours from everything she knew. What made it worse, was she just left her father's funeral, that was filled with people that hadn't had anything to do with her for the first thirteen years of her life, then suddenly at the funeral, they felt compelled to talk to her as if they were the best of friends. Plugging her headphones into her iPod, Tayler settled on one of the Lifehouse albums she had downloaded, trying to get her mind on something else. "You don't talk, much do you?" Linda noticed, turning around to look at her daughter.
Tayler didn't hear her, but she noticed her mother turn around so she took the headphones out of her ears. "What did you say Mam?"
"I said you don't talk, much do you?" Linda repeated her question.
"I guess not," Tayler shrugged.
"You can talk if you'd like," Linda was hoping they would get to know one another a bit on the way home.
"I guess I'm not used to talking much," Tayler mumbled.
"We don't bite," Linda tried to lighten the mood. "Well at least I don't," she teased before glancing at Danny. "He does a little bit."
"Hey," Danny started to protest. But he had to admit that she was right.
"I'm sorry," Tayler apologized regretfully. "Being quiet, I guess is what happens when you spend most of your time alone."
"You don't have to apologize sweetheart," Linda placed a hand on her knee. "Where did you get the iPad?" Linda pointed at the device in her daughter's hand.
"Dad got it for me, so when I had to go somewhere with him it would keep me quiet. He said that if I was talking I wasn't paying attention to the music and he would take it away."
"Maybe we should do that with the boys," Danny mumbled. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough to keep Linda from hearing him, and she responded by slapping him across the arm. "It was a joke," Danny tried picking up for himself.
"Is that how you got the TV?" Linda ignored her husband's comment, trying to get back to knowing her daughter's previous life.
"The iPad, the TV, the laptop," Tayler named a few.
"Did having those things make you happy?" Linda knew she may be hitting on a sore spot, but she asked anyways.
"Well I certainly wasn't complaining when he brought me something new," Tayler admitted. "But I wouldn't say I was joyful regarding my day to day operations."
"Things may not be joyful as you say at our home," Linda started, knowing they did have their own share of problems. "But they aren't boring, and it certainly isn't quiet."
"Guess I better enjoy my music while I can," Tayler placed the earbuds back in her ears.
Linda, noticing her daughter was through talking, and turned her attention back to watching the road, as things quickly passed by. Danny on the other hand turned the radio up, while he thought of someplace they could stop to eat. Tayler was grateful for the moment of quiet. Everything was changing so fast for her, and one thing she had in common with her mother was, she liked to watch things go by. Things were moving so quickly, it reminded her of her life, things were changing so fast, she felt as if her life was a subway flying by, and she needed a chance to climb aboard.
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They drove for another hour or so, the sun long gone for the day. Neither of them said much, especially Tayler, who Linda was certain hadn't mumbled a word since they last spoke. She and Danny exchanged occasional words, but those were centered mostly on her occasional warnings about watching the speed limit, and to stop playing with the radio. "We should probably stop and get something to eat soon," Linda said when they started to go through another patch of restaurants.
"I need to stop for gas anyway," Danny glanced at the gas gauge.
"It's going to be late when we get home. So, we should probably just leave the boys with Frank one more night," Linda knew that by the time they ate, got gas and drove another four hours, it would be way past the boy's bedtime, and that wasn't even counting the traffic they were sure to encounter.
"I'm sure they'll be happy about that," Danny said pulling up to the nearest gas pump. After getting back in the car, Danny looked at his wife. "So where do you want to eat?"
"I don't know," Linda shook her head, having no idea what her daughter liked to eat. "Tayler," Linda gestured for her daughter to take her earbuds out again. "What would you like to eat?"
"I'm not very hungry," Tayler said after a while. "so you can guys can decide."
"You've got to eat," Linda said gently. "It's been a while since lunch."
Tayler didn't know what to say. She was hungry, but she didn't know how much money she had, and she couldn't exactly pull out her wallet and start counting in front of them. That would only give it away, and she didn't want them to know that the only reason she said what she did was because she couldn't afford it. Sure, she got an occasional allowance. But even that was few and far between. And it wasn't because her dad couldn't afford it. He just never remembered to give it to her, and she didn't like asking him for it.
"I don't think I've ever heard of a teenager that wasn't hungry," Danny remembered his own days as a teenager, and knew his parents had trouble keeping food in the house when he and Erin were teenagers. And with Joe and Jamie right behind them, that just made things more difficult, for the mother who could go by groceries, and have them gone in a week.
"You guys can get something," Tayler didn't want to keep them from eating. Even if her stomach would start growling, at the mere smell.
"You could get something small?" Linda suggested.
"I ate some candy earlier, so I'm really not hungry," Tayler lied. And considering she didn't know her mother, nor her stepfather. She figured it was safe enough to get away with the candy bit, knowing it probably wouldn't last long and her mother would be onto her about lying if she found out, as well as how improper it was to eat candy before meal times.
"Tayler," was all Linda could think to say. She had no idea her daughter was lying, but she had to admit she wasn't happy about the candy bit. "I'll be right back, I'm going to go call Frank and ask him about keeping the boys again," Linda got out of the car, knowing she needed to get out of the car before the mother in her came out and she got started on a lecture about healthy eating habits.
"Alright cut the crap and stop lying," Danny turned around in his seat to look at her, once they were alone. He didn't care whether she was just now becoming a part of the family or not. He wanted to know why she wasn't interested in eating, and he certainly wasn't interested in listening to her lie. "What's the deal?"
"I don't have any money," Tayler finally gave in, realizing that stonewalling wasn't going to help with him, he could obviously see right through her. "Dad forgot to get groceries last week. And I had to use my allowance to pick me up something for dinner after school."
"Tayler, I'm your stepfather. I'm not going to make you pay for your own meal."
"But I," Tayler started to interrupt.
"Tayler, you are a kid, and whereas I understand you have been forced to take care of yourself. Your mother isn't used to that, and she will be hurt if you don't let go and let her do a mother's job."
Tayler thought about what he just said, and finally relented. She wasn't planning on giving in completely by no means. But she was hungry, so she figured this one time wouldn't hurt. "Okay. But do we have to tell her about the money thing?"
"I'd prefer to leave that part out," Danny admitted. "Now when your mother gets back in the car, have a suggestion regarding food."
"Yes Sir," Tayler started to put the buds back in her ear. "And without the iPod," Danny jerked the device away.
Sheesh, having a parent that actually paid attention to her was getting annoying, even if he was only her stepfather. "How did you know I was lying?" Tayler wanted to be mad at him and stay quiet, but her curiousness got in the way.
"I'm a detective, I get paid to know when people are lying to me," Danny responded.
Tayler didn't say anything out loud, but she couldn't help but think out of all the people in the world for her mom to marry and for her to have to go live with, it had to be a detective. This is not going to be easy, Tayler thought at least not for a habitual liar, like herself.
A few minutes later, and Linda got back in the car. "Frank said he was more than happy to keep the boys tonight, and that they are having a great time."
"I don't doubt it," Danny glanced at Tayler to do as he said.
"Can we go to a buffet place?" Tayler voiced, just hoping to get something to eat, and get her iPod back.
"Sure, we can," Linda was beaming when she heard her daughter ask for something she could give her.
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Throughout dinner, Tayler again didn't say much, and it wasn't because she wasn't curious. In fact, she was dying to ask the people sitting in front of her questions about how they met, what their house was like, what their boys were like, about their jobs, about Danny's family that Linda seemed to speak so highly of, and about a thousand other things. The two-people sitting in front of her had been nothing but nice to her over the past 24 hours, well aside from the iPod removal, Tayler counted, but she still could not bring herself to say much. She had never had much experience when it came to talking to parents, and especially to strangers, and she chose to focus her attention on her plate of food. Linda on the other hand wasn't nearly as good as refraining from questions, and neither was Danny, who questioned people for a living, which forced Tayler to answer the questions. She didn't really mind talking with them, or answering their questions. The only thing she had a problem with was being the first to speak, and the first to form a question.
"I never met a teenager so quiet," Danny glanced at his wife.
"Tayler, do you have anything you'd like to ask us?" Linda knew her husband was right. And she had a feeling, her daughter was just nervous.
"What's my bedroom like?" Tayler asked carefully. Just like any young teen, her place of solitude was one of her main concerns.
"Ugh," Linda wasn't sure how to answer. "What is her bedroom like?" That was the one question, she wasn't prepared to answer. Knowing the only available room with a bed in it, was the basement. "We're still working on that one. But it's going to look beautiful when we're done." Linda was hoping that was enough to put her mind at ease, as well as make her somewhat excited.
"You didn't have to take me in if you didn't have room," Tayler didn't want to cause any disruptions in their home.
"We have the room," Danny covered. "We have the room that Linda's brother Jimmy uses."
"I don't want to take his place," Tayler shook her head.
"Oh no," Danny was quick to say. "We'd much rather have you here then him." Hearing his comment, Linda just looked at her husband. She still loved her brother, despite the trouble he got into. Then again, she had known him for a long time, and after a while she grew accustomed to it. On the other hand, she loved her daughter too, but the fact remained she didn't know her. But given the choice, Linda knew she would choose her daughter.
"I'm going to go to the restroom," Tayler took a sip from her water glass, before standing and crossing the room, towards the sign that hung from the ceiling issuing where the restroom was.
"What are we going to do Danny?" Linda asked, the second they were alone. "The basement really is in no condition for a teenager to live in. It's too close to the front door that could allow her a quick exit."
"It'll be fine Linda," Danny assured her.
"But Danny, she's just so far away from our bedroom. If she decided to run away one night, we wouldn't know until the next morning." Linda knew teenagers, but what was worse she didn't know that teenager. And if she got upset, chances were she would hide her feeling and then take off when the coast was clear.
"Trust me Linda, I would know," Danny didn't want to get into all the details, regarding how he would know. But he just would.
"Aside from all that," Linda brushed the concern aside. "The basement has, the washer and dryer in it, among countless other things in it, that doesn't need to be in a child's bedroom.
"I'll take care of that," Danny didn't sound too concerned.
"What about the bathroom? The upstairs bathroom is too far for her to have to go too, every time she has to use it." Linda knew that it wouldn't be fair for the bathroom to be so close to her son's bedrooms, but up two flights of stairs for her daughter.
"We have a bathroom in the basement," Danny reminded her.
"But it needs work, and the room is just too dark" Linda shook her head.
"What do you want to do? Do you want to move?" Danny knew that none of his other suggestions were doing any good. He didn't necessarily want to move, he liked his house. But he figured, that if it would make his wife happy, he would do it.
"No," Linda was quick to say. "I love our house."
"So, do I," Danny shrugged admittingly. "But you sounded like you weren't happy about it."
"I was just posing the problems to why she can't use it," Linda explained, frustrated.
"Those things can be fixed," Danny wasn't seeing a huge problem.
"How are you going to have time to fix it?" Linda said aloud, wondering. "You have a tight schedule with work."
"It isn't going to be that hard," Danny remembered looking at it, the last time he was in the basement. "The room can be painted, we can add some lamps and I can caulk the shower and replace the showerhead." Danny named a few things that were at the top of his head.
"That's a lot, when you add everything up." Linda had a point. Neither of them said anything for a few moments, both thinking. "Do you really think it would be okay to have her down in the basement?" Linda looked at him seriously, voicing her main concern, once again.
"I think she would love it. Considering she had almost an entire house to herself. It could be like her own mini apartment. Just without the rent." Danny joked.
"I'm sure she would like that," Linda remembered what it was like when she was a young teenager, and how often she wished she had a separate bathroom, then that of her siblings. "It's just she won't have to live like she's alone anymore. I meant I don't have to tell you what it's like at home. The boys and I are there every night, and your there when you are not working."
"I know," Danny admitted. "But that doesn't mean she's going to adjust to living with a family overnight. And chances are she's going to want the solitude that only her bedroom can bring."
Linda sighed, as she thought over her husband's words. "How do you know so much about this?"
"A bedroom is a teenager's domain," Danny said simply. "Trust me, I was in trouble a lot growing up and spent a lot of time in mine. Not to mention, I grew up with three younger siblings, and there were times I had to push my desk chair, up underneath my doorknob to keep Jamie out."
"I guess that's something we have to look forward to, with Tayler trying to keep the boys out," Linda figured, shrugging.
"Wouldn't surprise me," Danny smiled, already expecting it.
"I guess we'll just have to work through it, with that and the basement bedroom." Linda said quickly, noticing Tayler returning. "You two go to the car, I'm going to use the restroom and I'll meet you there," Linda looked from Danny to Tayler.
"I guess that means, we're done," Danny stood and walked over to the front counter to pay the bill.
"Can I have my iPod back?" Tayler asked nervously, as they made their way back to the car, appearing as if she was afraid to talk to him, but figuring her music was important enough to take the chance. "I did what you said."
"Yes, and thank you. I know it made your mother happy," Danny unlocked the car, before handing the device back to her.
"Th, thank you for the meal." Tayler stuttered, she had no idea why, but she just couldn't bring herself to speak to either of them directly very well, unless she was answering their questions. Must be the uneasiness, she figured, she never was good at speaking to strangers, especially when it was people that were changing her life.
One thing could be said about Tayler, she remembered her manners, which surprised Danny. Him knowing that good manners, tended to slip a thirteen-year old's mind quite often. "You don't have to thank me, " Danny shook his head, starting the car. "It's my job."
"You don't owe me anything," Tayler said after a few moments passed.
"Sure, I do," Danny shrugged. "You are going to live with me, aren't you?" He figured, that if he answered in that sort of manner, it would make her talk. Which was what he was trying to do, thinking that more she talked, the more she would get used to speaking with them, and help ease her nervousness.
"Yes Sir. But I'm only your stepdaughter. I kind of figured that the only reason you were being nice to me was because you love my mom." Tayler was being completely honest, which Danny found refreshing, even if what she was saying wasn't true.
"You are very observant Tayler," Danny turned around in his seat to look at her. The car was dark and he couldn't see her very well, but it was well enough to make out her expression. "And I know it may look like I don't like kids, but that's isn't true. I do have two boys after all."
Tayler wanted to say that, that was because they belonged to him. But she figured that would only bring out an explanation, that was full of lies. "Yes Sir," Tayler turned the iPod around in her hand, saying the only thing, she could think of to say.
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Danny continued to drive for home, and Linda started to tell her daughter about the plans she had for the basement. At first, Tayler wasn't interested in taking part, just remaining quiet, with one earbud in her ear, and the other earbud hanging out so she could still listen to their conversation, getting the feeling that they weren't going to stop talking to her, no matter how quiet she stayed. Indeed, Tayler's resolute behavior did little to hinder Linda who was doing her best to draw her into the plan making. "What color would you like for the walls?" Part of Linda was afraid to ask, knowing that sometimes teenagers liked to do some bizarre things, like lime green, bright orange, or something else along that line.
"Shouldn't it depend on my bedspread?" Tayler thought.
"That is very true. I'm glad you thought of it." Linda was grateful for the sensible answer. Tayler changed the song on her iPod, although she had to admit, she was barely listening to it, her mind was now engulfed in the excitement of looking forward to being able to create a room that she had a part of developing, despite the fact she was doing her best to hide it from her mother and stepfather. "What's your favorite color, Tayler?" Linda wondered, only remembering what Tayler had told her the last time they were together, and she figured it might have changed since then. Tayler didn't answer, thinking about it for several moments. "Well?" Linda persisted.
"I don't know," Tayler finally answered.
"Oh, come on Tayler, surely there is one color that you favor over the others," Linda knew that her sons had a favorite color, and they were always quick to answer a question, when it regarded something they liked more than something else, such as pizza over hotdogs.
"Really Mrs. Reagan, I don't think I have one. I like a multiple of colors." Tayler finally relented enough to give her a straight answer, rather than just two to three-word sentences like she had been answering them with.
"And which colors are those?" Linda noticed, that she had left that part out.
"Dark blue, turquoise and coral," Tayler mumbled. "It's weird, I know," she was quick to say, before they said something to her about it.
"No," Linda surprised her by what she said. "We can do something with that. If we were to combine those colors, with different decorations, it wouldn't make the room too bright, or too dark." Linda sounded excited to take on the challenging idea, so she could do something special for the child, that she never had an opportunity to do so with.
"Okay," Tayler wasn't sure what to say. She wasn't exactly used to a parent sounding excited, about something that wouldn't benefit them. "Your bedding colors should also match that of your bathroom colors and decor. Since it's in the same room, and only separated by a curtain we have put up.
It was in this conversation, that Danny chose not to take part in. What did he know about bedding and decorations anyways, Linda picked everything out that they had in their room. And the boys picked out their bedding, with a little help from their mother. He was just currently being used as a chauffeur for the time being. At least until Linda brought up the curtain. "It probably wouldn't be too hard to put up a small wall, instead of a curtain. I did work construction with my uncle in high school," Danny spoke up thinking.
"That's okay Mr. Reagan. A curtain doesn't bother me." Tayler was more than certain that she would be fine with a curtain, even if she knew she would prefer her stepfather's suggestion. Yet she also knew that the last thing she wanted to do was cause a problem for them. And putting up a wall, was definitely listed as a problem in her book.
"Its fine," Danny shrugged. "I've never liked the curtain anyway."
Tayler didn't say anything, but Linda was more than willing to make up for her daughter's silence, happy about the rooms slight change in renovation. "We could paint that wall a different color, and make it an accent wall." Linda was on a roll.
"Please don't go overboard Mrs. Reagan," Tayler thought it was time to speak up. "I don't need anything special. The only reason my room was so nice back home was because my Dad was trying to keep me from getting into trouble, and from bothering him."
Linda, who had her own set of problems with her ex, didn't want to pick up for him, but at the same time, she didn't like saying anything bad against someone, who didn't warrant the manner of talk her daughter was exhibiting. "Are you sure it isn't because he was just trying to be nice, and wanted you to have nice things?" Linda knew she wanted to be certain, before agreeing. Knowing she and Danny did not teach their children to talk disrespectful about anyone. Then again, part of her wondered if her daughter was speaking the truth.
"Mrs. Reagan, it's been a long time since you've been around him. Me on the other hand, I came to understand his motives a long time ago, and I accepted it."
"I'm sorry Tayler, I shouldn't have just left you alone with him. I just didn't know what else to do at the time. Your Dad was holding all the cards, I didn't know he was going to raise you like that." Linda was feeling even more guilty than she had before.
"He wasn't raising me, I was raising myself for the most part." Tayler's voice was low, and held no malice towards the woman in the front seat. It simply sounded as if she had, had the thought on her mind for so long, she felt it was finally safe to say something.
"And I'm sorry for that too, you shouldn't have had so much responsibility forced upon you," Linda apologized for that too, her voice fighting the emotion that threatened to spill down her cheeks, in the form of tears.
"You don't have to apologize Mrs. Reagan, I don't blame you. And you certainly don't owe me anything." Tayler didn't sound even a bit bothered by it. In fact, the only thing she seemed annoyed about, was the length of the conversation they were having, feeling as if it was going on and on without ceasing.
"Tayler, why didn't you tell me about how he was treating you?" Linda had been wondering the same thought for the past two days, since her daughter said something.
"There was nothing to tell," Tayler didn't know what else to say. "And I guess I didn't really see anything wrong with it. I mean, he was my father, and he had the right to raise me anyway he thought right."
"What you are saying is true," Linda admitted, glancing at Danny. "It is the way we raise our boys after all." Linda wasn't sure what else to say, still processing everything her daughter had just said. Knowing, how odd it was, for a thirteen-year-old to see things like that. "But, it's still my fault that you had to live like that for so many years. I am your mother, and it was my job to take care of you, and I'm sorry I failed you." Linda didn't exactly want Tayler to be angry with her, but she did want Tayler to start seeing her as her mother.
"Please stop apologizing!" Tayler finally raised her voice, getting aggravated. "I can't take it anymore. I already told you I don't care, my life with Dad may not have been the best, but it certainly wasn't the worst! It wasn't like he just took off and I didn't see him for a couple days. He just taught me how to take care of myself! He certainly had his faults, and he isn't exactly who I would have chosen for a father! But it wasn't that bad, I did get cool stuff, and he didn't drive me nearly as crazy as you are right now!" Linda, by now was in tears. And Danny didn't know what to do, he was torn between not knowing if he should try talking to his wife or his stepdaughter first. "I've got to get out of this car," Tayler felt as if things were beginning to cloud her. "Pull over Mr. Reagan, please." Danny pulled over, without giving it a second thought, and Tayler jumped out. She didn't run. She didn't want to run away from them, she just needed quiet, and some time to think. Tayler walked over to the safe side of the road, and just a few feet away from her stepfather's jeep. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, and choked back a sob, her life was spinning out of control, and there was nothing she could do about it. She had to admit, that this change was probably for the good, but at the current moment, she wasn't thinking that, all she could think of was that she was having to deal with things, she didn't feel she was capable of dealing with. It was just too much, too many first steps taking place all at once.
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Danny and Linda sat in the car for a few moments, trying to give Tayler a few minutes to clear her head. "You need to go talk to her," Danny said looking at his wife, after several minutes, thinking they gave Tayler plenty of time to think, and knowing they needed to get back on the road.
"I don't think that's a good idea. I think she's heard enough from me." Linda shook her head, sounding fearful, as the tears fell slowly down her cheek.
"You're just trying too hard," Danny brushed her tears away with the back of his hand. "This is all new for her. Tim wasn't like this with her, so it's going to take some time for her to adjust. She will learn, but you have to let her do it on her own."
"Yes, but how?" Linda sighed, feeling as if she was at a complete loss.
"Make her be the one to come to you, not the other way around. Do things for her, but don't try too hard. Otherwise, the rest of her life is going to be like this. She will be distant, and not want to be a part of the family at all, and this will all be for nothing." Danny spoke the truth, despite the element of harshness, it tended to have behind it.
"You do want her to be a part of our family, don't you?" Linda was so upset, she didn't know what to think anymore. She didn't think her husband wouldn't want Tayler there, but she had to admit, they hadn't done much talking about it.
"Linda? How could you ask something like that? She's a kid, I deal with children that have no family at work all the time, and nothing is worse than having to drop them off with family services. I couldn't do that to your child. What kind of man do you think I am?" Danny was exasperated, as he tried to get the point across, surprises by his wife's comment.
"I'm sorry Danny," Linda apologized, she was just so exhausted from the last two days, that she didn't know what to think anymore. She knew her husband better than that, and on a normal day, nothing would have possessed her to ask such a thing. "You just never said anything."
"I didn't think there was anything to discuss, it wasn't like talking about it would have changed anything. There was no way, either of us were going to leave her alone," Danny had a point.
The two fell silent once again, Linda knowing that what her husband said was true. "Why doesn't she blame me?" She looked into his eyes.
"Because she doesn't see you as her mother," Danny hated to say it, but it was appearing evident by the words Tayler had said. "Just don't take it to heart Linda, please. She's tired, your tired and it's been a rough couple of days for all of us." Danny was afraid, that she was going to start crying again. Surprisingly, the tears ceased, and all she did was continue with the conversation, that they had been needing to have since the whole thing came about.
"I'm just trying to make her feel comfortable and let her know she can talk to us. I want her to know that she can come to us with anything," Linda tried picking up for her reasoning.
"And she will. You just have to give her time, and let her come to us," Danny repeated, what he had said before.
"I hope your right," Linda nodded sighing. "Because I'll try."
"Good," Danny smiled. "Now, would you please go talk to her? We still have another two hours to drive, and the later it gets, the more tired everyone gets." Danny again, had a point, and the last thing he wanted to do, was have to pull over again, and deal with emotions spilling over between his wife and teenage stepdaughter.
"I still don't think that's a good idea," Linda said again, her fearfulness coming back. "Maybe you should talk to her."
"Linda," Danny sighed, feeling as if they hadn't gotten anywhere in the past several minutes, and thinking they were about to have to start all over again. "Linda, she's your daughter. And the fact remains that most children feel more comfortable, talking to their mother, than they do their father." Danny said, remembering the time he said something very similar about his own sons.
"I know," Linda agreed. "But you said it yourself, Tayler doesn't see me as her mother."
"Maybe so, but the fact remains, that for Tayler, I'm just her stepfather." Danny counteracted. "And whereas, there may be times when she feels more comfortable talking with me, considering she's used to only having a father. But at the same time, she didn't really have a strong relationship with him, and she may think that I'm going to be like that."
"Yes, but she seems to open up to you better than she does me," this time Linda had a point, reminding him of the discussion he had with her about the detectives, as well as at the hotel.
"That was only twice," Danny shrugged.
"Go with me," Linda looked at him, her eyes pleading.
Danny chuckled slightly, a small smile crossing his face. "My wife is scared of her own daughter. I have seen it all."
"Shut-up," Linda shoved him.
"I'm just saying," Danny laughed.
"I'm kind of surprised you pulled over," Linda wiped the last few tears away, knowing she needed to get herself under control before they continued on.
"I know teenagers, and the last thing I wanted her to do was jump out of a moving car like an idiot. Because if she would have done that, I would have had to lay down the law, and I was kind of hoping to wait until I've been her stepfather a little longer than 24 hours." Danny said truthfully.
"You have a point," Linda said, opening the car door.
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Danny and Linda approached Tayler, Danny holding back a bit. He knew he had to be there for Linda, but he also wanted to give them a little space, and not step in, unless need be. "Tayler," Linda said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Reagan, let's just forget about all this. Buy me a bus ticket, and I'll send you the money for it after I get a job. The house is paid for, so it's not like I can't go back there." Tayler shrugged, feeling as if it was all just too much for her, and there was nothing she could do about it. It was obvious by the tone in her voice, that she had been crying, and she was struggling to keep the tears at bay, wiping them away as fast as she could with the palm of her hand. Danny took a step forward, and handed her his handkerchief. "Thanks," she mumbled, staring off into the darkness, unable to face either of them.
"We both want you to come live with us Tayler." Linda said gently.
"I don't know why," Tayler shook her head. "I know we don't have a history, but it's almost like we do. I was born to you, and there's no way we can get away from the elephant in the room. Because that's what that is, that's making neither of us sure of how to talk. It will always be a dark cloud hanging over us, so why do we even bother?"
"Tayler, we never expected this to be easy," Linda was speaking for both her and Danny. "But that doesn't mean, we are going to want to quit if we have a rough day." Tayler heard her mother's words, and they repeated in her head over and over again. She wanted to believe her mother was a good person, and meant what she said. But even that, didn't make her fully certain she could trust her mother's words. "First steps are never easy Tayler. I know it's only been 24 hours since everything changed for the three of us," Linda repeated the same thing, Danny had told her just moments ago. "But this is for the good, I promise." Linda made her tone as promising, yet as gentle as she could, hoping to make her understand that what she was saying was true.
"I know," Tayler knew she was right. "And I want to believe you. Honest I do," Tayler didn't want to sound hateful, considering she did mean what she said earlier, in the car. She didn't blame her mother for her early life. "It's just hard." Tayler dropped her head, further and further down, wiping her stepfathers handkerchief across her face for about the tenth home. At first, she didn't want to take it from him, not wanting to take anything from either of them just yet, but she was grateful she buried her pride and took it. She wasn't a child after all that would just use the edge of her sleeve, like most kids would.
"We know honey," Linda placed a hand gently on her daughter's shoulder, and turned her just enough to face her. "And it's going to be hard on all of us for a while. But we understand, that it's going to be exceptionally hard on you. You are having to adjust a new life in a new home, a new town, and with complete strangers. So, if you start feeling like you need some time to get away. Then just go to your room, and we'll understand. And if you ever feel like you need to talk, we will be there for you. Now that's the last you will hear from me on the subject," Linda turned away from her daughter, and returned to the car.
Tayler returned to staring out into the distance, while Danny remained where he was, not willing to return to the car until he had Tayler with him. He didn't like standing outside so close to the highway, and he exceptionally didn't like his teenage stepdaughter standing out there alone. It was late, and the traffic had slowed down since they first started out on their journey, but that still didn't ease those concerns of having to go to crash scenes when he was a beat cop, where he saw countless bodies sprawled out onto the pavement, lying in their own blood.
"Did she mean all that?" Tayler couldn't believe she summed up the courage to talk to him. Then again, He had been straight with her over the past 24 hours, and she didn't see any reason why he would stop now.
"Every word," Danny said bluntly. He really didn't want to sound curt with her, but he did want to answer quick enough to make her understand, that they meant business. ''Are you ready to get back in the car now?" Danny really didn't want it to sound like a question, but he didn't want it to sound like an order either.
"Yes Sir," Tayler took a deep breath, before taking a last look into the distance.
"Then let's go," Danny let her walk ahead of him, so he could make sure she was safe and in the car before he even considered his own safety. "Home?" He asked, after buckling his seat belt, before glancing from Linda to Tayler, obviously looking for an answer from both of them.
"Home," Linda answered, almost before he even had a chance to finish his question.
"Home," the single word left Tayler's mouth, thinking of the place she had never been before, but already feeling as if it were more of a home then her old place was.
This story takes work compared to some of my others, and I started out have some trouble with it. I'm happy with the way it turned out though, and I hope you all enjoyed the update... Thanks for all the follows, favorites and reviews, they mean a lot... JusticeStandsTRUE