Easter weekend
Teddy pulled into the McKellar's driveway, she knew Annie wouldn't be home from school yet but was looking forward to connecting and having a cup of coffee with Leslie. She had been talking a lot with Annie over the last month since Annie was in Seattle and had seen some things that worried her. Annie was turtling and pulling into herself and Teddy didn't know why.
Leslie opened the door, "come on in Teddy. Annie is still in class then she's coming home after her chem lab."
"Chem lab, tell her not to rush home," Teddy replied, "she'll want more time with David."
"David is coming to the party tomorrow," Leslie said.
"Annie didn't tell me that," Teddy said.
Leslie replied, " she only texted me about it an hour ago."
"Okay so i'm not totally out of the loop," Teddy said, "she talks a lot about him when we face time."
"She really likes him," Leslie said.
"I think she does," Teddy said, "and he seems supportive of her dreams."
"Her dreams are bigger than ever," Leslie said, "a trauma or cardio surgeon. She seems to think she can have it all."
Teddy smiled, "she can. It won't be easy but she's born for it. You didn't see her in the OR or the skills lab. She's a natural. It was the most confident I've seen her. She wasn't a turtle the whole time she was at the hospital with me."
Leslie motioned for Teddy to sit on the couch, "she was over the moon when she came home. I hadn't seen that passion in her for years, since Jessie got sick. Annie was herself again. That picture you sent was amazing of her dressed like a surgeon with the hat and gown walking into the OR."
Teddy smiled, " my best friend Owen took that one. I was in the slow part of a heart transplant so he invited Annie to scrub in with him while he removed some magnetic marbles from a young man. That was one of my scrub caps in the photo, he stole it from my box. He let Annie hold a retractor and help with surgery."
Leslie looked shocked, "your friends are willing to teach Annie?"
Teddy nodded, "several of our attendings want to work with her. And two of the residents fight over teaching her."
Leslie confirmed, " she's been messaging with a resident, her name starts with an A."
Teddy laughed, " April Kepner. She's Owen's trauma resident. She's a good doctor, Annie connected with her right away. She also does well with my resident Christina. Christina is Owen's girlfriend."
Leslie smiled, "Annie liked being there. She keeps talking about wanting to go back."
"She's always welcome," Teddy said, " our head of general surgery Richard Webber is a great teacher. He calls Annie one of the 'surgical children", it's his term for the children of attendings. He never had kids of his own so they're his surrogate grand kids. He calls that group the future of surgery and encourages them to be in the hospital. Annie is his current favourite, says she has the most potential of any pre med student he's ever seen."
Leslie beamed, "she's worked hard and would be proud to hear the praise."
Teddy continued, "I was beyond impressed at what she could do and the praise from some of the best surgeons in their fields. She impressed everyone. I haven't talked to her yet but there's a scholarship through SGMW that she can apply for for medical school. Richard and I talked about it today. It would pay 50% of her schooling at any school in America."
Leslie looked shocked, "they would do that for her?"
Teddy nodded, "they would. She just has to apply and interview with the other department heads. She's met them all, the big guns all had her observe or in their ORs. She's been leaning towards american schools lately."
Leslie looked serious, "she's been mentioning Columbia, Stanford and Harvard. I don't know how I feel about having her on the east coast. But I understand that she wants to get away from her sister. I think Jessica is a big factor in her wanting to leave."
Teddy looked serious, "Annie has told me she wants a new adventure. She wants to be independent. I don't like having her across the country either. My vote is something on the west coast, University of Washington, UCLA, Berkeley."
"Something any of us could drive to," Leslie asked.
"Yes," replied Teddy, "I prefer the same time zone."
"That would be preferred," Leslie said, " has she talked to you about her sister lately?"
Teddy hesitated, "it's something Annie doesn't like to let me in on. But she's been a turtle the last couple weeks when I mention it so I think somethings really bothering her. "
Leslie paused, "the girls have been fighting alot. Annie isn't coming home much. She hasn't spent the night here since she went to see you. Did she say something?"
"I don't know how much I should say," Teddy said.
Leslie asked, "is she confiding in you?"
Teddy replied, "she's said a few things. But I don't want to betray her trust."
Leslie gave Teddy the mom glare, "what has our daughter told you. If there's a reason she's not coming home I need to know so I can fix it."
"Annie can't know I told you. It would destroy her trust in me," Teddy said.
"Is it Jessica," asked Leslie.
"Annie showed me some texts. Annie is worried about her physical safety around Jessica," Teddy said, " I promised I would do everything I could to make sure she's not in a room alone with Jessica."
Leslie groaned, "not again. We'll lose Annie if Jess doesn't calm down. Annie already isn't coming home and isn't telling me everything. I know nothing about this boy David."
Teddy replied, "she is talking to me about boys. She tells me a lot about David. But you don't have to worry she has a good head on her shoulders. But poor guy, triple parent gang up tomorrow."
"We won't all gang up on him. She's most worried about Dan," Leslie said.
"Yes because army major cardio thoracic surgeon birth mom is less scary then high school principal dad," Teddy laughed.
Leslie responded, "you're younger and cooler than Dan and I. Most boys our girls bring home are afraid of Dan, he does the big scary dad act well."
Jessica burst through the door, "whoes suitcase is at the door?"
Teddy called out, "hi Jessica your mom invited me for the long weekend."
Jessica stormed up the stairs, "no! One! Wants! Teddy! Here! Annie! Should! Be! Alone! Leave! The! Nerd! At! School! No! One! Wants! her!"
Leslie snapped, "Jessica. That is not acceptable. You can go stay in your room until dinner.."
Teddy's face went white, "how often does that happen?"
Leslie responded through tears, "everytime Annie comes home or calls."
Teddy pressed, "why is she doing that?"
Leslie shook her head, "she's always been jealous of Annie. Annie's talent, work ethic, smarts, compassion. Annie has everything Jessica wants but won't work for."
Teddy offered, "can I try talking to Jessica or sit down with both girls together. Maybe a new voice will help."
Dan came in through the mud room, "Leslie what's wrong?"
Leslie responded, "Jessica came in and saw Teddy then went upstairs having a tantrum."
"What did she say," asked Dan.
"The usual that no one wants Annie," Leslie responded.
Teddy interrupted, "if you don't mind I'm going to assume I'm in the guest room down stairs and go answer a few work emails. Annie will come down when she gets home?"
Dan replied, "go ahead. Teddy I'm sorry if you have to see or hear Jessica's freak outs."
"Teenage girl freakouts are easier than some of the things I've seen don't worry," Teddy said.
Leslie asked, "if you have any ideas as a doctor let us know."
"My only thought would be forcing her into a psych evaluation but she's not severe enough from what I've seen," Teddy said, "but I'm going to go deal with my emails and give you some space."
Teddy grabbed her bag and walked down the stairs, she noticed that both the downstairs bedrooms appeared to be freshly cleaned. She thought it was sad that Annie hadn't been coming home and was beginning to fear for her safety with her younger sister. She also remembered her dream about her mom when Annie visited Seattle that Annie was afraid of Jessica and was preparing to leave, that she would run to Teddy as her safe place. Teddy made a mental note to ask Arizona and Miranda to help her make the guest room a bit more Annie, give the girl a space she could feel was her own in the cottage.
A couple hours later teddy heard footsteps on the stairs. The black lab barked on the heels of who ever was coming down. Teddy stood in the guest room door.
"Teddy," Annie shrieked. Jumping in for a hug.
Teddy returned the hug, "hi sweetie did you see your mom and dad?"
"Mom texted me to be very quiet and go straight to my room," Annie replied, "Jessie is in a mood."
"I saw Jessica," Teddy said ," she'll need some space. "
"She always needs space," Annie groaned, "why do you think mom and dad pay my rent at school?"
"You don't have to accept it," Teddy said , "what would you say if a friend was being treated like that by a boyfriend ?"
"That's different, you can dump a boyfriend but sisters are for life," Annie retorted.
Teddy changed the subject hoping to stop Annie from putting her shell on, "so how was chem lab?"
"The lab sucked but David was fantastic," Annie grinned.
They moved into Annie's room and sat on the bed.
"Fantastic," Teddy asked, "why that word?"
Annie bounced , "he asked me to be his girlfriend."
" that's excellent and your mom said he's coming tomorrow," Teddy replied.
"He is," Annie said, "I'm excited for you and my parents to meet him."
"Does he know you're adopted," Teddy asked.
"I told him when we went skiing," Annie said, "he thought it was cool I have all three of you."
"I'm glad he understands," Teddy replied.
"David was actually kind of jealous when I told him about scrubbing in with different people," Annie said , "I didn't tell him about holding the retractor for Owen that seemed a bit too much."
Teddy smiled at her, "I have a plan for the week you have between finals and working full time for Dr. Milner."
"Do I get to come and spend time at the hospital again," Annie guessed.
"You do," Teddy said.
"Can I scrub in again," Annie asked.
"On the right procedures," Teddy said, "pacemakers, valve replacements, appendectomies, hip or knee replacements. Basic things."
"Hip and knee is that Callie again," Annie asked.
"Did you have fun with Callie," Teddy asked.
"She plays fun music and dances in the OR," Annie smiled.
"That girl likes to have fun," Teddy laughed.
Leslie came down the stairs and heard laughter, she walked into Annie's room and pulled out the desk chair.
"Mom what's going on," Annie asked.
Leslie sighed, "your sister is really upset and needs some space. So I'm going to stay here with her and you are going with dad to get your brother after you take Molly for her walk."
Teddy asked, "do you want me to go with Annie to get Chris. It would let both you and Dan talk to Jessica."
Annie suggested, "does Jessica want to go with dad to get Chris?"
"Chris asked that you pick him up," Leslie said.
"Jessica will just get madder if I go," Annie said, "I just want a good weekend and I've already messed it up by coming home."
Leslie sighed, "Annie, you did nothing wrong. Jessica is dealing with her own issues. She has a hard time sharing the attention."
Annie began to cry, "she hates me. I don't think I should come home again after this weekend."
Teddy hugged her, "I know this is tough but you can do this. This is Jessica's problem sweetheart. She's the one making the choice to hurt you."
Leslie added, "you did nothing wrong Annie. You have as much right to be here as she does. You sister can learn to deal with it."
Annie kept crying, "but I can't take it anymore. I don't want to feel like this anymore. I don't need to feel worthless and unwanted all the time. When i'm at school I'm calm and happy and relaxed. I was relaxed and happy when I went to Seattle but when I come home I can't breath. This house isn't safe. Jessie isn't safe for me. Mom I'm scared she's going to kill me. She's hurt me before and she's only getting worse. What will it go from hitting me with the broom so hard it breaks and I needed stitches to a baseball bat, golf clubs a knife."
Teddy looked shocked "has she threatened you?"
Leslie took Annie's hand, "what did she say? We need to know so we can deal with it."
Annie whispered, "she texted me to watch my back."
Leslie whispered, "what else did she say?"
Annie sobbed, "that I wasn't welcome and next time I came home she would hurt me."
Teddy spoke, "Annie can you show me the texts?"
Annie wordlessly grabbed her phone and opened the latest messages from Jessica.
Teddy read them and went into doctor mode, "we need to get both girls some help. I'm going to take Annie and we're going to get ice cream then pick up Chris. You and Dan need to deal with Jessica. If I saw these messages in my hospital I would be calling the police."
Leslie who wasn't used to being commanded paused, "is it that bad?"
Teddy replied, "the girls can not be alone together. Both will need intense counseling."
"Annie can I see the messages and go show dad," asked Leslie.
Annie nodded.
"Okay sweetie, I'm going to go show dad what's happening. You are going to get clean clothes, wash your face and brush your hair," Leslie said.
Annie nodded but didn't move. Leslie walked out of the room.
Teddy directed, "you heard your mom. Get cleaned up then you and I can take Molly for her walk and talk."
Annie still didn't move. Teddy took control of the situation and walked to the closet, she opened the door and took out a clean top and sweater, she laid them beside Annie on the bed, "take those into the bathroom and get cleaned up. You'll feel better when you wash your face and brush your hair. I'm going to go get Molly and her leash."
"Her lead should be on the hook in the mud room," Annie replied. She slowly got up and went into the bathroom.
Teddy slowly walked up the stairs. Her heart was heavy knowing the truth of what was happening to Annie. It reminded her of things she had seen in the hospital where the parents didn't know the truth or severity of a situation. This was parents that didn't know, not that didn't want to help. Annie was so secretive about the situation, she was afraid of being hurt. Annie was an adult, she would make decisions that were best for her. But only being 19 Teddy knew her brain wasn't fully developed yet, close but it would be another two or three years for the full prefrontal cortex to finish developing. She had seen trauma like this in the army and at the hospital. She thought that Annie being back at school could be safer if Jessica wasn't brought under control soon.
Annie came up the stairs and called the dog, "Molly, walkies, let's go."
Teddy silently passed the leash to Annie who clipped it on the dog, "where are we going? What's your favourite walk?"
"I was thinking through the forest and along the creek, then back by the dairy farm," Annie said.
"How long is that walk," Teddy asked.
"Its about 7km, it should be about an hour. Are you up for it," Annie asked.
Teddy looked at her shoes, "give me 1 minute to get better shoes. Are you really going to do this walk in your Toms?"
Annie replied, "I do it all the time. I even do it in flip flops."
Teddy laughed, "I'm grabbing sneakers for that then."
"Go fast," Annie said.
Teddy sprinted down the stairs and grabbed her other shoes. She ran upstairs and slipped them on, "now I'm ready. Let's go."
They headed out the door and walked a couple blocks before Annie spoke, "can we not talk about what happened with Jessica?"
Teddy replied, "we'll leave it for today but you have to promise me you will tell someone. Annie what she is doing has crossed the line of sibling rivalry or bullying to uttering threats. I know that if I saw that at my hospital I would be calling the police. You could call and report her if you feel that unsafe."
"I've thought about it but she's my sister. I did something to deserve it, it's always my fault so I just have to figure out how to apologize and placate her," Annie said.
"Annie she is in the wrong. She's the one that needs to fight to be in your good graces," Teddy said, "do you remember what I told you in February?"
Annie thought, "that if I was ever in trouble and needed a place to go I can go to your house."
"I want you to make sure you take your passport and nexus card when you leave here this week. You have a key to my house and your room is ready whenever you want it," Teddy said.
Annie replied, "I will. Can we change the topic now?"
Teddy agreed, "that's all I wanted to say. You know your choices and now it's up to you to make a decision. But moving on, David is coming tomorrow?"
"He is," Annie replied, "I was looking forward to it until Jessica got mad and texted me."
"That is her problem sweetie," Teddy reassured, " she will have to be mature about it, you have me, your mom and dad and Chris."
"Chris won't like him," Annie said, "he hated TJ."
"Hated or was he being a brother," Teddy asked.
"Brother," Annie replied, "they played on the same hockey team."
"Is David an athlete," asked Teddy.
"He skis, plays hockey for the school and plays baseball for fun," Annie said.
"I'm looking forward to meeting him tomorrow," Teddy said.