Here is the next chapter. Claire gets in a little trouble. Enjoy the update, I plan to update later today. I have finished this story and am working on the sequel called Discord. Amber

Chapter 21

Ben strolled up the sidewalk. He had a dozen roses of various colors for his girlfriend and all her classwork. He managed to ring the bell. After a minute the door opened and her sister Claire answered the door. "Oh pretty flowers, she'll love them."

Ben stepped over the threshold. "I thought she might." He put his book bag down next to Claire and Brooke's. He looked around. "Where's."

That's when she came bounding down the stairs. "Ben!"

His heart gave a little leap and he put his arms around her, he forgot about the flowers. She returned the hug just as hard. He kissed her softly. "It's so good to see you."

Claire had rescued the flowers from the floor. "Ben brought you flowers. I'll put them in water for you and place them on the dining room table."

Brooke who was still hugging Ben said. "Thanks sissy." Brooke kissed him. "My grandma is making her lasagna and believe me it is sooo good."

"Yum." They went to the den to sit on the sofa. "Did you want to dive into the school work."

Brooke cuddled into him. "Not yet. I just want to relax with you a minute."

Frank came in. He smiled at Ben and Brooke cuddled on the sofa. He sat in the recliner. "How are you Ben?"

"I'm well sir. My parents say hi."

Callie came in with some cheese and fruit on a tray. "Something to snack on while we wait for dinner."

She sat on the other sofa.

Brooke leaned over and whispered. "Mom has been craving red grapes and apples like crazy."

Claire came in. "Mom I'm going to make the salad."

Callie nodded. "That's fine kiddo. I'm sure your grandmother will appreciate the help."

Frank moved to the sofa beside Callie and sat next to her. Brooke had fallen asleep. Ben didn't move. Frank smiled. "I can turn on a movie if you'd like."

"Sure."

Callie dug into the red grapes. "How about Cheaper by the Dozen."

Ben laughed. "That's a good one."

Fenton came into the room. "Hello everyone." He sat in the recliner that Frank had vacated. He saw the movie and nodded. "Steve Martin is funny."

They watched the first half hour before Laura called them to the dinner table. Joe and Vanessa were absent tonight. They were having dinner with Andrea. The three kids sat on one side of the table, Fenton and Laura on the other. Callie and Frank on the ends. The meal was fantastic. Brooke ate two helpings. Laura didn't blame her a bit. "When do you see your new therapist Brooke?"

"My first appointment is tomorrow at one. I can't go back to school yet can I?"

"The principle was kind enough not to punish you for bringing the knife on campus. He acknowledges that it was a mental health crisis." Frank said. "So you can go back if you want."

"Tiffany is going to be brutal."

Ben's face darkened. "It will be a race between me, Molly, Katie, and Melissa to set her straight."


Claire was in school. She was in her band class. She was talking to her friend Abby who was second flute when a snarky comment got their attention. "Claire I heard that your sister had to go to the nut house. Is your family that screwed up."

Claire played a note on her flute and tried to ignore Taylor Heard. She wasn't going to indulge the girl's shenanigans.

"I heard that she's had sex with twenty boys. Is that true."

Claire put her precious flute down. She wheeled around to face Taylor who was a clarinet. "No that isn't true, go to hell."

"What about you? I know you look up to your sister. Golly twenty is a big number. I bet she'd give you pointers for when you're with a boy."

Claire wheeled around again. "Shut up Taylor I'm not going to tell you again. She has a boyfriend...drop it."

"Well why hasn't she been in school for a couple months. Oh is she pregnant! That slut."

Claire couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed Taylor by the hair, pulled her from her seat and they both hit the floor. Both girls were fighting each other trying to cause as much harm to each other as possible. Taylor's fist came into contact with Claire's cheek and she saw stars. She managed to elbow her in the ribs and pull a small chunk of hair from her head. Many of the students pulled out their phones and started recording. One boy, a trumpet player named Ian Stokes got up and pulled Claire off Taylor. He pulled her back and held onto her as she struggled to get to Taylor. "Shh Claire she isn't worth it. Calm down. Taylor that was low even for you."

A sax player had pulled Taylor back. She snarled. "Get your hands off me."

Their band teacher Mr. Spruill came into the room. "What on earth has happened here?"

Claire straightened her shirt glaring at Taylor. "Don't talk about my sister like that again. She has more class in one fingernail than you do in your whole body."

"I won't ask again what happened here."

Marcus the third flute answered. "Taylor was saying mean things to Claire about her sister Brooke, Claire got mad and tackled her to the ground and they started fighting. Ian and Chris separated them."

Mr. Spruill looked surprised. "Girls you both have to go to the principal's office."

Claire didn't care. Her mouth was bleeding and her cheek was screaming. Taylor was rubbing her scalp and her side. Claire put her flute in its case and went to the principal's office.


Frank was in a briefing at work when his phone rang. He saw the display as Williamsburg Middle School. He answered. "ASAC Hardy speaking."

"Mr. Hardy this is Dr. Yates from Williamsburg Middle School. Claire is in my office, she was in an altercation with another student. I need you to come here immediately. I was unable to reach your wife."

Frank blinked. "What kind of altercation?"

"According to witnesses I'm going to call the other student student B. Student B was saying some rude things about your daughter Brooke. Claire got angry tackled her to the ground and they both started fighting. Student B has been suspended. I'm going to have to suspend Claire for three days."

"I understand. I'm on my way. Was this student's name Taylor Heard by chance?"

"I won't confirm or deny."

Frank hung up. "I have to go. Family emergency." He left Quantico and drove to Williamsburg Middle School. He buzzed the door and was immediately granted entry.

Claire was holding an icepack to her cheek. Frank hurried over to her. "Claire honey you're hurt?"

"Just my cheek daddy. I saw stars but I'm okay."

Frank asked. "Any dizziness or nausea?"

Claire didn't want to worry her father any more than he already was but knew lying would be bad. "I am a little nauseous. I'm sorry I let her get to me. She called Brooke a slut and said she had been with twenty boys. I told her to shut up but she didn't listen and I lost it." She turned to Dr. Yates. "You really shouldn't suspend Taylor. I started it."

"I appreciate the honesty kiddo. But she fought back and that was wrong. The guidelines are clear. I must tell you that you're the last student I would expect to be in this office in this situation."

Frank rubbed Claire's shoulders. "We've been through a lot Dr. Yates. I'm not excusing her behaviour; she knows she was wrong. But we've had a bit of a rough patch lately. I'm going to talk to her mother tonight about getting Claire in to see a therapist."

"Oh come on! The group therapy is bad enough."

"You obviously need it kiddo. Are you seriously arguing with me when you are suspended from school?"

Claire shut her mouth. She had no argument and if she had she would sound like a fool and Frank and Callie Hardy had not raised a foolish daughter. She replied. "No sir. I'm not arguing. I'm agreeing grudgingly."

Callie went home after her docket was complete. She had accidentally left her phone in the kitchen. She saw the call from the middle school and frowned. Before she could call. Frank and Claire came through the door. Claire had a bruised cheek. She rushed over. "What happened?"

Claire said. "I'm grounded. Taylor Heard said some things about Brooke that got under my skin. I got mad, tackled her to the ground and we got into a fight."

Frank said. "She has a mild concussion. I spoke to Mr. Heard he won't press charges, if we won't."

Callie kissed her daughter's good cheek. "Go do your homework. I'll be taking your tablet, and your laptop will only be used for school young lady, and I want your cell phone." When she left the room she addressed Frank. "We need to get her into some therapy."

Frank nodded. "I agree. She's angry and rightfully so."