Therapy
(The rest of the day poppy went on to introduce smidge to the rest of her friends and they hit it off with her, she also went to explain that her and creek had broken up. It was much of a shock to them, but accepted their decision. They were also excited for the musical and knew poppy would score the lead. The final bell rang and everyone ran out. Poppy stayed back for a little bit, she wasn't in much of a hurry because she and her dad were still fighting. She was glad she stayed back! Because she caught a glimpse of branch and much to her surprise, he didn't drive a car, he drove a motorcycle! She really didn't expect branch to be that type of person! She didn't know if branch saw her, but she then headed in her own car. She decided to give Blair a call, it had been awhile.)
Blair: hello?
Poppy: hey Blair!
Blair: hey poppy seed, how are you?
Poppy smiled, Blair had called her poppy seed since she had met her, but it made her sad a little because she wasn't her mom.
Poppy: I'm good!
Blair: it's your senior year right? That's a big year for you!
Poppy: yup! I'm enjoying it already!
Blair: that's great to hear sweetheart!
Poppy: you won't believe this! We're doing Phantom of the opera for the musical this year!
Blair: oh really?! I'll have to come see you! I know you'll score the lead, you always had the best singing voice since you were a little girl
Poppy: I really miss you
Blair: I know poppy seed, I miss you too, how's your father doing?
Poppy: (sighs) the same...always busy...doesn't come to my shows, and still with Christine
Blair: still don't like her?
Poppy: no! He's with her all the time
Blair: I know he loves you, but...you're his daughter you should come first
Poppy: well I guess not, but it's ok, I've learned to take care of myself.
Blair: well you know you can always come to me whenever you need me poppy seed, I know I didn't get to be your step mom, but I'll always be your friend
Poppy: thanks blair...have you been seeing anyone else?
Blair: not really, but I've been focusing on my career...it's just crazy how grown up you are now
Poppy: I know crazy right? By the way me and creek broke up
Blair: really? Why's that?
Poppy: it just...didn't feel right
Blair: of course sweetie, you have to do what feels right to you
Poppy: i know and you're right, I hope I'll get to see you again
Blair: I know...but I don't think your father would like that, he already doesn't like us talking on the phone
Poppy: that's not fair though, sometimes I feel like you're my mom I never had
Blair: that's sweet of you, but we can't change the past, I'll always be here for you though, anyways I gotta go honey, I got some housework to do, but you let me know how auditions go! And don't hesitate to call if you need anything!
Poppy: thank you Blair, talk to you soon
Poppy hung up feeing sad, it was times like this where she wished she had a mom. Since her father wasn't around much, she felt alone. It was something she had always longed for, She loved talking to Blair, she had always been there for poppy even when her and poppy's father weren't together anymore. Poppy felt her father would act different if it weren't for Christine. When Blair was in the picture, her father was around more and involved, and so loving. She wanted that version of her dad back, but he was long gone. She drove home and saw her dads car, she was surprised to see him home. She went into the house and saw him, but no Christine to her relieve. At first no one said anything, until her father said something.
Peppy: how was school?
Poppy: it was fine
Peppy: um...poppy, I think we really need to discuss your choice of college
Poppy: what's there to discuss?
Peppy: we don't have the money for that
Poppy: I don't need your money, I have a scholarship and my theater teacher offered to help, she thinks I can make it in Hollywood
Peppy: but it's not a career, you're talking about a dream, I mean what are you really gonna do with music and acting?
Poppy: if you were around more, then you would know what I was capable of
Peppy: (sighs) ...what if you don't make it, then what? I'm only looking out for you
Poppy: I'm sorry...but when did you start caring about me?
Peppy: that's a hurtful thing to say, you're my daughter
Poppy: don't even lie, you want me far as possible so you can have your precious time with Christine
Peppy: what happened to you poppy? You were such a sweet girl, and now you're throwing parties, sleeping with your boyfriend, moving across the country
Poppy: I'm still the same! It's YOU that's changed! You might have made me, but my dad is long gone, a dad would be supportive no matter what and make time for his daughter, you took away the person I thought of as a mom...
Peppy: how dare you say such a thing! You know very well why I didn't marry Blair! Not everything's about you!
Poppy: this is stupid, we have this same fight all the time!
Peppy: well what the hell do you want?!
Poppy: my father back! (She felt some tears coming out)
Peppy: don't start this, how did talking about school come to this?
Poppy: I'm done...I do every activity in school to get away from you! You're never here and the time that you are, all we do is fight! And I'm tired of it!
Peppy: (sighs) you're right...so..I think we should go see a family therapist
Poppy: you've been saying that for the last couple of years and we still haven't gone, why would this be any different?
Peppy: because...this is your senior year...I know I haven't been father of the year, but I wanna try to be, I don't wanna lose you, you're all I have left poppy, no matter how much we fight, you're my daughter and always will be
Poppy: (tried not to cry) well...I will go...
Peppy: good, for now I have to go to work, you're still grounded so no friends, no boyfriend, no one over, got it?
Poppy: yes dad
Peppy: I'll see you later
Peppy went out the door and drove off to work. Poppy decided to do homework and practice her singing for auditions. Peppy stopped at a stoplight and thought really hard...how could have let this happen? His daughter was slipping through his fingers, he knew he hadn't been the same since his wife died, but knew it wasn't an excuse for his behavior.
Peppy: oh Joyce, if only you were here, you'd know what to do
Branch left work feeling confident for the children he taught. He really did take pride in teaching. He couldn't go home just yet, it was Tuesday...he had to make one last stop. He arrived on his motorcycle with his guitar in hand. To his therapist's office. Dr. Gristle.
Dr. Gristle: hello Brandon, good to see you
Branch: you as well
Dr. Gristle: have a seat, so tell me, how have you been since our last week's appointment
Branch: pretty well, the job is still going great, and..I decided this year to be involved with the school musical
Dr. Gristle: excellent! That's very great progress! Proud of you!
Branch: I guess...
Dr. Gristle: you guess? Aren't you doing this for you?
Branch: well yes...but...I also thought it could be a chance to rekindle with...
Dr. Gristle: with poppy?
Branch: yeah...
Dr. Gristle: I see, from all you've told me from the past 4 years, you didn't seem interested in rekindling with her, why the sudden change?
Branch: well...she's in one of my classes this year..and it's our last year of high school, she was once my best friend and I may never see her again
Dr. Gristle: why have you never tried before then?
Branch: I just...I couldn't bare the fact to burden her. I know I owe her an explanation, I just don't know how to do that, she must hate me
Dr. Gristle: well...you say she still makes an effort to include you, has there been any of that this week?
Branch: she came to my house and knocked on my door, calling my name. She tried to start a conversation with me in class today...
Dr. Gristle: (smiles) I don't believe she hates you brandon, if anything she may be trying to rekindle with you as well
Branch: she's been trying for the last 4 years, I just...don't understand why she keeps trying
Dr. Gristle: she's a true friend, is there another reason why you might be pushing her away?
Branch: (pauses) I think...I may be falling in love with her
Dr. Gristle: love is a very strong word Brandon, have you felt this way about her for awhile?
Branch: I have
Dr. Gristle: what has given you this feeling?
Branch: it's just...she's yet to give up on me, the way she always included me even when I ignored her, she's just...the person I've always dreamed about even in my darkest time
Dr. Gristle: if you don't mind, I'd like to revisit the dark times you've experienced
Branch: id rather not...I'm trying to work past them...
Dr. Gristle: you have to face your demons...this dark time all started with your parents right?
Branch: I'm not discussing this
Dr. Gristle: I insist we do
Branch: I'm waking out if we do
Dr. Gristle: we do this every time Brandon when are you gonna face your inner demons, you talk about wanting to move away and start a new life, you can't do that without healing your wounds first
Branch: healing?! You're re opening them! I did what you said! Get a hobby, distract myself, work hard! I'm working on myself and you wanna re visit what made me depressed in the first place!
Dr. Gristle: I know this is hard Brandon, but this is all why you kept yourself away from poppy right? If you want your friendship back with her, this is how you're gonna do it, once you acknowledge your past...you'll be able to open up to her, explain to her, all without sounding like you avoided her to hurt her
Branch: (sighs) ok...as you know, it started in the summer before my freshman year...when...
