Author's Note: I'm back! Passed my graduate class with an A and don't have anymore classes till January 11th. :)

Back to the story.

Also, Disclaimer: Comments and encouragement will definitely make me write faster. :D

Chapter 24:

Thursday

The next morning went much the same for the Taylors. Eric took Gracie Belle to daycare and went work and Tami stayed home with Julie.

That evening Julie asked her parents the hard questions.

"Mom, Dad… do you want me to go to the game tomorrow night?"

Eric and Tami exchanged a look. Secretly they had already talked and decided Tami would stay home with the girls.

Eric: "It's up to you Jules. We don't want to push you."

Julie: "I'd um… I'd like to go."

Both Eric and Tami's eyebrows went up.

Julie: "It's just… I'd like to get all the drama and gossip over. I can wear the sling and just stay by mom."

Tami: "If that's what you want."

Julie: "It is. Thank you."

Later that night Julie texted Tim and told him she was going. He told her that he was proud of her for doing what she wants.

Friday

At practice this morning Tim had decided he wanted to tell coach about him and Julie getting closer but he never got a chance because a new drama was just beginning to unfold.

JD was coming back to school… maybe… Bradley heard from Kyle who heard from Jimmy who heard from his girlfriend Paige, that he might be back today.

Tim needed to know for sure so after practice he and some others headed to the front of the school.

JD:

JD woke up and showered and got dressed. His dad and lawyer informed him they would be having a short meeting with the principal today to work out a safe plan for his return to school the following week.

JD had every right to an education was the selling point with the judge and he agreed to allow him to return to Dillon High on the stipulation that it was only for classes and school events he was to stay away from Julie Taylor until everything was settled and the principal had full rights to implement any safety procedures for the safety of JD as well as other students.

JD didn't mind though, at this point he was just happy to leave the house for any reason. He thought he would be going out for his appointments but they all came to him so this was the first time leaving since he returned.

So the two McCoy's and the lawyer (Mr. Lawson) were headed to the high school.

When they arrived the bell to go to class was ringing. JD saw several people he knew and smiled at them. Most turned away and some even frowned.

JD: I'm not sure how this is going to go. He thought.

Meanwhile the crowd was having their own thoughts.

Tim: That bastard is back at school. What a shit show. At least Jules is still home.

Smash: What in the world are they thinking? He can't be here. No no no. Tim is going to shit a brick.

Matt: I'd like to rip his legs off and feed them to him.

Landry: Tyra is going to kill him.

Tyra: I'm going to kill him.

Lyla: Why is he back? Shouldn't he have gone to jail?

Unknown party: A would be rapist just walking among us… He shouldn't be here. All rapists should die. Even little baby 15 –year-old rapists.

Unknown #2: Scum… only scum would hurt sweet Julie. He should die. He hurt a girl.

Unknown #3: I heard that Julie had surgery and has like 12 weeks of recovery time from her injuries. What a piece of crap… and… is he smiling? Oh, I'd love to beat him to death.

JD could feel the angry stares and just stayed close to his father and lawyer.

They entered reception and waited for their meeting.

Meanwhile Julie was getting a few text messages.

Tyra: "You are staying home right? Any idea when you will come back to school?"

Tim: "Good morning. I hope you slept well. I'll see you at the game tonight."

Daddy: "Good Morning Jules, I hope you have a good day. Love you."

Lois: "Jules, How ya doing? You will NEVER guess who showed his scumbag face at school today!"

Julie flinched after reading the message from Lois.

No. HE gets to go back to school already…but I can't? Another reason to add to my reasons to hate JD McCoy list.

Julie replied to each of her messages:

To Tyra: "Yes. I know JD is there, Lois texted me… I don't have any idea when I can go back yet. I can barely sit up without my ribs hurting and my wrist… well… it might be a while. I guess I should ask my mom."

To Tim: "Hi. I slept… okay… I missed my cuddles again. See you tonight, please be safe and don't hurt anyone."

To Daddy: "Thanks Dad, Love you too."

To Lois: "I'm alright. I figured he would show up eventually. Be careful and stay away from him."

At lunch time Tami decided to talk with Julie about Tim's suggestion from the other day.

Tami: "Jules hun… Do you want to talk to a counselor?"

Julie: "What? About what?"

Tami's eyes widened.

"About the assault, your recovery, the legal concerns… anything you want."

Julie shrugged her shoulders.

"I mean… I guess that would be okay mom."

"Well good. I'll call and set you up an appointment."

"Mom?"

"Yeah baby?"

"When can I go back to school?"

"Oh um… I'm not sure you are ready yet."

"I just want things to go back to normal. I miss my friends and dance and school."

"Well… dance… I mean you can't…"

"I know I can't dance till my ribs and arm heal but I can walk and I can sit in a desk and learn. The teachers can make me copies of the notes… I just want something to be normal."

"Okay… I'll talk to your dad but I think another week or two at least, you have follow-up appointments and I'm going to make you a counseling appointment and we need you to be feeling better before adding any new stress."

"Okay." Julie was going to accept that answer… a week or two was better that the ten it would take for her wrist to heal.

Julie went to the living room and turned on a lifetime movie and cuddled up with a blanket on the couch. Tami watched her sixteen year old daughter with thoughtful eyes.

Good grief Julie is so brave. School wouldn't be the worst…. I'd be there… and Eric… and her friends. She just wants to learn. I just don't know if she can handle the gossip and she is still hurt… what if someone bumped into her or something? Maybe Eric can talk this out with me. I'll talk with him after the game tonight.

Tami went back to her work on her laptop.

After asking Julie nine times if she would be alright alone, at 4:00 Tami left and went to pick up Gracie Belle from daycare. She returned at 4:30.

At 5:00 Julie started getting dressed, she knew it might take a while.

She showered with her mom's help, then put on panties and Jeans and her mom helped with her bra and she picked a blue long sleeve t shirt that was one size to big. She hoped it would cover up her arm and it did. Then she put on the sling for support and her mom brushed her hair. She wanted to wear it down. Her mom also helped her put her socks on and her sneakers. By 6:00 Julie was ready.

Tami went to get herself and Gracie Belle ready.

The game starts at 7 but they wanted to get there early and find some good seats.

They arrived at the stadium at 6:45.

Tami was a little anxious about Julie getting tired and stressed.

Julie was a little anxious about seeing everyone and being out in the open.

Little did they both know… they were right to be anxious.

Note:

Dramatic enough for you?

Comment? :)