Chapter Fifteen: Hardships
Jeff's POV:
Things got harder for Taylor after she found out about Nick. No matter what Amy and I did, we couldn't get her to eat for the rest of the weekend. She tried to put on a brave face, but you could see the anguish in her eyes. We got home late on Sunday and instead of wanting to go to bed, she asked if she could go for a walk on her own. I was nervous about letting her go, knowing her body had to be getting weak at this point, but I could see she needed time away from Amy and me.
"Just keep your cell phone with you. Will you be leaving the Compound?" I asked before she left.
"No, I'm staying on the Compound. I just need time to think. Seeing you work was awesome, but finding out about Nick, especially the way I did was a lot to take in."
"I get it. I love you, Taylor. Call if you want me to come get you from anywhere on the Compound."
She hugged me.
"I love you too, Dad," she said and hurried out the door.
I was in shock. It was the first time she'd called me Dad since we'd met. I looked at Amy.
"Did she really just call me Dad?" I asked her.
Amy came and hugged me.
"Yes, she did."
"I can't believe it."
"Why not? You've been great with her," Amy reassured me and kissed me.
"I'm worried about her. What if we can't get her to eat in another day or two?"
"We'll have to take her to the hospital. She can't go that long without eating, Jeff."
"That's what I'm worried about. But how can I force her to eat when I know this time she's not eating because she just found out her friend is dying?"
"She still needs to eat."
"You're right. I'm just worried about upsetting her."
"She's strong."
"I hope she's strong enough."
Taylor's POV
I didn't really know where I was going when I left Dad's house. I just knew I needed to get away from him and Amy. They didn't upset me, I just didn't need to think about what I found out about Nick. I had texted him before we came back to Cameron and found out he was resting comfortably back in San Antonio. He said that getting his wish in Raleigh was better than he could have expected because he got to meet the wrestlers of TNA, see Jeff Hardy specifically, meet Lita, and see me for what may have been our last chance to meet. It was too much to think that soon my world would no longer have him in it.
Somehow, I wound up in front of Matt's house. I hadn't spoken to him since I found out about him hitting Dad. I was mad at him and since I didn't know what to do with everything else I was feeling, I decided to take it out on him. Matt was in his living room when I came in and he got up when he saw me.
"Taylor, are you okay? It's kinda late for you to be out, isn't it?" he asked before I punched him in the mouth.
"How do you like being punched?!" I yelled at him.
"What's wrong with you Taylor?" he asked me confused.
"You hit my father, because Amy makes him happy! He makes Amy happy too! And you're trying to stand in their way because of a relationship that failed when I was in kindergarten! He's your baby brother! You should want to protect him and make sure he's happy, but you attack him over a girl that you haven't been involved with in nearly a decade?" I yelled at him as I swung at him. "What kind of selfish asshole are you? Life sucks and shit happens in the blink of an eye that can take him away from you forever and you want to fight over a girl that makes him as happy as he makes her?!"
Matt grabbed me before I could hit him again. He held me against him, cradling me with my back to him, holding my arms at my side as I screamed and cried. With me not eating in over 48 hours, it didn't take long for me to fully collapse into him with no energy, bringing both of us to his living room floor. He continued to hold me, stroking my hair.
"What happened, Baby? Did something happen with your father this weekend?" Matt asked.
"Dad's fine," I said between sobs.
"Then what's got you so worked up?"
"He had a Make-A-Wish he was asked to grant on Friday in Raleigh. The kid was one of my oldest friends from San Antonio. He was fine when I left to move to Cameron, now he has stage four lung cancer!" I sobbed into his chest.
"Oh, Darling, I'm so sorry! That has to be so hard for you, especially right now."
"And you're a jerk because all Nick has in this world is his older sister for the last two years. Now, Grace is getting ready to say good-bye to him. And here you are letting something as petty as a girl get between you and Dad. How stupid do you have to be to see that you and Amy didn't work out and it's been over for a long time so maybe you should try to be happy that her and Dad have found happiness with each other now?"
Matt kept stroking my hair. I was sure he didn't know what to do with me. It didn't take long for me to pass out in his arms on his living room floor.
Jeff's POV
Taylor had been gone a little over an hour when my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID. It was Matt. I let it go to voicemail. When he left the voicemail I checked it.
"Jeff, I don't blame you for ignoring my call, but I need you and Amy to come over to my place tonight when you get this. Taylor is here and she's not okay. Right now she's asleep, but I think we need to talk. Just come over when you get this."
I hung up on my voicemail and explained what Matt said. Amy and I put our shoes on, grabbed jackets, and with my car keys in hand, started making our way to the BCR. Matt was waiting for us on the front steps when we got there.
"What happened with Taylor?" I asked.
"She attacked me," Matt answered.
Amy and I looked at each other. Taylor had never shown any violent tendencies towards anyone before.
"Where is she?" Amy asked.
"Her room upstairs. She passed out in my arms on the living room floor and I put her in her bed before I called you."
"What the hell happened that made her attack you?" I asked my brother, getting ready to attack him myself.
"She was upset when she got here. I asked her what was wrong and she punched me, bringing up our fight. When she went to punch me again, I restrained her and she just kept screaming and crying before telling me I was a selfish asshole for how I'm handling you two and how she just found out one of her friends is dying."
"I knew she wasn't okay," I mumbled to Amy.
"She needed space. You couldn't have known she'd come attack Matt," Amy replied.
"She's not dealing with it. She said he was healthy before the accident," I told Matt.
"I know. That's why she says I'm an idiot. She told me that all Nick has is his older sister and she's about to lose him. She told me I'm an older brother and I should love and protect you no matter what."
"And what do you think?" I asked him cautiously.
"I think she's right and I owe both of you an apology. Jeff, I had no right to attack you. I'm sorry. You're my baby brother and I've looked out for you for so long. I shouldn't turn my back on you for any reason. Amy, I shouldn't be trying to claim you as mine. We didn't work out as lovers, but we finally became very close friends. I hope I didn't destroy that."
I went over to my brother and hugged him. Amy followed suit.
"We can work this out if you can stop being an asshole," Amy said to him.
I laughed. Amy never minced her words with either of us.
"I'll do my best. I'm really sorry, guys. If you two are happy, then I should be happy for you," Matt said.
"I am happy with her. I'm sorry it hurt you, Matt, but it came out of nowhere. She's amazing and beautiful, and funny, and talented," I said.
"I know. I was a fool to lose her," Matt said. "I hope you two work out better than we did."
Right then, I knew Matt was gonna try to back off of us.
"Should we leave her here for the night?" Amy asked me.
"She's fine. She wore herself out screaming, crying, and struggling against me. She's gonna sleep through the night. Let her stay here. I'll either bring her home or to school depending on how she's doing in the morning. Either way, I'll give you a call, Jeff," Matt said to me.
"Are you sure? Because she throws a decent punch. Your face is bruising already," I said to him.
"I'm not afraid of my fifteen year old niece, even if she can throw a good punch. Go home. I'll keep her for the night," Matt said.
"Do me one favor in the morning, bro?"
"What is it?" Matt asked.
"Try to get her to eat? Amy and I have been really worried about her. She hasn't eaten since before the show on Friday night. We've barely been able to get her to drink water. Every time we tried to get her to eat she said she wanted to get some rest or do her homework. I didn't know what to do. Maybe since you weren't there when she found out about her friend she might eat for you?"
"I'll do my best to get her to eat something. But that explains why she collapsed from exhaustion so fast. Don't worry. I'll take care of Tay. Go home. I'll give you a call in the morning."
"Thanks, Matt," Amy said, as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Thanks, man. I'll talk to you in the morning."
We left Taylor at Matt's but it still felt weird not to have her at home with me. Even though she had the option, she'd never actually spent the night at either Dad or Matt's houses before.
Taylor's POV
I woke up and realized I wasn't in my room at Dad's house. Quietly I got up and left the room and realized I was in Uncle Matt's house. That's when I realized what had happened the night before. Quickly, I took a shower in the basement bathroom so I wouldn't wake him up and changed into new clothes. I wrote a note to him and left the house.
It was only like five in the morning. I took out my phone and checked facebook. Dad's friend Shannon Moore was still up, so I called him.
"Hello?" he asked into the phone, confused. I had never called him before and had only met him twice.
"Hi Shannon. This is Taylor, Jeff's daughter. I was wondering if maybe you could pick me up and bring me to your shop? I don't want to go home and I don't know what else to do right now."
"Where are you, Taylor?" he asked, slightly concerned.
"Halfway between Matt and his father's house. I don't think Matt's gonna want me around and I don't want face Dad right now either."
"I'll be there soon. Just stay out of sight."
"Thank you so much, Shannon."
"See you soon."
I waited in the shadows for Shannon. It took him about twenty minutes to get to me. I got into his truck and he just looked at me with a mix of worry and confusion. I didn't blame him. I'd never turned to him for help before. He started to drive before he started asking questions.
"They don't know you left, do they?"
"No. I woke up in my room at Matt's house and thought I should be gone before he woke up. I just didn't think I could face Dad or Amy yet."
"What happened?"
"I kinda beat up Uncle Matt last night."
He started laughing.
"What?"
"I was upset and I was still mad that he had hit Dad over Dad kissing Amy so when my walk brought me outside his house last night I went in and took it out on him."
"I'm never gonna let him live that down. Beat up by his fifteen year old niece that's a third of his size! Priceless," he said before taking a glance at me. "What had you so upset though?"
I explained everything about Nick. I started crying again.
"That's harsh, Taylor. You've already been through some rough times. And he sounds like the kind of kid I'd have hung out with too. It's a shame this is happening to him. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Can I hide out with you for the day? I don't want Dad and Amy down my back and I really think Uncle Matt's gonna be pissed off at me."
"Sure, but two conditions."
"What?" I asked, trying not to groan.
"I'm gonna let your dad know you need time but your safe with me so he doesn't try to tear Cameron apart looking for you. And two, you have to eat while you're with me today. I know you don't eat a lot, but I don't want what's going on with your friend to make you stop all together. Do we have a deal?"
I wanted to say no. I didn't want to eat. But I didn't want to go home more. If me eating something was the only way to make that happen and make Shannon happy, I had no choice.
"I'll try to eat, but fine."
"Then we have a deal. What do you wanna do today?"
"I thought I would just hang out with you in your tattoo shop if that's okay with you?"
"I don't mind, but my first appointment isn't until almost 2. We have a lot of time to kill until then. We could go get breakfast and think about it."
"Alright, but I really don't eat a lot in general, Shannon, even when I'm not upset. Just so you know."
"Neither did your mother."
"What do you mean?"
"Your father fought to stop your mother from being an anorexic. He told me about it after she left with you. He was scared she would do something to hurt herself while she was still pregnant. No offense, when I saw how skinny you are, I figured you picked up your mother's lack of eating habits."
"Dad didn't tell you?"
"He didn't have to tell me you weren't eating. It's noticeable. Not so much anymore. It's obvious him and Amy have you eating, but when you first got here, yeah, I could tell that you and Tammy had the same eating habits."
"I thought I hid it well."
"I've worked with female wrestlers who are always trying to stay in shape and lose weight. I've seen my share of anorexics in my career."
"It wasn't just Mama and Grandpa. I was a gymnast, so I had to keep my weight down if I wanted to get the right height on my aerials."
"Well, you don't have to do that anymore."
"No. I hated all of that anymore. It's just who I always have to be. It's weird that now I get to be whoever I want to be and Dad won't get mad at me."
"Well take a look at him. Does he seem the kind of guy to hide who he is?"
I laughed.
"Not really."
"So is there anything I can do that might make you feel better?"
"Maybe."
Jeff's POV
It was almost dinnertime. Shannon said he'd bring Taylor home by then. I was getting worried. Amy was in the living room pacing. I was actually cooking to try to distract myself. Taylor had just left Matt's house, turned off her cell phone and skipped school. Granted she'd gone to Shannon and agreed to let him call us to let us know where she was, but I wasn't sure how to handle the situation.
Finally, I heard a car pulling up and saw the headlights of Shannon's car. When the two of them got out they were laughing. It was good to hear Taylor laugh after everything she'd been through this weekend, but I noticed she was walking stiffly. They walked into the house and one look from Amy stopped the laughter dead. Before Amy could say anything, I spoke up.
"What's wrong with your leg, Taylor?"
"Nothing. It's just stiff."
I looked from her to Shannon.
"What did the two of you do all day, Shannon?"
"We hung out at the shop. I even let her give me a tattoo."
"What?!" Amy exclaimed.
"Look," Shannon said pulling up his shirt. He had a fresh tattoo of a dragon. I had to admit it looked good.
"What else did you do?" I asked.
The two of them shared a look and Taylor pulled up her pants leg. There was a fresh tattoo of a skateboard with a viper on it. Nick's name was on it. She'd gotten a tattoo without talking to me. I didn't know what to say. I wanted to yell at Taylor, I wanted to Twist of Fate Shannon. Amy looked like she was debating whether or not to hit him with a Litacanrana. She went to go at him and I stepped in between them.
"Maybe you should go, Shannon. Thanks for taking care of Taylor today," I told him.
He looked offended that I was kicking him out after he took care of her all day. Still, he just shrugged and turned to leave. Taylor looked upset that we were making him go. I almost reconsidered just because of that.
"Just so you know, Taylor's eaten three times today. If she doesn't want to eat dinner, don't worry so much," Shannon said as he walked out the door before I could say anything to him.
I just stared at the door in complete shock. Shannon had messed up by tattooing my underaged daughter without even calling me. I wouldn't have necessarily said no, I'd done it myself when I was a teenager. But at the same time, he'd gotten her to smile, laugh, and eat, something neither Amy nor myself had been able to do in days. I looked at Amy and she had the same look of shock on her face.
"Why did you have to be a jerk to Shannon? He was so nice today and even picked me up in the middle of the night?!" Taylor snapped at us.
"Taylor, don't talk to your father like that," Amy said.
"Leave me alone! At least Shannon treated me like I wasn't fragile today! You're always trying to hold my hand while I eat and protect me. Shannon was real with me, he didn't sugarcoat anything. And just because he did something to help me deal with Nick you kick him out of here?! I thought you wanted me to deal with it?!"
"You got a tattoo!" Amy exclaimed.
"You both have tattoos."
"We're adults."
"Really? You wanna play that card? Do you mean to tell me that neither of you got a tattoo or did anything you weren't supposed to because you were underage?"
Amy went quiet and I couldn't say anything either.
"I didn't think so. You're both hypocrites!"
"Hey," I said finally finding my voice. "I didn't say anything about the tattoo. I wish you'd at least talked to me, but you didn't. You also didn't talk to me or Matt before you disappeared in the middle of the night or decided you were gonna ditch school for the day. I'm glad that Shannon made you feel better and I can deal with the tattoo, I need some time to get used to it, but I got a tattoo without telling my dad, so I shouldn't be surprised you did it to me. But Taylor, I've been worrying about you for days. You haven't been eating, you've barely been speaking, you've been crying, then you went and attacked Matt last night. Then all of a sudden you disappear. I can let most of that go as you coping with Nick, but not disappearing. You can't just decide to disappear and not go to school without my permission. I'm sorry, but you're grounded for two weeks."
The color drained out of Taylor's face. She lost her look of anger and one of confusion and shock took its place.
"For the next two weeks you will go to school, physical therapy, and come home. No motocross, no friends coming over and no going out."
"What?" she asked in utter shock.
"I've let you do what you've wanted, but I'm not going to let you blow off school. Everything else you've done in the last few days I know is connected to Nick, but I will not allow you to blow off school. You're grounded."
Taylor turned around and ran up to her room. I heard the door slam and her radio went on. I turned to Amy.
"Was I too harsh?"
"What would Gil have done if you pulled what she did today?"
"Kicked my ass, grounded me for life, and made me work the fields for weeks on end."
"She got off easy," Amy said laughing as she hugged me. "We should eat."
"You go ahead and eat. I'm gonna go call Matt and let him know she's home safe. He was really upset that he lost her this morning."
"Will you join me after?"
"Maybe. I need to call and apologize to Shannon, too."
Amy kissed me and went to the kitchen. I went to my room and dialed Matt.
"Is she home?" he asked panicked as soon as he picked up the phone.
"Yeah. She's here and she's pissed off, locked herself in her room."
"Why?"
"I grounded her."
"Because of last night?"
"No. Because she ditched school to have Shannon give her a tattoo."
"He tattooed her?"
"Yeah. And let her tattoo him."
"I'm gonna kill him."
"No. He got her to laugh and eat today. I can let the tattoo go, she's grounded for ditching school."
"I wasn't sure she'd ever be able to do something that would make you ground her."
"I was hoping I'd never have to, but she can't skip school. So for the next two weeks, no motocross, no friends over, no going out, school and physical therapy only."
"You're starting to sound as much like a dad as a friend to her. Good for you, Jeff."
"It was hard to do."
"I'm sure. But you had to let her know she couldn't do this."
"Thanks for the reassurances. I just wanted to let you know she was home safe."
"Thanks. I'm sorry she got out without me realizing it this morning."
"It's okay. We both know you sleep like a rock sometimes. I gotta go. I need to call Shannon and apologize to him."
"Alright. Let me know if I can do anything."
"Sure. Later, Matt."
I hung up on Matt and dialed Shannon. He picked up on the second ring.
"If you're calling to yell at me, I don't wanna hear it, Jeff."
"I'm calling to apologize, Shannon. You did what I couldn't for Taylor and I want to thank you. I was shocked that you went behind my back and tattooed her without calling me first, but I can get over that. I was more pissed off at her for ditching school, not at you. But you got her to smile and laugh, and hell, you got her to eat for the first time since Friday afternoon. I haven't been able to get her to do any of that since she found out about Nick, so thank you. Seriously, man. I'm not mad at you. I just needed a chance to get over the shock. I'm still getting used to this father thing. And now she's pissed I grounded her for the first time ever because she skipped school."
"Ouch. How long?"
"Two weeks. No motocross, no friends here or outside. School and physical therapy only."
"That's not too bad. You let her off easy."
"Try telling her that. She locked herself in her room as soon as I did it."
"I'll try talking to her."
"Thanks man."
"She's a pretty cool kid. When I saw the way she was watching me do tattoos I thought she'd like to try to do one like you do. She's good with the gun. And she took that tattoo on her leg pretty good. No crying."
"Thank you for everything, Shannon. And I'm sorry about what happened when you brought her home. I just didn't expect you to bring her home tattooed. I should have known better," I said laughing.
"Yeah, you should've," Shannon said laughing, and I knew we'd be okay.
"Do you wanna come over for dinner on Wednesday? I'll order take-out?"
"Sure. Sounds good. I gotta go, I've got a client coming in in ten minutes that I gotta prep for."
"Gotcha. You do what you gotta do. I'll see you Wednesday night."
"Later man."
Shannon hung up and I sat on my bed, wondering where mine and Taylor's relationship would go from here.