Author's Note: Thanks to my reviewers - we happy few, we band of brothers (and sisters)
Growing Up Chase
By Rebel Yell
Part Six (Age 14)
It was nearly two in the morning, and Elizabeth Hughes held her breath, hoping that the phone call wasn't what she feared it would be. The downside to having a phone extension in your room, was that when people rang at odd times, she got woke up too. Not that she ever answered in the middle of the night, she left that to her dad. She waited a few minutes, and let out a big sigh of relief when no one appeared at her bedroom door. She let herself start drifting back to sleep, just dozing when her bedroom light was switched on.
" Elizabeth Mary Hughes, what is going on?"
" Mom? What's happening?" Acting confused usually helped.
" We just got a call to come get our son from the police station. Your father and I have three daughters. Do you mind telling me how we came to have a son named Robert?"
" Robbie? What's happened to Robbie?" This was what she was afraid of, every time the phone rang late at night.
" Elizabeth, why are the police calling us at two in the morning to come and get a fictional son?"
" Mum, what's happened to Robbie?"
" He's fine, probably just tired and scared. Young lady, what is going on?"
" Robbie had this fake ID made - I didn't know until after, Mum, honestly. But he put our last name and address on it."
" A fake ID? For Robbie? Elizabeth - I know he's a very dear friend but, darling, I'm worried about what he's going to get you and Danny involved with. He's at the police station, at two in the morning, and you've all three got school tomorrow."
" Dad's going to get him, right?"
" Yes, I am." Her father was in the doorway, fully dressed. "Just as soon as you tell me why I'm doing so."
" I think…he said he used our name and address because he was afraid if he got in trouble they'd call his parents. I mean, they'd have to do, right? And well, his mum…"
" Yes, we know." Everyone knew that Victoria Morgan was a drunk, although Lizzie doubted they knew how horrid she could be when she was drinking, the things she said to Robbie. Sometimes Robbie repeated it to her and Danny, but he made them both swear never to tell anybody. If they told, Robbie'd have to go live with his Dad. They'd be in different schools and everything. Robbie had confided once that since his Dad didn't want him, if they told about his mum, then he might end up in a state home or something.
" He's scared they'd call his dad, and he thought if something did happen, he thought his dad wouldn't…you know, go get him."
" Lizzie, why would Robbie think that? I know Dr. Chase is a very busy man, but he spends as much time as he can with Robbie." Lizzie scoffed, not wanting to be disrespectful to her mother, but everyone thought Dr. Chase was so great, but he was a jerk and an ass.
" Last month Robbie got sent home from school sick at lunchtime. His mum was in Auckland for something for a couple days, he was staying with his Dad. Dr. Chase didn't come get him, Mum."
" He's very busy, he probably had patients."
" Mum, Robbie was still there at half four! The nurse had to call Dr. Chase three times! Robbie said she nearly just took him home with her. Finally he talked her into letting him walk home himself -- but it's miles to his Dad's house from school."
" Honey, I know Robbie's having a tough time, but he can't keep acting out like this. He's going to get you and Danny in serious trouble. Not to even start on the mess he's getting himself in for."
" No, Mum, he won't get us in trouble. He doesn't even ask us to do the bad stuff."
" What sort of bad stuff?" Her dad asked, sitting on the end of her bed.
"Aren't you going to get Robbie?"
" In a few minutes. Lizzie, do you know what Robbie's been up to?"
" Nothing much, really. He goes out late, just goes places we're not supposed to go, that sort of thing. He started smoking a couple months ago. He sneaks out really is all. I think some of the other kids, the older boys, drink and stuff. But Robbie doesn't."
" He's never invited you to go along with him?"
" No. Danny even asked and Robbie said no. He's not trying to get us in trouble, Dad. I think he's just trying to…make them see. If he just causes enough trouble, they'll see."
" All right, Lizzie. Go back to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow about this, all right?"
" Dad - please don't be too angry with Robbie. He's just really scared is all. He get's stupid when he's scared."
" I know, love. I know." Her dad got up then, and both her parents left the room. She heard her Dad leave, and tried not to worry about Robbie.
Liz finally closed her eyes, but she only dosed. She listened carefully for the sound of her dad returning, and it seemed like ages before she finally heard people walking up the stairs to the bedrooms. Her doorknob turned, but the door didn't open. She sat up, surprised. Robbie always slept in her room when he stayed over nights. He had since they were little.
" Go on to the twins' room, Robert."
" Sir?" Robbie sounded as confused as Liz felt. Her parents always let Robbie have the floor in her room.
" Son, I just…the twins' are away at university now. No need for you to sleep on Lizzie's floor."
" Yes, sir." Liz noticed an odd tone to her dad's voice, like he was trying to say something he didn't want to actually say. She'd ask Robbie in the morning, he sounded like he knew what was going on.
