Ch 9. Home is Really Not So Perfect

(Owen)

"Clare has only drank twice in her life and both times were after something bad happened or bad things culminated until she needed a release. And the first time she only got tipsy, so please know this isn't a regular occurrence," Adam speaks up to his parents before Clare can speak.

"Thank you Adam, but we'd like to hear what Clare has to say," Audra tells her son, and then everyone looks toward Clare who takes another deep breath.

"I always promised myself that after what happened to my sister I never wanted to drink or be put in the position that I wouldn't know what I was doing, but Friday night I broke that promise," Clare begins and I get nervous.

"The only other time I drank it was one beer so I only got tipsy, and Dallas kissed me and I slapped him, he later apologized, and we made up," she explains, and normally this probably wouldn't be too important but given that Audra and Omar were Dallas's billet parents last year she probably felt they deserved to know. They look at each other and appear like they might say something, but as Clare is looking down at our hands she doesn't notice and begins speaking again.

"As you know my mom and Glen Martin got married fairly quickly a few years ago, after my dad announced his infidelity and they got a divorce. My parents already knew Glen and Jake but it had been a number of years since we saw them, but my mom decided Glen was the right guy and moved on really fast. Well now, even though when it comes to a lot of things, Glen takes my mom's side or plays neutral, they are having a lot of issues," Clare tells them, and I notice Audra and Omar look at each other, but they don't speak.

"Although my mom always tries to paint the perfect family, our family is anything but perfect. My mom always had opinions and beliefs when Darcy and I were little, but as we got older those opinions got stronger. When everything happened with Darcy and then my dad it's like my mom became a shell of herself, and those opinions and beliefs and her 'perfect family' were all she had left to hold on to," Clare discloses, and although Adam, Drew and I heard her tell us this before, now that I am hearing it in more detail, and after what happened yesterday, its hitting me harder what Clare's home life has been like, and I wonder how she got through having cancer with her mom that way. But I suppose that's why she spent so much time here. "It's like when Glen and Jake came into our lives again, her perfect family became the four of us and it was like dad and Darcy never existed. I don't remember the last time mom mentioned dad or said she heard from Darcy," Clare comments, and I can't imagine how hard that must be for her.

"Well given that mom and Glen are having issues in their marriage, and she tries to tell everyone we have the perfect family, she really has no one to talk to about the issues, so she takes out the frustrations and sometimes her tears and anger on me," she relays and I see Audra's face as she appears to be on the verge of getting angry, and I don't blame her as long as the anger is directed at Clare's mom. "Please don't misunderstand, she had never hit me, it was all just vocal, mostly emotional, but it was becoming too much for me, and with Jake being gone this year, it made it even tougher as I didn't have him to go to."

"Clare, you said your mom had never hit you. Does that mean she has recently?" Omar asks, as he and Audra look at Clare expectantly.

She looks up from our hands to look at me and then looks toward the couple but can't bring herself to look directly at them. "Yes sir," she starts. "She slapped me hard, once on Friday morning before I came to meet you guys to head for the airport and then last night when we tried to tell her about Owen and I she not only threatened me, but threatened Emma, and said some mean things to Owen and my brothers, but she also grabbed my arm and dug her nails into it deep," Clare explains before letting go of my hand and lifting her right sleeve to show everyone.

"Oh dear, Omar we need to do something," Audra exclaims when she sees Clare's arm. The marks her mom's nails left now have some purplish bruising around them. Drew's face is shocked, and by the look on Adam's face he had seen the marks already but they have probably gotten worse since school.

"Clare, would you have a problem if Audra took a few photos of your arm as evidence?" Omar asks and Clare shakes her head slowly as Audra stands to grab a digital camera. "Can you continue telling us what lead to this Clare?" Omar asks, and Clare nods slightly.

"About two weeks ago, I was finding I just couldn't deal with my mom's changes so often. She cares and is compassionate when it suits her, and when we can show off the perfect family to others, especially those at her church, but when we're behind closed doors, it's like a reverse switch and she shuts off, and has no thoughts about anyone else if they don't fit into her opinions and beliefs. But she is overly strict when it comes to me and my choices, and wants to have more than just a say in everything I do, and of course is always harping about my purity vow," Clare admits, and I realize we didn't even tell her mom about that. "So anyway, about two weeks ago I tried calling my dad, just to see if I could stay with or at least visit him for a short time to get away from my mom. But his young wife, former secretary answered and said he was too busy to talk to me. But while she and I talked she informed me they had no room for me and I found out she's pregnant with my new little brother, which my dad didn't bother to even tell me. Then she said she'd pass on the message and hung up," Clare discloses, and Audra is shocked.

"When was the last time you actually heard from your dad Clare?" she asks as she finishes taking photos of Clare's arm and sits down by Omar again.

"He called last summer when I was first diagnosed with cancer, and then I got a Christmas card, but nothing for my birthday or since," Clare comments, and now I'm in shock. I know there are some terrible parents out there, B's, Fitz's, and that I'm one of the lucky ones, but how any parent could turn their back on Clare is beyond me. "I don't know why I thought this time would be different, but I waited a week for him to call. When he hadn't by last Thursday evening I tried calling my dad again, but this time the number had been disconnected," Clare says as a tear slips down her cheek. She quickly wipes it away with her thumb, muttering "I shouldn't have put my hope in him."

"He's your dad Clare, of course you'd want to hope he'd be there for you," Drew comments from across the table, and I put my arm around her shoulders.

"I was upset Thursday night, and felt stupid for hoping in him, and then when I got up Friday, my mom was all about the Good Friday service and being the perfect family again. I had told her I'd be going to Vegas with you guys, but she said I never told her, and showing off as the perfect family at church was much more important. We got into an argument and she slapped me. It stung and I was upset, she got mad at me, and I left as soon as I could and came to meet you guys right away. I was embarrassed and just wanted to forget about it. I wanted to enjoy the day, but when everything culminated in the wedding not happening and learning what Drew did," Clare comments and I see Drew's head drop again, "it just brought back everything that happened, and I couldn't deal anymore and grabbed fruit drinks, and drank without thinking about the consequences. Everything just became too much all at once and I didn't want to talk to anyone," Clare finishes and everyone is looking at her.

"I can't believe Helen could be so self-involved that she gives no regard for any of her children, not just Clare, but Darcy or even Jake!" Audra exclaims. "Glen being so passive about everything that he just accepts whatever she says and does and follows it is no way to parent. It must have been Jake's mom that brought him up so well, because I can certainly not see how he got any good parenting from his so-called father. And what mother could ever hit her child? There is absolutely no excuse! I know my boys and I disagree, but I could never hit my child, that is just an unbearable thought!" Audra proclaims, and Omar stands putting his hands on her shoulders, before whispering something in her ear none of us can hear. "You're right Omar," she says as she takes deep breaths and calms herself down.

"Clare I know as a parent I could never leave or ever disregard my children, either biologically," he says looking at Drew, "or through marriage," he adds, looking at Adam with a small smile. "But as a lawyer, I feel it is extremely important to keep your mom and Glen, and even your dad away from you, as well as Owen and his family, and dependant on what your mom said possibly Emma also. I know she is your mom but it sounds like your home isn't an emotionally or physically safe place for you to be anymore," Omar explains and I nod in agreement. "But first can you tell us what has happened since we all got back from Vegas regarding your parents or step parents, so we know how far this has escalated," he suggests and Clare nods her head.

"When Owen and I left here Monday night no one really wanted me going home so while Owen drove to his house so we could tell his parents, I called my house to tell my mom I was back but to tell her I was staying here, with Adam's permission until I could tell her about Owen and I but she didn't even answer. She wasn't home even if I had actually gone, or cared to make sure I was safe at all after Friday morning," Clare says with disappointment in her voice.

Audra looks at Adam first and then Drew. "I understand why none of you wanted Clare to go home, and I agree with you, but next time boys please tell me when you have agreed to lie to a friend's parents. You know how I feel about lying," Audra voices her opinion and seems to support what they did.

"I left a message Tuesday that I was staying at Imogen's that night although I was at Owen's again, and still got no answer or reply from my mom. But last night I went to the house not only with Owen, but Spinner, Emma, Jay and Lucas. Right off the bat she threatened to call the cops if my brothers didn't get out of her house, but I told her I asked them to come, and then without letting any of us explain, as soon as I said Owen and I had something to tell her, she assumed I was pregnant. She not only said Owen had to leave, but that I could never see him again and she would drive me to a home for unwed mothers and they could deal with me," Clare reveals, and Adam, who knows Clare's mom the best of everyone here but Clare, although Helen doesn't know he's transgender, reaches over grasping her hand as she started shaking the more she spoke, and I tightened my arm around her shoulders again.

"She was going to send you away?" Drew questions.

"Ya, get that. She's all about portraying the perfect family, and yet if Owen had gotten me pregnant, like she thought, she'd send me away like I brought shame to the family. Make sure I was hidden from everyone, have the baby because she is completely against abortion, and then either make me keep it and fend for myself or make me give it up for adoption, and either way Owen would never know his child because she'd make sure he could never find me. Now how is that a family in any sense?" Clare questions out loud, and all I can do is think that if I were to ever get Clare pregnant, whether she was my wife or not, I could never leave her or our child, or let her mother anywhere near either of them.

"So I'm assuming you explained you two were married and not pregnant Clare?" Audra asks, and Clare nods her head, but is now quite upset. She looks up at me with tears in her eyes, in almost a silent pleading that I explain what else happened. I nod, and kiss her temple, and then start explaining.

"Clare was able to tell her mom we were married, but it's like she flat out denied it was possible without her permission, and accused me of being a hoodlum. Clare told her our marriage was a surprise, but we were happy, but her mom said happy doesn't make a marriage work, using hers with Clare's dad as an example, and then accused me of forcing Clare to marry me when referring to it as being a surprise. Emma tried to stand up for us, and offered that they had seen how good we were together, and that it wasn't our plan but maybe it was God's, but that just set Helen off. She not only called Emma a wench, but belittled her marriage to Spinner, and accused her of encouraging Clare to marry me without dating, and get herself knocked up, and then started advancing on Emma, but Spinner and Jay got in front of her, while Lucas stood in front of Clare and I.

"Ok, given that information, I think it's important to talk to Emma, and the others who were there, at some point soon as it's important to keep your mom away from you all Clare. I don't really know her relationship with the rest but it doesn't sound good either," Omar comments and Clare nods.

"Besides Clare, I think it's best to keep her away from Emma right now too," I comment and everyone looks at me. "Emma's pregnant, and given what she's done to Clare, her own daughter, I don't see her holding back on Emma if she got near her," I tell them, and Omar nods.

"So after Spinner defended Emma, Glen tried to calm down Helen saying there wasn't much she could do, as in his words, what's done is done, but he didn't seem to really care. Helen calmed down for a moment, and then it was like she got an evilly brilliant idea," I tell them, and Adam and Drew stifle a laugh, and I look at them. "She decided that what we had been done could be undone, and called Clare a child, saying our marriage was a mistake and she'd take Clare to get it undone. She got past Jay and Lucas and was able to grab Clare's arm, which is where the nail marks came from, and tried to get Clare to a judge to get our marriage annulled, and was going to keep Clare away from the rest of us forever. Lucas tried to remind Helen Clare was 18 so Helen had no say over her any more, but her reaction to that was an ear-piercing scream, and that God commands that children obey their parents and that Clare wasn't obeying. We all refused to let Clare stay any longer, a few of us went up to help her get what she could pack, and the others kept Helen from getting to Clare, and then we all left together," I finish with a sigh.

"Oh my…" Audra says in utter shock.

"Is that everything?" Omar asks and I look at Clare who is already looking up at me, and blinks her eyes.

I take a quick breath. "We both admitted to loving each other in front of everyone," I get out quickly almost like if I don't say it, it never happened, and then look at Clare again. Although I can still see tears in her eyes as she remembered everything that happened, she now has a smile on her face and I smile too. When I turn away still with a smile I see Adam and Drew both staring, but neither says anything.

"Clare," Omar begins and I look from the brothers back to the end of the table at the man. "I know this is difficult, but I need to ask. Would you like to press charges against your mom for what she did to your arm? We have the photo evidence, and you have witnesses to what happened. Unfortunately we can't press charges for her slapping you because there were no witnesses or evidence to that event," Omar explains, and Clare puts her head down a moment. While Clare is thinking Omar decides to continue. "Even if you decide you don't want to press charges, which you don't have to decide now, but should be soon, we can still file for an order of protection against your mom for you and Owen, and possibly even for Emma if she would like that," Omar tells her, and Clare takes a moment to think.

"I'd like to think about everything, if that's alright," Clare answers after a couple of minutes, and Omar nods.

"Of course Clare, but you'll need to decide soon," he replies.

I think for a moment and then realize something. "Omar, my father is a family lawyer, would it help for you both to talk about the situation for the best thing to do?" I ask, as I'm not quite sure what type of lawyer Omar actually is.

"Given that he is your father, I believe it would help in this situation Owen. He may not be able to be a part of the legal proceedings, but he can give information that may have changed in this department since I was in school," Omar comments. It must be like medical school where you take a little of everything before you decide what type of law you are most interested in to pursue.

"Thank you both for everything," Clare comments from her seat beside me, "but I think I'd like to go home now," she remarks with her head down again, and I can hear in her voice her lip is quivering.

"Yes of course Clare. I hope you understand why we wanted to talk to you, and I want to thank you for opening up and trusting us enough to tell us what's been going on," Audra comments and Clare nods.

Clare stands, and we all follow her lead, as Adam lets go of her hand, but walks around the table and embraces his best friend in a tight hug. Their friendship is different to me, but I'm glad they have each other. Drew and I fist bump, and then he hugs Clare when Adam lets go. Audra and Omar both hug Clare, and she hugs me, and then Omar and I shake hands before we walk to the door.

"Owen, can you get the others that were at the house last night to give me a call tomorrow so we can talk," Omar asks quietly as Audra and Clare say goodbye.

"Of course sir, I want to keep Clare safe more than anyone, and I know her brothers are just as protective of her as I am of my brother and Maya. I'll also ask my dad to call you tomorrow," I mention and he smiles and pats me on the shoulder and then we both head out. I put my arm around Clare's upper back and I can feel her leaning on me, and I'm sure she's tired. The car ride is silent for a little while and I think Clare has fallen asleep when she starts to speak.

"Are you doing anything at lunch tomorrow?" she asks, and this surprises me given everything that we were just talking about.

"Not really much tomorrow, probably just look for more job ads as even if the hockey coaching worked out, it won't be full time hours. Why?" I ask her, and then take her hand and interlace our fingers. "Is everything alright?" I ask and hope everything is ok.

"I just thought you might want to come have lunch with me tomorrow. We could work on the application to change my name together. I want to be Clare Milligan, I want to admit out loud I'm your wife," Clare tells me, and I'm shocked but I'm also pleased.

"Nothing would make me happier than for you to have my name, and for us to tell everyone Clare, but are you sure about this? I don't want you to do this just to spite your mom," I confess.

"My mom hurt me, and I don't want her to have any claim on me, and that includes my father's name, but I've wanted this since last weekend Owen, I'm happy to be your wife, and I do love you. I don't want to hide this, although given how many people do know, it's not really a secret anymore," she comments and we both laugh.

"Alright we'll do it tomorrow then," I tell her, and bring up her hand and kiss the back of it. "I can't wait until you're officially Mrs. Clare Milligan," I smile, and see she looks a lot happier than she was earlier, almost like she's beaming. "So when do you want to tell people?" I ask.

She sits and appears to think for a moment. "Maybe I can start wearing my ring, and we can tell people as soon as my name is officially changed," she suggests and I agree. "But I was wondering how you'd feel about having a small reception with just the people who know about us this weekend, with whomever can make it, to celebrate. I know my so-called family won't be there, but I hope our friends and your family could come," she comments.

"I like that idea, and I love seeing you happy, so if this will make you happy then I'm all in," I comment as I park in the driveway, and Clare unbuckles her seatbelt crawling closer and turns my head abducting my lips in a passionate kiss. I use both hands so she's straddling my lap deepening the kiss before she pulls away.

"I hope I can make you even half as happy as you're making me as your wife, I'm sorry you have to deal with my crazy family, but now the steering wheel is digging into my back," she comments, kisses me once more and then pushes my door open and climbs out over me. It's a little awkward and she almost falls, but I'm able to catch her first, and hold her enough I can step out with her in my arms before I place her on the ground.

"Believe me, you've already made me happier than that in less than a week, and you never have to apologize for your family. Besides, it's really only your mom that's a problem anyway," I tell her as we grab some of her stuff to take in.

When we get in we have a short condensed conversation with mom and dad about last night, and about tonight, because they asked how both went, but I know saying it all again would be too hard on Clare at this point. I mention we were thinking of having a small reception with those who know about us this weekend, and my parents are supportive. We decide to have it Sunday evening, and we'll send text invites when we get to my room. Mom and dad also agree we can have it here in the yard if it isn't too cold.

As we're about to head up to what is now our room, I suggest Clare head up, as I need to talk to my dad for a moment. Clare nods and kisses me again, and then picks up some of her stuff and heads upstairs.

"Is everything alright Owen?" dad comments once Clare is gone, but mom has decided to stay and hear what I have to say too.

"Well, as you know Drew's dad is a lawyer too, and Clare and I ended up telling him about what's been happening with her mom, and I reminded him you were a lawyer too, and he'd like you to call tomorrow if you can so the two of you can talk, because Clare may decide to press charges against her mom, but even if she doesn't he thinks it's important if we take out an order of protection against Helen for the two of us, and possibly Emma Nelson-Mason," I explain.

"Ok I'll call tomorrow, but I'd like you and Clare to tell us at breakfast tomorrow what happened with her mom so I'm not in the dark about what's been going on when I call. Plus then we have a better understanding of what we're up against," dad remarks and I understand where he's coming from and agree.

I say goodnight to my parents and head upstairs. When I get to our room Clare is already in her pyjamas and is sitting at the desk on her laptop. I'm disappointed she's already changed but I don't complain because I know she's still nervous about changing with me, and after our talk with Audra and Omar she's probably not up for much tonight anyway. "Whacha up to?" I ask when I sit on the side of the bed closest to her.

"I texted my brothers about Sunday, but now I have History homework for tomorrow. How was your talk with your parents?" she asks and turns to look at me.

"Omar would like them to call him tomorrow too. And it went alright, but my dad would like us to tell them about what happened last night with your mom at breakfast tomorrow. Just so he has background on what's going on for when he talks to Omar tomorrow," I add when she gives me a worried look and begins biting her lip.

"Ok, I understand, and they do deserve to know, I just hate having to repeat it. Thank you for helping me tell the story earlier," she comments, and surprises me by getting up from the desk and sitting beside me on the bed.

"Of course Clare. I could see how hard it was becoming for you, and it hurt me to see the tears in your eyes. Your mom had already hurt you, I didn't want the memories to hurt you again," I remark and put my arm around her back and she lays her head on my shoulder. "I'll be with you in the morning when we tell my parents," I comment and kiss the top of her head.

"Thank you Owen, I'm not sure what my life, especially at home would have ended up like if last weekend didn't happen. It's only been a few days, but I'm already happier," Clare tells me, and I can't help but smile. She lifts her head, kisses my cheek and then stands and sits back at the desk. While Clare begins working on her homework again, I grab pyjamas out of the dresser, but as I begin to change I notice that Clare is watching me again. She seems curious again as she watches me while I change, but except for the first night when I convinced her to let me watch her change, and she helped me change, we haven't actually touched each other in that way again. She also never speaks as she watches me, and I wonder if she will, but still don't want to pressure her. I see a smile linger on her face before I actually get my pyjamas on, and I smile watching her as she watches me.

Once my pyjama bottoms are on and Clare has finished her homework, we cuddle in bed together. I actually really like cuddling with Clare, I enjoy feeling her body against mine even with pyjamas on. "Do you know where your ring is?" I ask out of curiosity.

"It and my purity ring have been sitting on your dresser since we got here on Monday," Clare admits. "Why?" she wonders.

"Just wondering, I mean if we're going to stay married, I'd like to get you a ring you actually like and will be proud to wear, and I don't really think the one from Vegas is all that suitable," I comment and look toward my dresser.

Clare traces her fingertips along my torso, with her head against my shoulder. "I agree that that ring isn't quite what I expected as my wedding ring, but I love you Owen, and I'd be proud of whatever ring you got for me," she comments and I smile as an idea comes to mind. We talk for a little longer and then she falls asleep with her head on my chest and I fall asleep listening to her breathing.

In the morning we tell my parents as well as Tristan about Clare's mom and my parents are outright shocked. They knew there were issues because we had eluded to that, but were not expecting what happened.

"I want you all to stay away from her," mom says sternly after getting over her shock. "I mean that Owen, don't you dare go looking for trouble or the chance to defend Clare. Let your father and Omar Torres take care of this legally," she demands with her hands on her hips, and stares me down.

"I promise mom. I won't hit a woman no matter how much she deserves it ever. And I don't want her to have the opportunity to do anything else to Clare," I say as I take Clare's hand in mine. "But Clare still has some stuff at the house that we couldn't get out Wednesday night."

"We'll take care of that son, I'll mention it to Omar when I call him today. You all should be heading to school now and Owen try to spend your day productively please. Your mom and I have to get to work," dad comments. He kisses each of us on the head, I knew they'd accept and love Clare, and then he leaves for work.