Back at Natalia house she waited patiently for her mother to drop Joey off , she should be here soon and thank god that ryan wasnt awake yet .Hearing a car pull in front of her house Natalia look through the window to see her mother help her little boy out of her car Joey running toward the house .
Rushing through the front door Natalia opened the door for her boy who jump into his mother arms being kiss over and over .
NAT: god... i miss ...you .
JOEY: yuk yuk mommy ...
Holding him at her hip Natalia laugh greeting her mother with a smile .
NAT: did you have fun with granny and poppy ?
JOEY: yes we play hide and seek .
NAT: did you now ? she laugh at the exhausted look on her mother face .
'' you should see your father he was snoring on the lazy boy when i left ''
NAT: thanks mom ! she laughed picture her father sleeping with his head back and mouth open .
'' Thats nothing i love spending time with my little guy '' she said tickling her grandson belly.
Joey wiggle down his mother arms onto the ground .
JOEY: mommy where 'yan ?
NAT: hes sleeping baby , go play in your room ok
JOEY: but 'yan said he would play with me mommmmyyyyy ? he whined at his mother .
NAT: baby im sure when he wakes up Ryan will play with you for now let him sleep ok baby.
With his shoulder hunched down and dragging Joey made his way to his bedroom , Natalia had to smile at her son drama.
''so ...huh you have a new roomate '' her mother ask with a smile that told Natalia where she was headed .
NAT: yes you know Ryan you've met hundred of times .
'' ohh i know Ryan hes a nice boy , took you long enough ''
NAT: Mom it's not like that , ryan just broke up with his girlfriend so i offered him a place to stay.
'' And huh what else did you offer him '' she teased her daughter .
NAT: ewww mom im your daughter .
'' so what i just want you to be happy ''
NAT: i am happy and anyway i think Ryan being here going to be good for Joey .
'' ohh believe me i know all i heard last night was Joey babling about him and ryan did together , on and on over and over again .''
NAT: yeah Ryan really good and patient with him .
'' ahh so he would make a good father and husband ?''
NAT: would you stop .
'' alrigth alright but im telling you that boy father material ...anyway i have to go before your father choke on his own drool '' she laugh kissing her daughter goodbye .
NAT: thanks again mom ...ohh wait can you ..huh can you babysit again wednesday maybe picking your favorite grandson at kindergarten . she asked with a wide smile silently pleading with her mother .
'' your gonna work late again ?''
NAT: ohhh no hopefully not i just ..i sort of have a date ''
'' WITH RYAN '' she asked back with a wider smile
NAT: shhhh no she said closing the door behind her and stepping on her front porch .
NAT: it's not with Ryan ..it's just a date ok ..please mom!
'' ok fine fine...you dont want to tell your mother i'll babysit for you .'' '' even though im sure RYan would love to babysit so i dont understand why your asking me ?''
NAT: it's ...it's complicated !
'' ahh with you young people it always is , in my time it wasnt , a boy like you he would court you ,not run around the bushes like you young people do these days ''
NAT: Not everyone was born in the 40's mom ! she laughed at her mother who frowned at Natalia .
''Ohh shoooshh im not that old , so i'll see you wednesday ok ''
NAT: thanks again I'll pick Joey after my date alright !
''Or if you need me to keep over nigth just call if you know what i mean ?''
NAT: Once again mom ewwwwww.
Natlia mother got into her car laughing while Natalia walked inside her house shaking her head if there was one thing her mother hadnt been afraid to talk with her children was the birds and the bees Natalia still remenber her mother showing her how to use protection with a banana as a prop, something that had definitly scar Natalia and her sisters for life .
Walking inside she seen Ryan door open , for a moment her heart was racing she still wasnt ready to face him , she needed time .but then she heard snoring so knew who the little devil was inside.
Pushing the door slowly has to not invade Ryan privacy she saw her 3 years old son standing next to Ryan bed poking his face .
NAT: joey anthony Bao Vista i told you not to disturb him ! she said quietly but with a firm tone at her son .
Startled Joey step back before darting out of the room passing by his mother who glared at him , closing Ryan door she heard him moaned and shift in his bed and for a second thought he was waking but then he snored again so the coast was clear for her .
His words from the night before still sounded in her head and inside she was struggling with herself with what to do of them, how to approach the subject with him .
For the second times the pharmacist type in her names asking her again to repeat it .
CAL: it's Calleigh duquesne ..d.u.q.u.e.s.n.e ! she spell to the dumb pharmacist at least to her he was .
CAL: whats the problem i come here every week ?
'' im sorry ma'am im new here ''
Impatient Calleigh glared at the young pharmacist her hand was beginning to shake and she was sweating even if it was the cold weather of december
The pharmacist type in her name again then took a step back from the computer look her up and down and said .
''I'll huh ..i'll be right back ''
CAL :WHAT ? she asked but the pharmacist ignored her and went in the back to talk to his boss , a few words were exchange before the older Pharmacist stepped forward leaving the young one in the back .
'' Miss ...your name please '' he asked giving calleigh a look over .
Sighting Calleigh was beginning to loose patience and frankly she had none today .
CAL: its Duquesne...calleigh Duquesne ...whats the hold up ?
Typing her name again on the keyboard the pharmacist carefully reading what was on the screen.
Then he leaned closer to Calleigh across the small counter that was separating them and said.
'' im sorry ma'am i cant give you your medication , the prescription been remove ''
CAL: WHAT? BY WHO?
'' i suggest you contact your physician ma'am ! he said politly .
CAL: THIS IS RIDICULOUS !
'' there nothing i can do ma'am ''
Angry Calleigh grabed her wallet from the counter and walked away she could feel the accusing eyes on her has she walked out of the pharmacy .
slamming the door of her car as she got in she tried to start the engine but her hand was shaking so bad that she couldnt get the key in .She had one last option , she hated that one always felt ashamed , the first time had been when she had ran out of anti-depressant before her prescription was to be renew .Her body had shaken so much that she couldnt hold her weapon straight couldnt concentrate on anything , so she made a dumb decision it had been the one and only time but she thought about it every day .On that day she risk everything , her life , her job her firend but nothing would have stop from getting those damn pills that only provided a few hours of relief before the heart ache would come.
Sure she could have gone to Alexx and beg and beg over again , lie even , but Alexx and her hadnt been on very good term for while ,unlike her other friend alexx wouldnt put with Calleigh bullshit she confronted her many times about her behavior and Calleigh knew she did so because she cared but truth be told Calleigh her she didnt care there were a lot of things she didnt care about anymore .
What surprised her though was when Alexx offered the anti-depressant , Calleigh refused them many times , but one day just to get Alexx off her back she took the prescription and gave it a shot .She wasnt sure if Alexx knew what consequence they would have on her , after all Alexx was only trying to help her and for a while the medication did help but Calleigh found herself unable to go without them .
Which is why when the withdrawl became unbearable for her to handle , Calleigh drove to a part of town that only criminals or cop knew bought them from a dealer she arrested a few years ago , he wasnt a sleez bag by definition just a kid who didnt have much growing up and ended up dealing to help his single mother make ends meet .
Back when Calleigh had arrested him he was only 18 years old , he been caught with many illlegal prescription drugs and marijuana , he didnt deal the hardcore stuff , ironicly enough he refuse to do so . He didnt sell drugs to kid either, he called it his code , told calleigh yes he was a dealer but he had principle .
So she gave him a break in exchange for him to provide her with information on the street when she needed so , he became her criminal informant often helping her on some cases and in exchange she helped him out when he needed too .He'd stop selling a while ago and she help him get a job in a industrial cleaning business .But he knew where to get the good stuff which is why Calleigh went to him and a few days later he provided her with some .The way he had look at her ashamed and disgusted made her feel small and dirty.
Gathering herself long enough to start her car she drove off in the north part of town where she knew where to find him .Everyday after he was done with his work Theo would take his 4 years old daughter to the park in front of his house .
Parking the car in next tot he curb she saw him push his daughter on the swing has the little girl giggle with no end .
For a second she look at them , yes Theo was a former dealer but he made a life for himself got out of the street with Calleigh help and raised his daughter alone work hard and long hours he left his criminal past behind and here she was bringing him back in .If Theo ever got arrested and lost his daughter because of her Calleigh would never forgive herself .
She opened her car door for a second before closing it back in , she hesitated this wasnt her , Calleigh Duquesnes didnt do this sort of thing , but the new Calleigh didnt care . So she pushed the handle of her door again and got out without hesitation .
The moment Theo saw her he ask his daughter to go play in the slide the little girl listen to her father and ran to play among other children .
By her look he knew what she wanted , even if she try to hide them her hands were shaking , her eyes were blood shot and she was sweating . Theo remenber the time when she had arrested him , she was beautifull , tough has nail and didnt take no for an answer and now the women currently walking toward him was frail , skin and bones and didnt fit in the world she currently was .
THEO: Officer Duquesne ! he greeted politly .
CAL: Hey Theo ! she greeted back her hand fiddling with her sleeves .
Sitting on the nearest bench Theo put his elbow on his knees waving back at his daughter who play with the children .Sitting next to him Calleigh watch his daughter has well , the splitting image of her father
THEO : if you here for what i think you are , i wont give them to you , i told you im out of that business .Last time was a one time thing .
CAL: Just one more time ...i really need them Theo ...please ! she beg like a simple child .
THEO: If you need them so bad officer Duquesne go ask your doctor .
CAL: I cant ! she sadly looking down at the ground .
THEO: Let me guess they cut you off ?
CAL: Yes ...i wouldnt have come here if didnt have any other option ...i need them .
THEO: Im out of that business i told you i cant help you .
CAL: Theo ...dont bullshit me i know you still have friends who deal ...alright so call them for a favor .
THEO: And then what sell them to you ...a cop ...no thank you.
CAL: I wont arrest you !
Leaning back agaisnt the bench Theo took his eyes off his daughter for a second tilting his head to look at Calleigh .
THEO: I know you wont , thats not the point ...the point is ...you ... you know yourself how hard i work to get out of this life and now your asking me to go back no i wont do it .
CAL: Theo ..lok at me i wouldnt ask you if didnt have any other option .
THEO : Why on earth are you doing this ...ruining your life like this ...it's not like i havent sold to cops , lawyer , doctors even judges all sort of people but i never get it , you have everything why on earth would you ruin that .
CAL: Some ..some things are just to painfull to deal with .
THEO: and then what ...you numb the pain for a few hours and then you have to take them again until you cant stop yourself , believe me i know life hard , but each time i think im not going to make i think of her ! he said pointing to his daughter so Calleigh would get his point .
THEO: Shes my life officer Duquesne , my whole life and it's hard but she makes it worth , you need something to hold on in life otherwise you'll end up numbing the pain just like you are or a dealer just like i once was .6 years ago you've help me , gave me a hand and today by saying no to you im returning the favor .
Standing from the bench Theo looked down at Calleigh.
THEO: if you need information about anything illegal that is happenning around town and if i can help you with that i will but i wont help you destroy your life officer Duquesne , dont ever ask me to provide you with illegal drugs ever again or i'll have no choice but to contact the authorities .
she couldnt find anything to reply with didnt have the strenght to fight or argue shaking his head Theo said .
THEO: You know i remenber a time when you wouldnt take no for an answer , i hope you find peace officer Duquesne, now excuse me my daugther needs me .
Theo was right she needed to find some sort of peace much like he did in the form or his daughter , she had that before happiness it had been short but it also had been the most happy she had been in her life but much everything else in her life he was taken away from her .
Putting her laundry into the dryer her son appeared into the doorway of the laundry room , all defeated and fiddling with his hands .
JOEY: Mommmmmy ! he whined .
NAT: yes bunny ?she asked even though she already knew the answer .
JOEY: Im bored ! when is ryan getting up ? he asked for the third time in the hour .
NAT: I dont know bunny hes sleeping and how can you be so bored with all the toys you got ?
JOEY: it's more fun with Ryan ! he whined again with a long dramatic sight of a 3 year old .
NAT: im sure he will play with you when he get up ok .
JOEY: okayyyyyyyy...He whined again dragging his feet out in the hallway .
The clothes drying Natalia looked for something else to do , she kept herself busy to get Ryan declaration of love out of her head but no mather what she tried it was all she tought about .
Scrubbing the inside of her oven she wiped the sweat of her forehead her yellow rubber gloves darken with oven grease.
JOEY: mommy i think 'yan dead ? he asked standing behind his mother .
NAT: hes not dead bunny ! she said with a sight scrubbing a reluctant grease stain .
JOEY: hes not moving !
NAT: Is he breathing ?
JOEY: i dont know ! he asnwer shrugging his shoulder .
NAT : snoring ?
JOEY: yes !
NAT: then hes alive bunny ok , he jsut need to sleep a bit .
JOEY: Why?
NAT: because Ryan drank too much and now he needs to sleep .
JOEY: Ohh ! like when i drink too much grape juice and my tummy hurt .
NAT: Kind off bunny .
she scrub and scrub the greasy oven until it was praticly brand new , joey stood next to his mother leaning down to look at the inside of the oven .
JOEY: yuk yuk ! he said making a disgusted face .
Wiggling her dirty gloves at him Joey back off dashing out of the kitchen running has fast as his little legs could allowed .
With her head stuck in the oven she continue her work meanwhile Joey snuck on his tip toes pass the kitchen with his favorites hot wheels car in his hands .
Pushing the door of Ryan bedroom slowly he look back to check on his mother who was still deep into cleaning the oven .
sneaking inside Joey climb on the bed with much difficulites with his small legs Ryan snoring like there was no tomorrow .
Joey poke his face once or twice ryan grumbled but didnt wake wiggling his nose before going back to snoring .
With his hot wheels in hand Joey decide that if Ryan couldnt play with him Joey could at play next to him .
Rolling the hot wheels around Ryan , rolling it onto his back his arms and his head back and forth .
JOEY: brrrr beep beep bbrrrrrrrrrrrr
Rolling the car onto Ryan back then on his head he rolled down his face stopping on Ryan cheek and backing up making beep beep sound .
Feeling something awkward on him Ryan blink his eyes open Joey was currently rolling his car onto Ryan very throbbing head .
JOEY: ' yan !
Has soon as Joey saw Ryan was awake he jump up and down on the bed giving Ryan no choice but to hide his face into his pillow .
Shaking Ryan body over and over all Joey wanted was for his best friend to wake up .
JOEY : COOMMMMMMME ON 'YAN ...PLEASE ...
RYAN ; HUMMMM he mumbled under his pillow
Being shaken even more Ryan had no choice but to awake himself turning on his back he wince at the throbbing headache he had .
JOEY: Mommy said you drank too much !
RYAN : mmm i did ! he answer half wake rubbing his sore eyes .
JOEY: Can we play now ! he said with the excitement of a 3 year old .
RYAN : mm where your mommy ?
JOEY: shes cleaning it's boring ! he said with a very dramatic sight .
Ruffling Joey hair Ryan slid his leg down the bed yawning loudly and his head throbbing .
Weakly he made his way out of the bedroom with Joey following him impatiently waiting for ryan to play with him .
Dragging his feet through the house ryan stomach wanted to turn and his head to explose this was the worst hang over he had in years .
He found Ntalia in the kitchen head in the oven with cleaning products scattered around her.
RYAN : hey ! he said very faintly .
When she didnt hear him Ryan once again dragged his feet on the floor gently he put a hand on Natalia shoulder .
Caught by surprised Natalia jump and bang her head on top of the oven with a curse that made Joey giggle .
RYAN : hey you alright ?
Holding the top of her head she winced avoiding to look at Ryan .
NAT: huh huh! she answer pushing herself on her feet removing her yellow rubber gloves .
NAT: I hope Joey didnt wake you up .
Busying herself by washing her hands over the sink over and over she did her best not to look at him to avoid his eyes .
RYAN : nahh it's alright ..what time is it .
NAT: almost noon ! she said quickly swirling around away from Ryan has he reached for the coffee pot .
NAT: JOEY YOUR HUNGRY ?
Running in the kitchen Joey nodded furiously at his mother .
NAT: peanut butter and jelly alright ?
Sittign down on the dinner table Joey waited patiently for his mother to feed him wiggling his legs around , with his cup in hand Ryan sat on the table resting his head in his hand .
RYAN : Jesus i got the worst hang over ever !
JOEY: whats a tang over ?
RYAN : It's hang over , and your too young to know yet ! he chuckle lightly although he stop quickly when his head started to throb .
RYAN : what ever time did we came home last night ? he asked Natalia
Bussying herself by making Joey sandwhich and having too much on her mind Natalia barely heard Ryan question .
RYAN : hey nat , i ask you what time we came home .
NAT: huh...what ...?
Laughing a little Ryan look at Natalia disheveled look , hair all messy and sweaty from an morning of cleaning , old t-shirt on , old jeans to anyone else she would look like a mess but too him she was beautifull .
She then realised the way Ryan looked at the with his hungry eyes he tried to conceal them but wasnt doing a very good job at it she wonder briefly how many times he had look at her this way and didnt notice .But now she was fully aware of the glance and had no idea in hell how to react .
RYAN : you didnt answer my question !
NAT: huh what ..sorry what was your question ?
shaking her head she busy herself again by pouring Joey a glass of milk .
RYAN : i ask you what time we came home last night ...are you ok .
NAT: yeah yeha im fine and around 2 am ...here you go bunny! she said giving Joey his peanut butter and jelly sandwhich kissing the top of his head , joey dove right in .
RYAN : i must have been out of it cos i dont remenber a thing .
NAT: what ...what exactly do you remenber ?
Sighting Ryan rubbed his eyes a wave of nausea hitting him has he wach joey eating the gooey peanut butter and jelly sandwhich .
When Joey smiled at him showing him the content of his mouth Ryan gag, put a hand over his mouth and ran to the batroom almost slipping on the floor and banging the wall he barely made it to the toilet sink .
Joey made a disgusted face hearing Ryan vomit in the bathroom , pushing his plates away .
NAT: Drink your glass of milk ! she told him before heading in the bathroom to check on Ryan .
P.S : Congrats to lizzierod for getting it right :)