Chapter 7:

Homecoming

New Haven Hospital

Kate's Room

A Few Weeks Later…

Kate's condition had improved over the next few weeks. She was given a prescription for painkillers as well as sleeping pills for her irregular bouts of insomnia. She was now ready to be discharged and her doctor gladly signed off on it.

Of course, feeling severely homesick, Kate was delighted when her doctor cleared her for release. There was a bunch to do at home, from cleaning up the mess that had been made and burying her husband. She just hoped that all traces of Esther ever having been there were gone, and left to rot in police evidence lock-up or in a landfill, she didn't care which.

As she got dressed and gathered her belongings, she exited her hospital room and was startled to see both detectives Keegan and Goodwin waiting out in the hallway for her. She stopped and glanced at the both of them.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Coleman," Keegan said to her with a polite nod, "I'm glad to see that you've recovered."

"It's good to see you again, detective," Kate said, "I was just heading home."

"We'd like to walk you out," Goodwin said.

"Alright," Kate said, and the 3 of them began to walk.

"You look well," Goodwin said as they walked.

"I look better than I feel, that's for sure," Kate said with a faint smile, "But I'm still in some pain." She then glanced over at Keegan, adding, "And don't worry, me and family have already heard the bad news by now; Esther escaped."

"Yes, she fled, unfortunately," Keegan said, "But we've got state police keeping their eyes peeled for her. Her doctor from Saarne has even offered his assistance in locating and apprehending her." He then added, "We will find her, Mrs. Coleman. She will pay for what she's done to your family."

Kate paused, and glanced over at him.

"Well, I wish you all the best in your search for her," Kate said with a hint of annoyance, "But I've got a trashed house to clean and a murdered husband to bury."

"Someone's already at your home cleaning it," Goodwin said, "At first, we thought it might've been a looter, so we almost chased him off. But he said he was your father. A-" She then checked her notepad, asking, "Jonathan Beauregard?"

Kate's eyes closed in annoyance and then nodded, adding, "Yes, he's my father. We haven't spoken in a good long while, but he's family."

"Well, he's doing a helluva job cleaning your place," Goodwin said, then asking, "Did you want us to ask him to leave? We can if you need us to."

Kate chuckled, shaking her head, and adding, "No, I'll ask him to leave."

Daniel's Room

They all made a quick pitstop at Daniel's room in the Pediatric Wing. Kate went in while both detectives waited out in the hall. When she entered, Kate saw that there were 4 other kids in the room with him, all schoolmates of Daniel's. There was a pretty redheaded girl who Daniel introduced as Amy, a pretty, older aboriginal girl named Taylor, an older athletic looking kid named Oliver and a younger nerdy but pretty girl named Penny. All greeted Kate warmly upon Daniel introducing them to her, which Kate greatly appreciated.

"I'll try and come and see you every day, Daniel," Kate said, kissing him atop his head and hugging him, "But I might get busy with trying to get home in order again."

"Only come if you have the time, Mom," Daniel said, hugging her back, "I don't want to be an unnecessary burden to you."

"You're not a burden, you're my son," Kate said with a laugh, "And I'll make the time for you."

"Okay," Daniel said with a weak chuckle.

Kate then glanced over at Daniel's new friends who sat close by. She smiled at each of them.

"I'm glad he has you guys," Kate said, smiling warmly, "Keep him out of trouble, okay?"

"You bet, Mrs. Coleman!" Amy said with a wink, "We'll promise not to spoil him rotten either!" Kate smiled at her.

"Nah, that part's okay," Kate said, with everyone present laughing in unison. She then glanced at Daniel, and added, "We'll have home looking brand new for you when you return."

Daniel nodded, knowing that she meant that there'd be no sign of Esther ever having been there.

They then both hugged and said their farewells. Kate then left with the 2 detectives. As they walked, Goodwin spoke up to break the uncomfortable silence.

"I know it's none of my business what went on between you and your father," she said to Kate, "But maybe having him around would help your family feel safer." Kate scoffed.

"Are you a mother, detective?" Kate asked while they walked. They ended up at the elevators and she pressed the call button, before turning to Goodwin.

"Yes, I am," Goodwin said proudly, "I have a baby daughter. Natalie, and she's my pride and joy." She then swallowed hard, suddenly feeling uncomfortable under Kate's microscope.

"So, you're new to motherhood, then?" Kate asked, giving her a sharp glance, "But you're still a mother nonetheless. And you'd still do anything and everything in your power as a mother to protect your young daughter from the monsters of the world, right?"

"O-of course, Mrs. Coleman," Goodwin stammered.

"Now let's say you have father who you haven't spoken to in years," Kate said, looking her over, "He's negligent, doesn't ever call you or his grandkids to wish them Happy Birthday or God forbid, Merry Christmas. Would you want someone who doesn't even care enough about you to suddenly reappear out of nowhere and try to be a family once again? A man who didn't even go to his own wife's funeral when she passed for God's sake?"

The elevator door opened and she stepped inside, but both detectives remained outside of it. Kate turned to Goodwin and raised her eyebrows, as if to say, 'Well?'

"Well, he's here, isn't he?" Goodwin said back with confidence, "You're his daughter and he's trying to help you. I think that tells you all you need to know, Mrs. Coleman."

Kate shook her head as the elevator doors slowly shut between them. Keegan glanced over at Goodwin, who closed her eyes in shame.

"I'm sorry, Tim," Goodwin said to him, "She made it personal and I took the bait."

"Don't worry about it," Keegan said, squeezing her shoulder, "An hour or 2 from now, you're both going to feel really silly about that whole exchange. Everyone's just worked up and pissed off right now. It'll pass."

Goodwin smiled, adding, "Thank you, Timbo. God, sometimes I wish I married you, instead of Ted. Just don't tell him I said that."

The both of them then shared a laugh as they then waited for the next elevator.

Kate stood with her back pressed against the elevator wall as it descended, holding her head in her hands. She began shaking her head, disgusted at herself.

"Real mature, Kate," Kate said to herself, as her hands lowered, "These people are trying to help you, and you attack them…" She sighed and added, "I'll apologize to her later. Right now, I just want to get home and be able to sleep in my own bed."

A while later, Kate was driving back home as Percy Sledge's 'The Dark End of The Street' played quietly within her car's interior. Her lips moved along with the lyrics as she drove, her eyes darting around the snow-covered landscape.

'At the dark end… of the street… that's where we always meet… hiding in shadow where don't belong… living in darkness to hide our wrong… you and me… at the dark end of the street… you and me…'

She was meeting Barbara and Max at her home, as Barbara agreed to look after little Max at her place, while Kate and Daniel were at the hospital. Daniel had to stay in the hospital for a few more weeks given his multiple fractures, but he was going to be alright according to the doctor. Plus, he had that girl Amy and her friends to keep him company. Kate knew that Amy liked Daniel, and was proud that girls were attracted to her son. Maybe she'd be a better friend to Daniel and a better influence on him than those 2 bad eggs he called his friends.

As she sat parked at a red light, she glanced out at a young couple waiting at the bus stop. They were a lovely couple, probably in their mid 20's. The guy was well dressed and clean cut, while his girlfriend looked like a model from a winter catalogue. The guy held his girlfriend around her waist, holding her against him as they chatted and leaned close together. And then they kissed and chuckled to themselves.

Kate sighed as she watched them. Young and in love. Her and John had been there once but that felt like a lifetime ago. He was gone now, and she wasn't sure if anyone else could ever take his place. He wasn't perfect, he hadn't always listened to what she'd said, he'd even cheated once, but he was still the father of her children and she still loved him very much.

She saw the light turn green from her peripherals and she began to continue on with her ride home. She sighed as she glanced her wedding ring, something that she wouldn't take off for the foreseeable future. In her eyes, they were still married.

"Oh John, what are we going to do without you?" Kate asked as she stared put through the windshield, "I don't know if we can even go on without you. But I'll do what I can. For Daniel and for Max."

The Coleman Residence

As she pulled up in that old familiar driveway, Kate felt both a mixture of sadness and relief as she finally arrived home. It had felt like forever since she last saw this place, and an eternity that she'd been in that bloody hospital.

As she parked, she saw that the living room wall that she had crashed though those few weeks ago with her SUV had now been hastily boarded up and insulated to keep the home's interior warm. At least there wasn't a big gaping hole there anymore.

She also saw a large, navy blue 4-door truck sitting in the drive way, with repair equipment sitting in the truck's bed. Upon seeing the truck, Kate sighed and closed her eyes for a few moments, telling herself to just breathe and try to be civil to her father, especially with Max around. The last thing she wanted was for Max to be even more uncomfortable in her own home, given everything that they'd been through in the last month.

Kate then opened her eyes and saw the front door slowly open. She smiled as she saw Max wave at her and come hurrying over to the car. Kate climbed out and scooped her daughter up, hugging her tightly. Max returned the warm gesture, wrapping her arms around Kate's neck and kissing her cheek.

"Heyyy, you!" Kate said, kissing the side of Max's head and hugging her tightly. She then carried her daughter and belongings inside, both giggling.

Jonathan Beauregard sat at the dinner table, as he poured through a notebook on everything he still needed for repairs. He was an older man in his mid 50's, balding with brown, graying hair and some light gray beard stubble. He wore a dark blue button-down shirt and brown cargo pants with steel-toed work boots. He glanced up as Kate entered the dining room, and set her things down. Jonathan smiled pleasantly up at her and nodded.

"Hey Kit-Kat," he said in a warm grandfatherly voice, "It's been a while!"

"Hey dad," Kate said plainly, trying to keep her voice as neutral as possible, "Yes, it has."

"I heard you were coming back today, and I was trying to have this place all fixed up for you for when you returned," Jonathan said, and gesturing to the table, "I got some coffee and donuts if you're hungry. Barbara and Max had some, but there's plenty left here."

"In a bit," Kate said, looking around her place, adding, "Place looks good."

"Yeah, I did what I could with what little I had," Jonathan said, glancing around as well, "But there's still a little work left to do." He then got up, coming over to Kate. "You look well, sweetie," he continued, "I'm glad that you're all okay."

He then gave her a hug, which made Kate tense up, but she allowed it as Max had come wandering in and grabbed another donut. She smiled up at Kate and signed to her.

'Didn't grandpa do a great job, Mommy?'

Kate smiled and nodded to Max, while half-heartedly hugging her father back. They then parted and he then back to his seat.

"Sorry to hear about John, too," Jonathan said as sat down, "He was a good guy, very hard-working. I really liked him."

"Thanks," Kate said. She then looked down at her bags and scooped them up. "I better put these away before I forget. I'll be right back."

Jonathan nodded and lowered his eyes as she wandered off to do so. He knew that Kate had every right to be mad at him for never reaching out to her, but he very much wanted to earn back her love and trust in him. They had been so close when she was younger. Heck, she had even told him time and time again that he was her hero. It ached remembering how much had changed since his little princess had grown up and started a family of her own.

Max saw the look of sadness on her grandfather's face, so she got up, came over and hugged him tightly. Jonathan smiled and hugged her back, happy to have his grand-daughter be so loving and willing to embrace this stranger that had re-entered their lives so unexpectedly. But she had seen old photos of him when he was younger, so she knew who he was.

Upstairs, Kate passed through the hall to her bedroom and peeked into each room that she passed. Daniel's room was just as he left it; messy. Kate smiled and shook her head. She then peeked into Max's room, which was tidy for the most part, except for her play area where a few stuff animals laid scattered about.

"Oh Max, you're too cute!" Kate said, then heading further down the hall.

She stopped at Esther's old room, hesitated before peeking in, but eventually worked up the courage to do so. It smelled of drying paint and was stripped bare of Esther's belongings. Paint rollers lay in their trays, and the walls had been coated, covering up the hellish blacklight murals that Esther had done in secret. Not a single crumb of Esther ever having lived there had remained and Kate silently thanked God that this was the case.

A while later, Kate made her way back down. Barbara had returned from whatever errand she'd run and was talking with Jonathan in the living room as Max sat close by, watching an episode of Hannah Montana. As Kate entered the living room, she smelt something good as she sat down by John's mom and her father.

"Something smells really good, you guys," Kate said with a smile.

"Oh, I got some KFC for dinner," Barbara said, "Everyone else was closed due to the bad weather. It's getting much colder out there and that snow hasn't stopped falling all week."

Kate glanced out the living room window and nodded.

"I hope that the power stays on, or we're going to really freeze," Kate said, turning to them both, "Thanks for grabbing that chicken Barb. I owe ya."

"Oh, don't worry about it, hon," Barbara said with a gentle wave of the hand, "Just get full and enjoy it." Kate smiled before glancing at her father.

"You going to stay for dinner, dad?" Kate asked, cocking an eyebrow. He looked surprised at the question and took a few moments to answer.

"If you're inviting me to stay for dinner, then I'd love to," Jonathan said with a pleased smile. Kate nodded, smiled, and then motioned them all to follow her into the dining room.