Over the next few days things got worse at home. Lena hadn't told the children anything that was going on between her and Stef because she didn't want to get their hopes up until something concrete was planned. They avoided most meals at home except the ones when Stef was going to be there and to ensure that they eat Lena gave them some money everyday for pizzas or burgers.
Brandon avoided the house as much as possible. He'd stay with his dad whenever Mike wasn't working but Mike seemed to be taking on double shifts just like Stef so it wasn't very often.
The twins were the most vocal about their anger towards Lena. Though Jesus had reined it in after his talk with Stef he still made it perfectly clear that he was upset with Lena for destroying their family. He did his homework and ate his meals and put his things away like he was supposed to but he avoided Lena whenever possible and only ate cereal for breakfast and sometimes for dinner as well.
Mariana was less inclined to hide her feelings and would openly disobey Lena. She'd leave her side of the room a mess, eat chips or cookies for dinner, come home only at curfew to avoid being there unnecessarily and yell at Lena if she said anything to her.
Callie and Jude were the only ones who weren't acting out though Lena could tell that even Jude was upset with her. He rarely spoke to her and avoided her just like the rest. Though he and Callie did eat whatever she made she knew he just did it because Callie told him to. Honestly, she wondered why Callie wasn't as upset with her as the others.
It wasn't like Lena to allow this behavior from her children, especially the unhealthy eating but she understood that they were struggling and, just like Stef, also needed some time to come to terms with what had happened and what it might mean from here. So as long as they were safe she allowed them their space. Mike made sure that Brandon had a proper meal and Callie would occasionally tell her what the others ate for dinner and all the kids started having the school lunch that was offered though they had to pay for it themselves since they weren't on the regular list. But at least it was a decent meal. They also ate dinner with Stef and Lena twice that week so she knew that those meals were set.
Lena also didn't mention any of this to Stef. Apart from not wanting her to lose her temper with the kids right now she didn't want to overburden Stef. She needed time and Lena was going to give her that time. The dinners at home had gone pretty well. The kids talked to Stef and told her what was going on which gave Lena also an insight into their lives.
Stef and Lena had also met a few more times, sometimes at the house and other times at the cafe. They were talking more and Stef was beginning to understand a little of what Lena had been going through. Lena was finding it hard to explain why she felt like she couldn't confide in Stef about everything after losing the baby and exactly how her night with Kate had helped but Stef was keeping an open mind and willing to at least listen to what Lena had to say.
As a result things were also going better for Stef at work, she was more relaxed and able to focus better and finish her work faster. She wasn't spending as much time rewriting reports that she'd messed up and had more time to spend with the kids instead. She would meet them after school and take them for ice-cream or donuts and then drive them back home before heading into work.
So for Stef things were definitely looking up until she got a frantic call from Lena at ten thirty on Friday night to say that Mariana had left.
"Where are you going?" Lena asked from the couch at ten-thirty on Friday when she saw Mariana coming down the stairs in a rather short dress with a low cut neckline.
"Out." Mariana said, as though one of her siblings had asked the question.
Lena instantly got up and followed Mariana to the door holding it firmly shut. "Absolutely not." Lena said clearly, making sure Mariana understood that it wasn't a choice.
"I don't have to listen to you." Mariana yelled as she tried to pull the door open again, causing the other kids to come downstairs.
"Yes, you do." Lena replied firmly. "And I am definitely not letting you out of the house at ten thirty dressed like that."
It was the first time Lena had actually told one of her kids something directly and suddenly she was regretting letting things slide the entire week for the very next statement that came out of Mariana's mouth was not something Lena expected at all.
"Why? Are you afraid I'll start sleeping around with random people?" Mariana asked snidely.
Lena had been so shocked as tears filled her eyes as she stared at Mariana and then glanced at the other kids all standing on the steps watching. The older boys looked completely unsympathetic, Jude looked a little afraid and Callie looked sorry for Lena.
While Lena was getting over her shock Mariana quickly slipped out of the house and disappeared down the street. Lena couldn't even figure out which way she'd gone so she couldn't follow her. A few moments later she snapped out of it and turned to her other kids as she grabbed her cellphone from the coffee table.
"Where did she go?" She asked angrily, making sure the kids knew she wasn't playing around and wanted answers.
"I don't know." Callie answered truthfully.
Jesus looked down at his feet making Lena certain that he had some answers.
"Jesus." Lena said as she dialed Stef's number and hoped that she was able to pick up and not busy at work.
"Hayley said Kaitlyn was having a party tonight since her parents were out." Jesus finally answered, more because he was worried about Mariana rather than giving Lena what she wanted.
"Stef." Lena said in relief when her wife picked up the phone. "Mariana went to some party at Kaitlyn's house."
"What?" Stef asked. "When?"
"Right now." Lena answered. "She left the house and Jesus told me where she might be headed."
"What's the address?" Stef asked knowing that Lena had a school directory at home, as she began putting things away and getting ready to get her daughter.
Lena quickly gave Stef the address and Stef promised to bring her back. They hung up the phone and Lena looked at her children in complete disappointment, both at herself as well as at them.
The house wasn't too far from Stef's station so she knew she'd probably be there before Mariana if she was walking. She pulled up to the house and saw a few people moving around inside with loud music blasting through the window.
As soon as she pulled over she pulled out her phone to try calling Mariana but the phone rang until it went to voicemail. Stef then called Lena back.
"I'm outside, I'm waiting five minutes to see if she shows up and then I'm going in." Stef told Lena. "If she's walking then it'll take her that long to get here."
"I'm sorry Stef, I should have stopped her." Lena said regretfully. "She just..."But she trailed off, not wanting to admit that she'd hurt her with her comment.
"She what Lena?" Stef asked, knowing instantly that things weren't as they seemed.
"She just took me by surprise." Lena answered.
The kids had all gone back upstairs and she was sitting anxiously in the living room waiting for Stef and Mariana to come home.
"What's going on Lena?" Stef asked, wanting to know the truth.
"They've just been doing their own thing." Lena finally admitted. "They don't eat here, they are hardly home, Brandon's been staying with Mike whenever he isn't working and they basically avoid me as much as they can."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Stef asked. "They were all home last night and they said things were okay at home."
"They stay whenever you're here for dinner but otherwise they won't eat if I cook." Lena replied. "If Callie makes breakfast they eat but I don't want to put that pressure on her so I give them cash for school lunch and something for dinner. Callie's the only one who's really been helping around the house and she'll tell me where they are and when they're going to be late."
"Why on earth didn't you tell me Lena?" Stef asked.
"I didn't want to." Lena said. "I understand that they are angry with me, I'm angry with me too and you already had so much to deal with and I worry now that you're working so many extra shifts. I didn't think it would get this bad. So far they've been safe, just distant."
"Well we are talking to them tonight." Stef said firmly. "This is not going to continue. Things aren't exactly easy right now but that's not an excuse." She was upset with the kids and upset with Lena for not telling her earlier.
"She's here Lena, we'll be home soon." Stef said, hanging up as she saw Mariana walking down the sidewalk in an outfit she wouldn't even allow her to wear out of the house during the day.