Chapter Four: Moving In
Erin sat across from Voight at a small dinner, delicately prodding at her food with a frown creasing her face, as she moved her tomato around the plate. Voight, sipping on his coffee, inquired, 'Are you feeling alright?' while observing her hesitation towards the meal in front of her.
'Yes, I'm fine, just not hungry,' she murmured, meeting Voight's gaze. Despite having lost her appetite, she rarely consumed anything without the approval of Luke or Charlie.
Voight, noticing her reluctance to eat, suggested, 'Why don't you have something?' He proceeded to place a piece of steak from his own plate onto hers, prompting Erin to pause and softly apologize, 'I'm sorry, Hank.' Puzzled, Voight questioned, 'Sorry for what?' peering into her hazel eyes.
Perplexed by Erin's lack of appetite, he inquired, 'Are you sure you're alright?' pondering whether she might reconsider seeking his and Al's assistance. 'Everything is fine, I'm just not feeling hungry,' Erin shrugged, managing to eat a few bites.
Voight nodded as he observed her consuming a portion of the meal. 'Are you ready to depart? Al is likely awaiting our return at the district,' he inquired, placing some bills on the table to settle the meal after Erin nodded in agreement. Unbeknownst to them, two men at nearby tables were observing their meal.
'How long do you anticipate Erin will remain with them?' Charlie inquired, glancing at Luke seated across from him. 'No more than a week or two,' Luke responded, observing Erin and Voight leaving the dining establishment.
'Once they become acquainted with Erin and realize the extent of her promiscuity, they will promptly dismiss her,' he remarked, placing money on the table to cover their expenses.
Charlie acknowledged Luke's statement and rose to follow him out of the restaurant. 'Upon Erin's return, a severe reprimand awaits her for her escape attempt,' Luke stated as they exited the restaurant. 'Let us visit Terri and Annie for some amusement,' Luke suggested.
· At The District *
Upon their return to the district, Erin and Voight conversed with Al about the situation. 'Everything is alright,' Erin assured, gesturing towards her bandaged arm, 'Just a few stitches,' she added while taking a seat in Al's chair. As Al observed them both, he mentioned, 'I have discussed with my wife the possibility of you staying with us for a while.'
Erin acknowledged Al's words as she listened to his proposal, 'I informed her that you can stay until you stabilize.' Contemplating her options, Erin expressed her willingness to contribute by finding employment and assisting with household chores while considering her discontinued education due to conflicts and Luke's opinion on its futility.
'I can work and help out around the house,' Erin suggested, playing with her fingers. Voight inquired about her schooling, remarking, 'But don't you have school?' to which Erin disclosed, 'I dropped out a few months ago,' lowering her gaze to her hands.
Al glanced at Voight and then turned his attention to Erin. 'Why don't you return to school and complete your remaining years, and then we can proceed with further arrangements,' he stated as he rested against his desk, observing Erin's reactions.
Erin replied, 'I am eager to contribute as much as I can.' Al reassured her, 'You will. I can assign you tasks, but it's important that you finish your education first. Later, I can assist you in finding a job.' Erin agreed with a simple 'Okay.'
Erin sought approval from Voight, who gave a subtle nod. 'I don't have many belongings at the moment, but once I have enough, I plan to purchase some clothes and essentials for myself,' she explained, examining her torn jeans and stained shirt. 'This is all I have for now, but I do have additional clothing back at my old place.'
Al reassured her, 'There's no need for that. My wife might have clothing that suits you. If not, I can reach out to a friend to see if her daughter can provide some assistance. She is quite similar in size to you.'
Erin nodded as she accompanied Al and Voight out of the station. She felt compelled to express gratitude towards Platt, who was seated at her desk. 'Goodbye, you guys,' Platt said as she observed their departure.
· At Al's House *
Erin was seated at the kitchen table with Voight and Al, engaging in a conversation with Al's wife, who observed Erin with a skeptical expression, causing the young teenager to fidget in her seat.
'Meredith, this is Erin Lindsay,' Al stated as he introduced Erin to his wife. Erin glanced at her hands and began picking at her nails, a habit she resorted to when feeling uneasy or unsettled. 'She'll be staying with us until she's-' Al started, but Meredith interjected.
'You told me you were inquiring about fostering a child,' Meredith expressed, as she peered into Erin's hazel eyes that met hers. 'Not a teenager who appears delinquent or under the influence of drugs,' she remarked.
Al sighed apologetically, exchanging a glance with Erin as he noticed the young teen struggling to maintain her composure, while Voight placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
'We have a two-year-old, Al; therefore, having someone like her around Emily is not advisable,' Meredith commented, glancing at her husband. 'I'm sorry, Al, but we cannot have a drug user in the house,' Al shook his head at her statement. 'Meredith, she has no one else to turn to,' he said, leaning towards his wife. 'And Emily will be fine with Erin.'
Erin, feeling uncomfortable hearing the discussion about her, looked at Voight, who was trying to remain silent. 'Where are her parents or any other family members?' Meredith inquired, looking at Erin.
'If her parents truly cared for her, do you believe she would be in this situation?' Al questioned, shaking his head. 'I am good with kids, Miss Olinsky, and I assure you that I will not harm your daughter. I am willing to make positive changes in my life,' Erin stated, capturing both Meredith and Al's attention.
Meridith gazed at Erin, her eyes softening as she listened to the teenager's words. 'I have experience with children, having helped to care for a friend's child and my baby brother before he was taken from our mother a few years ago,' Erin explained.
'Is there no one else who can support you?' Meridith inquired, her expression turning concerned as Erin shook her head. 'I haven't had much help to escape the difficult situation I find myself in now,' Erin admitted. 'All they do is offer me drugs and tell me to be quiet,' she added
As Meredith inquired further about her situation and offered her a place to stay in the garage, Voight and Al exchanged glances, contemplating the arrangement. Despite Al's concern, Meredith defended her decision, pointing out the benefits of the garage setup for Erin. Erin, in turn, expressed her acceptance of the garage accommodation with a hint of gratitude.
Al sighed as he observed Meredith standing up to check on Emily while they were sitting at the table. 'Sorry about that, Erin,' he apologized as he rose from the table to lead her to the garage.
'I didn't anticipate her reaction,' he explained. Erin simply shrugged her shoulders and accompanied Al and Voight to the garage, where, as Meredith had mentioned, they found a small room with a bed and some dressers.
'I used to retreat here when things got heated between us, but feel free to make yourself at home since you'll be staying here,' Al informed Erin. The brunette nodded and surveyed the garage, finding it better than the house she had shared with Luke and Charlie, with her hands tucked in her pockets.
'Thank you for all of this, I genuinely appreciate it,' Erin conveyed her gratitude as she observed Al retrieving something from the top shelf. 'Here are some old clothes for you to go through, and feel free to shower whenever you like.'
Erin nodded as Al placed the tote on the bed. 'Hank and I need to return to the station to finish our shift. You are welcome to stay here and relax; if you require assistance, feel free to contact me or Hank, or visit Meredith inside for help,' Al stated before leaving the garage, entrusting Erin with the key to lock up upon her departure.
Voight smiled, affectionately patting the brunette's shoulder, then followed Al to his truck. Erin observed their departure and closed the door behind them, letting out a sigh as she settled down on the bed.