Completely not paying any attachen to her work now Katie leans back in her chair chewing on the end of her pen. She tried to fish for more emotions, to try to feel more but it simply would not come. She thought she felt something but what it was she had no notions of what it was. As her phone goes off again Katie looks at the message again letting out a small sigh before replying.
Yeah, I feel bad for your mom too :( I...I think I am ok.
I am gonna have to call my Aunt later and see how
everyone else is. Mick's probley taking it hard too.
Sitting there a little longer after hitting send Katie felt bad. She felt like there was more emotion she should be feeling but she just wasn't. Getting up from her desk Katie makes her way across the floor and to the infirmary. Entering she spots and see Rick standing at one of the counters. Going over to him her voice is quiet hoping she wasn't bothering him to much.
"Rick...I think there is something wrong with me. I...I can't feel anything."
Stacy gives a nod to Mick as she goes to the kitchen and sits down at the table. She didn't mind how long he slept as long as he got some sleep. Sitting at the kitchen table she could keep an eye on the room Dylan was in and be comfortable at the same time.
Entering Mom and Pop's Trey glances around. It wasn't busy like Pete had said so it should be a nice night. Walking over to the counter and leaning over it a little bit to Dani he gives a smile.
"Hey do you think you could find a way to play some music. We have a part coming in and a little music would make it fun."
Stopping to think about what he said Trey shakes her head for a second resaying what he wanted.
"Well...its a three person party so nothing major."
3/21/12
Worried
Jason reads Katie's message. Was he okay? How could he even answer that? No, he wasn't okay. But it wasn't a "not okay" that he was used to. It was different. He was less okay with his emotional state, or lack thereof, than what he felt about his stepfather possibly being dead.
He stops for a moment, thinking about Wes. He'd tried so hard. He'd tried to be as much a father he could, even when Jason hadn't warmed up to him. But Jason had always seen how Wes had treated his mother - it was more than any other man had done. And now Jason had a little sister, too. No, he had no malice against Wes at all. There was definite... sorrow. Was that what this was? Sorrow? That faint feeling back in the nooks and crannies that could barely be felt? Since he didn't feel happy, did that mean he was sad?
Jason shakes his head. He was just going around in circles now.
Hitting the reply button, he pauses yet again. What did Katie think? Did she feel anything either? Although technically she was no relation to Wes at all, other than him being her aunt's brother-in-law, Jason knew Katie still considered him her uncle - all of the Henson's were like her aunts and uncles and they all considered her their niece too. Wes was no exception. Was Katie bothered by this news? Jason simply didn't know. There was no blip in his emotions. There was no hiccup in the flow to tell him something was wrong. There was no flow at all.
He sighs.
Yeah I think I'm ok.
Worried about Mom.
U?
Mick thinks for a moment, wiping his nose again. Exhaustion wasn't even close to how he felt. Would Dylan be okay for a little while? He did trust Stacy.
Finally, he nods. "Okay. I guess I could use a little sleep. Let me go clean up then get him cleaned up too and I'll let you take over."
It takes him a bit longer than anticipated to get his nose to stop bleeding, but once it does, he heads back to the bedroom. By now, Dylan appeared to be back down in a low state of fever mixed with depression mixed with exhaustion. It was just as well - Mick figured it would be a while until he exploded again, if he did at all.
Managing to get a clean shirt on Dylan and pulling the blankets over him again, Mick exits once more into the hall. "He seems to be quieted down again." He rubs a hand over his face, feeling as though he could collapse right there. "His fever has been going up and down and he gets chilled pretty bad, but I think his outburst has passed." He shakes his head. "All night it's been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. One minute he's determined to beat this, the next he's depressed and would rather die, and the next he's desperate just for more drugs and doesn't care how he gets them."
Stacy didn't need all of that information. But maybe Mick just needed to vent a little. He manages a small smile. "Thanks for your help. I'll be in the master bedroom if you need me. I'll try not to sleep too long."
In bed, Dylan shivers uncontrollably. He was hot. He was cold. He was nauseous. He was thirsty. He was angry. He was subdued. He craved the drugs. He was determined to get through this. It didn't matter what he felt one second - the next he felt the opposite. Had he just been outside? He wasn't even sure. Where was he? He wasn't sure of that either.
Burrowing farther under the blankets, he tries to shut everything out. It didn't work though. When he closed his eyes, all that was waiting were more nightmares.
He stops for a moment, thinking about Wes. He'd tried so hard. He'd tried to be as much a father he could, even when Jason hadn't warmed up to him. But Jason had always seen how Wes had treated his mother - it was more than any other man had done. And now Jason had a little sister, too. No, he had no malice against Wes at all. There was definite... sorrow. Was that what this was? Sorrow? That faint feeling back in the nooks and crannies that could barely be felt? Since he didn't feel happy, did that mean he was sad?
Jason shakes his head. He was just going around in circles now.
Hitting the reply button, he pauses yet again. What did Katie think? Did she feel anything either? Although technically she was no relation to Wes at all, other than him being her aunt's brother-in-law, Jason knew Katie still considered him her uncle - all of the Henson's were like her aunts and uncles and they all considered her their niece too. Wes was no exception. Was Katie bothered by this news? Jason simply didn't know. There was no blip in his emotions. There was no hiccup in the flow to tell him something was wrong. There was no flow at all.
He sighs.
Yeah I think I'm ok.
Worried about Mom.
U?
Mick thinks for a moment, wiping his nose again. Exhaustion wasn't even close to how he felt. Would Dylan be okay for a little while? He did trust Stacy.
Finally, he nods. "Okay. I guess I could use a little sleep. Let me go clean up then get him cleaned up too and I'll let you take over."
It takes him a bit longer than anticipated to get his nose to stop bleeding, but once it does, he heads back to the bedroom. By now, Dylan appeared to be back down in a low state of fever mixed with depression mixed with exhaustion. It was just as well - Mick figured it would be a while until he exploded again, if he did at all.
Managing to get a clean shirt on Dylan and pulling the blankets over him again, Mick exits once more into the hall. "He seems to be quieted down again." He rubs a hand over his face, feeling as though he could collapse right there. "His fever has been going up and down and he gets chilled pretty bad, but I think his outburst has passed." He shakes his head. "All night it's been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. One minute he's determined to beat this, the next he's depressed and would rather die, and the next he's desperate just for more drugs and doesn't care how he gets them."
Stacy didn't need all of that information. But maybe Mick just needed to vent a little. He manages a small smile. "Thanks for your help. I'll be in the master bedroom if you need me. I'll try not to sleep too long."
In bed, Dylan shivers uncontrollably. He was hot. He was cold. He was nauseous. He was thirsty. He was angry. He was subdued. He craved the drugs. He was determined to get through this. It didn't matter what he felt one second - the next he felt the opposite. Had he just been outside? He wasn't even sure. Where was he? He wasn't sure of that either.
Burrowing farther under the blankets, he tries to shut everything out. It didn't work though. When he closed his eyes, all that was waiting were more nightmares.
Lack of
Continuing to help Mick bring Dylan back to the bunk Stacy could feel her own heart break. It was always hard having a case with a child involved now it just seemed even worse being so close to who it was. She felt so bad for Mick and new he was doing what he could.
Taking a quick scan of the area there were people wondering what was going on but who she was looking was not there. Stacy breath a sigh of releaf knowing Ashlee had not see any of this. It was not something she would want not to mention it might have scared her. Dylan was her friend too and she just didn't know how she would react.
"Easy does it Dylan, no one is trying to hurt you."
Stacy's voice was softer than her normal gruff demeanor proving that maybe she'd delt with this before. Looking to Mick she gives a nod showing she was ready to continue to the house.
Getting inside proves to be a challenge but once it is finished and Dylan was in the room with Mick Stacy stayed out in the hall and leaned against the wall till Mick emerged. Letting his catch his own breath Stacy studied his face for a long moment. She could see how tired Mick was and in this state he would be no use to anyone.
"Yeah I can watch him. You clean up, and...why don't you get some sleep too. I can see on you face how little you have actually gotten. Your not gonna be any use to anyone unless your rested. I can't watch him its not a problem. Thats what I am here for anyways."
Stacy gives a smile to Mick proving she really didn't mind at all. If she could help by watching Dylan for a little bit than she wanted to be able to do that. Right now she didn't have anything else going on anyways.
Sitting at her desk Katie's mind wonders to anything but her work. She wondered what Jason was doing, and felt the emptiness of not knowing was almost tourer. Hearing the beep of her phone Katie reads the message slowly. Wes was MIA? Her Uncle was...lost.
Something welled inside Katie's chest was it sadness? It felt so bleak though so...unimportant. this was her Uncle, Jason's step father shouldn't she be crying or at least feel worse than she did? The lack of emotion confused her and she didn't like it.
Hitting the reply button Katie wasn't sure what to say and only one thing came to mind.
"Are...you ok?"
Taking a quick scan of the area there were people wondering what was going on but who she was looking was not there. Stacy breath a sigh of releaf knowing Ashlee had not see any of this. It was not something she would want not to mention it might have scared her. Dylan was her friend too and she just didn't know how she would react.
"Easy does it Dylan, no one is trying to hurt you."
Stacy's voice was softer than her normal gruff demeanor proving that maybe she'd delt with this before. Looking to Mick she gives a nod showing she was ready to continue to the house.
Getting inside proves to be a challenge but once it is finished and Dylan was in the room with Mick Stacy stayed out in the hall and leaned against the wall till Mick emerged. Letting his catch his own breath Stacy studied his face for a long moment. She could see how tired Mick was and in this state he would be no use to anyone.
"Yeah I can watch him. You clean up, and...why don't you get some sleep too. I can see on you face how little you have actually gotten. Your not gonna be any use to anyone unless your rested. I can't watch him its not a problem. Thats what I am here for anyways."
Stacy gives a smile to Mick proving she really didn't mind at all. If she could help by watching Dylan for a little bit than she wanted to be able to do that. Right now she didn't have anything else going on anyways.
Sitting at her desk Katie's mind wonders to anything but her work. She wondered what Jason was doing, and felt the emptiness of not knowing was almost tourer. Hearing the beep of her phone Katie reads the message slowly. Wes was MIA? Her Uncle was...lost.
Something welled inside Katie's chest was it sadness? It felt so bleak though so...unimportant. this was her Uncle, Jason's step father shouldn't she be crying or at least feel worse than she did? The lack of emotion confused her and she didn't like it.
Hitting the reply button Katie wasn't sure what to say and only one thing came to mind.
"Are...you ok?"
Thankful
Finally succeeding in ripping free of Mick's grasp, Dylan resumes his course to Angel's office, but he only makes it several steps before he's caught again. As his arm is cranked behind his back, he howls in protest. Locked in Stacy's grip, he tries to break free, but all it does is serve to cause more pain in his arm. "No! Let me go!" he shouts.
Though he fought with all he had, by now, his energy was almost spent. His thrashing slows, his breathing growing more rapid and shallow. Tears stream down his face as he fights against Stacy and against the invisible force that felt as though it were ripping him up inside.
Mick slowly picks himself up off the ground, thankful that Stacy had been nearby. Wiping his bloody nose on his sleeve, he opts to ignore that for now, along with the pain in his shoulder. Trudging forward, he doesn't waste time talking to Stacy yet - they needed to get Dylan back to the house.
By now, Dylan's tugging and pulling had lessened immensely, although his anger had not. "I hate you!" he screams, not caring if he was talking to his father, Stacy, or both.
Mick feels as though he's been stabbed through the heart... again... but doesn't react. "Come on, Dylan," he prompts quietly. "Let's go."
Taking the other side, he nods to Stacy, letting her keep Dylan in her grip and using her help to aim him back to the house and half drag him up the porch. Once inside the house, Mick is glad for Stacy's assistance in getting his son down the hallway and back into the spare room. Forcing Dylan onto the bed, Mick pins him down, looking him square in the eye. "You will stay here," he commands firmly.
"No!" Dylan struggles but his efforts are week. "Get off of me!"
"I will... but only if you settle down."
Dylan glares at him, still out of breath as sweat drenches his shirt. "Why do you hate me?" Though angry, his voice cracks in almost a whimper.
"I don't hate you." Mick keeps his voice steady and calm. "I love you very very much. That's why I'm doing this."
Finally, finally, Dylan begins to relax.
"Can I let you go now?" Mick asks.
Dylan nods numbly.
Taking the risk, Mick loosens his grip and straightens, backing away from the bed. Stepping out into the hall, he shuts the door for a moment, leaning back against it and closing his eyes for several seconds to regroup. Eventually looking to Stacy, he nods. "Thank you. He went crazy and when I tried to stop him, it was like I was trying to hold back the Hulk."
He wipes his nose again, finding it was still bleeding, and he rolls his eyes. "I better take care of this. Would you mind just making sure he doesn't leave the room for a minute while I clean myself up?"
Jason hangs up the phone in his living room, a strange feeling settling over him. It was... numb. He should be more upset. Maybe he was. Is this what it felt like? He couldn't tell. It bothered him that it didn't feel worse. Why wasn't he upset? Why didn't he...feel?
Swallowing hard, he picks up his cell phone this time and flips it open to text Katie a message.
Mom just called. Bad news.
Wes is MIA. No details yet.
Pray for her.
Though he fought with all he had, by now, his energy was almost spent. His thrashing slows, his breathing growing more rapid and shallow. Tears stream down his face as he fights against Stacy and against the invisible force that felt as though it were ripping him up inside.
Mick slowly picks himself up off the ground, thankful that Stacy had been nearby. Wiping his bloody nose on his sleeve, he opts to ignore that for now, along with the pain in his shoulder. Trudging forward, he doesn't waste time talking to Stacy yet - they needed to get Dylan back to the house.
By now, Dylan's tugging and pulling had lessened immensely, although his anger had not. "I hate you!" he screams, not caring if he was talking to his father, Stacy, or both.
Mick feels as though he's been stabbed through the heart... again... but doesn't react. "Come on, Dylan," he prompts quietly. "Let's go."
Taking the other side, he nods to Stacy, letting her keep Dylan in her grip and using her help to aim him back to the house and half drag him up the porch. Once inside the house, Mick is glad for Stacy's assistance in getting his son down the hallway and back into the spare room. Forcing Dylan onto the bed, Mick pins him down, looking him square in the eye. "You will stay here," he commands firmly.
"No!" Dylan struggles but his efforts are week. "Get off of me!"
"I will... but only if you settle down."
Dylan glares at him, still out of breath as sweat drenches his shirt. "Why do you hate me?" Though angry, his voice cracks in almost a whimper.
"I don't hate you." Mick keeps his voice steady and calm. "I love you very very much. That's why I'm doing this."
Finally, finally, Dylan begins to relax.
"Can I let you go now?" Mick asks.
Dylan nods numbly.
Taking the risk, Mick loosens his grip and straightens, backing away from the bed. Stepping out into the hall, he shuts the door for a moment, leaning back against it and closing his eyes for several seconds to regroup. Eventually looking to Stacy, he nods. "Thank you. He went crazy and when I tried to stop him, it was like I was trying to hold back the Hulk."
He wipes his nose again, finding it was still bleeding, and he rolls his eyes. "I better take care of this. Would you mind just making sure he doesn't leave the room for a minute while I clean myself up?"
Jason hangs up the phone in his living room, a strange feeling settling over him. It was... numb. He should be more upset. Maybe he was. Is this what it felt like? He couldn't tell. It bothered him that it didn't feel worse. Why wasn't he upset? Why didn't he...feel?
Swallowing hard, he picks up his cell phone this time and flips it open to text Katie a message.
Mom just called. Bad news.
Wes is MIA. No details yet.
Pray for her.
Stop
Trey gives a small smirk at Ariel's comment about socializing. He was pretty horrible at it, but in time that would become easier too...right? Putting his hands into his pockets he gives a little sheepish grin before looking to Pete.
"Maybe if he's not to busy we can get special treatment too."
Giving a wink Trey turns to head out but stops heading Ariel wanted to ride alone. Cocking his head a little bit he wondered if it was anything. Giving a small smile he nods, he wouldn't make a big deal out of it. She was meeting them there that was good enough.
"Sounds good to me....That just gives Pete and I some time to see what kinda trouble we can stir up."
Turning again to head out once more another crack formed on the wall around his heart..forgiveness. Tonight was turning out pretty good all in all. Better than Trey had expected.
Not to far away Stacy was making one of her mid afternoon rounds. Even though she was sticking around for Dylan she had to still take care of her normal stuff too. Hearing the commotion over in the yard though Stacy stops for a second and listens. Heading that was she walks quickly to see what was going on.
Just getting to the yard Stacy see Dylan break free of Mick's hold and her walks becomes a sprint. Getting to Dylan Stacy grabs him by arm and pulls it around to his back but not hard enough to hurt him only to keep him from running. Taking his other hard in her hand Stacy hold it firmly. It was hard with Dylan's power of adrenalin behind him but she tried to stand from taking a few steps back here and there.
"Dylan you need to calm down. This will be a lot easier on you if you do."
Still trying to hold Dylan Stacy looks over to Mick. She hopped he was ok. Normaly she would of checked on that first but her first instincet here was to get Dylan before he hurt himself. Now it was just trying to get Dylan back to the house before many people saw him that she was worried about. He didn't need that much attachen on him.
"Maybe if he's not to busy we can get special treatment too."
Giving a wink Trey turns to head out but stops heading Ariel wanted to ride alone. Cocking his head a little bit he wondered if it was anything. Giving a small smile he nods, he wouldn't make a big deal out of it. She was meeting them there that was good enough.
"Sounds good to me....That just gives Pete and I some time to see what kinda trouble we can stir up."
Turning again to head out once more another crack formed on the wall around his heart..forgiveness. Tonight was turning out pretty good all in all. Better than Trey had expected.
Not to far away Stacy was making one of her mid afternoon rounds. Even though she was sticking around for Dylan she had to still take care of her normal stuff too. Hearing the commotion over in the yard though Stacy stops for a second and listens. Heading that was she walks quickly to see what was going on.
Just getting to the yard Stacy see Dylan break free of Mick's hold and her walks becomes a sprint. Getting to Dylan Stacy grabs him by arm and pulls it around to his back but not hard enough to hurt him only to keep him from running. Taking his other hard in her hand Stacy hold it firmly. It was hard with Dylan's power of adrenalin behind him but she tried to stand from taking a few steps back here and there.
"Dylan you need to calm down. This will be a lot easier on you if you do."
Still trying to hold Dylan Stacy looks over to Mick. She hopped he was ok. Normaly she would of checked on that first but her first instincet here was to get Dylan before he hurt himself. Now it was just trying to get Dylan back to the house before many people saw him that she was worried about. He didn't need that much attachen on him.
3/20/12
Help
"I hope this is the last time, too." Eric really meant it. Dylan wasn't his child and he wasn't very close to him either. But it pained him to see him hurt himself, and to see Mick and Jade go through all of this too. He hoped that Dylan, when better, would realize how much everyone here gave of themselves for him.
Returning to brush Static, Eric smiles at Ashlee's idea of a card. He didn't know if Dylan would truly appreciate such a gesture or not. But what mattered was Ashlee's big heart. "I think... that's a great idea."
Finishing up Static with Ashlee's help, Eric eventually puts him away then gives Ashlee another task to do before supper. No matter what was going on with Dylan, the rest of the ranch had to keep going...
The night was long. By evening, Dylan's symptoms had worsened, leaving him with a high fever and half the night in the bathroom. Mick does all he can, sticking close and making sure he got up when he needed to or back down in bed. Changing sheets twice from Dylan's sweat alone, he tries to get his son to drink plenty of water but it wasn't easy. By midnight, Mick tells Stacy she doesn't have to stay and she could come stick close in the morning if she wanted.
Dylan wanted to eat or drink nothing and didn't want anyone to touch him. But he was too weak to fend off Mick, forcing him to give in. Vivid nightmares plagued his mind through the night, awaking him with screams and cries for help just to end the torture. He begged Mick for relief... begged him for just one more dose, even though it was an impossible request. Finally by mid morning the next day, he seemed to be resting a little more peacefully, giving Mick a short reprieve...
Mick leans on the kitchen counter and takes a deep breath. He just needed to get Dylan through this. After a few days, the worst would be over and they could work towards change. But right now, he just needed to find the strength to help his son through this critical point. He'd had no sleep last night, and his tired eyes proved it. He knew Rosetta probably hadn't slept much either, but he'd insisted she at least stay in bed and try to sleep unless he needed her help. So far, he'd been able to handle everything on his own, though it was difficult at times.
Now it seemed Dylan was resting at least, giving Mick a short break to get some coffee. He assumed the rest of the ranch was moving forward - he hadn't been outside since yesterday. He'd seen Rosetta briefly earlier and knew she'd gone to the office to do some filing. And Stacy? She was probably nearby somewhere. Everyone else? He hadn't a clue. But he also knew it was okay - he needed to be here and he trusted that everyone else understood that.
Pouring himself some coffee, he sighs deeply, letting the warm liquid slide down his throat. This should keep him awake for a bit longer.
In the spare bedroom, Dylan pries open his eyes and squints at the half-open door. His body trembled and his stomach was in knots. His head was going to split open, he was sure. And the determination from the morning before... was all but gone. Right now, only one thing mattered, and no one was giving it to him. He needed to get some. Somehow. Or anything. Maybe he could find something in Angel's office that would at least get him close to where he wanted to be. She had powerful stuff, right? He'd seen all sorts of meds in there before.
It was his desperate craving and fever that drove him. Rational thoughts didn't exist. No matter the stupidity of his notion, in his state, it was the only thing that mattered or made sense.
Almost falling out of bed, he gropes for his jeans. The room spun and he manages to pull himself up and aim for the door. Later, he wouldn't even remember leaving the room. But right now, he had one destination and he dragged himself forward.
Hearing the front door open and close, Mick whirls around just in time to see Dylan leaving the house. "Dylan!" Mick hadn't even heard him get up. What on earth was he doing? Mick had thought he'd been asleep, and now felt stupid for being caught off guard. "Dylan!" He sprints for the door and heads outside.
Dylan staggers in the direction of Angel's office. He wanted anything. He needed it. Something to take away the pain. Something to give him that blissful feeling that everything in the world was just fine. He could find it. He didn't care what it was. He didn't care if it was a lethal combination of over-the-counter drugs. Just once. He had to have it.
"Dylan, stop!" Mick knew his son was desperate and probably didn't even know what he was doing, but this was no time to give in. Getting around in front of Dylan, he puts his hands on his shoulders to stop him. "Get back to the house," he orders gently but firmly.
"No!" Dylan shrugs off his hands and continues forward. His pulse was racing, his breathing shallow. Feverish and driven half-mad, he wasn't thinking clearly at all. Nothing here would give him the relief he was hunting for, but it didn't matter. He would try anyway.
Mick stops him again with a firmer grip. "Yes! Turn around and go back to the house. Come on. I'll go with you."
"You can't make me!" Dylan glares at him and tries to shoulder past, but Mick stood his ground. Instantly riled, Dylan takes a swing at him but misses and before he realizes it, he's put in a bear hug from behind, locking both his arms. Now caught and restrained, his lethargic state is overpowered by a sudden surge of adrenaline. "Let me go!" he screams. Thrashing wildly, he stumbles forward with Mick but isn't able to break loose.
"I won't let you go," Mick retorts. "You're coming back to the house. Now."
"No!" Dylan tries ripping himself loose and when that doesn't work, he throws his head back, smacking Mick squarely in the face.
Pain surges through Mick's nose and he can feel blood start to trickle down. Sheer willpower keeps his hands together with arms locked around his son. "Cut it out!" he barks. "Calm down!"
"Let me go! Just let me go!" Seeing he was aimed toward the house again only serves to double Dylan's efforts of trying to break free.
Mick's muscles ached and he was gasping for breath. Though Dylan was stronger, his adrenaline-induced power was enormous and Mick didn't know how much longer he could hold him. "Just... stop.... stop fighting...." His hat is knocked off and he tries to keep his balance as his son whips back and forth.
"I won't stay!" Dylan screams. A mix of sweat and tears runs down his face, his muscles straining to break free. "You can't stop me!" He lunges forward with all his might. But breaking free isn't what happens. Instead, as he heads for the ground, he takes Mick right along with him.
Hitting the ground hard, shoulder-first, Mick winces but refuses to unlock his arms from around his son. He gasps for breath as the wind is knocked out of him and fights blindly against Dylan's thrashing body. On his back with Dylan on top of him, he's helpless to do anything but keep him in his grasp, taking elbows to the ribs and kicks to his legs. His grip loosens. "I need a little help here!" he calls out. He had no idea who was even within earshot, but surely someone had heard Dylan screaming and would be close by. He knew Dylan couldn't go anywhere, let alone far in his shape. He was only afraid of him hurting himself, or others, when he was like this. "I can't hold him!" Mick calls louder and with a little more desperation.
Pete grins and nods. "Yeah... these indoor parties never did much for me." He looks around the room too. "At least at the beach I can go for a walk or sit by a bonfire. And it's cheaper."
Ariel rolls her eyes. "You two don't know the meaning of socializing. But if you're both going to go to Mom and Pop's, I'll go with. I think tonight's the weeknight they're open late."
"Mm-hmm." Pete nods again. "Carson shouldn't mind too much"
Ariel gives Trey a sidelong glance before looking back to Pete. "I'll um... I'll meet you guys there, okay?"
Pete got the hint that she'd rather drive alone. "Sure thing. Come on, Trey, let's go see what we can stir up."
Returning to brush Static, Eric smiles at Ashlee's idea of a card. He didn't know if Dylan would truly appreciate such a gesture or not. But what mattered was Ashlee's big heart. "I think... that's a great idea."
Finishing up Static with Ashlee's help, Eric eventually puts him away then gives Ashlee another task to do before supper. No matter what was going on with Dylan, the rest of the ranch had to keep going...
The night was long. By evening, Dylan's symptoms had worsened, leaving him with a high fever and half the night in the bathroom. Mick does all he can, sticking close and making sure he got up when he needed to or back down in bed. Changing sheets twice from Dylan's sweat alone, he tries to get his son to drink plenty of water but it wasn't easy. By midnight, Mick tells Stacy she doesn't have to stay and she could come stick close in the morning if she wanted.
Dylan wanted to eat or drink nothing and didn't want anyone to touch him. But he was too weak to fend off Mick, forcing him to give in. Vivid nightmares plagued his mind through the night, awaking him with screams and cries for help just to end the torture. He begged Mick for relief... begged him for just one more dose, even though it was an impossible request. Finally by mid morning the next day, he seemed to be resting a little more peacefully, giving Mick a short reprieve...
Mick leans on the kitchen counter and takes a deep breath. He just needed to get Dylan through this. After a few days, the worst would be over and they could work towards change. But right now, he just needed to find the strength to help his son through this critical point. He'd had no sleep last night, and his tired eyes proved it. He knew Rosetta probably hadn't slept much either, but he'd insisted she at least stay in bed and try to sleep unless he needed her help. So far, he'd been able to handle everything on his own, though it was difficult at times.
Now it seemed Dylan was resting at least, giving Mick a short break to get some coffee. He assumed the rest of the ranch was moving forward - he hadn't been outside since yesterday. He'd seen Rosetta briefly earlier and knew she'd gone to the office to do some filing. And Stacy? She was probably nearby somewhere. Everyone else? He hadn't a clue. But he also knew it was okay - he needed to be here and he trusted that everyone else understood that.
Pouring himself some coffee, he sighs deeply, letting the warm liquid slide down his throat. This should keep him awake for a bit longer.
In the spare bedroom, Dylan pries open his eyes and squints at the half-open door. His body trembled and his stomach was in knots. His head was going to split open, he was sure. And the determination from the morning before... was all but gone. Right now, only one thing mattered, and no one was giving it to him. He needed to get some. Somehow. Or anything. Maybe he could find something in Angel's office that would at least get him close to where he wanted to be. She had powerful stuff, right? He'd seen all sorts of meds in there before.
It was his desperate craving and fever that drove him. Rational thoughts didn't exist. No matter the stupidity of his notion, in his state, it was the only thing that mattered or made sense.
Almost falling out of bed, he gropes for his jeans. The room spun and he manages to pull himself up and aim for the door. Later, he wouldn't even remember leaving the room. But right now, he had one destination and he dragged himself forward.
Hearing the front door open and close, Mick whirls around just in time to see Dylan leaving the house. "Dylan!" Mick hadn't even heard him get up. What on earth was he doing? Mick had thought he'd been asleep, and now felt stupid for being caught off guard. "Dylan!" He sprints for the door and heads outside.
Dylan staggers in the direction of Angel's office. He wanted anything. He needed it. Something to take away the pain. Something to give him that blissful feeling that everything in the world was just fine. He could find it. He didn't care what it was. He didn't care if it was a lethal combination of over-the-counter drugs. Just once. He had to have it.
"Dylan, stop!" Mick knew his son was desperate and probably didn't even know what he was doing, but this was no time to give in. Getting around in front of Dylan, he puts his hands on his shoulders to stop him. "Get back to the house," he orders gently but firmly.
"No!" Dylan shrugs off his hands and continues forward. His pulse was racing, his breathing shallow. Feverish and driven half-mad, he wasn't thinking clearly at all. Nothing here would give him the relief he was hunting for, but it didn't matter. He would try anyway.
Mick stops him again with a firmer grip. "Yes! Turn around and go back to the house. Come on. I'll go with you."
"You can't make me!" Dylan glares at him and tries to shoulder past, but Mick stood his ground. Instantly riled, Dylan takes a swing at him but misses and before he realizes it, he's put in a bear hug from behind, locking both his arms. Now caught and restrained, his lethargic state is overpowered by a sudden surge of adrenaline. "Let me go!" he screams. Thrashing wildly, he stumbles forward with Mick but isn't able to break loose.
"I won't let you go," Mick retorts. "You're coming back to the house. Now."
"No!" Dylan tries ripping himself loose and when that doesn't work, he throws his head back, smacking Mick squarely in the face.
Pain surges through Mick's nose and he can feel blood start to trickle down. Sheer willpower keeps his hands together with arms locked around his son. "Cut it out!" he barks. "Calm down!"
"Let me go! Just let me go!" Seeing he was aimed toward the house again only serves to double Dylan's efforts of trying to break free.
Mick's muscles ached and he was gasping for breath. Though Dylan was stronger, his adrenaline-induced power was enormous and Mick didn't know how much longer he could hold him. "Just... stop.... stop fighting...." His hat is knocked off and he tries to keep his balance as his son whips back and forth.
"I won't stay!" Dylan screams. A mix of sweat and tears runs down his face, his muscles straining to break free. "You can't stop me!" He lunges forward with all his might. But breaking free isn't what happens. Instead, as he heads for the ground, he takes Mick right along with him.
Hitting the ground hard, shoulder-first, Mick winces but refuses to unlock his arms from around his son. He gasps for breath as the wind is knocked out of him and fights blindly against Dylan's thrashing body. On his back with Dylan on top of him, he's helpless to do anything but keep him in his grasp, taking elbows to the ribs and kicks to his legs. His grip loosens. "I need a little help here!" he calls out. He had no idea who was even within earshot, but surely someone had heard Dylan screaming and would be close by. He knew Dylan couldn't go anywhere, let alone far in his shape. He was only afraid of him hurting himself, or others, when he was like this. "I can't hold him!" Mick calls louder and with a little more desperation.
Pete grins and nods. "Yeah... these indoor parties never did much for me." He looks around the room too. "At least at the beach I can go for a walk or sit by a bonfire. And it's cheaper."
Ariel rolls her eyes. "You two don't know the meaning of socializing. But if you're both going to go to Mom and Pop's, I'll go with. I think tonight's the weeknight they're open late."
"Mm-hmm." Pete nods again. "Carson shouldn't mind too much"
Ariel gives Trey a sidelong glance before looking back to Pete. "I'll um... I'll meet you guys there, okay?"
Pete got the hint that she'd rather drive alone. "Sure thing. Come on, Trey, let's go see what we can stir up."
Card
Walking over to Ariel to Pete Trey just lets them go at it for a few moments. It was funny because they almost frighted like brother and sister. It really was rather funny. Still feeling slightly out of place Trey does his best to suck it up. Maybe things would be a little awkward for a short time, but maybe things could go back to the way they were too. He had to at least try.
"Is it just me or do the beach party's seem more exciting? This just seems kind of....meh."
Trey takes a sip of his soda as she eyes scan the area. Not many people were here he new. Some he'd seen at the beach party but not really anyone he talked with. Could be because it was inside too that it just seemed rather cramped.
"You guys wanna start our own part and head over to Mom and Pop's. I over heard someone at TJY say they had some good pizza. Maybe we will see more people we know there."
Ashlee felt sad inside for Dylan hearing that it was going to be so hard for him it hurt to know he was going to be hurting so much. She never understood why someone would put there body through that. But than again she had never been in those situations either.
"I...I hope this will be the last time Dylan goes through this. It's not fun watching one of your friends do this to themselves and feel helpless."
Thinking for a long moment as she went back to brushing Static slowly she gives a small sigh. After it was said and done she would still be Dylan's friend. If he was going to need her how could she turn her back on him. Even if he didn't ask for it, she wouldn't leave him high and dry, she would be there with open arms.
"I think, I am going to make him a card tonight so when he's a little better I can give it to him."
"Is it just me or do the beach party's seem more exciting? This just seems kind of....meh."
Trey takes a sip of his soda as she eyes scan the area. Not many people were here he new. Some he'd seen at the beach party but not really anyone he talked with. Could be because it was inside too that it just seemed rather cramped.
"You guys wanna start our own part and head over to Mom and Pop's. I over heard someone at TJY say they had some good pizza. Maybe we will see more people we know there."
Ashlee felt sad inside for Dylan hearing that it was going to be so hard for him it hurt to know he was going to be hurting so much. She never understood why someone would put there body through that. But than again she had never been in those situations either.
"I...I hope this will be the last time Dylan goes through this. It's not fun watching one of your friends do this to themselves and feel helpless."
Thinking for a long moment as she went back to brushing Static slowly she gives a small sigh. After it was said and done she would still be Dylan's friend. If he was going to need her how could she turn her back on him. Even if he didn't ask for it, she wouldn't leave him high and dry, she would be there with open arms.
"I think, I am going to make him a card tonight so when he's a little better I can give it to him."
3/19/12
Surprised
Ariel chuckles and nods. "Yeah, lets." Finishing off her fruit punch, she slides off the stool and turns to go, but then looks back over her shoulder. Retrieving the flowers, she looks up at Trey with a little grin. Now she was ready.
Walking with him across the floor, she finally spots Pete standing near a table, chatting with some other people, a soda pop in his hand. Approaching casually, Ariel gives him a rather peeved look.
Pete excuses himself quickly from the table and looks back and forth between Trey and Ariel before landing on Ariel. "What? What did I do to you?"
"Oh, you know. Just watch out for the payback."
Pete tries not to smile, but it doesn't work very well. "You're looking nice tonight."
"Thanks. So are you."
Pete glances to Trey and gives him a wry grin. "Mingling, are we?"
Ashlee's words bring Eric's brushing to a sudden halt, and his eyebrows rise slightly. He shouldn't have been surprised. She was a bright girl who observed a lot. But it wasn't exactly something he'd hoped she'd notice.
Her question brings a serious but soft expression to his face. He might as well level with her, if she'd figured out that much. Tipping his hat back a little, he leans on Static's back and studies Ashlee for a moment or two. "I hope so," he finally answers. "It's not gonna be easy for him though. Something like that..." He shakes his head. "It's easy to get into and hard to get back out again. Thankfully, he's trying to get out. But he's gonna be pretty sick for a few days."
Focusing on the brush for a moment, he finally looks back at Ashlee. "The best we can do is let his dad help him through this. Then when it's over, Dylan's gonna need to know that he's still got friends who care about him. Right now it's his body that's retaliating. When that's over, it's going to be his mind, and that can be worse. But... as long as he knows we're still here for him even after all of this... I think he'll be okay."
Walking with him across the floor, she finally spots Pete standing near a table, chatting with some other people, a soda pop in his hand. Approaching casually, Ariel gives him a rather peeved look.
Pete excuses himself quickly from the table and looks back and forth between Trey and Ariel before landing on Ariel. "What? What did I do to you?"
"Oh, you know. Just watch out for the payback."
Pete tries not to smile, but it doesn't work very well. "You're looking nice tonight."
"Thanks. So are you."
Pete glances to Trey and gives him a wry grin. "Mingling, are we?"
Ashlee's words bring Eric's brushing to a sudden halt, and his eyebrows rise slightly. He shouldn't have been surprised. She was a bright girl who observed a lot. But it wasn't exactly something he'd hoped she'd notice.
Her question brings a serious but soft expression to his face. He might as well level with her, if she'd figured out that much. Tipping his hat back a little, he leans on Static's back and studies Ashlee for a moment or two. "I hope so," he finally answers. "It's not gonna be easy for him though. Something like that..." He shakes his head. "It's easy to get into and hard to get back out again. Thankfully, he's trying to get out. But he's gonna be pretty sick for a few days."
Focusing on the brush for a moment, he finally looks back at Ashlee. "The best we can do is let his dad help him through this. Then when it's over, Dylan's gonna need to know that he's still got friends who care about him. Right now it's his body that's retaliating. When that's over, it's going to be his mind, and that can be worse. But... as long as he knows we're still here for him even after all of this... I think he'll be okay."
Be ok
Finally sitting completely down Trey figured it was safe. He understood a little what Ariel was saying but trying was all he had right now. There was a lot he was going to have to work through and learn so a promise was not something he wanted to commit to.
As Ariel brings her hand to the side of Trey's face he can feel a little color coming to his cheeks. Her hand was soft, and warm, not the cold lifeless touch he had felt before in other people. Ariel really was someone special to be able to warm his cold heart.
"Cheers!"
Trey holds up his cup and clinks it gently against hers. Taking a sip and letting the bubbly liquid go down his throat Trey spins around on the bar stool and leans aganst the bar looking at all the people there right now. It was busy but not to busy.
"Want to see if we can find Pete somewhere and see what he's up too?"
Looking over the horse at Eric Ashlee gives a smile as she continued to brush Static. Seeing Eric glance at the house every now and than Ashlee lets out a small sigh. No one new she new about Dylan and she didn't think she needed to talk about it till now.
"I know about Dylan Eric and why I haven't seen him as much."
Drawing quiet again Ashlee leans on the horse a little and picks at the brush pulling lose hair from it. Thinking for a moment she wondered how long it would take Dylan to get everything out of his system. She worried about Dylan and prayed once again he would be ok.
"Is....is Dylan going to be ok?"
Stacy takes up a new place outside the house on the pouch swing. She wasn't sure how long but it was where most of her days would be spend. She was happy that the nights were worm she wouldn't mind much sleeping here. She was a cop after all and she was use to worse than this. If Mick needed her she would be waiting.
As Ariel brings her hand to the side of Trey's face he can feel a little color coming to his cheeks. Her hand was soft, and warm, not the cold lifeless touch he had felt before in other people. Ariel really was someone special to be able to warm his cold heart.
"Cheers!"
Trey holds up his cup and clinks it gently against hers. Taking a sip and letting the bubbly liquid go down his throat Trey spins around on the bar stool and leans aganst the bar looking at all the people there right now. It was busy but not to busy.
"Want to see if we can find Pete somewhere and see what he's up too?"
Looking over the horse at Eric Ashlee gives a smile as she continued to brush Static. Seeing Eric glance at the house every now and than Ashlee lets out a small sigh. No one new she new about Dylan and she didn't think she needed to talk about it till now.
"I know about Dylan Eric and why I haven't seen him as much."
Drawing quiet again Ashlee leans on the horse a little and picks at the brush pulling lose hair from it. Thinking for a moment she wondered how long it would take Dylan to get everything out of his system. She worried about Dylan and prayed once again he would be ok.
"Is....is Dylan going to be ok?"
Stacy takes up a new place outside the house on the pouch swing. She wasn't sure how long but it was where most of her days would be spend. She was happy that the nights were worm she wouldn't mind much sleeping here. She was a cop after all and she was use to worse than this. If Mick needed her she would be waiting.
Stick close
Mick nods in agreement. "Thanks. Do what you want, but I might suggest Clint and Wendy first, just since I'm not sure Cindy needs anything else to worry about right now. I do agree about getting BJ away from it though. He thinks a lot of Dylan, surprisingly, and I don't want to scare him either."
...After making arrangements, it was a short while later that Mick returned to Dylan's bunkhouse, then a couple hours after that, when he opted to move him to the house. With Dan's help, he gets his son to his feet long enough to coax him to the house and get him into the spare bedroom.
Lying down on the new bed, Dylan wasn't sure, but for some reason, it felt softer than his own. Shaking as another wave of chills hit, he burrows farther under the blankets, not caring anymore about getting up. Unfortunately, the worst was yet to come.
Leaving the bedroom door slightly ajar, Mick stands with Dan in the hallway and sighs. He nods though. "Thanks for all your help. I may need you again. In the meantime, if you could let Jade know what's going on, that'd be good. I need to tell Stacy too so she can stick close."
Grooming Static, the sound of curry combs and brushes filled the barn aisle. Eric looked over at Ashlee on the other side, grinning a little as she worked at helping him with his horse. Static wasn't a small Appaloosa by any means, but she wasn't afraid, and the gelding seemed to take a liking to her, too.
Although he worked, Eric's eyes wandered every once in a while to outside where he could just see the main house. He'd gotten wind of what was happening with Dylan as word spread through the family. He wasn't sure what Ashlee knew though, or what Stacy wanted her to know, so he'd asked her to help him out in the barn so she didn't go looking for Dylan.
Ariel grins a little and turns to sip her drink again, taking a moment to think. Swiveling the stool back so she was looking at Trey again, she sighs. "Yes... we all mess up sometimes. Nobody's perfect no matter how hard we try." She pauses, pursing her lips. "It's just some of those things we do to mess up are less acceptable than others... Getting upset is one thing. Trying to drink it away is another. Speaking your mind before thinking is one thing. Being mean is another. And if we always just say, 'I'll try, but I know I'm gonna mess up again,' then it kinda defeats the purpose of trying to change."
Reaching out slowly, Ariel cradles the side of Trey's face with her palm. "But I don't really want to slap you. I do appreciate you coming tonight. It was very sweet of you, and I really do like the flowers. I've... never been given flowers before."
Letting her hand drop, she straightens a little again and stirs the ice in her punch. Giving Trey a sidelong glance, a new smile creeps out and she shakes her head. "What am I gonna do with you, hmm?" Sighing, she lifts her glass in a toast. "To us. And the sometimes-rough road of making friendships."
...After making arrangements, it was a short while later that Mick returned to Dylan's bunkhouse, then a couple hours after that, when he opted to move him to the house. With Dan's help, he gets his son to his feet long enough to coax him to the house and get him into the spare bedroom.
Lying down on the new bed, Dylan wasn't sure, but for some reason, it felt softer than his own. Shaking as another wave of chills hit, he burrows farther under the blankets, not caring anymore about getting up. Unfortunately, the worst was yet to come.
Leaving the bedroom door slightly ajar, Mick stands with Dan in the hallway and sighs. He nods though. "Thanks for all your help. I may need you again. In the meantime, if you could let Jade know what's going on, that'd be good. I need to tell Stacy too so she can stick close."
Grooming Static, the sound of curry combs and brushes filled the barn aisle. Eric looked over at Ashlee on the other side, grinning a little as she worked at helping him with his horse. Static wasn't a small Appaloosa by any means, but she wasn't afraid, and the gelding seemed to take a liking to her, too.
Although he worked, Eric's eyes wandered every once in a while to outside where he could just see the main house. He'd gotten wind of what was happening with Dylan as word spread through the family. He wasn't sure what Ashlee knew though, or what Stacy wanted her to know, so he'd asked her to help him out in the barn so she didn't go looking for Dylan.
Ariel grins a little and turns to sip her drink again, taking a moment to think. Swiveling the stool back so she was looking at Trey again, she sighs. "Yes... we all mess up sometimes. Nobody's perfect no matter how hard we try." She pauses, pursing her lips. "It's just some of those things we do to mess up are less acceptable than others... Getting upset is one thing. Trying to drink it away is another. Speaking your mind before thinking is one thing. Being mean is another. And if we always just say, 'I'll try, but I know I'm gonna mess up again,' then it kinda defeats the purpose of trying to change."
Reaching out slowly, Ariel cradles the side of Trey's face with her palm. "But I don't really want to slap you. I do appreciate you coming tonight. It was very sweet of you, and I really do like the flowers. I've... never been given flowers before."
Letting her hand drop, she straightens a little again and stirs the ice in her punch. Giving Trey a sidelong glance, a new smile creeps out and she shakes her head. "What am I gonna do with you, hmm?" Sighing, she lifts her glass in a toast. "To us. And the sometimes-rough road of making friendships."
Court
Looking down for a moment Trey can feel his heart still racing as he wasent sure what Ariel was saying. This was all new to him and rather confusing. He tried his best to understand though and most of what she said he figured she would. If he was her he'd say the same thing. Giving a little smile Trey nods too.
"Well, I guess I do deserve the slap so...you can do both if you want. Not to hard though I don't wanna knock any teeth loose."
Running a hand though his wet hair Trey just lets it fall anywhere. He didn't know what else to say, or what else to do. He's been wrong and he new it. He's acted wrong and he new it.
"I guess, I leave the ball in your court and I will accept it for what it is. I can't promise you anything because...even if I try will all I can not to...I'm human and I'll just mess up again. But I can try my best to try and do better."
Giving a nod to Mick Dan had no probley sitting with Dylan. He's rather someone be with him than not alone anyways. Patting Dylan's hand lightly for a moment Dan at in one of the chairs by the bed just letting Dylan know he was there and everything would be ok.
...Looking up from her desk Rosetta could tell something was wrong more than the news of Mick's brother. Her own heart gave a leap and as he explains about Dylan she gives a nod. They new it would happen sooner or later it was just the question of when.
"That is completely fine. I would just like to see first I could find someone for BJ to stay with for a little bit. Not that I think Dylan would hurt him, but I think he would get scared and that wont help anything. Maybe Cindy or Wendy and Clint will watch him."
"Well, I guess I do deserve the slap so...you can do both if you want. Not to hard though I don't wanna knock any teeth loose."
Running a hand though his wet hair Trey just lets it fall anywhere. He didn't know what else to say, or what else to do. He's been wrong and he new it. He's acted wrong and he new it.
"I guess, I leave the ball in your court and I will accept it for what it is. I can't promise you anything because...even if I try will all I can not to...I'm human and I'll just mess up again. But I can try my best to try and do better."
Giving a nod to Mick Dan had no probley sitting with Dylan. He's rather someone be with him than not alone anyways. Patting Dylan's hand lightly for a moment Dan at in one of the chairs by the bed just letting Dylan know he was there and everything would be ok.
...Looking up from her desk Rosetta could tell something was wrong more than the news of Mick's brother. Her own heart gave a leap and as he explains about Dylan she gives a nod. They new it would happen sooner or later it was just the question of when.
"That is completely fine. I would just like to see first I could find someone for BJ to stay with for a little bit. Not that I think Dylan would hurt him, but I think he would get scared and that wont help anything. Maybe Cindy or Wendy and Clint will watch him."
But
Dylan tries his best to focus, thinking on Dan's words. The last time Dylan had been caught, he'd been much angrier at the world, trusting no one, and locked up at the McClain ranch. This time he was angry at some but not everyone, he was mostly angry with himself, and he had a small few people he could trust. But in the end, because this time it had been completely his choice to go back to that way of life, he felt he must be the stupidest person alive. All he'd wanted was to get away from here... forget about the world... find someone who believed in him rather than never trusting him. But all he'd found was misery and a bunch of people that couldn't care less about him.
Staring at the outstretched phone, then glancing up to see Dan's eyes, Dylan blinks back new tears. Mick already knew? It shouldn't be a surprise. But was Dan right? Would Mick really not hate him? What if he got mad though? Yelled at him? Turned his back on him?
Though he feared the worst, somewhere deep down, Dylan knew better. And somewhere deep down was that little boy that still hoped his daddy would rescue him.
"Okay," he finally relents quietly. "You win."
Taking the phone, he hand shakes but he makes the call... "Dad? ... I...I'm at my bunk... Can... can you come?"
It takes mere minutes for Mick to arrive. He didn't know what was going on, but he had a feeling what it was about. Sure enough, when he walks in, the scene didn't surprise him. Dylan's state was all too familiar.
Kneeling beside Dan, Mick studies Dylan's face. "What's up, hmm?"
Dylan shivers. "You... you already know."
He did. And it was killing him inside, despite his calm demeanor. "When was the last time?"
Dylan looks to Dan for reassurance before answering. "Day before... before yesterday."
Mick reaches out and feels Dylan's warm forehead. "I need to know, Dylan... what was it?"
Dylan doesn't have the energy to lie. "Same as last time."
"Heroin?"
"...Yeah."
Mick sighs deeply. He wanted to wring Dylan's neck and hug him at the same time. "Okay... well... now we have a start. Come on up off the floor and back into bed."
With Dan's help, Mick gets Dylan back in his bed with an extra blanket over him. Standing near the door, Mick sets his hands on his hips, trying to think of what should be done. He looks to Dan, grateful. "Thanks... for all you've done. I want to move Dylan to the house - the next couple days are gonna be rough and it'll be easier to take care of him. I gotta talk to Rosetta first though. Would you stay here and keep an eye on him for just a while?"
...Leaving Dylan in good hands, Mick heads to the office quickly, hunting down Rosetta. Finding her at the desk, he was glad. "Hey, Babe..." His face was wrought with worry. "Dylan finally hit bottom. He's starting to go through withdrawal and is already pretty bad. Dan's with him now, but I'd like it if I could bring Dylan to the house. I wanted to check with you first though. If it's anything like last time, he'll probably get desperate in another day or so and it could get ugly. I won't bring him here if you don't want me to."
Looking quickly to the side as someone sits next to her, Ariel can't help her surprise. Trey was the last person she'd expected to see here tonight, and the look in her eye proved it. "Hi... Trey..." She wasn't upset he was there, but she was rather confused.
Seeing the flowers, then eying Trey rather suspiciously, she finally understood why Pete had been so insistent about tonight. Now he really owed her. Her hands remain cupped around her glass, her expression remaining rather dull but not upset.
Trey was apologizing? Surprise number two. She looks back at the flowers. They really were lovely, and it really was a sweet gesture. Interrupted by the bartender, she doesn't get a chance to respond, but simply continues listening to Trey, giving him time to say whatever he wanted.
His rather romantic words make her cheeks flush slightly and she finds herself glancing back down to her fruit punch before looking back at the flowers again. She had to admit that he was making her feel special whether she wanted him to or not. She hadn't thought he had it in him to say things like that. Surprise number three.
When Trey seemed to be finished, Ariel finally looks back up at him, just studying his face for several moments. Though the music was loud and more people were milling about, it felt kind of quiet in their corner at the end of the bar. She gives Trey a small smile before fingering the flowers and picking up one of the daisies to smell. Nodding, she places it back with the bunch.
Taking a deep breath, she folds her hands, cocking her head at him. "Thank you... Trey. The flowers are lovely and... I accept your apology and forgive you."
Pursing her lips, she thinks for another moment or two. "I'd like to tell you it'll all be okay now and we can just go right back to hanging out at the beach." Looking into Trey's big dark eyes, it was hard not to melt right on the spot. "But I guess I just don't know." She had to be honest. "I do still want you as a friend. I never didn't. And I know that when I told you about the truth of why I started spending time with you, that it hurt your feelings. But when you got so upset..."
Her eyes glance down for a moment. Her palms suddenly felt clammy. "...I saw something in your eyes that, quite honestly, scared me. It wasn't just what you said... it was how you said it. There was almost a hate in your tone and..."
She looks back up at him again. "...and I wasn't sure anymore what kind of a guy you were. Then when you showed up at my place drunk... It wasn't so much why or that you came - I was rather glad you'd come to me instead of going and jumping off a bridge or something. But the guy I thought I'd been hanging out with, I wouldn't have pegged for someone to go and drink away his problems and... I'm not so sure I could handle that again."
Ariel bites her lip, a little smile quirking, and she shakes her head. "Then you go and give me those great big puppy dog eyes and I don't know whether to slap you or hug you."
Staring at the outstretched phone, then glancing up to see Dan's eyes, Dylan blinks back new tears. Mick already knew? It shouldn't be a surprise. But was Dan right? Would Mick really not hate him? What if he got mad though? Yelled at him? Turned his back on him?
Though he feared the worst, somewhere deep down, Dylan knew better. And somewhere deep down was that little boy that still hoped his daddy would rescue him.
"Okay," he finally relents quietly. "You win."
Taking the phone, he hand shakes but he makes the call... "Dad? ... I...I'm at my bunk... Can... can you come?"
It takes mere minutes for Mick to arrive. He didn't know what was going on, but he had a feeling what it was about. Sure enough, when he walks in, the scene didn't surprise him. Dylan's state was all too familiar.
Kneeling beside Dan, Mick studies Dylan's face. "What's up, hmm?"
Dylan shivers. "You... you already know."
He did. And it was killing him inside, despite his calm demeanor. "When was the last time?"
Dylan looks to Dan for reassurance before answering. "Day before... before yesterday."
Mick reaches out and feels Dylan's warm forehead. "I need to know, Dylan... what was it?"
Dylan doesn't have the energy to lie. "Same as last time."
"Heroin?"
"...Yeah."
Mick sighs deeply. He wanted to wring Dylan's neck and hug him at the same time. "Okay... well... now we have a start. Come on up off the floor and back into bed."
With Dan's help, Mick gets Dylan back in his bed with an extra blanket over him. Standing near the door, Mick sets his hands on his hips, trying to think of what should be done. He looks to Dan, grateful. "Thanks... for all you've done. I want to move Dylan to the house - the next couple days are gonna be rough and it'll be easier to take care of him. I gotta talk to Rosetta first though. Would you stay here and keep an eye on him for just a while?"
...Leaving Dylan in good hands, Mick heads to the office quickly, hunting down Rosetta. Finding her at the desk, he was glad. "Hey, Babe..." His face was wrought with worry. "Dylan finally hit bottom. He's starting to go through withdrawal and is already pretty bad. Dan's with him now, but I'd like it if I could bring Dylan to the house. I wanted to check with you first though. If it's anything like last time, he'll probably get desperate in another day or so and it could get ugly. I won't bring him here if you don't want me to."
Looking quickly to the side as someone sits next to her, Ariel can't help her surprise. Trey was the last person she'd expected to see here tonight, and the look in her eye proved it. "Hi... Trey..." She wasn't upset he was there, but she was rather confused.
Seeing the flowers, then eying Trey rather suspiciously, she finally understood why Pete had been so insistent about tonight. Now he really owed her. Her hands remain cupped around her glass, her expression remaining rather dull but not upset.
Trey was apologizing? Surprise number two. She looks back at the flowers. They really were lovely, and it really was a sweet gesture. Interrupted by the bartender, she doesn't get a chance to respond, but simply continues listening to Trey, giving him time to say whatever he wanted.
His rather romantic words make her cheeks flush slightly and she finds herself glancing back down to her fruit punch before looking back at the flowers again. She had to admit that he was making her feel special whether she wanted him to or not. She hadn't thought he had it in him to say things like that. Surprise number three.
When Trey seemed to be finished, Ariel finally looks back up at him, just studying his face for several moments. Though the music was loud and more people were milling about, it felt kind of quiet in their corner at the end of the bar. She gives Trey a small smile before fingering the flowers and picking up one of the daisies to smell. Nodding, she places it back with the bunch.
Taking a deep breath, she folds her hands, cocking her head at him. "Thank you... Trey. The flowers are lovely and... I accept your apology and forgive you."
Pursing her lips, she thinks for another moment or two. "I'd like to tell you it'll all be okay now and we can just go right back to hanging out at the beach." Looking into Trey's big dark eyes, it was hard not to melt right on the spot. "But I guess I just don't know." She had to be honest. "I do still want you as a friend. I never didn't. And I know that when I told you about the truth of why I started spending time with you, that it hurt your feelings. But when you got so upset..."
Her eyes glance down for a moment. Her palms suddenly felt clammy. "...I saw something in your eyes that, quite honestly, scared me. It wasn't just what you said... it was how you said it. There was almost a hate in your tone and..."
She looks back up at him again. "...and I wasn't sure anymore what kind of a guy you were. Then when you showed up at my place drunk... It wasn't so much why or that you came - I was rather glad you'd come to me instead of going and jumping off a bridge or something. But the guy I thought I'd been hanging out with, I wouldn't have pegged for someone to go and drink away his problems and... I'm not so sure I could handle that again."
Ariel bites her lip, a little smile quirking, and she shakes her head. "Then you go and give me those great big puppy dog eyes and I don't know whether to slap you or hug you."
Heart of Stone
Dan rolls his eyes at Dylan. If the poor kid wasn't in tough shape right now he would of wracked him over the head. Sooner or later he was going to have to understand that Mick wasn't going to hate him for every little thing he did wrong. Nobody was perfect all the time, not even Mick himself.
"I know you have Dylan, I new from the moment I picked you up at the gas station but you wanna know what...I don't think any differently of you. I don't hate you either and Mick wont either because he knows already too. You gotta ask for his help Dylan."
Whipping a few more beads of sweat from Dylan's for head again Dan cocks his own to try and look at the young man in the eyes. He new he was feeling crappy and dizzy but he wanted to catch his gaze even for a moment to let him know things would be ok and would work out.
"If you wont tell Mick you need his help now, than I will. You might think you can do this alone but you wont be able too. No that doesn't make you weak either. Asking for help and leaning on others is what makes you strong. So...are you going to tell you dad, or am I going to have too?"
Dan holds out his cell phone to Dylan. He new the young man wouldn't be able to walk anywhere and he wasn't going to leave him before anyone else came to sit with him so his phone was the next best thing. Mick's number was already programmed into it all he had to do was push the button.
Enter the sunrise and scanning the area Trey's eyes fall onto Ariel. He felt his nerves start to rise and he hated it. It was a feeling he didn't like at all and didn't understand why when it came to her it happened.
Giving a glace to Pete and than back to Ariel Trey gives a short nod. He's catch up with Pete a little bit later. Taking a few steps forward looks down at the bag in his hand. Was he being cheese? To much? Over doing it? He didn't know but he had to try. Pulling a pretty bunch og daisy's out of the bag a single red rose stood out in the middle of them. Tossing the bag in a near by garbage Trey continues on his way to Ariel sliding in beside her on another stool.
"Hey Ariel..."
Hey Ariel....wow great start. Trey couldn't help but feel stupid, valnarubule, and such a nerd right now. Looking down at the flowers Trey trys to get his thoughts together and say the right thing. Maybe he was over thinking this whole thing. What if Ariel rejected him and he looked stupid. Well if she did it was his own fault, so why not just do it. He couldn't look worse than he did the night at her place.
"Ariel...these are for you. I...I know they wont make up for how I acted the other night I was a real jerk and...if your not willing to turst me again than I understand but...I wanted to tell you sorry anyways. Thats why I had Pete ask you to come tonight."
As the bartender comes over to him Trey really could go for a beer but opts out at least for now. Instead he orders a coke with a shot of vanilla in it. Getting the syrup put in after always tasted better he had found out.
"These flowers are for you too. I wanted to tell you that in a group full of girls I've met they have all been the smile like these daisy's, but than I met you and...you just stand out from the rest. Your special like the rose and I'm sorry for letting my anger get the best of me Ariel. I really am..."
Trey could feel his heart beat a mile a minute in his chest. He thought for sure he would of passed out by now if he didn't think it would make him look any sillier than he already did.
"...and I've got a lot of work at friendship, trust, forgiveness, and trying to soften up my heart of stone. But if your willing to put up with me...I...I'd still like to have you as a friend!"
"I know you have Dylan, I new from the moment I picked you up at the gas station but you wanna know what...I don't think any differently of you. I don't hate you either and Mick wont either because he knows already too. You gotta ask for his help Dylan."
Whipping a few more beads of sweat from Dylan's for head again Dan cocks his own to try and look at the young man in the eyes. He new he was feeling crappy and dizzy but he wanted to catch his gaze even for a moment to let him know things would be ok and would work out.
"If you wont tell Mick you need his help now, than I will. You might think you can do this alone but you wont be able too. No that doesn't make you weak either. Asking for help and leaning on others is what makes you strong. So...are you going to tell you dad, or am I going to have too?"
Dan holds out his cell phone to Dylan. He new the young man wouldn't be able to walk anywhere and he wasn't going to leave him before anyone else came to sit with him so his phone was the next best thing. Mick's number was already programmed into it all he had to do was push the button.
Enter the sunrise and scanning the area Trey's eyes fall onto Ariel. He felt his nerves start to rise and he hated it. It was a feeling he didn't like at all and didn't understand why when it came to her it happened.
Giving a glace to Pete and than back to Ariel Trey gives a short nod. He's catch up with Pete a little bit later. Taking a few steps forward looks down at the bag in his hand. Was he being cheese? To much? Over doing it? He didn't know but he had to try. Pulling a pretty bunch og daisy's out of the bag a single red rose stood out in the middle of them. Tossing the bag in a near by garbage Trey continues on his way to Ariel sliding in beside her on another stool.
"Hey Ariel..."
Hey Ariel....wow great start. Trey couldn't help but feel stupid, valnarubule, and such a nerd right now. Looking down at the flowers Trey trys to get his thoughts together and say the right thing. Maybe he was over thinking this whole thing. What if Ariel rejected him and he looked stupid. Well if she did it was his own fault, so why not just do it. He couldn't look worse than he did the night at her place.
"Ariel...these are for you. I...I know they wont make up for how I acted the other night I was a real jerk and...if your not willing to turst me again than I understand but...I wanted to tell you sorry anyways. Thats why I had Pete ask you to come tonight."
As the bartender comes over to him Trey really could go for a beer but opts out at least for now. Instead he orders a coke with a shot of vanilla in it. Getting the syrup put in after always tasted better he had found out.
"These flowers are for you too. I wanted to tell you that in a group full of girls I've met they have all been the smile like these daisy's, but than I met you and...you just stand out from the rest. Your special like the rose and I'm sorry for letting my anger get the best of me Ariel. I really am..."
Trey could feel his heart beat a mile a minute in his chest. He thought for sure he would of passed out by now if he didn't think it would make him look any sillier than he already did.
"...and I've got a lot of work at friendship, trust, forgiveness, and trying to soften up my heart of stone. But if your willing to put up with me...I...I'd still like to have you as a friend!"
Tears
Dylan vaguely thinks he hears someone at the door but isn't sure enough to spend energy responding. Within moments, though, he realizes he's no longer alone and Dan is kneeling beside him. He pries his eyes open enough to give Dan a lethargic look. Yes, he heard him. He knew what was going on, and no, he didn't want Mick. Had he just passed out? It didn't matter.
Pulling himself up a little bit, he shakes his head. "Nu-uh," he mumbles. "I hafta.... do it... by myself." No one knew. Or did everyone know? Another dizzy spell hits and Dylan puts a hand to his head. Here he was, sitting on the floor, unable to even pick himself up, with Dan staring at him with worry. He felt miserable and stupid. So utterly stupid.
Tears pool in his eyes and he shakes his head again. "I... I did some bad stuff, Dan... I..." He stops and swallows hard, sinking back against the wall again. "I don't want Dad to know... he'll... he'll hate me."
Pete gives Trey a once-over and grins, giving his shoulder a firm pat. "Sounds good to me. I'm ready to forget about work for a while."
Heading out, he leads the way to his car. Once on the road, he turns up the radio to pass the time, although it doesn't take long to make it to the Sunrise. The parking lot was almost full but Pete manages to find a space not too far from the door.
Getting inside, he scans the main room and the bar. Music was playing and colored lights moved about the floor but it wasn't too bad as far as noise went. The stage was home to a DJ tonight instead of a karaoke display, and the bar was in full-swing. Hopefully nobody would get out of hand though.
Setting his hands on his hips, Pete takes a second look around before he finally spots Ariel seated at the far end of the bar. She was alone and looked rather bored. "Well... there she is." Pete nods in her direction before glancing at Trey. "It's all you now."
Swiveling back and forth on the bar stool, Ariel stirs her fruit punch with the straw, watching the ice cubes chase each other around the glass. She was in jeans and cowboy boots tonight, with a silky red blouse under her light, brown leather jacket. She'd decided to pull her hair back in a low ponytail tonight, but hadn't gone to too much trouble to look good. She wouldn't be here at all if Pete hadn't convinced her to come.
Sipping her drink a little, she resumes her stare at the cubes. So far, none of her own friends had shown up, or at least those she liked to hang out with at the beach parties. If Pete didn't show up soon, she'd have to lay into him tomorrow and he'd owe her one.
Pulling himself up a little bit, he shakes his head. "Nu-uh," he mumbles. "I hafta.... do it... by myself." No one knew. Or did everyone know? Another dizzy spell hits and Dylan puts a hand to his head. Here he was, sitting on the floor, unable to even pick himself up, with Dan staring at him with worry. He felt miserable and stupid. So utterly stupid.
Tears pool in his eyes and he shakes his head again. "I... I did some bad stuff, Dan... I..." He stops and swallows hard, sinking back against the wall again. "I don't want Dad to know... he'll... he'll hate me."
Pete gives Trey a once-over and grins, giving his shoulder a firm pat. "Sounds good to me. I'm ready to forget about work for a while."
Heading out, he leads the way to his car. Once on the road, he turns up the radio to pass the time, although it doesn't take long to make it to the Sunrise. The parking lot was almost full but Pete manages to find a space not too far from the door.
Getting inside, he scans the main room and the bar. Music was playing and colored lights moved about the floor but it wasn't too bad as far as noise went. The stage was home to a DJ tonight instead of a karaoke display, and the bar was in full-swing. Hopefully nobody would get out of hand though.
Setting his hands on his hips, Pete takes a second look around before he finally spots Ariel seated at the far end of the bar. She was alone and looked rather bored. "Well... there she is." Pete nods in her direction before glancing at Trey. "It's all you now."
Swiveling back and forth on the bar stool, Ariel stirs her fruit punch with the straw, watching the ice cubes chase each other around the glass. She was in jeans and cowboy boots tonight, with a silky red blouse under her light, brown leather jacket. She'd decided to pull her hair back in a low ponytail tonight, but hadn't gone to too much trouble to look good. She wouldn't be here at all if Pete hadn't convinced her to come.
Sipping her drink a little, she resumes her stare at the cubes. So far, none of her own friends had shown up, or at least those she liked to hang out with at the beach parties. If Pete didn't show up soon, she'd have to lay into him tomorrow and he'd owe her one.
Party
Looking up front the fence once more Dan looks across the field for Dylan. If he was ever late it was never this long and Dan starts to worry. Calming his own nerves he tries to reason. Maybe Dylan had just forgotten about helping with the fence today and was cleaning stalls. Dan new he wouldn't feel better till he new for sure.
Making his way across the pasture and to the barn he enters looking around for a few moments. Not seeing Dylan and asking a few of the hand but getting no luck Dan's gut twisted. Now leaving the barn Dan goes to Dylan's bunk and gives a knock on the door. Getting no answer he knocks again, nothing, once more.
"Dylan if your in there I am coming in."
Checking the door and finding it unlocked Dan enters the bunk house and looks around before spotting Dylan on the floor by the wall. Rushing over to him and dropping down on the floor Dan could feel his heart race. A million and one things could be wrong right now and for the first time in a while he was petrified. He didn't want to see anything happen to Dylan he new it would crush his family.
"Dylan...Dylan can you hear me? Whats going on?"
Dan checked Dylan's pulse and breaths a sigh of re leaf when he found it. He wasn't dead, and it didn't look like he had, had an OD. It looked more like a withdraw. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket Dan whipes a little bit of the sweat from Dylan's face. He new Mick had to know about this but he had to give Dylan a chance to tell him himself, or at least ask for him to get Mick. If not than he would go on his own.
"Do you want me to go get Mick?"
Looking up as Pete knocks and enters Trey stands. He was ready as he's ever be. His hair was still damp from his shower, he was cleaned up a bit, had a nice white layered button up shirt on and a good pare of jeans, a bit of colon splashed on too.
"I think I am as ready as I am gonna get. Let party it up."
Turning around and grabbing his jean jacket along with a bag he took extra care of carrying Trey joins Pete at the door. Early this morning he'd left to go to the store and a few other places to returned. Seeing Ariel tonight made him a little worried but he did his best to fill himself with confidence anyways.
Making his way across the pasture and to the barn he enters looking around for a few moments. Not seeing Dylan and asking a few of the hand but getting no luck Dan's gut twisted. Now leaving the barn Dan goes to Dylan's bunk and gives a knock on the door. Getting no answer he knocks again, nothing, once more.
"Dylan if your in there I am coming in."
Checking the door and finding it unlocked Dan enters the bunk house and looks around before spotting Dylan on the floor by the wall. Rushing over to him and dropping down on the floor Dan could feel his heart race. A million and one things could be wrong right now and for the first time in a while he was petrified. He didn't want to see anything happen to Dylan he new it would crush his family.
"Dylan...Dylan can you hear me? Whats going on?"
Dan checked Dylan's pulse and breaths a sigh of re leaf when he found it. He wasn't dead, and it didn't look like he had, had an OD. It looked more like a withdraw. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket Dan whipes a little bit of the sweat from Dylan's face. He new Mick had to know about this but he had to give Dylan a chance to tell him himself, or at least ask for him to get Mick. If not than he would go on his own.
"Do you want me to go get Mick?"
Looking up as Pete knocks and enters Trey stands. He was ready as he's ever be. His hair was still damp from his shower, he was cleaned up a bit, had a nice white layered button up shirt on and a good pare of jeans, a bit of colon splashed on too.
"I think I am as ready as I am gonna get. Let party it up."
Turning around and grabbing his jean jacket along with a bag he took extra care of carrying Trey joins Pete at the door. Early this morning he'd left to go to the store and a few other places to returned. Seeing Ariel tonight made him a little worried but he did his best to fill himself with confidence anyways.
3/18/12
Breaking point
Dylan just nods in response and turns back to his work of sweeping. He knew Ashlee was just trying to be nice... and there really was a part of him that was grateful. He wasn't sure why she tried so hard - he didn't deserve it. But he was grateful anyway.
By the time supper rolled around though, the lights in his bunk would already be out. Quitting barn work early in the day, he'd managed to get some of his school done before crawling into bed. Someone checked on him once - Sparky? Later on, he wouldn't be sure since he'd been half asleep and just mumbled a response. By morning though, it wouldn't matter...
...Dylan had tried to get up three times. The last time, he'd been able to get up and pull on his jeans, but that was it before flopping back down in bed again. Curled up under his blanket, sweat poured down his face and he shook with chills, despite the warm temperature of his bunk. His stomach warned him not to move at all, lest he lose what little there was to lose. He knew if he didn't show up outside soon, someone would come looking for him. It wasn't unusual for him to skip breakfast, but he was supposed to work in the barn, then go check in with Rosetta for his schoolwork.
He pulls his blanket up a little farther and tries to ignore the shooting pain in his skull as he shivers again. He pries his eyes open to glance at the phone on his bedside table. But who would he call anyway? He'd been tempted yesterday to call someone who could help him get over this real quick... but somehow he'd convinced himself not to. He needed to beat this thing, not get in deeper. Now though... now he was in trouble. But asking for help... that meant telling the truth about what was wrong. He had a sinking feeling that people around here had figured out something at least... but he still didn't want to face them. Eventually though, somebody was going to notice his absence and come looking for him.
Struggling to stay awake, Dylan suddenly remembers that he was supposed to help Dan mend the corral fence this morning. Sparky had given him the task yesterday, saying he could do that this morning instead of cleaning stalls. But now what?
Dylan licks his dry lips and tries once more time to get himself up and out of bed. Slipping on a t-shirt and his boots, he walks shakily to the door only to sink down on the floor against the wall. No... he just wasn't going to make it. Dan would be on his own with the fence.
"Naw, you're good." Pete would have been willing to continue the conversation, but he knew better than to press it. "If I don't see you beforehand, I'll be around at about eight-thirty tomorrow night and you can ride with me to the party..."
...As promised, the next day Pete went home after work then returned a couple hours later to pick up Trey. He was dressed a little nicer than when going to the beach parties, but still casual. Wandering down to the lower level of TJY, he knocks on Trey's door.
"Ride's here," he announces. "Ready to party?"
By the time supper rolled around though, the lights in his bunk would already be out. Quitting barn work early in the day, he'd managed to get some of his school done before crawling into bed. Someone checked on him once - Sparky? Later on, he wouldn't be sure since he'd been half asleep and just mumbled a response. By morning though, it wouldn't matter...
...Dylan had tried to get up three times. The last time, he'd been able to get up and pull on his jeans, but that was it before flopping back down in bed again. Curled up under his blanket, sweat poured down his face and he shook with chills, despite the warm temperature of his bunk. His stomach warned him not to move at all, lest he lose what little there was to lose. He knew if he didn't show up outside soon, someone would come looking for him. It wasn't unusual for him to skip breakfast, but he was supposed to work in the barn, then go check in with Rosetta for his schoolwork.
He pulls his blanket up a little farther and tries to ignore the shooting pain in his skull as he shivers again. He pries his eyes open to glance at the phone on his bedside table. But who would he call anyway? He'd been tempted yesterday to call someone who could help him get over this real quick... but somehow he'd convinced himself not to. He needed to beat this thing, not get in deeper. Now though... now he was in trouble. But asking for help... that meant telling the truth about what was wrong. He had a sinking feeling that people around here had figured out something at least... but he still didn't want to face them. Eventually though, somebody was going to notice his absence and come looking for him.
Struggling to stay awake, Dylan suddenly remembers that he was supposed to help Dan mend the corral fence this morning. Sparky had given him the task yesterday, saying he could do that this morning instead of cleaning stalls. But now what?
Dylan licks his dry lips and tries once more time to get himself up and out of bed. Slipping on a t-shirt and his boots, he walks shakily to the door only to sink down on the floor against the wall. No... he just wasn't going to make it. Dan would be on his own with the fence.
"Naw, you're good." Pete would have been willing to continue the conversation, but he knew better than to press it. "If I don't see you beforehand, I'll be around at about eight-thirty tomorrow night and you can ride with me to the party..."
...As promised, the next day Pete went home after work then returned a couple hours later to pick up Trey. He was dressed a little nicer than when going to the beach parties, but still casual. Wandering down to the lower level of TJY, he knocks on Trey's door.
"Ride's here," he announces. "Ready to party?"
Don't Expect
Sitting up again with his arms folded across Pete's desk. He gives a knowing nod as he thinks for a long moment about how he had acted the other night. Thinking about it he was still embarrassed it happened at all witch was a strange new emotion. Back home he wouldn't have cared one way or the other. So to now care....it was just strange.
"Well, I really don't expect her to, and...I think as long as I know she dosn't turn and fun the other way I'll be ok."
Trey was use to people not trusting him so he really was ok with that. It was kind the norm for him and he new it was his own fault. He just wanted her to know he was sorry, and try not to lose the friendship he's built.
"Was there anything else you needed me to help with or am I good?"
Placing her napkin down in her basket Misty gives another smile to Carson's suggestion. Maybe going to the late and just being together would be nice. After yesterday he extra time together would be well needed.
"I think I like the sound of that. Maybe we can pack some leftovers and have a little picnic."
Taking note to how much Dylan was sweating and the slight shake in his hand Ashlee wondered if everything was ok. She new he hadn't been feeling well and not eating much and it made her worry. Letting out a little sigh though she smiles anyways.
"Oh, ok...I hope you feel better. Maybe tonight if your still feeling bad I could bring you some soup."
Ashlee new not to agitate Dylan to much she understood when people were sick sometimes they just didn't want to be bothered. She just wanted Dylan to be ok too. It was hard not to worry about her friend now that he was back.
"Well, I really don't expect her to, and...I think as long as I know she dosn't turn and fun the other way I'll be ok."
Trey was use to people not trusting him so he really was ok with that. It was kind the norm for him and he new it was his own fault. He just wanted her to know he was sorry, and try not to lose the friendship he's built.
"Was there anything else you needed me to help with or am I good?"
Placing her napkin down in her basket Misty gives another smile to Carson's suggestion. Maybe going to the late and just being together would be nice. After yesterday he extra time together would be well needed.
"I think I like the sound of that. Maybe we can pack some leftovers and have a little picnic."
Taking note to how much Dylan was sweating and the slight shake in his hand Ashlee wondered if everything was ok. She new he hadn't been feeling well and not eating much and it made her worry. Letting out a little sigh though she smiles anyways.
"Oh, ok...I hope you feel better. Maybe tonight if your still feeling bad I could bring you some soup."
Ashlee new not to agitate Dylan to much she understood when people were sick sometimes they just didn't want to be bothered. She just wanted Dylan to be ok too. It was hard not to worry about her friend now that he was back.
Decline
Though Jade hadn't heard Dan approach, his sudden presence didn't startle her. She knew instantly that it was his arm that wrapped around her and she automatically leans into him. Her hand finds his and she locks her fingers around his too, just glad he was near.
She sighs and continues to stare out into the pasture. "I know," she replies softly. Another tear rolls silently down her cheek. "I just don't understand why he's doing this... I don't understand why Dad isn't doing anything.... It's like I'm just watching Dylan fade away and no one is trying to help. I know it has to be his own decision but... I don't know... I guess I'm just scared he's going to do something stupid and I'll never get my brother back at all."
Shifting around, she buries her face against his chest and wraps her arms around his waist.
Still scowling and trying to finish sweeping out the barn, Dylan's gaze snaps up at Ashlee. Any other day, he'd take her up on her request for company while studying. But today?
Sighing, he leans on his broom and wipes the insistent sweat from his forehead. His hand trembles slightly and he shakes his head. "Sorry, Ash..." He blinks away another bead of sweat, paling slightly as another brief wave of dizziness hits. "I um.... I'm not feeling so hot today."
He didn't mean to let irritation lace his tone, but he was having a very hard time today controlling his mood at all. His reaction to Jade proved that. He didn't want to upset Ashlee, though, and he tries to soften his tone. "I'll probably wind up in my bunk after I'm done here... thanks though."
"Mmm..." Pete leans back, putting his hands behind his head. "Knowing Ariel, yeah, she'll listen to you. She gives everyone a fair shake."
He squints an eye, studying Trey. "But whether or not she'll trust you again... that's something I can't answer."
Once more, Carson experiences relief flowing through his veins. Finally smiling, he moves his hand across the table to take Misty's. "Don't thank me... I just wish I had time to do more than just grab a bite. Maybe... we can take an evening drive out to the lake or something?"
She sighs and continues to stare out into the pasture. "I know," she replies softly. Another tear rolls silently down her cheek. "I just don't understand why he's doing this... I don't understand why Dad isn't doing anything.... It's like I'm just watching Dylan fade away and no one is trying to help. I know it has to be his own decision but... I don't know... I guess I'm just scared he's going to do something stupid and I'll never get my brother back at all."
Shifting around, she buries her face against his chest and wraps her arms around his waist.
Still scowling and trying to finish sweeping out the barn, Dylan's gaze snaps up at Ashlee. Any other day, he'd take her up on her request for company while studying. But today?
Sighing, he leans on his broom and wipes the insistent sweat from his forehead. His hand trembles slightly and he shakes his head. "Sorry, Ash..." He blinks away another bead of sweat, paling slightly as another brief wave of dizziness hits. "I um.... I'm not feeling so hot today."
He didn't mean to let irritation lace his tone, but he was having a very hard time today controlling his mood at all. His reaction to Jade proved that. He didn't want to upset Ashlee, though, and he tries to soften his tone. "I'll probably wind up in my bunk after I'm done here... thanks though."
"Mmm..." Pete leans back, putting his hands behind his head. "Knowing Ariel, yeah, she'll listen to you. She gives everyone a fair shake."
He squints an eye, studying Trey. "But whether or not she'll trust you again... that's something I can't answer."
Once more, Carson experiences relief flowing through his veins. Finally smiling, he moves his hand across the table to take Misty's. "Don't thank me... I just wish I had time to do more than just grab a bite. Maybe... we can take an evening drive out to the lake or something?"
Though it hurts...
Exiting the barn and seeing Jade at once of the fences Dan lets out a small sigh. He felt badly for Jade, and new this must be hard for her. To sit back and watch her brother destroy himself. He new for himself it was hard. Dylan was like a younger brother to him and he longed to help. Jade being blood and having a big heart like hers it must be ten times what he was feeling.
Slowly coming up behind her Dan puts his arms around her wast and leans his head on her shoulder. Just drawing her in close to him and sheltering her as much as he could. Sometimes he wished he could do more, keep her from the cruel world but he new he couldn't and what he had was the best he could do.
"He doesn't mean it you know. To be such a jerk and hurt you. It's him talking but...not really him."
Dan is quiet again for a moment. He wasn't trying to make excuses for Dylan and say what he was doing was ok. But this pattern Dan new it was hard to break once started. All they could do was hope and pray that Dylan could break the hold and he would become stronger in God to help overcome it.
"Though it hurts the best thing you can do is be there for him. He's going to need it, no matter what he says, no matter what he does. He's going to need your support."
Entering the barn Ashlee smiles as she spots Dylan. She had a feeling he would be here and she was happy to be right. Going over to him Ashlee gives a wave and a smile. It was a nice today out today and she wondered if he'd like to study with her.
"I was wondering if maybe you'd like to study with me a little bit? It's really nice out and after lunch I was thinking about going to the south field."
Ashlee gives another smile to Dylan. It was always more fun to do some work with someone than alone. It helped her in a way focus more and it was nice to have a break here and there to chat with someone. She just hoped Dylan would like the idea too.
Sitting at Pete's desk and just listing to him on the phone Trey taps his pen on the stack of papers he had just finished. It sounded like Ariel was being difficult and it made Trey a little nervous. Would Pete be able to get her to come?
As Pete finally gets Ariel to come Trey gives a smirk. Waiting till Pete hands up the phone before giving a nod and leaning back in the chair.
"Thanks Pete. Now I just hope she'll listen to me. If I was her....I wouldn't."
Letting out a long sigh Trey's look was one in deep thought for a long moment. He had all night to try and think what he was going to say tomorrow, but the biggest fear on his mind was rejection. What if Ariel wouldn't listen and the damage he had done was to great? What would he do that?
"Think she will listen to me?"
Sitting quietly eating her tuna wrap Misty was quiet. She really didn't have much to say and though she wasn't that hungry the wrap sure did taste good. As Carson finally says something Misty looks down at the wrap and than up at Carson again.
Just staying quiet Misty took a stray peace of lettuces and put it in her mouth. She was still pretty upset about last night But Carson was being pretty sweet now and to hear him saw he was sorry Misty could see in his eyes he did mean it.
"I forgive you. Sorry you were offended by my wording but put yourself in my shoes...thats how it looked. Next time I'll think a little more before I jump."
Taking the last bit of her wrap and whiping her mouth Misty does her best to give a smile to Caron. Her stomach was still in knots but she new that they would be ok now. and she would keep true to her word and think before she spoke.
"Thank you for lunch Carson!"
Slowly coming up behind her Dan puts his arms around her wast and leans his head on her shoulder. Just drawing her in close to him and sheltering her as much as he could. Sometimes he wished he could do more, keep her from the cruel world but he new he couldn't and what he had was the best he could do.
"He doesn't mean it you know. To be such a jerk and hurt you. It's him talking but...not really him."
Dan is quiet again for a moment. He wasn't trying to make excuses for Dylan and say what he was doing was ok. But this pattern Dan new it was hard to break once started. All they could do was hope and pray that Dylan could break the hold and he would become stronger in God to help overcome it.
"Though it hurts the best thing you can do is be there for him. He's going to need it, no matter what he says, no matter what he does. He's going to need your support."
Entering the barn Ashlee smiles as she spots Dylan. She had a feeling he would be here and she was happy to be right. Going over to him Ashlee gives a wave and a smile. It was a nice today out today and she wondered if he'd like to study with her.
"I was wondering if maybe you'd like to study with me a little bit? It's really nice out and after lunch I was thinking about going to the south field."
Ashlee gives another smile to Dylan. It was always more fun to do some work with someone than alone. It helped her in a way focus more and it was nice to have a break here and there to chat with someone. She just hoped Dylan would like the idea too.
Sitting at Pete's desk and just listing to him on the phone Trey taps his pen on the stack of papers he had just finished. It sounded like Ariel was being difficult and it made Trey a little nervous. Would Pete be able to get her to come?
As Pete finally gets Ariel to come Trey gives a smirk. Waiting till Pete hands up the phone before giving a nod and leaning back in the chair.
"Thanks Pete. Now I just hope she'll listen to me. If I was her....I wouldn't."
Letting out a long sigh Trey's look was one in deep thought for a long moment. He had all night to try and think what he was going to say tomorrow, but the biggest fear on his mind was rejection. What if Ariel wouldn't listen and the damage he had done was to great? What would he do that?
"Think she will listen to me?"
Sitting quietly eating her tuna wrap Misty was quiet. She really didn't have much to say and though she wasn't that hungry the wrap sure did taste good. As Carson finally says something Misty looks down at the wrap and than up at Carson again.
Just staying quiet Misty took a stray peace of lettuces and put it in her mouth. She was still pretty upset about last night But Carson was being pretty sweet now and to hear him saw he was sorry Misty could see in his eyes he did mean it.
"I forgive you. Sorry you were offended by my wording but put yourself in my shoes...thats how it looked. Next time I'll think a little more before I jump."
Taking the last bit of her wrap and whiping her mouth Misty does her best to give a smile to Caron. Her stomach was still in knots but she new that they would be ok now. and she would keep true to her word and think before she spoke.
"Thank you for lunch Carson!"
3/17/12
Dizzy
Carson could feel a small wave of relief when Misty agrees to go with him. He'd feared perhaps she would refuse. Offering her a crooked smile, he nods. "Okay. Come on." Leading the way, he heads through TJY and out to his car.
The ride to the Sandwich Basket is very quiet, and even after they order and seat themselves at an outside table to enjoy the sunshine, conversation is all but none.
Carson works on a sub sandwich but it didn't taste all that good today. He didn't think it was the food though - it was him and his sour stomach. Eventually he sets his sub down and sighs.
"Misty, I..." His eyes attach themselves to his food basket. "I'm sorry... about last night. I was kinda hurt how you said I lied, I guess, but I shouldn't have blown up at you." He shrugs. "I don't know what happened with the phone but I didn't mean to worry you or upset you, especially when we had company over."
His gaze finally rises to look at her. "So yeah... I'm really sorry."
"Hey, Ariel. It's Pete.... Mm-hmm... yeah, it's all good.... It's fine. It all worked out.... Yeah.... Hey, listen, are you coming to the party tomorrow?" Pete swivels in his chair at his desk, giving Trey a sidelong glance. He was doing as promised - calling Ariel to try and get her to show up at the party tomorrow night.
"No, it's downtown. The Sunrise... Yeah, I know you don't usually, but it shouldn't be too rowdy or anything...." He grimaces at Trey. Ariel was balking. "I know. But really, it's mostly gonna be the same crowd - you know must of 'em are pretty good at not getting out of hand." It was true - most of the people he knew at these get-togethers might drink a little and get a little loud, but never got out of hand or did anything to get into trouble. He even saw friends from church now and again, and Ariel certainly was one of those that just wanted to have good clean fun, emphasis on the clean. Pete had never experienced anything there that would be cause for concern though, even for the young ladies. He wasn't surprised Ariel was wary of a different kind of party though.
"...Right... well, I'll be there... Yeah. Hang out with me if you want.... Eh, work can wait. Come on..." Pete rolls his eyes. She had no idea how difficult she was being. "Ahh, 'maybe' is as good as a 'yes.' So that's a yes, right?"
He grins. "Good. Uh yeah... about nine o'clock..... Yep, see you there. Alright..... Bye."
Hanging up, Pete turns back to Trey. "Well, there you go, Bud. She'll be there tomorrow night."
"Okay. Thanks, Stacy." Mick nods. "I've been through this once with Dylan before... but things are kinda different now so I'm not really sure what's going to happen. Thanks for staying extra alert though."
Opening the door for her, he lets her go back inside and follows. They needn't discuss this anymore for now. What would be would be and they just needed to wait on Dylan now...
...."No, I don't want any lunch!" Dylan raises his voice, swinging glare at Jade. First Mick then Jeff then Sparky, now Jade. "How many people do I have to tell that to?!"
Jade blinks and takes a step back from where he was sweeping the barn aisle. "Alright already. Sheesh. I was just wondering if you were hungry after you skipped breakfast." And since he hadn't come to supper the night before either. She knew he'd probably snagged a snack when no one was around, but it still concerned her.
Dylan grips the broom tightly. "You keeping track now or what? Dad have you watching me to make sure I get my three solid meals a day?"
Though her brother snapping at her stung a bit, Jade throws up her arms in disgust. "Oh shut up. You know that's not true. If I'da known you were this sensitive today, I wouldn't have asked. I'll see you later." Spinning on her heel she stalks away, not giving him another chance to respond.
Dylan watches her leave then growls angrily before continuing to sweep. He wipes the sweat from his brow, fighting the mild dizzy spell. He wanted one thing right now, and one thing only. But he was out. And there was no source to get more.
Pausing his work, he takes a deep breath. He could do this. He had to. He could beat this thing.
Jade stalks over to the nearest pasture fence to lean on and take a deep breath. She wasn't stupid. She knew what was happening. And it pained her to see her brother suffering. She wished there was something she could do, but she knew there wasn't. Why did Dylan have to do this? Why did he have to make all those bad choices? Would he make it through this? Would he wind up just eventually going back to that life again later? Was this really the last time? What did the others think? Surely most everyone knew. Did Dylan even realize how obvious his problem had become? Why wasn't her dad doing anything about it? Why had he told her to remain silent as well and let Dylan deal with it in his own time? She just didn't understand!
Swiping angrily at a tear, she scoffs into the wind. Why should she care anyway? Dylan could care less about her. When she'd finally seen him after he'd come back and given him a hug, it hadn't even been returned. There was still no smile. Nothing to say that he was glad she was there. Nothing. it was the same as always. She loved her brother to death but it was never returned, and it was getting harder to just not shut him off completely. Especially now. Especially when she had to stand back and watch him stubbornly try to survive on his own.
The ride to the Sandwich Basket is very quiet, and even after they order and seat themselves at an outside table to enjoy the sunshine, conversation is all but none.
Carson works on a sub sandwich but it didn't taste all that good today. He didn't think it was the food though - it was him and his sour stomach. Eventually he sets his sub down and sighs.
"Misty, I..." His eyes attach themselves to his food basket. "I'm sorry... about last night. I was kinda hurt how you said I lied, I guess, but I shouldn't have blown up at you." He shrugs. "I don't know what happened with the phone but I didn't mean to worry you or upset you, especially when we had company over."
His gaze finally rises to look at her. "So yeah... I'm really sorry."
"Hey, Ariel. It's Pete.... Mm-hmm... yeah, it's all good.... It's fine. It all worked out.... Yeah.... Hey, listen, are you coming to the party tomorrow?" Pete swivels in his chair at his desk, giving Trey a sidelong glance. He was doing as promised - calling Ariel to try and get her to show up at the party tomorrow night.
"No, it's downtown. The Sunrise... Yeah, I know you don't usually, but it shouldn't be too rowdy or anything...." He grimaces at Trey. Ariel was balking. "I know. But really, it's mostly gonna be the same crowd - you know must of 'em are pretty good at not getting out of hand." It was true - most of the people he knew at these get-togethers might drink a little and get a little loud, but never got out of hand or did anything to get into trouble. He even saw friends from church now and again, and Ariel certainly was one of those that just wanted to have good clean fun, emphasis on the clean. Pete had never experienced anything there that would be cause for concern though, even for the young ladies. He wasn't surprised Ariel was wary of a different kind of party though.
"...Right... well, I'll be there... Yeah. Hang out with me if you want.... Eh, work can wait. Come on..." Pete rolls his eyes. She had no idea how difficult she was being. "Ahh, 'maybe' is as good as a 'yes.' So that's a yes, right?"
He grins. "Good. Uh yeah... about nine o'clock..... Yep, see you there. Alright..... Bye."
Hanging up, Pete turns back to Trey. "Well, there you go, Bud. She'll be there tomorrow night."
"Okay. Thanks, Stacy." Mick nods. "I've been through this once with Dylan before... but things are kinda different now so I'm not really sure what's going to happen. Thanks for staying extra alert though."
Opening the door for her, he lets her go back inside and follows. They needn't discuss this anymore for now. What would be would be and they just needed to wait on Dylan now...
...."No, I don't want any lunch!" Dylan raises his voice, swinging glare at Jade. First Mick then Jeff then Sparky, now Jade. "How many people do I have to tell that to?!"
Jade blinks and takes a step back from where he was sweeping the barn aisle. "Alright already. Sheesh. I was just wondering if you were hungry after you skipped breakfast." And since he hadn't come to supper the night before either. She knew he'd probably snagged a snack when no one was around, but it still concerned her.
Dylan grips the broom tightly. "You keeping track now or what? Dad have you watching me to make sure I get my three solid meals a day?"
Though her brother snapping at her stung a bit, Jade throws up her arms in disgust. "Oh shut up. You know that's not true. If I'da known you were this sensitive today, I wouldn't have asked. I'll see you later." Spinning on her heel she stalks away, not giving him another chance to respond.
Dylan watches her leave then growls angrily before continuing to sweep. He wipes the sweat from his brow, fighting the mild dizzy spell. He wanted one thing right now, and one thing only. But he was out. And there was no source to get more.
Pausing his work, he takes a deep breath. He could do this. He had to. He could beat this thing.
Jade stalks over to the nearest pasture fence to lean on and take a deep breath. She wasn't stupid. She knew what was happening. And it pained her to see her brother suffering. She wished there was something she could do, but she knew there wasn't. Why did Dylan have to do this? Why did he have to make all those bad choices? Would he make it through this? Would he wind up just eventually going back to that life again later? Was this really the last time? What did the others think? Surely most everyone knew. Did Dylan even realize how obvious his problem had become? Why wasn't her dad doing anything about it? Why had he told her to remain silent as well and let Dylan deal with it in his own time? She just didn't understand!
Swiping angrily at a tear, she scoffs into the wind. Why should she care anyway? Dylan could care less about her. When she'd finally seen him after he'd come back and given him a hug, it hadn't even been returned. There was still no smile. Nothing to say that he was glad she was there. Nothing. it was the same as always. She loved her brother to death but it was never returned, and it was getting harder to just not shut him off completely. Especially now. Especially when she had to stand back and watch him stubbornly try to survive on his own.
Keep an eye
Sitting at her desk lost in work Misty doesn't even notice someone come into the infirmary and she was so tired at the same time she couldn't feel someone behind her. Put seeing the flower come over her shoulder and than Carson's voice Misty can't help that the corners of her lips twitch as she reaches up and take the flower.
She was hungry, not eating this morning was catching up with her. Being mad was wearing on her too. Maybe she should go, everything could be ok. This could be a chance to talk, or at least try to get over yesterday right?
"I guess I am hungry so I should eat something and I do have some time for lunch."
Closing what she was working on Misty stands and goes over to the closet and pulls out her jacket putting it on. Going back to her desk she grabs her wallet and looks to Carson trying to give a little smile.
"I'm ready. You pick the place."
Listing to Mick Stacy gives a nod. She had a feeling something was up with Dylan and he might have gained some bad habits back. But didn't know for sure and didn't want to jump the gun. Many things pointed to that though.
"Yeah I had a feeling about that. I have been trying to keep a closer eye on him and didn't want to jump to quickly like last time."
Stacy cross her arms as she thinks for a moment before speaking again.
"I do believe Dylan wouldn't do anything to hurt anyone though. I'll make sure I stay alert though just in case. I'll keep you posted as well. Let me know if you notice anythign too."
She was hungry, not eating this morning was catching up with her. Being mad was wearing on her too. Maybe she should go, everything could be ok. This could be a chance to talk, or at least try to get over yesterday right?
"I guess I am hungry so I should eat something and I do have some time for lunch."
Closing what she was working on Misty stands and goes over to the closet and pulls out her jacket putting it on. Going back to her desk she grabs her wallet and looks to Carson trying to give a little smile.
"I'm ready. You pick the place."
Listing to Mick Stacy gives a nod. She had a feeling something was up with Dylan and he might have gained some bad habits back. But didn't know for sure and didn't want to jump the gun. Many things pointed to that though.
"Yeah I had a feeling about that. I have been trying to keep a closer eye on him and didn't want to jump to quickly like last time."
Stacy cross her arms as she thinks for a moment before speaking again.
"I do believe Dylan wouldn't do anything to hurt anyone though. I'll make sure I stay alert though just in case. I'll keep you posted as well. Let me know if you notice anythign too."
Daisy
"Carson... this was supposed to be without onions." Dani hands back a plate of food through the kitchen window.
Carson growls in frustration and takes it back to remake.
Watching him for several moments, Dani furrows her brow. She was worried about him, which was unusual. Sure, her brother got in a bad mood every now and then - everybody did. Everybody had bad days too. What bothered her was that Carson's bad day was lasting more than a day. He used to smile and laugh and go out and mingle with customers. But for the last week or two, he'd been downright antisocial around the restaurant, moody, and snapping at his waitresses was becoming much too frequent.
Finally brave enough to wander into the kitchen, Dani comes up beside him at the counter to help out with the food. She opted to not complain about his mood. "You okay?" she asks softly.
Her tone was gentle enough that Carson couldn't get mad at her. His shoulders drop slightly but he keeps his eyes on the food. "I don't know."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Naw... just..." He sighs. and turns to put the food in the oven. "Misty and I had a fight and I just can't concentrate today."
Dani frowns and lays a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm sure it will all be okay. Everybody argues."
"Yeah... I guess you're right." Carson shrugs. "I guess it's so rare for her and me that I don't know what to do with myself when it happens."
Dani offers him a smile. "If I know you, you'll think of something."
...Lunchtime. It was the busiest time of day for Mom and Pop's, but Carson had left it in the hands of Dani, Thirteen and Herb for just an hour or so.
Entering the infirmary slowly, Carson felt more awkward here than he had in a long time. It wasn't a good feeling. Spying Misty very involved with the work at her desk, he approaches quietly, walking around out of her line of sight. Coming up behind her, he stops and watches for a moment. Then a long-stemmed daisy slithers over her shoulder.
"Care to join an Aussie for lunch?" he asks softly.
Sparky keeps a close eye on Dylan as the young man finishes cleaning a stall and hauls the wheelbarrow down the barn aisle. It had been a few days since he'd shown up again, and things were still a bit awkward, but it seemed he was genuinely trying to fit back in around here once more. As far as Sparky knew, his nephew had started his schoolwork again and he'd been seen spending a little bit of time with Ashlee. He'd also gotten back in the saddle to help Sparky exercise the horses as well. There was just one thing...
Sighing, Sparky goes back to resetting the hay rack in another stall. A shadow though, pauses him yet again. Looking up, he sees Mick. "Yes?"
Mick shrugs. "Just wondering how Dylan's doing. He doesn't talk to me now any more than he did before he left, ya know."
Sparky straightens, fingering his screwdriver as he leans on the open stall door. He knew Mick still struggled with the fact that Dylan worked and talked with him instead of his own father. But Sparky wouldn't turn down his nephew - if Dylan talked to anybody at all, it was a good thing. Sparky studies his brother's face. "He's doing alright."
Mick senses hesitance. "But...?"
Sparky's eyes lower and he fiddles with the screwdriver.
"What? What is it?"
Sparky shrugs.
Mick steps closer. "Tyler..."
Sparky's gaze shoots back up, annoyed. "Well, I just... I don't think Dylan's being completely honest."
"With what?"
"With... what he... might still be doing... since he came back."
"As in...?"
"I dunno. I... think he's on something."
Mick nods slowly. "Yeah. That's what I think too."
Sparky's eyebrows rise. He'd thought Mick would be upset with him for such an accusation against his son. "You do?"
"Mm-hmm... I thought so from the first time I saw him when he got back. I've talked to a few of the others too, and you and I aren't the only ones that have noticed."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I just wondered if you saw it too."
"Unfortunately." Sparky purses his lips in thought. He'd seen that look in Dylan's eye. The strange behavior. The odd moods. The poor physical condition. "You gonna confront him?"
"Nope." Mick shakes his head. "This time it's gotta be his choice."
"You're just gonna ignore it?"
"No... whatever it is he's got is pretty heavy - he doesn't think anybody's noticed the needle marks on his arm. But if..." Mick would rather not say it aloud, but he knew it was best. "...if it's heroin like it was before, he's gonna run out. And he has nowhere to go..."
"...Coming to supper?"
Dylan stops and turns around, en route to his bunk. He shakes his head at Sparky. "I, um.... I got a headache - I think I'm just gonna go lie down."
Sparky lifts an eyebrow but doesn't question him. He did wonder, though, if Mick had been right, when they'd spoken earlier. "Okay. You want me to tell Angel you want something f-"
"No." Dylan's answer cuts him off. "I mean... I'm fine. Thanks."
"Yeah, okay." Sparky shrugs. "Well if you need anything, holler."
Dylan watches as his uncle heads to the dining hall before continuing on to his bunk. Getting inside, he kicks off his boots and flops down on the bed. His head felt like it was splitting open, and the thought of food was rather nauseating. No... tonight he'd rather sleep. And in the morning... he had a feeling that it would be worse than it was now, but he could pretend, right?
Sparky continues on to the dining hall where most of the others were already. Glancing across the room he catches Mick's eye and shakes his head slightly. Mick nods in responds.
Weaving through the tables, Mick makes his way over to where Stacy was. "Stacy..." He motions to the door. "Can I have a word with you for just a moment?" He wouldn't keep her long, since supper was almost ready.
Leading the way out onto the porch, he sighs and tips his hat back a little. "I just wanted to make sure you were aware of something. Knowing you, you probably already figured it out, but..." He shakes his head. "I'm not a hundred percent sure, but Dylan's got all the signs of being on drugs. I've got a feeling he's about ready to run out, if he hasn't already, and things could get difficult. I wanted you to be aware, first, because of Ashlee, and second, because I don't know if Dylan will try to leave again, but I need you to keep your eye out for that."
He shrugs lamely. He still felt like a failure of a father, but there was no point in not facing the truth. "That's all I wanted to tell you."
Carson growls in frustration and takes it back to remake.
Watching him for several moments, Dani furrows her brow. She was worried about him, which was unusual. Sure, her brother got in a bad mood every now and then - everybody did. Everybody had bad days too. What bothered her was that Carson's bad day was lasting more than a day. He used to smile and laugh and go out and mingle with customers. But for the last week or two, he'd been downright antisocial around the restaurant, moody, and snapping at his waitresses was becoming much too frequent.
Finally brave enough to wander into the kitchen, Dani comes up beside him at the counter to help out with the food. She opted to not complain about his mood. "You okay?" she asks softly.
Her tone was gentle enough that Carson couldn't get mad at her. His shoulders drop slightly but he keeps his eyes on the food. "I don't know."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Naw... just..." He sighs. and turns to put the food in the oven. "Misty and I had a fight and I just can't concentrate today."
Dani frowns and lays a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm sure it will all be okay. Everybody argues."
"Yeah... I guess you're right." Carson shrugs. "I guess it's so rare for her and me that I don't know what to do with myself when it happens."
Dani offers him a smile. "If I know you, you'll think of something."
...Lunchtime. It was the busiest time of day for Mom and Pop's, but Carson had left it in the hands of Dani, Thirteen and Herb for just an hour or so.
Entering the infirmary slowly, Carson felt more awkward here than he had in a long time. It wasn't a good feeling. Spying Misty very involved with the work at her desk, he approaches quietly, walking around out of her line of sight. Coming up behind her, he stops and watches for a moment. Then a long-stemmed daisy slithers over her shoulder.
"Care to join an Aussie for lunch?" he asks softly.
Sparky keeps a close eye on Dylan as the young man finishes cleaning a stall and hauls the wheelbarrow down the barn aisle. It had been a few days since he'd shown up again, and things were still a bit awkward, but it seemed he was genuinely trying to fit back in around here once more. As far as Sparky knew, his nephew had started his schoolwork again and he'd been seen spending a little bit of time with Ashlee. He'd also gotten back in the saddle to help Sparky exercise the horses as well. There was just one thing...
Sighing, Sparky goes back to resetting the hay rack in another stall. A shadow though, pauses him yet again. Looking up, he sees Mick. "Yes?"
Mick shrugs. "Just wondering how Dylan's doing. He doesn't talk to me now any more than he did before he left, ya know."
Sparky straightens, fingering his screwdriver as he leans on the open stall door. He knew Mick still struggled with the fact that Dylan worked and talked with him instead of his own father. But Sparky wouldn't turn down his nephew - if Dylan talked to anybody at all, it was a good thing. Sparky studies his brother's face. "He's doing alright."
Mick senses hesitance. "But...?"
Sparky's eyes lower and he fiddles with the screwdriver.
"What? What is it?"
Sparky shrugs.
Mick steps closer. "Tyler..."
Sparky's gaze shoots back up, annoyed. "Well, I just... I don't think Dylan's being completely honest."
"With what?"
"With... what he... might still be doing... since he came back."
"As in...?"
"I dunno. I... think he's on something."
Mick nods slowly. "Yeah. That's what I think too."
Sparky's eyebrows rise. He'd thought Mick would be upset with him for such an accusation against his son. "You do?"
"Mm-hmm... I thought so from the first time I saw him when he got back. I've talked to a few of the others too, and you and I aren't the only ones that have noticed."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I just wondered if you saw it too."
"Unfortunately." Sparky purses his lips in thought. He'd seen that look in Dylan's eye. The strange behavior. The odd moods. The poor physical condition. "You gonna confront him?"
"Nope." Mick shakes his head. "This time it's gotta be his choice."
"You're just gonna ignore it?"
"No... whatever it is he's got is pretty heavy - he doesn't think anybody's noticed the needle marks on his arm. But if..." Mick would rather not say it aloud, but he knew it was best. "...if it's heroin like it was before, he's gonna run out. And he has nowhere to go..."
"...Coming to supper?"
Dylan stops and turns around, en route to his bunk. He shakes his head at Sparky. "I, um.... I got a headache - I think I'm just gonna go lie down."
Sparky lifts an eyebrow but doesn't question him. He did wonder, though, if Mick had been right, when they'd spoken earlier. "Okay. You want me to tell Angel you want something f-"
"No." Dylan's answer cuts him off. "I mean... I'm fine. Thanks."
"Yeah, okay." Sparky shrugs. "Well if you need anything, holler."
Dylan watches as his uncle heads to the dining hall before continuing on to his bunk. Getting inside, he kicks off his boots and flops down on the bed. His head felt like it was splitting open, and the thought of food was rather nauseating. No... tonight he'd rather sleep. And in the morning... he had a feeling that it would be worse than it was now, but he could pretend, right?
Sparky continues on to the dining hall where most of the others were already. Glancing across the room he catches Mick's eye and shakes his head slightly. Mick nods in responds.
Weaving through the tables, Mick makes his way over to where Stacy was. "Stacy..." He motions to the door. "Can I have a word with you for just a moment?" He wouldn't keep her long, since supper was almost ready.
Leading the way out onto the porch, he sighs and tips his hat back a little. "I just wanted to make sure you were aware of something. Knowing you, you probably already figured it out, but..." He shakes his head. "I'm not a hundred percent sure, but Dylan's got all the signs of being on drugs. I've got a feeling he's about ready to run out, if he hasn't already, and things could get difficult. I wanted you to be aware, first, because of Ashlee, and second, because I don't know if Dylan will try to leave again, but I need you to keep your eye out for that."
He shrugs lamely. He still felt like a failure of a father, but there was no point in not facing the truth. "That's all I wanted to tell you."
Past or Future
Hearing Carson moving around and not being in a deep sleep to start with Misty stirs just a bit. Not getting up though like she normally did she just continues to lay in bed staring into the dark. She was still angry with Carson over what happened last night. It had been totally uncalled for and the words still hurt. Misty couldn't remember the last time she had felt like this.
Feeling Carson come over to her and receiving the kiss to the cheek Misty doesn't reply, or even move. She continued to just lay there hoping Carson would just thinking she was asleep. And when he leaves with nothing else being said Misty was glad. She was still made at him and not ready to forgive him.
Letting out a sigh and rolling onto her back Misty closes her eyes for a moment as a few more hot tears rolled down her face. She wanted to so desperately go out and enjoy a cup of coffee with her hubby like she did every morning but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. She couldn't let Carson know last night was and ok thing.
Knowing finally Carson had left for the day Misty gets out of bed and wonders to the kitchen to get she own coffee and than shower. She didn't want to work, she felt sick to her stomach and looking into the bathroom mirror it was easy to tell she had a restless night, and had been crying. She just wanted to crawl into a hole even if she new she couldn't.
...An hour and a half later Misty enters TJY. She was pretty late and she new it but she simply didn't care. Her attemts at trying to hide how tired she was, and her red eyes failed. As soon as she took her sunglasses off it would be clean on her face. Maybe she could bury herself into her research or something exciting was going on today so no one would notice. Sitting at her desk Misty could only hope.
Finishing with the kiss and snuggling in deeper with him on the couch Jess just listens to the beating of his head the soft rythem of his breathing just lulling her. It was times like this that Jess cherished the most. The quiet ones where just hearts talked, and actions spoke louder than words.
"You don't owe me anything Axel but if you would still like to take me out on night I wont fight you on it."
Giving Axel a squeeze she lets out a soft happy sigh. She was content, no matter what would happen from here out she was content and completely in love with Axel. There was no doubt in her mind. Not past or future would change that.
Feeling Carson come over to her and receiving the kiss to the cheek Misty doesn't reply, or even move. She continued to just lay there hoping Carson would just thinking she was asleep. And when he leaves with nothing else being said Misty was glad. She was still made at him and not ready to forgive him.
Letting out a sigh and rolling onto her back Misty closes her eyes for a moment as a few more hot tears rolled down her face. She wanted to so desperately go out and enjoy a cup of coffee with her hubby like she did every morning but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. She couldn't let Carson know last night was and ok thing.
Knowing finally Carson had left for the day Misty gets out of bed and wonders to the kitchen to get she own coffee and than shower. She didn't want to work, she felt sick to her stomach and looking into the bathroom mirror it was easy to tell she had a restless night, and had been crying. She just wanted to crawl into a hole even if she new she couldn't.
...An hour and a half later Misty enters TJY. She was pretty late and she new it but she simply didn't care. Her attemts at trying to hide how tired she was, and her red eyes failed. As soon as she took her sunglasses off it would be clean on her face. Maybe she could bury herself into her research or something exciting was going on today so no one would notice. Sitting at her desk Misty could only hope.
Finishing with the kiss and snuggling in deeper with him on the couch Jess just listens to the beating of his head the soft rythem of his breathing just lulling her. It was times like this that Jess cherished the most. The quiet ones where just hearts talked, and actions spoke louder than words.
"You don't owe me anything Axel but if you would still like to take me out on night I wont fight you on it."
Giving Axel a squeeze she lets out a soft happy sigh. She was content, no matter what would happen from here out she was content and completely in love with Axel. There was no doubt in her mind. Not past or future would change that.
Kiss
Carson sits alone for a long time, nursing his beer until it's gone. Tonight, he could go for something stronger.
Eventually he does get up, but after putting away the empty bottle, he doesn't go to the bedroom. Instead, he hesitates in the hallway before turning back to the living room. Grabbing a blanket, he flops down on the couch and tries to get comfortable on the cushions. He couldn't remember the last time he'd chosen not to go to bed with his wife. A lump rises in his throat but he tries to ignore it. Things would be fine... they would work out... they would be fine...
...It was only a few hours before Carson was rising again for his morning run. When he gets back to the house to shower, it was still dark outside. Opening the bedroom door quietly, he slips in to find clean clothes for the day.
Once dressed, he checks the clock. He really didn't want to work today. But he had no choice.
Ready to leave, he pauses at the door and looks back over his shoulder at Misty's sleeping form. Was she really asleep? He had his doubts. She'd probably heard him moving about.
Sighing, he wanders quietly to her side of the bed. His heart hurt. He felt rotten. He'd let her down. He wanted to erase the previous night from their history. But he couldn't. And he knew... this was only the beginning of the pain.
Bending down, he kisses Misty's cheek. "I love you," he whispers.
Finally leaving the room, he goes to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee before leaving for Mom and Pop's.
Axel didn't know how much time had passed. He didn't really care though. It wasn't often he allowed himself to fall into these moments with Jess... to be this intimate... to just allow himself and her to express their feelings like this. But tonight he had, and he enjoyed it...
...The soft classical music still played in the background. The living room was dark. Axel was leaned back in the corner of the couch with Jess tucked under his arm. They had long since ceased making out and were just quietly enjoying each other's company now. Axel's hand absentmindedly wandered up and down her arm, his other hand having found her own to hold. With her head so close on his shoulder and chest, he kisses the top of it gently.
"I still owe you dinner out," he muses quietly.
Eventually he does get up, but after putting away the empty bottle, he doesn't go to the bedroom. Instead, he hesitates in the hallway before turning back to the living room. Grabbing a blanket, he flops down on the couch and tries to get comfortable on the cushions. He couldn't remember the last time he'd chosen not to go to bed with his wife. A lump rises in his throat but he tries to ignore it. Things would be fine... they would work out... they would be fine...
...It was only a few hours before Carson was rising again for his morning run. When he gets back to the house to shower, it was still dark outside. Opening the bedroom door quietly, he slips in to find clean clothes for the day.
Once dressed, he checks the clock. He really didn't want to work today. But he had no choice.
Ready to leave, he pauses at the door and looks back over his shoulder at Misty's sleeping form. Was she really asleep? He had his doubts. She'd probably heard him moving about.
Sighing, he wanders quietly to her side of the bed. His heart hurt. He felt rotten. He'd let her down. He wanted to erase the previous night from their history. But he couldn't. And he knew... this was only the beginning of the pain.
Bending down, he kisses Misty's cheek. "I love you," he whispers.
Finally leaving the room, he goes to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee before leaving for Mom and Pop's.
Axel didn't know how much time had passed. He didn't really care though. It wasn't often he allowed himself to fall into these moments with Jess... to be this intimate... to just allow himself and her to express their feelings like this. But tonight he had, and he enjoyed it...
...The soft classical music still played in the background. The living room was dark. Axel was leaned back in the corner of the couch with Jess tucked under his arm. They had long since ceased making out and were just quietly enjoying each other's company now. Axel's hand absentmindedly wandered up and down her arm, his other hand having found her own to hold. With her head so close on his shoulder and chest, he kisses the top of it gently.
"I still owe you dinner out," he muses quietly.
Over
Misty continues to wash the dishes as she feels a hot tear run from her eye down her cheek. She was angry and hurt she just wanted to scream. She new she could keep her mouth shut and not say anything else but she couldn't help it.
"Actually dropping it wont make me feel better. What will is you not over reacting next time I ask a question."
Letting the sink drain Misty whipes her hands off before heading for bed. Shaking her head as she got to the door way Misty didn't want to go to bed angry but there was nothing more to be said. She new tempers were hot and that would continue to make things worse.
Continuing Misty shuts the door behind her before changing into her pjs. Flopping down on the bed she bury her face into the pillow. Tonight would be a nite she cried herself to sleep, something she hadn't done in a long time.
"Actually dropping it wont make me feel better. What will is you not over reacting next time I ask a question."
Letting the sink drain Misty whipes her hands off before heading for bed. Shaking her head as she got to the door way Misty didn't want to go to bed angry but there was nothing more to be said. She new tempers were hot and that would continue to make things worse.
Continuing Misty shuts the door behind her before changing into her pjs. Flopping down on the bed she bury her face into the pillow. Tonight would be a nite she cried herself to sleep, something she hadn't done in a long time.
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