“She’s fine, and she’s coming home with us” my father growls. The finality to his tone is enough to make the doctor back off, grumbling about having paperwork for them to sign.
No part of me agree’s with taking her home, but I’m not about to argue with my father after seeing the way he just spoke to the medical professional.
A knock at the door causes me to jump, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I see my sister smile at the familiar face walking through the door.
“Hey kiddos” Craig says. He’s dressed in scrubs, with his badge hanging off the waistband of his pants. It’s crazy to think he’s already up for promotion, he’d be the youngest chief the hospital has ever seen. “Dave, Olivia” he nods.
“How are you?” My father asks, shaking Craigs hand.
He smiles, looking at Claire, “would be better if my favourite figure skater wasn’t sitting in my hospital right now.”
Claire sticks her tongue out at him, and I feel the heavy weight that’s been hanging off my shoulders lighten a bit. It’s good to see her joke around again.
“Well, she’ll be gone soon. We’re taking her home today.” My fathers voice has an edge to it as he cuts a glance towards Claire. She shrinks back into herself and the worry I had before returns.
What the hell have I missed these last couple years?
I can see Craig wanting to say something, but he holds his tongue. His eyes shift to my mother, watching her work, “and how do you feel about this?”
My mothers eyes widen, her mouth opens and closes like a fish before my father steps between them and speaks for her, “she’s on the same page as I am. Our daughter is fine, and it’s none of your business.”
My fists clench and I lose all sense of control, “you’re the only one who thinks this is a good idea. Claire is sick,” she flinches at my words and I silently curse myself, “she’s not okay. The doctors know what they’re talking about, and they say we should make her stay.”
Fathers eyes go wild with rage for a moment before he slides his perfect dad persona back into place. “We can take care of her at home.”
There’s nothing any of us can do to stop him, and I don’t know what the hell has been happening in the house recently but I do know they won’t be keeping a close enough eye on her, they never have.
I already have permission from the school to do a couple weeks of classes online, and Tony obviously was all for letting me stay here when he found out what happened.
“Everything is going to be alright Angel” I tell her, running my fingers through her hair. “I’m going to take care of you.”
thirty-seven
CLAIRE
Davis looks at me with sadness in his eyes, but not for himself. Every ounce of pain he’s feeling right now is forme.
I want to shrink into myself, even though I promised I wouldn’t do that anymore. Laying myself bare for others to see isn’t something I’m good at. I’ve grown up being told that my emotions make me weak, undesirable, ugly.
“Guess we’re both pretty fucked up, huh?” He grins, making the energy around us feel lighter.
Shrugging I wrap my arms around myself, trying to gain any semblance of warmth that I can. “Your parents don’t define you, yourpastdoesn’t define you. What your dad did is really messed up, but you came out swinging.” My hip bumps against his, “despite all the hatred you grew up with, you chose your own path. You’re kind, Davis. You’re funny and smart too, you just haven’t found your peace yet.”
I guess the same can be said for me.
“I know you’ve probably seen a million doctors, but I think if you come with me to see someone we can get you put on the right dosage. You shouldn’t have to feel like this all the time.”
He chuckles, places a kiss on the tip of my nose before smiling at me tenderly. “You’re like Clarity in human form, I don’t know how you do it.”
“Broken recognize broken, we tend to heal others because we don’t know how to help ourselves.”
* * *
Davis and I spent more time than I’d like to admit standing in the rain. I’m pretty sure our entire bodies are pruned up and wrinkly now.
Our clothes stick to us, moulding to our bodies with little to be imagined.
It’s weird though, normally he would be checking me out by now —seeing as my entire body is basically on display— but we’ve come to a new understanding. We get each other.
