Chapter Sixteen

Warning: Mom is going to talk about what happened to her son.  While it is not 'graphic', I still feel the need to warn you.

 

“Do you want to talk about what happened?” he asked, his voice muffled as he spoke into her hair.

Her chest expanded beneath his hands as she shook her head.

“After the…autopsy, they discovered that he had some old bruising that suggests that this might have been something he did often.  And that this time…”

She didn’t need to say anymore.

They both knew what happened this time.

The rubber coated cord he had used to asphyxiate himself had held together and wouldn’t release.

There were signs that he struggled to free himself, but with no one home to help…

Chapter Fifteen

“She’s not to blame.  I am.” 

He pulled his hand out from under hers and griped her arms tightly, turning so he faced her.

“Don’t talk like that,” he scolded, shaking her slightly.

“No…it’s true.  I was never here.  I was working so hard that I wasn’t here when he needed me,” she whispered, looking like she wanted to cry but had finally run out of tears.

“He knew you loved him.  And you were a great mom,” he said as he pulled her into his arms.

She clutched at him as if she were drowning.

And he realized…she was.

Chapter Fourteen

“No, I’m sorry.  I should have let you in.  I don’t know why…” he said, but she reached over and put her hand over his, halting his words.

“You didn’t want to see me because it all became real then.”

His eyes were wet as he looked up at her and nodded. 

How could she comfort him when he wouldn’t when she needed it the most?

“How is she?” she asked softly and he took a shuddering breath before he spoke.

“She’s not doing well.  I think she blames herself for what happened.”

She swallowed loudly and met his eyes.   

Chapter Thirteen

Pictures covered the walls…memories of happier times.

Sitting on the coffee table was the newspaper that held his obituary. 

“I’m sorry that I came to your house like that.  I realize now that it was out of line,” she whispered as she sat on the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. 

He sat down on the opposite end and turned to look at her.

She always thought she was so beautiful.

But he knew asking her out would be crossing a line. 

Their children were dating and he could just imagine his daughter’s reaction to their parents dating.

Chapter Twelve

Every step he took was like walking through fire.

He didn’t want to do this.

He didn’t want to see her.

But he was at the end of his rope.

The doctor said if she didn’t start eating soon, they would have to put in a feeding tube.

She’s only sixteen. 

The knock echoed loudly, exaggerating the emptiness of the house.

“Hello, Mr. Cullen.”

The door was barely open a crack, yet her could see her so clearly.

“Ms. Swan,” he rasped, clearing his throat before he spoke again.  “I think we need to talk.”

She pushed the door open.

Chapter Eleven

“Is she talking about it yet?” the doctor asked as they spoke quietly in the hallway. 

After she refused to eat for three days, he put his foot down and brought her in to be checked out.

“No, she won’t talk to me at all, about anything,” he sighed, reaching up and rubbing at the back of his neck. 

“Maybe if she talked to his mother-“

“Are you kidding me?  Her son killed himself…and you want me to let my daughter talk to her?” he spat, hating the compassion he could see in her eyes.

“It might help.”

“Nothing helps.”