Healing Wounds

Chapter Thirty Six

Author's Note: Hopefully my characters work with me this time :D Sorry about the delay . . . Family drama. . . . with illness and all Blah . . . .

(On with the chapter)

Gabe walked into group that week with a smile. He was actually looking forward to talking to Mr. Williams. He knew he would ask him about therapy and Gabe was glad he could honestly say it went well. He took his seat next to Helena as he usually did but she was talking to Andy and didn't even really notice him sit down. He grinned and shook his head, he wasn't surprised that Andy was taking up all her attention. He was glad she was so into the guy actually. He looked up and blinked in surprise. There was something different about Mr. Williams demeanor. He wasn't cheerful like he always was. In fact the man looked worn down.

“Well, looks like we're all here,” he said quietly.

“Mary isn't here,” one of the guys pointed out.

“She won't be. She's hospitalized,” he said. “She passed out last night. Her mom found her in the bathroom.”

Gabe's eyes went wide and he looked down at the floor. Mary was the only one in group who suffered from an eating disorder. He had thought she was doing well. She had finally started putting on weight. He was so used to her looking like a skeleton that it took him a while to notice she was getting color in her cheeks and was starting to look healthy.

He looked at Helena and she looked just as shocked. She was looking down at the floor biting her lips. He knew she felt awful for Mary. When he first joined group she was friends with her but that didn't last long because of how close Gabe and her became.

Silence reined for a while before Mr. Williams cleared his throat.

“She'll be fine everyone. The doctors have no doubt that she'll be fine,” he told them.

Thank god, Gabe thought taking a deep breath.

The rest of group went slowly. It was obviously that everyone was thinking they same thing. They were wondering when Mary started slipping and how long it was before she got caught. Gabe sighed and listened as everyone else started talking around him. It only took twenty minutes before Mr. Williams gave up and dismissed the group. No one was going to listen to him anyway.

Gabe walked up to him as everyone else filed out the doors. He wanted to see if the older man was okay. Mr. Williams was putting his stuff in his briefcase when Gabe got to his side. Gabe couldn't help but feel a ping of pity when the man looked up at him. It was obvious the man hadn't gotten much sleep. He really cared about the people in his group.

“You okay,” Gabe asked finally and Mr. Williams nodded.

“Yeah. I just hate when this happens,” he said quietly. “She was doing so well.”

“Well you said she'll be fine, perhaps she'll get right back to healing after she gets out the hospital,” he said.

“I hope so,” Mr. Williams replied. “Anyway, how are you Gabe? Did you go to therapy on saturday?”

“Yeah. It went really well,” Gabe replied. “I'm going back on friday.”

“Good, good,” Mr. Williams said giving him a small smile. “I'll see you next wednesday. And remember, if you need to talk to me, I'm here till seven. Please, don't let something bug you to the point of regression like with Mary.”

“I promise,” Gabe said softly feeling the guilt well up in him.

He couldn't let Mr. Williams know about the summer, not when it affected him as badly as it did. He nodded and walked out the door to see Helena and Andy leaning against Andy's care talking.

“Hey, Gabe, what do you say we go bug my cousin? We haven't hung out with him outside of school since summer, and I kind of miss talking to the guy,” she called out to him with a smile.

“Sure,” he said walking towards them.

“Come on, Andy'll drive,” she told him and he nodded.

He got in Andy's car along with Helena and Andy started it up and drove towards Alex's apartment building. The drive was quiet but Gabe couldn't help but grin at the sight of Helena and Andy holding hands while he drove through the streets. They pulled into the parking garage of Alex's apartment building and Andy cut the engine. Gabe was surprised Andy knew where the building was until he remembered Andy lived in the city and probably knew where to find most things.

Helena smiled and got out of the car with Andy and Gabe following. She led the way to the elevator and hit the button with Alex's floor number and leaned against the wall.

“You're rather cheerful,” Gabe commented.

“I know, just been in a good mood today,” Helena said.

“Obviously,” he said smiling.

“Should Alex be home from school by now,” Andy asked curiously.

“Yeah, group starts at four and his bus gets here at about quarter tell. So he's probably kicked back on his couch playing video games by now,” Helena told him.

Gabe nodded. She was probably right. And knowing Alex, Clay was probably right at his side playing video games along with him. The elevator doors opened and all three of them headed down the hallway with Helena leading them to Alex's room. Gabe shook his head with a grin when she just opened the door instead of knocking.

“What? I'm family,” she said as they walked into the room.

Gabe chuckled and they walked into the apartment. Gabe paused in confusion as he took in the scene. Clay was sitting on the couch with Alex, but they weren't playing video games. In fact, Alex was holing a baby in his arms, and a brown haired boy Gabe had never seen before was sitting on the living room floor.

“Helena . . . everyone, hi,” Alex said looking between them surprised.

“Hi Alex,” Gabe said with a smile. “Who's the baby?”

“It's my daughter Melanie,” the boy said looking up. “I'm Bryan.”

“The friend from Chicago,” Helena concluded with a nod.

“Yeah,” Bryan said with a grin.

“She's a beautiful little girl,” Helena said walking forward and leaning over Alex's shoulder to stare at her.

“I know,” Bryan said smiling.

Alex handed her to Bryan standing up. He really liked holding Melanie but he felt awkward holding her for too long. He always felt as if he was taking up the time Bryan got to spend with his daughter. He knew Bianca held the little girl over Bryan's head, giving him the privilege of seeing her when Bianca was in the mood or if she wasn't around.

Helena sat down beside Bryan smiling at the baby again and Andy looked at Gabe confused.

“What is it with girls and babies?” he asked quietly and Gabe grinned.

“Not all girls are like that, but Helena has been since I met her, have fun,” he told him and Andy shook his head.

“So, where's her mom,” Gabe asked sitting on the arm of the couch.

He was confused when Bryan looked at Alex and back down at the baby. It was apparent both of them knew something about the mother that they didn't like.

“Passed out on her living room couch last I saw,” Bryan said quietly.

“What?” Helena asked surprised. “Who was watching this one?”

“Her parents, till they called me to come get her before work,” he told her.

“And school,” Andy asked from behind the sofa.

“Alright you guys quit interrogating the guy,” Clay said with a laugh. “He has all his bases covered.”

“Thanks Clay,” Bryan said with a grin and tickled Melanie's stomach.

“Sorry. We're just surprised, usually the crap parent is the father and not the mom,” Gabe told him. “It's obvious who the good parent is here.”

“Thanks,” Bryan said with a smile. “Was talking to my parents about trying to get custody last week actually.”

“You were,” Alex asked surprised. “You didn't tell me that.”

“You were busy with other things at the time,” Bryan told him with a smile. “I didn't want to rain on your parade. But, I don't know how to do it.”

“Well . . . a social worker could talk to you about it,” Helena said slowly. “We happen to know a good one.”

“Helena, Mr. Williams isn't the type of social worker he's looking for. He's there for guidance,” Gabe told her.

“And that's what he needs,” Helena argued. “Guidance and advice. I'm not saying Mr. Williams could help him get custody of his daughter, but he could talk him through it, and find him a social worker with something like D.C.F.S. and start a case on this girl.”

“Helena, you're poking your nose where it doesn't belong,” Gabe argued.

“No, no, I like this info,” Bryan said quickly. “If it'll help me get custody of my daughter. Who's this Mr. Williams?”

“We're in Group Therapy and he's the guy that runs it,” Gabe said with a sigh.

“I see . . .” Bryan replied in surprise. “How do I meet him?”

“He's still at the community center,” Helena said. “He stays there for a while after group everyday. I'm sure if you went down there he'd speak to you.”

“You think so?” Bryan asked.

“Yeah, he's a nice guy,” Helena told him.

“You should go see him Bryan,” Alex said sitting back down handing Clay a bottle of water.

“Thanks,” Clay said before turning to Bryan. “You really should. I told Alex when Melanie was sick that you should get custody. It's obvious Bianca has no interest in raising her child, so naturally she should be in the care of someone who loves her enough to get the care she needs.”

“Alright,” Bryan said with a smile. “Is there anyway I can go see him now. I mean, I don't know where this place is, or even what this guy looks like.”

“I could drive you,” Andy said quietly. “My car is downstairs and we just came from there.”

“Really?” Bryan asked surprised.

“Sure. Just get her things together and I'll take you down there.”

Andy had no idea why he agreed to help the boy. He just looked so desperate sitting there taking in all the information Helena gave him. It was obvious the guy loved his daughter. The way he held her said it all.

“Thank you,” Bryan said quietly.

Andy shrugged and Bryan started getting the things together for Melanie. Helena smiled at Andy and reached out and put her hand on his. He couldn't help but smile back. He hadn't realized it would mean so much to her for him to help Bryan out. Bryan stood up and buckled Melanie into her car seat before looking up at Andy again.

“I take it you're ready?” Andy asked with a small smile and Bryan nodded. “Alright, well, guess we'll be back later. Nice seeing you again Alex.”

“You too Andy, thanks for this,” he said smiled.

“No problem,” he said and leaned over to kiss Helena goodbye before walking out the door with Bryan.

Alex looked at his cousin surprised. She just gave him a small smile and looked down at the floor.

“I didn't realize you two were dating,” he told her.

“We just started dating recently,” she said.

“Congratulations.”

Helena smiled at him and looked down at the floor again. She was feeling a little bit self conscious but she couldn't help it. Andy really made her happy and when she was around him she felt like a normal seventeen year old girl.

“Thanks Alex,” she said softly.

Alex nodded and looked away from her. He didn't know what to do now that he was alone with them. He was enjoying spending time with Clay before Helena had walked through the door. Around Bryan they could act like themselves, but now that Gabe and Helena were around, the whole situation was just awkward. He really wanted to lean on Clay or put his hand on Clay's but he knew that wouldn't be a good idea.

- -

Andy was quiet as he drove the short distance to the community center. He didn't know what to say to the boy in the car next to him. He felt bad for Bryan and the situation he was in but he just didn't know what to say to make the guy feel better. He knew Bryan didn't want pity so he just kept his mouth shut.

Bryan gave him a small smile when they pulled up to the community center. Bryan climbed out of the car as Andy cut the engine. He opened the door the backseat and got Melanie out before turning to the doors. Andy got out and walked around the car.

“Nervous?” he asked coming up beside him.

“A bit,” Bryan said quietly looking down at the baby in his arms.

“Don't worry. If anything, Helena'll baby sit for you,” Andy said with a grin.

Bryan laughed loudly looking down at Melanie again. Andy couldn't help but relax around the guy. It was obvious all the boy thought about was the little girl in his arms. He'd never seen anyone so focused on a child in his life. His own family had been cold and unaffectionate and while Tobias' parents were friendly caring people they were rather distant and treated their son more like a friend than a child. He grinned at him again leading him to the large double doors of the community center pulling them open. Bryan walked in behind him and he let go letting the doors shut.

“Well, this is the room we have group in, other than that I don't know much,” Andy said shrugging. “Maybe we can find someone to tell us where Mr. Williams is.”

“Alright,” Bryan said looking around. “This is just like a set up from a movie. Sit in a circle, and tell me your problems.”

“I know. It's rather corny,” Andy said with a shrug. “Somehow, it works. I think it's more of the fact that he doesn't act like a counselor ya know? He treats us like we're normal people and seems to honestly just want to help.”

“That would be because you are normal people,” someone said walking into the room. “Did you need something Andy?”

“Oh, well, we're in luck,” Andy said surprised. “Bryan, this is Mr. Williams.”

Bryan looked toward the voice that called out and felt another wave of nervousness washing over him. He had thought of nothing but getting Melanie in his care ever since he had to take her to the hospital and now that it seemed he was taking the first steps to doing just that he didn't know if it was the best idea. He was still jobless and he knew his parents wouldn't want to pay for everything it took to raise Melanie. He was lucky they gave him gas money.

However, he felt himself relax slowly at the smile on the mans face. This was the man everyone seemed to trust and seemed to think could help him. He knew that if Alex's friends all trusted them with their problems then he should at least give the man a chance to help him with his own.

“Thanks Andy,” Bryan told him.

“Not a problem,” Andy said.

“Did you want to talk to me,” Mr. Williams asked looking at him surprised.

“Uh, yes sir,” Bryan told him.

“Well follow me, Andy would you mind waiting here?”

“No, go on ahead,” Andy said sitting in a chair.

Mr. Williams nodded and turned back to Bryan gesturing for him to follow. Bryan followed him slowly eyeing the offices they passed up. Finally they stopped in front of one near the end of the hallway and Mr. Williams let him inside. Bryan looked around the small office. The small room didn't hold much, all it contained was a small filing cabinet and a desk with a chair on each side.

“Take a seat,” Mr. Williams said walking around his desk and sitting down.

Bryan sat down in the open chair quietly. He didn't know what to say now that he was in the office.

“Andy said your name was Bryan didn't he?” Mr. Williams asked.

“Yeah,” Bryan said with a smile.

“Well, my name is Jeremiah Williams,” Mr. Williams told him. “Is this little girl the reason you're here?”

“Yeah,” Bryan said relaxing a bit. “I'm trying to get custody of her and I really don't know how to do that.”

Mr. Williams blinked in surprise and leaned back in his chair. It was obvious to Bryan that Mr. Williams hadn't expected him to say that.

“Well . . . it's obvious you'll be a loving father at least,” the man said finally.

“Thanks,” Bryan replied.

“If you wanted custody of her why didn't you go to family services?” Mr. Williams asked. “They would be more help than I am.”

“Well. . . Helena told me to come here,” Bryan admitted. “I didn't know who to go to and she said you could offer some good advice.”

“Leave it to Helena to think I can fix everything,” Mr. Williams muttered with a small laugh. “Well advice I can give but why don't you tell me why you want custody of her.”

“Because her mom is too worried about her party life to spend time at home with her. She keeps going out partying leaving Melanie at home. She doesn't take very good care of her,” he replied quietly.

Mr. Williams leaned forward again at his desk. It was obvious to Bryan that he was taking in every word he said and he could understand why the others found it so easy to talk about their problems around the man. The look in his eyes made it obvious the guy cared about the people he helped out.

“You think getting custody of her would change that? Or do you want custody so she's in your care and away from her mom for good,” Mr. Williams asked.

“I wouldn't keep her from her mom. I would let Bianca see her, but I would prefer if she were in my care and I knew what was happening,” Bryan said.

“Understandable. So, how old are you Bryan, you look rather young.”

“I'm seventeen,” Bryan replied.

“I see. I take it both of you still live with your parents,” Mr. Williams asked.

“Yeah.”

“Do you have a job” Mr. Williams asked him.

“I'm still looking. I put in applications everyday,” Bryan told him.

“Well, unfortunately you can't do anything till you get a job,” Mr. Williams said softly. “But I have an idea. Why don't you keep a log of every time she goes out partying leaving the baby with someone else. When you do have a job then you can do something about it and you'll have proof that she isn't taking proper care of your daughter.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help, maybe if you come back I'll be able to help you more,” Mr. Williams told him.

“Alright,” Bryan said. “I thought it was worth a shot.”

“It always is. And it's not over,” Mr. Williams said with a smile. “Feel free to come back.”

“I will,” Bryan said standing up.

Mr. Williams stood up with him and walked out of the office with him. He led him back down the hallway and into the entrance room where Andy was waiting. Bryan couldn't help but feel like he had failed somehow. He was supposed to be learning how to get his daughter not being told to wait till he had a job. Mr. Williams was right though, he'd need a job to be able to take care of her.

End Chapter . . . This chapter was evil and I hope it's better than I think it is.

BlackenedBlood: Loved the review. It was hilarious. Hope I updated soon enough for you. And I hope you liked everything. Gabe is one character I will always love.

TheVoicesAreLoudToday: I have moments like that with my stories too. Your idea was beautiful. Really, and I hoped you liked everything.