| Subject: Priority Mail 316 |
Author:
Nikita507
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: Thursday, September 29, 11:33:46pm
In reply to:
Nikita507
's message, "Priority Mail 310+" on Sunday, September 11, 04:24:46pm
Rhoda smoothed Lisa’s hair as she sat on the loveseat with her. She looked across to the couch where Nikita sat with Laura. The room was so quiet now but the quiet was deceiving. There was an undercurrent there that arched around violently. Things weren’t all calm.
Rhoda had been relieved when she opened the front door with Nat by her side to find Lisa standing there front and center. She didn’t care that Lisa had left the house. Rhoda cared that she was back safe and sound. She hugged Lisa and she could feel the girl tremble, but not cry at the moment.
It hadn’t stopped Rhoda from crying. Nat did too, although Rhoda had other issues with Nat to work out later, not today.
Nikita had spoken up and suggested that the men stay outside and Lisa have some time alone with Rhoda. Lisa immediately swung her head from side to side to indicate that she wanted Nikita and Laura with her. Rhoda knew that Nikita was aware that Lisa was going to make the request and even took it the fact that Nikita had already moved closer to the door while making the suggestion.
Laura was an unknown to Rhoda. She had heard about Laura from Jason and it had been all good. But watching Nikita and Laura assist Lisa in starting to talk was almost magical. As long as Nikita was able to focus on what Lisa needed, Nikita was focused and functioning. But now, Lisa was drifting to sleep in Rhoda’s arms and Nikita seemed to be a million miles away.
Rhoda had a lot to worry about and she felt guilty as she was worried about Nikita. Lisa needed her right now. It was clear that the young girl was frightened with the dream and was struggling with figuring out what parts were based off of memories that she had of that fateful night and which parts were her fears manifested in awful ways.
This wasn’t Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This was a natural reaction and Rhoda understood that. But neither the less, Lisa needed support and more specifically, professional support. Beatrice would come over tomorrow, despite Lisa’s protests.
Nat opened up the door and walked in with Michael and Adam trailing behind. He poked his head in as Lisa pulled her head up off of Rhoda’s lap. “We ordered some pizzas… we all could use something to eat.”
Lisa didn’t turn to look at the men and that was fine. Rhoda nodded her head. “That sounds like it was a good idea. I’m hungry.”
“Me too,” Laura chimed up as she stood up. “Why don’t we set up the table, Adam?”
Adam frowned and shook his head. “You don’t have to set up the table for pizza. You use napkins.”
“Adam,” Michael spoke and his son turned as Nat directed Adam and Laura were to find the supplies they would need.
“Ah, Lisa… why don’t you show me your room?” Nikita suggested as she reached across the coffee table and touched her hand. Nikita started to stand up and Lisa blinked her eyes. She needed some time to wash up and Nikita wanted to get her out of this group for the moment, but Lisa was confused. “I haven’t seen your room since Mick helped you decorate. He told me that you have a design style that was a lot like mine years ago.”
“Oh,” Lisa rasped as she pushed her hair back and swallowed. “Sure…”
Nikita waited for Lisa to stand up and lead the way. They walked right passed Michael and Nikita didn’t even look at him. Rhoda shook her head as she watched Lisa dash up the stairs and away from the crowd. Nikita was with Lisa for now and she wasn’t alone. It would be ok for now but Rhoda knew that things had to change.
Adam had been good for Lisa.
“I apologize for what my son has brought to you,” Michael cleared his throat and Rhoda shook her head. “He… he cares for her… and Lisa said that she doesn’t think she would even have any memories about what had happened if it wasn’t for Adam… so I guess it’s good.”
“He was out of line,” Michael declared and Rhoda snorted as she looked right at Nat. “A lot of people have been doing the wrong things.”
“I’m sorry…” Nat spoke and Rhoda shook her head as Michael looked down at the floor. “You are included in that statement, Michael.”
“Me?” Michael pulled his head up and studied Rhoda. “I have nothing to do with why Lisa went to that park today other than trying to tell my son to leave her be.”
“I’m talking about whatever is going on between you and Nikita,” Rhoda shook her head from side to side. “Are you ignoring her on purpose?”
Michael didn’t respond. He stood there and looked at the wall as if Rhoda hadn’t even asked him a question. Rhoda grew frustrated and Nat grunted as he tried to tell Rhoda to drop it. Obviously her husband had tried to talk to Michael about whatever had happened. Rhoda wasn’t going to have it. She had seen Nikita quiet and withdrawn and she didn’t like seeing any signs of that coming back.
“Can’t you admit that we all did something wrong today and we all need to move forward?” Rhoda inquired as she stepped in front of Michael’s line of sight.
“The only thing that is left to do is to punish Adam,” Michael replied coldly.
“Michael, Nikita revealed a lot of herself to Lisa today… maybe things that you haven’t heard about,” Rhoda prompted and Michael shook his head from side to side. “I heard everything.”
“Man… you did the same bonehead thing that I did to Lisa,” Nat grumbled and Michael shook his head from side to side. “Nikita has done the same to me… and I didn’t even need the bugs. They were practically screaming in that meadow.”
“But did you feel what she was saying? I think you just heard words,” Rhoda stressed as she crossed her arms to try to get Michael to snap out of this.
Maybe she should have called Beatrice for Michael and Nikita.
“I have to have a discussion with Davenport too,” Michael stated and Rhoda turned away and shook her head. Michael knew that he was stonewalling her and Rhoda didn’t understand it. This was just going to lead to nothing good tonight.
Nat leaned against the doorframe. “You can be stubborn, Michael.”
Michael turned his head to the side to blankly stare at Nat but he didn’t respond to the statement. Before anything else could be said, the doorbell rang.
“That must be the pizza,” Adam hollered from the hallway as he dashed towards the door. Almost everything was converging on the hallway and Rhoda yanked Michael’s arm to make him look at her. “Fix this… now.”
“Nothing to fix,” Michael pulled his arm away and walked beside his son. Rhoda shook her head as she saw Nikita and Lisa on the stairs. Nikita was supportive for Lisa.
But who was supporting Nikita?
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 