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Date Posted: 12:26:02 09/28/14 Sun
Author: Lace
Subject: Troubled (Part of the nine years after series)

Part of the nine years after series. Harm and Mac's adoptive son has a hard time.

The characters aren't mine, mistakes are...



Harm and Mac's house
July 19th

Mac reached for her cellphone again. It was past midnight and still there was no sign of her oldest son. She called him again, but the phone went straight to voice mail as it had all the other times she had called him. She had tried his friends and their parent's, but no one knew much.

The front door opened and shut and Mac hurried to stand and headed for the hallway. Harm put his keys away before he looked at her. “No sign of him.”

“Damn him,” Mac said as she turned and walked back into the living room. “What's wrong with that boy?”

Just as Harm was about to respond they heard a car outside. They both hurried to the front door and opened it. A police car stood in their drive way and soon two uniformed officer's walked up to their door with Nathan between them.

“Mr and Mrs Rabb? Is this your son?” One of the policemen asked.

“Yes,” Harm said.

“We broke up a party and we decided to give your son a ride home,” the man continued. “He's drunk and he was going to sleep outside. He told us who his parents were so we decided to give him a ride.”

“Thank you so much officer's. We'll take care of him,” Harm said as Nathan walked past him and into the house.

Mac followed her son. “Go to bed, we'll talk about this tomorrow.”

Nathan didn't say a word, he just walked away from her. Mac turned as Harm walked up behind her. “We'll talk to him tomorrow. Let's go to bed.”

Mac nodded. “Yeah.”


The next morning
Harm and Mac's house

It was quiet around the breakfast table that morning. As soon as they had finished Matthew and Claire excused themselves, and left their parent's alone with Nathan.

“What's going on, son?” Harm asked.

Nathan shrugged. “Nothing.”

“The drinking, not caring about curfew, that's not you,” Harm continued.

“Maybe I'm not the son you thought I was,” Nathan mumbled.

“Let's talk about your Mom,” Mac said. “This all started when she came back. You're hurting.”

“I don't want to talk about her. She's dead to me,” Nathan said and stood. “May I be excused?”

“No, you may not,” Mac said strictly. “This is serious Nathan. You can't keep doing what you're doing. You're drinking, having sex. What if you get some girl pregnant?”

“I don't want to talk about sex with you guys. And I'm not going to the Naval Academy either. I'm not sure if I'll even go back to school this fall,” Nathan turned to leave. “I'm going to my room.”

Mac looked at her husband. “He's hurting.”

“Yeah, he is,” Harm said and took Mac's hand.


Two days later
Mac and Harm's house

Mac had barely closed the front door before she heard the yelling. She hurried to the living room and upstairs in time to hear Claire yell; “You used to be a great brother, but now you're a jerk. You're not the only one hurting. You're selfish!” Then the slamming of the door by Nathan and then Claire ran over to her Mother in tears. Mac held her daughter close as she cried, then Matthew walked out of his room looking scared.

“What's going on?” he asked.

Mac hesitated. “It's just a little disagreement between your brother and sister. Where's your Dad?”

“He went to the store to get some stuff for dinner,” Matthew said with a shrug and walked back into his room.

Mac kissed Claire's forehead and released her. “Why don't you get cleaned up? I need to talk to your brother.”

Claire wiped away her tears and nodded. Mac took a cleansing breath before she knocked on Nathan's door and opened it. She saw him lying on the bed, his head buried in his pillow.

“Nathan?” Mac said as she walked over to him. “We need to have a talk. Actually, I'll talk and you'll listen. I know you're struggling. If I had known how seeing your Mom again would effect you, I would have said no to it, but at the same time maybe you needed this to work through your past. I'm sorry that your Mom left when you and Claire were too young to understand what was going on, and that she's dying now. But honey, you have to talk to someone about your anger or it will destroy you. Believe me, I'm talking from experience. I didn't have the easiest childhood, my Dad was a drunk and my Mom left us when I was fifteen. I only met her again briefly at my Dad's deathbed, and then again two years ago when she was dying herself. It has taken a lot out of me to forgive them, but in the end I had to come to grips with my past so it wouldn't destroy me. Please let me make an appointment with a psychiatrist for you. I promise you that it will help you.”

Nathan didn't move while Mac was talking. Mac hesitated. “Honey, you can't go on like this. The drinking and partying won't make you feel better. And your Dad and I know that you're having sex, and you're old enough to make decisions about sex yourself, but you have to know that there are consequences.”

Nathan turned to his mother, his face tearstained. “What's the big deal about sex. Everyone does it. You and Dad have sex.”

“Well, that's different. Your Dad and I are in love. We have a meaningful relationship,” Mac said with a slight smile.

“I only did it once. I was drunk and I have no idea if we even... I don't remember anything. I don't know why I get so angry, Mom. I just... I feel like a failure. I don't get good grades, my coach won't let me play basketball because of it. I'll never be able to attend the Naval Academy, I'm just not smart enough. I disappoint everyone,” Nathan said while tears ran down his face.

Mac walked over to him and sat down, putting her arms around him. “I don't care what you do, honey. As long as you're happy, I'm happy.”

“What about, Dad?” Nathan said between sobs.

“He feels the same way,” Mac reassured as the tears flowed down her face. “I love you so much, Nathan.”

“I love you too, Mom,” Nathan said as he wiped away his tears.“I better go apologize to Claire.”

Mac nodded and wiped her eyes. “That sounds like a great idea.”


After changing her clothes, Mac walked downstairs and found her husband in the kitchen preparing dinner. He smiled when he saw her.

“You're home early?” he questioned before he leaned in and kissed her.

Mac returned the kiss before she hugged her husband and buried her head into his chest. “I managed to get earlier leave than planned, so my vacation starts now.”

Harm held her close, realizing that this was one of those times when his wife needed him to comfort her. “You could need a break,” he said and kissed her head.

“I talked to Nathan,” Mac said as she let Harm's warmth surround her and give her strength. “He thinks we're disappointed because he don't get good grades. He feels like a failure. Not being able to play on the basketball team has hurt him more than we realized. And I know we agreed that he had to get himself together and study harder, but I think he's really struggling. We have to get him some help to get his grades up. He really wants to go to the Naval Academy, and we have to help him realize his full potential. This thing with his Mom coming back and her dying also hit him hard. He's still struggling to deal with his past, and I'll get him some help. I know someone he can talk to.”

Harm processed what Mac was telling him. “I think I know someone who can help tutor him. Maybe we should talk to him about taking on less work and instead work on his education. I'm proud of him for taking a summer job, but his education is so much more important.”

“I agree,” Mac said as she leaned back and looked at her husband. “I was thinking that we should take the kids on a hiking trip the next week. Like we did last year. It was really good for us as a family.”

Harm smiled. “Sounds like a great idea.”

“I love you,” Mac said and kissed him.

“I love you too,” Harm said when the kiss ended.


That same night while Harm was cleaning in the garage after changing oil on his Corvette, Nathan walked in. He looked hesitant as he rounded the Corvette slowly.

“Mom was worried about you,” Nathan said.

“It took a while longer than planned,” Harm said with a smile as he looked over his car. “I got a call from a friend about some spare parts he had lying around. For your Cadillac. It took a while longer than expected when we first started talking.”

“Well, I promised her I'd make sure you were fine,” Nathan said.

“Harm put away the towel he'd been holding and looked at his son. “I'm sorry that you're having a hard time, son.”

Nathan nodded. “I'll do better. I'm sorry that I've been such an ass.”

Harm chuckled. “You know, when Mac and I decided to adopt you and Claire we didn't think it would be an easy ride. I think we're doing pretty okay, all of us, huh?”

Nathan chuckled. “I guess we are.”

Harm sobered up. “I promised your Mom I'd have another sex talk with you.”

“It's not necessary, Dad. I know all the important stuff, and besides, I think I'll wait until I find someone special,” Nathan said.

“That's a great idea. Sex isn't something you should take lightly. It's serious stuff. When you find someone you really care about I expect you to be respectful, and know that sex is different for a girl. And no means no,” Harm warned.

“I know, Dad,” Nathan reassured.

“If you really are serious about the Naval Academy, getting a girl pregnant isn't a great idea. You have to focus on school this senior year, your grades need to improve,” Harm said.

“I know, Dad,” Nathan said again.

“I suggest that we get you a tutor, and I'll spend an hour each night working with you. We'll fix this,” Harm promised.

“Thanks Dad,” Nathan said. “Maybe after dinner we could work on my car? I've been neglecting that.”

Harm nodded. “That sounds like a plan.”


Later that night Mac came looking for her husband and son, and found them both dirty with grease and oil in the garage. The topic of conversation was how to get a hold of some original parts.

“Are you two staying out here all night?” she asked.

Harm smiled when he noticed her. “It isn't that late, is it?”

“23.22 and ten seconds,” Mac said without thinking.

“Oh, well we better turn in then,” Harm reached for Mac’s hand.

“No way, you have to clean up before you hold my hand, handsome,” Mac smiled.

“I guess I do need a shower,” Harm agreed.

“Me too.” Nathan started to walk towards the house, and then he turned to them. Mom, Dad. Is it okay if I take Claire and go see our Mother tomorrow? To say goodbye.”

“That sounds like a good idea, son.” Harm looked proudly at his son.

“Of course, honey.” Mac stepped closer to her son. “I’m really proud of you.”

Nathan nodded. “Good night. I love you guys.”

“We love you too, Nathan. So much.” Mac smiled proudly.


Later when Harm had showered, he joined his wife in bed. She snuggled into his arms and buried her head in the crook of his neck.

“I love you,” Harm said as he held her close.

“I love you too,” Mac mumbled tiredly.


The end

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Replies:

[> Another fine piece to this story, thank you Lace! -- Ciara, 13:01:53 09/29/14 Mon [1]


[ Edit | View ]
[> another winner Lace -- Bev uk, 15:03:41 09/29/14 Mon [1]


[ Edit | View ]
[> Wonderful. Thanks for sharing. -- Beth, 15:57:35 09/29/14 Mon [1]


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[> A very real picture of family life, well done Lace. -- JoyZ, 09:41:33 09/30/14 Tue [1]


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