Leo Part II
Luka Kovac ( couch_tomato) wrote in open_to_trauma,
@ 2004-05-16 21:15:00
Current mood: excited
Luka ducks into the lounge, glad to see only Alex is in the room and engrossed in his Game Boy. He takes the phone, dialing the Boston number. When a woman answers on the third ring, he clears his throat. "Kim? This is Luka, from Chicago."
kim_watkins
2004-05-16 18:41 (link)
Kim is never far from the phone these days. She's attempting to take a nap, even though she's only been up for a couple of hours. She doesn't sleep well these days so she takes any chance she can get.
But she's only just lying there, kind of drifting, when the phone rings. She's learned to be disappointed when she answers, but that never stops the burst of hope she feels each time. Maybe this one. Maybe this one...
"Luka? Oh, hello." She keeps her voice pleasant but can't stop the sinking of her heart. But still, better it be a friend than the police calling to tell her they've found Leo's body.
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 19:58 (link)
He hears the disappointment in her voice and realizes she probably gets her hopes each time the phone rings. He has no idea how to say this, and he figures any sort of preamble would be inadequate anyway. "Kim...it's about Leo. He's here, we have him here, at the ER. And...he's okay, Kim. His leg is broken, he has a concussion, he's been dehydrated, but he's going to be okay." He needs to stop talking and let her process, but he wants to make sure she knows Leo is okay.
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 20:30 (link)
Kim feels as though the world has suddenly disappeared from beneath her the way her stomach drops, and she doesn't even remember leaping from the bed. But here she is standing next to it, her pulse racing madly and her lungs restricting so that she can barely breathe.
"He's okay? You really found him? He's really there and he's okay? Luka... are you sure it's him? You have to be sure. Oh my god, you have to be sure." As she speaks the tears begin to slide down her cheeks.
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 20:35 (link)
He's grinning and he can feel the tears prick at his eyes as she speaks. "I wouldn't call you if we weren't sure, Kim. He matches the description...and Lester was in Boston a while ago and he recognizes him from the television." He takes a deep breath. "We need you to come, to identify him for the police, but...it's him." He pauses. "Congratulations, Kim."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 21:00 (link)
She opens her mouth to say something to him, but her legs are suddenly too weak to support her and she sinks to her knees, sobbing.
"I'm s- I'm sorry, Luka." She clutches onto the bedspread for support. "It's just... it's just..." She takes a deep breath and speaks more calmly. "It's just no matter how much hope I tried to keep there was always the fear. The certainty even that it wouldn't be good news when they finally did call me. Sometimes I was almost too afraid to hope."
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 21:17 (link)
He has to bite his lip to keep his emotions in check as she starts crying, and he notices Alex staring at him strangely so he walks around the corner, out of sight, leaning against the wall. When he speaks his voice is hoarse, quiet. "I know...I know, but you always had hope. And now...you have your good news, too." He smiles. "I'm so happy for you, Kim. We all are."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 21:23 (link)
"Thank you. I don't even really know how to thank you because it's just so... I don't know how to explain it." Her thoughts are already tripping all over each other. She has to throw some things in a bag and book the first flight to Chicago. She has to see him, and in a matter of hours she'll be holding him in her arms and talking to him and... "Luka, does he know? Does he know that I'm alive? He saw Roger stab me so I've always been afraid that he thought I was dead. Does he know I'm not?"
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 21:33 (link)
Luka winces. "I...don't know, Kim. Leo's been unconscious since he was brought in. His vitals are good, we're watching him carefully, but he hasn't been awake. But as soon as he wakes up, we'll tell him you're coming, is that okay with you?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 21:38 (link)
"Yes, yes that's fine." Alarm fills her. "I know you said he's okay, but what happened to him? Oh God, how could you know if he's unconscious? Oh, my poor little boy. That bastard. What about Roger? Did they catch him?"
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 21:57 (link)
Luka takes a deep breath, wishing he had more information to give her. "We don't know much, other than what I've told you. When he was brought in, they called it a hit and run, some woman found him on the road. We don't know details; the police will talk to you when you get here. And we have guards, our own security, by his door, just in case Roger decides to show up here."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 22:09 (link)
"He won't." Kim's tone is dark. "He's far too chickenshit. Look at how he got Leo in the first place. He won't try anything with so many other people around." She's calmer now, wiping the tears from her cheeks, and she reminds herself over and over that Leo only has a broken leg and a concussion. He'll be okay. He's going to be okay. "I should go. I need to book a flight and... I need to tell my mother, and Trey. I don't know when I'll be there exactly. Should I call you to let you know once I find out?"
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 22:15 (link)
Luka nods before he remembers Kim can't see him. "Yes, call me anytime. I can pick you up from the airport and bring you right here, just let me know when your flight will come in."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 22:33 (link)
Her eyes fill with tears again. "You don't even know me really but you've helped me so much. If there's every anything I can do for you, anything at all, you'll tell me won't you? I'm a rather good defense attorney," she laughs a little, slightly hysterical laugh. "So if you ever need a lawyer."
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 22:40 (link)
Luka chuckles. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you." He gives her his cell phone number. "I'm calling from the hospital now, but if you can't reach me here the cell will be on."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 23:11 (link)
"Okay. You know what? I made a pact with myself that I'd quit smoking if we found Leo. So... I'm probably going to be having a nic fit all the way there. And you know what else? I won't care. I won't care at all."
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 23:21 (link)
Luka grins. "The most welcome nic fit anyone's ever had, I guess." He pauses. "I'm really happy for you, Kim. I'll wait for your call, I'll be ready to head to the airport."
He awoke with a gasp, shaken and disoriented, but his eyes closed again right away when confronted by the terribly bright light. He struggled to remember... he'd been running... running away from... from...
"Don't let him catch me!" His eyes snapped open, but when he tried to sit up the pain thundered through his head so hard he went limp, darkness on the edge of his vision.
open_discussion
2004-05-17 00:52 (link) Select
Sam's back was to him when his eyes flew open, her heart jumped when she heard the little voice. She turned around calmly, placing the chart at the end of his bed. Stepping over to the side of his bed she spoke, her voice soothing, "It's okay, you're safe, kiddo."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 01:47 (link) Select
His vision cleared as he stared up at the unfamiliar face, but seeing the woman did nothing to ease his fears. "Where's my daddy? I have to hide from him because... because he's mad at me. I ran away and he said... he said..." His eyes filled with tears. "He said he'd kill me like he killed Mama."
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 01:55 (link) Select
Sam's heart breaks for him, his face fearful, even of her. "It's okay, we've got police guarding you. You're going to be fine, your mama's coming to get you. You're safe here, I promise we won't let anyone hurt you." She wipes a tear away from his eye, her mothering instinct kicking in.
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 02:02 (link) Select
More tears came to replace those she brushed away. "She can't. My mama can't. Daddy killed her. I saw. He stuck her with a knife and she was bleeding and he took me away. She's with the angels now."
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 02:36 (link) Select
Sam shook her head no, "No, she's alive and coming to get you sweetheart." She pushed some hair out of his face, "She'll be here soon, I promise." She pauses for a moment, "Are you feeling okay? Can I get you anything?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 07:38 (link) Select
His mind tried to comprehend the situation... and couldn't. Daddy had always told him his mama was dead, but this lady said she wasn't. Confused and suddenly realising he couldn't move one of his legs, Leo's face crumpled. "I want my mama!" He began to cry in earnest.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 12:12 (link) Select
Sam bit her lip in an effort not to let her emotions get the best of her in the situation, "Shhhh." She whispered in an attempt to soothe the boy and hush his cries, "She's coming, she'll be here soon, I promise." She watches him for a moment, "Are you hungry? Cold? Lonely?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 12:35 (link) Select
He nodded, tears still leaking down onto the pillow. "Hungry. And... will you stay with me and make sure my daddy doesn't come get me?" At the thought he started to cry harder but he'd gotten so used to forcing himself to stop or do it quietly that fear made him try and he choked.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 12:49 (link) Select
Sam looks up and sees Pratt waving at her to come, she shakes her head no at him before holding up a finger signaling she'll be there in a second, "I can't stay with you sweetie, but I can have someone come and keep you company?" She points to the police outside his door, "And those guys will make sure your daddy stays far, far away from you."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 12:49 (link) Select
For the first time Leo really looks at the policemen, and the first sense of relief he's had in too long washes over him. Police. He knew police were okay. And he noticed something else. "What's wrong with my leg?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 17:21 (link) Select
Sam looks at his leg up in the air, "You broke it, it's in a cast now."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 18:41 (link) Select
Strangely enough, the news seemed to shock him into a fascinated silence as he stared at his cast, having never had anything worse than scrapes and cuts and smacks from his father. The idea of having a cast is... well, neat. "How did I break it?" That's what has him suddenly very confused. He remembers running through the woods away from his father's car, but after that everything is blank.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 20:06 (link) Select
Sam purses her lips together, deciding to save the question for a doctor, "'You want someone to come keep you company? My son is around your age I can have him come sit with you for a while if you'd like?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 20:45 (link) Select
The idea of seeing another little boy sent a thrill through Leo. Daddy hadn't ever let him talk to other people, not even other kids. "Yes. And... can I have a hamburger? I'm hungry."
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 21:03 (link) Select
Sam shakes her head, "I can't get you a hamburger, but I think that I can get someone to bring you some jello. Does that sosund okay?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 21:06 (link) Select
Anything was better than chips, cookies, or beef jerky. Leo started to nod but it hurt his head to do so, and he stopped. He was tired but he didn't want to go back to sleep. He wanted to stay awake and eat jello and see his mama.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 21:27 (link) Select
Sam smiles, "Okay, I'll send Alex in with some jello." She stops at the door and looks at hiim once more before going to get Alex.
Alex walks in, slightly annoyed his mom's made him spend the rest of the day with a little kid. "Hey." He hands Leo the jello and a spoon, "This is for you."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 21:45 (link) Select
Leo stares, suddenly shy, and takes the jello. "Thank you." His voice is quiet and small; he drops his eyes and begins to eat the jello, his empty stomach clenching painfully around the first couple of bites before he remembers what he learned in daycare and he looks back up. "Do you... do you want some?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 22:02 (link) Select
Alex shakes his heaad and sits on a stool next to him, "No thanks. I'm not hungry." He looks at Leo's cast and his eyes widen, "What'd you do?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 22:22 (link) Select
Leo shovelled jello into his mouth. "I dunno. I ran away from my daddy, and there were lots of trees. And then I woke up here." He frowns, trying to remember, but he can't. "Maybe... maybe my daddy did it."
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 22:41 (link) Select
Alex nods, his lips pursing together, not wanting to really ask what happened. His mom had said the kid had been through a lot, "It's okay, I was just curious. I've always wanted a cast. They're so cool."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 23:07 (link) Select
"They are?" Leo feels a swell of happiness that he's got something a big kid thinks is cool. He looks shyly over at Alex again. "My name's Leo. What's your name?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 23:13 (link) Select
Alex nods, "They get you out of PE, people can sign them, you get crutches...it's awesome." He grins when he realizes that Leo's looking up to him slightly. "I'm Alex."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 23:19 (link) Select
Leo could tell that Alex was a lot older than him. "How old are you? I'm five, but I'm almost six. I... I don't know when my birthday is anymore. I was with my daddy a long time I think. My birthday is May 25, and after summer I'm going to be in first grade. What grade are you in?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 23:33 (link) Select
Alex grins at Leo's rambling, "I'm ten, I just got out of school last week. I'll be in fifth grade next year." He turns his head to look at the calendar on the wall, "Hey! Your birthday is next week!"
kim_watkins
2004-05-17 23:41 (link) Select
"It is?" Of course he can't remember what day it was that he was last home, and time and dates make no real sense to him. All he knows is it seems like forever. "Maybe I could still have a birthday party. That lady said my mama was coming to get me. Mama..." At the thought of her his lip trembles, and he scrubs at his eyes with the back of his hand.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 23:49 (link) Select
Alex suddenly feels uncomfortable as he starts to cry, shifting in his seat "Yeah, it's next week." He looks around, not sure what to do, "Hey, don't cry. She's coming, if my mom said she's coming then she's coming."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 00:04 (link) Select
The image is never far from his mind, and though he's too young to know, it will remain clearly etched on his brain for the rest of his life. The way Mama screamed as she ran up the stairs with Daddy chasing her, the way she grabbed him up and the utter confusing terror. The way he landed hard when Daddy pushed Mama onto the floor and then... he hadn't really known what was happening since it happened so fast, just that Mama was bleeding and Daddy tried to pick him up but Leo didn't want to go. Mama was hurt and she needed him, but he was too little to win against his big father, and he had no choice but to be carried into the night...
His head hurt and he's exhausted, the empty jello cup slipping from his fingers. Thoughts aren't staying anymore, just pictures, mostly of his mama. He's too tired to try and understand as he looks pleadingly at Alex. "When will Mama be here?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 00:13 (link) Select
Alex takes the jello cup from Leo, chucks it into the trash across the room, smiling at himself when it makes it. He shrugs at the question, "I don't know. Mom said Luka called her," He stops for a moment, knowing nothing more than that fact, he decides to lie to help the boy feel better, "She's on her way though."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 00:21 (link) Select
Leo doesn't know who "Mom" or "Luka" is, but he wants so badly to believe that he doesn't question it. His eyelids are heavy and he tries to force them to stay open, sniffling loudly. "Is your mama pretty? Mine is. Mine's the prettiest lady in the whole world."
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 00:27 (link) Select
Alex scrunches his nose, he's never really thought about Sam's looks before. "I guess she's alright. I don't really know. I guess she's pretty...I've never really thought about it." He sees Leo's eyes flutter shut, "I can go if you're tired."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 00:40 (link) Select
Leo's eyes snap open and he half sits up, ignoring the sharp blade of pain that slices through his head when he does. "No! Don't leave me by myself! Please don't leave me!"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 00:45 (link) Select
Alex's eyes widen when Leo sits up, he stands up slightly startled, "Whoa, it's okay I won't leave." He looks around, "I could get my mom to bring in a tv and we could play video games? Do you like video games?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 00:55 (link) Select
He nods. "Mama doesn't let me have them. She says maybe when I'm a little older but right now I should read books. But I played some video games at my friend Evan's house on his computer. We played 'Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego.' Do you have that?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 01:05 (link) Select
Alex sits back in shock. This kid had never played Mario anything, it was tragic really. "That sucks. What's 'Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" I don't have it, is it cool?" He feigns interest in the game, knowing full well it probably sucks.
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 01:11 (link) Select
"Uh huh. It's a detective game and you have to find the clues all over the world. It's so kids can learn geo... geophagry. And Evan's mama said it was vizool stimlulation, but I don't know what that means. I liked it but it wasn't as good as 'Scooby Doo.' Do you like 'Scooby Doo'? I like Velma. She's funny when she loses her glasses all the time."
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 01:15 (link) Select
Alex nods with fake enthusiasm, keeping his thought of how lame does that sound? to himself. He shakes his head no, "I don't, but my mom does...she can do a really good impression of Velma, you should ask her next time she comes in here to do it for you. She might not though cause she gets embarassed about it."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 01:25 (link) Select
"Is your mama here?" He's already forgotten that Sam told him her son would come stay with him and that Alex is that very same son, if he ever understood that in the first place. "I can do Shaggy. Watch. Zoiks!." He giggles. "And Velma always says 'Jenkies.' Does your mama say that?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 01:28 (link) Select
Alex laughs half-heartedly at him, "Yeah, when she does the voice she'll say it. She was in here when you woke up, my mom's a nurse."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 01:39 (link) Select
"Ohhh, that lady. She's nice. She was nice to me. My mama's nice too, but I've seen her mad. She doesn't get mad at me very much 'cause I'm good, but I've seen her get mad at Daddy but that's 'cause he's mean. She doesn't get mad at Trey though, ever. I think... I think I'd like Trey to be my daddy. Where's your daddy? Is he nice, or is he mean?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 01:46 (link) Select
Alex shrugs, "My mom's alright." He resists the urge to roll his eyes, then a twinge of pain tugs at him at the mention of his father, "My dad...my dad's..." He searches his brain for an explanation or a word to define what Steve is. "My dad's gone. I don't really know him, he and my mom don't get along at all."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 02:00 (link) Select
Leo nods sagely, too young to understand that, and yet he does. "Did your daddy hurt your mama?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 11:54 (link) Select
Alex's neck retreats back slightly, never actually having pondered the question. Had he ever hurt Sam? Neither of them had ever said anything about it, but the way his mom had acted around Steve was different than how she acted around Luka. His lips turn downward as his eyes follow a gaze to his shoes, twiddling his thumbs, "I don't know. They just don't like each other. I...I don't think he ever hurt her....I don't think..." He attempts to push the thought out of his mind unsuccessfully, "Hey, let's talk about something else okay? Do you want some more jello?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 12:03 (link) Select
Leo drops his eyes, his need to talk to someone causing him to ignore Alex's blatant hint. "My daddy hurt my mama. He knocked her down, and wouldn't let her get up and I couldn't make him stop. And then later he came back and he had a knife and he stuck her with it and took me away. I was too little to help her. I don't like being little. And I don't love my daddy. Is it bad if I don't love my daddy?" He bites his lip and looks at Alex again.
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 12:14 (link) Select
Alex looks towards the window to the hall, trying not to listen to Leo. What if he'd had memories of them yelling at each other, his palm finding its way across her face. He didn't though, did he? He hears the question at the end, the beginning of the babbling having gone through one ear and out the other, "No, it's not." He turns his gaze back to Leo, a forced smile hanging on his lips desperately trying to put on a front for the two of them. "Do you want some more jello or something?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 17:11 (link) Select
"No, I want a hamburger. I want pizza. I want a milkshake. Daddy never got me anything good 'cause he always said we didn't have enough time so he'd just gets stuff at the gas station and then he drove away. We drove around a lot but I don't know where we went because we never got out to see anything really."
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 17:50 (link) Select
Alex mutters something about wanting all of that too, he gets off the stool and looks at Leo's chart. Some of the words on it making sense, but a majority of them mean nothing to him. For the first time he realizes that it's just Leo in the room with him. No nurses, no doctors, no one. He puts the chart back and adjusts the beanie on his head. "You don't want to eat that stuff from here, the cafeteria sucks. I can get you some Sprite though, they have that in the lounge. Just don't tell anyone."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 18:39 (link) Select
It's almost on his lips to ask Alex if he's going to leave him alone to get it, and if that's the case then he'd rather not have it at all. But he doesn't want to seem like a baby in front of this big kid, so he only nods, feeling the tears starting to burn behind his eyes again as his throat closes.
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 18:57 (link) Select
Alex's face breaks out into a grin, "I'll be right back." He jogs out of the room across to the lounge, pushing the door open. He sighs with relief when there's no one in there. His eyes stay on the door as he opens the fridge and grabs a Sprite, distinctly labeled "MORRIS". He hides it underneath his jacket and walks swiftly back to the room where Leo is, narrowly missing getting run over by a gurney rolling in. He walks back in and grabs the cup by Leo's bed and pours him some Sprite before sticking a straw in it. He hands him the drink, "There you go."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 19:08 (link) Select
Alex isn't gone for longer than a couple of minutes, but during that time Leo fights to keep from crying, though he wants to, his hands clenched in the blankets. The only thing that keeps him from yelling for someone is the sight of the police outside of his door. Fortunately Alex isn't gone long, and Leo relaxes his fingers in relief when he sees him again, and accepts the Sprite when Alex hands it to him. "Thank you, Alex." The sugar tastes good, but it's not going to be enough to keep him awake much longer. "And... I'm glad you're here with me. I like you."
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 19:11 (link) Select
Alex blushes slightly, the redness unnoticable on his face. "No problem, kid," absently using a phrase his mother uses, "It's been kind of fun hanging out in here. I'm surprised my Mom's not here though, she usually watches me like a hawk or whatever."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 20:18 (link) Select
"I wish my mama was here. When will she..." He remembers then that he already asked and Alex didn't know, and looks down at the Sprite. He's so tired but he wants to stay awake and talk to Alex longer. He wants to stay awake for his mama.
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 20:53 (link) Select
Alex gently lifts the cup out of his hands, "If you're tired I can just sit here and play my game boy while you sleep...if you want."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 21:12 (link) Select
Leo smiles in relief. All he wants to do, deep down, is go to sleep. "Okay. But don't leave me alone and... will you wake me up when my mama gets here?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 23:48 (link) Select
Alex nods, his eyes drifting up from the game before he resumes clicking the buttons on his game boy. "I'll let you know."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 23:58 (link) Select
Leo pulls the covers up to his chin and watches Alex playing his game, his mind buzzing with the numbness of exhaustion. This time when his eyelids grow heavy he lets them close, and it's only seconds later that he's slipped beneath the surface of consciousness.
@ 2004-05-16 21:15:00
Current mood: excited
Luka ducks into the lounge, glad to see only Alex is in the room and engrossed in his Game Boy. He takes the phone, dialing the Boston number. When a woman answers on the third ring, he clears his throat. "Kim? This is Luka, from Chicago."
kim_watkins
2004-05-16 18:41 (link)
Kim is never far from the phone these days. She's attempting to take a nap, even though she's only been up for a couple of hours. She doesn't sleep well these days so she takes any chance she can get.
But she's only just lying there, kind of drifting, when the phone rings. She's learned to be disappointed when she answers, but that never stops the burst of hope she feels each time. Maybe this one. Maybe this one...
"Luka? Oh, hello." She keeps her voice pleasant but can't stop the sinking of her heart. But still, better it be a friend than the police calling to tell her they've found Leo's body.
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 19:58 (link)
He hears the disappointment in her voice and realizes she probably gets her hopes each time the phone rings. He has no idea how to say this, and he figures any sort of preamble would be inadequate anyway. "Kim...it's about Leo. He's here, we have him here, at the ER. And...he's okay, Kim. His leg is broken, he has a concussion, he's been dehydrated, but he's going to be okay." He needs to stop talking and let her process, but he wants to make sure she knows Leo is okay.
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 20:30 (link)
Kim feels as though the world has suddenly disappeared from beneath her the way her stomach drops, and she doesn't even remember leaping from the bed. But here she is standing next to it, her pulse racing madly and her lungs restricting so that she can barely breathe.
"He's okay? You really found him? He's really there and he's okay? Luka... are you sure it's him? You have to be sure. Oh my god, you have to be sure." As she speaks the tears begin to slide down her cheeks.
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 20:35 (link)
He's grinning and he can feel the tears prick at his eyes as she speaks. "I wouldn't call you if we weren't sure, Kim. He matches the description...and Lester was in Boston a while ago and he recognizes him from the television." He takes a deep breath. "We need you to come, to identify him for the police, but...it's him." He pauses. "Congratulations, Kim."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 21:00 (link)
She opens her mouth to say something to him, but her legs are suddenly too weak to support her and she sinks to her knees, sobbing.
"I'm s- I'm sorry, Luka." She clutches onto the bedspread for support. "It's just... it's just..." She takes a deep breath and speaks more calmly. "It's just no matter how much hope I tried to keep there was always the fear. The certainty even that it wouldn't be good news when they finally did call me. Sometimes I was almost too afraid to hope."
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 21:17 (link)
He has to bite his lip to keep his emotions in check as she starts crying, and he notices Alex staring at him strangely so he walks around the corner, out of sight, leaning against the wall. When he speaks his voice is hoarse, quiet. "I know...I know, but you always had hope. And now...you have your good news, too." He smiles. "I'm so happy for you, Kim. We all are."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 21:23 (link)
"Thank you. I don't even really know how to thank you because it's just so... I don't know how to explain it." Her thoughts are already tripping all over each other. She has to throw some things in a bag and book the first flight to Chicago. She has to see him, and in a matter of hours she'll be holding him in her arms and talking to him and... "Luka, does he know? Does he know that I'm alive? He saw Roger stab me so I've always been afraid that he thought I was dead. Does he know I'm not?"
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 21:33 (link)
Luka winces. "I...don't know, Kim. Leo's been unconscious since he was brought in. His vitals are good, we're watching him carefully, but he hasn't been awake. But as soon as he wakes up, we'll tell him you're coming, is that okay with you?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 21:38 (link)
"Yes, yes that's fine." Alarm fills her. "I know you said he's okay, but what happened to him? Oh God, how could you know if he's unconscious? Oh, my poor little boy. That bastard. What about Roger? Did they catch him?"
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 21:57 (link)
Luka takes a deep breath, wishing he had more information to give her. "We don't know much, other than what I've told you. When he was brought in, they called it a hit and run, some woman found him on the road. We don't know details; the police will talk to you when you get here. And we have guards, our own security, by his door, just in case Roger decides to show up here."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 22:09 (link)
"He won't." Kim's tone is dark. "He's far too chickenshit. Look at how he got Leo in the first place. He won't try anything with so many other people around." She's calmer now, wiping the tears from her cheeks, and she reminds herself over and over that Leo only has a broken leg and a concussion. He'll be okay. He's going to be okay. "I should go. I need to book a flight and... I need to tell my mother, and Trey. I don't know when I'll be there exactly. Should I call you to let you know once I find out?"
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 22:15 (link)
Luka nods before he remembers Kim can't see him. "Yes, call me anytime. I can pick you up from the airport and bring you right here, just let me know when your flight will come in."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 22:33 (link)
Her eyes fill with tears again. "You don't even know me really but you've helped me so much. If there's every anything I can do for you, anything at all, you'll tell me won't you? I'm a rather good defense attorney," she laughs a little, slightly hysterical laugh. "So if you ever need a lawyer."
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 22:40 (link)
Luka chuckles. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you." He gives her his cell phone number. "I'm calling from the hospital now, but if you can't reach me here the cell will be on."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-16 23:11 (link)
"Okay. You know what? I made a pact with myself that I'd quit smoking if we found Leo. So... I'm probably going to be having a nic fit all the way there. And you know what else? I won't care. I won't care at all."
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couch_tomato
2004-05-16 23:21 (link)
Luka grins. "The most welcome nic fit anyone's ever had, I guess." He pauses. "I'm really happy for you, Kim. I'll wait for your call, I'll be ready to head to the airport."
He awoke with a gasp, shaken and disoriented, but his eyes closed again right away when confronted by the terribly bright light. He struggled to remember... he'd been running... running away from... from...
"Don't let him catch me!" His eyes snapped open, but when he tried to sit up the pain thundered through his head so hard he went limp, darkness on the edge of his vision.
open_discussion
2004-05-17 00:52 (link) Select
Sam's back was to him when his eyes flew open, her heart jumped when she heard the little voice. She turned around calmly, placing the chart at the end of his bed. Stepping over to the side of his bed she spoke, her voice soothing, "It's okay, you're safe, kiddo."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 01:47 (link) Select
His vision cleared as he stared up at the unfamiliar face, but seeing the woman did nothing to ease his fears. "Where's my daddy? I have to hide from him because... because he's mad at me. I ran away and he said... he said..." His eyes filled with tears. "He said he'd kill me like he killed Mama."
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 01:55 (link) Select
Sam's heart breaks for him, his face fearful, even of her. "It's okay, we've got police guarding you. You're going to be fine, your mama's coming to get you. You're safe here, I promise we won't let anyone hurt you." She wipes a tear away from his eye, her mothering instinct kicking in.
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 02:02 (link) Select
More tears came to replace those she brushed away. "She can't. My mama can't. Daddy killed her. I saw. He stuck her with a knife and she was bleeding and he took me away. She's with the angels now."
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 02:36 (link) Select
Sam shook her head no, "No, she's alive and coming to get you sweetheart." She pushed some hair out of his face, "She'll be here soon, I promise." She pauses for a moment, "Are you feeling okay? Can I get you anything?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 07:38 (link) Select
His mind tried to comprehend the situation... and couldn't. Daddy had always told him his mama was dead, but this lady said she wasn't. Confused and suddenly realising he couldn't move one of his legs, Leo's face crumpled. "I want my mama!" He began to cry in earnest.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 12:12 (link) Select
Sam bit her lip in an effort not to let her emotions get the best of her in the situation, "Shhhh." She whispered in an attempt to soothe the boy and hush his cries, "She's coming, she'll be here soon, I promise." She watches him for a moment, "Are you hungry? Cold? Lonely?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 12:35 (link) Select
He nodded, tears still leaking down onto the pillow. "Hungry. And... will you stay with me and make sure my daddy doesn't come get me?" At the thought he started to cry harder but he'd gotten so used to forcing himself to stop or do it quietly that fear made him try and he choked.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 12:49 (link) Select
Sam looks up and sees Pratt waving at her to come, she shakes her head no at him before holding up a finger signaling she'll be there in a second, "I can't stay with you sweetie, but I can have someone come and keep you company?" She points to the police outside his door, "And those guys will make sure your daddy stays far, far away from you."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 12:49 (link) Select
For the first time Leo really looks at the policemen, and the first sense of relief he's had in too long washes over him. Police. He knew police were okay. And he noticed something else. "What's wrong with my leg?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 17:21 (link) Select
Sam looks at his leg up in the air, "You broke it, it's in a cast now."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 18:41 (link) Select
Strangely enough, the news seemed to shock him into a fascinated silence as he stared at his cast, having never had anything worse than scrapes and cuts and smacks from his father. The idea of having a cast is... well, neat. "How did I break it?" That's what has him suddenly very confused. He remembers running through the woods away from his father's car, but after that everything is blank.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 20:06 (link) Select
Sam purses her lips together, deciding to save the question for a doctor, "'You want someone to come keep you company? My son is around your age I can have him come sit with you for a while if you'd like?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 20:45 (link) Select
The idea of seeing another little boy sent a thrill through Leo. Daddy hadn't ever let him talk to other people, not even other kids. "Yes. And... can I have a hamburger? I'm hungry."
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 21:03 (link) Select
Sam shakes her head, "I can't get you a hamburger, but I think that I can get someone to bring you some jello. Does that sosund okay?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 21:06 (link) Select
Anything was better than chips, cookies, or beef jerky. Leo started to nod but it hurt his head to do so, and he stopped. He was tired but he didn't want to go back to sleep. He wanted to stay awake and eat jello and see his mama.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 21:27 (link) Select
Sam smiles, "Okay, I'll send Alex in with some jello." She stops at the door and looks at hiim once more before going to get Alex.
Alex walks in, slightly annoyed his mom's made him spend the rest of the day with a little kid. "Hey." He hands Leo the jello and a spoon, "This is for you."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 21:45 (link) Select
Leo stares, suddenly shy, and takes the jello. "Thank you." His voice is quiet and small; he drops his eyes and begins to eat the jello, his empty stomach clenching painfully around the first couple of bites before he remembers what he learned in daycare and he looks back up. "Do you... do you want some?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 22:02 (link) Select
Alex shakes his heaad and sits on a stool next to him, "No thanks. I'm not hungry." He looks at Leo's cast and his eyes widen, "What'd you do?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 22:22 (link) Select
Leo shovelled jello into his mouth. "I dunno. I ran away from my daddy, and there were lots of trees. And then I woke up here." He frowns, trying to remember, but he can't. "Maybe... maybe my daddy did it."
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 22:41 (link) Select
Alex nods, his lips pursing together, not wanting to really ask what happened. His mom had said the kid had been through a lot, "It's okay, I was just curious. I've always wanted a cast. They're so cool."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 23:07 (link) Select
"They are?" Leo feels a swell of happiness that he's got something a big kid thinks is cool. He looks shyly over at Alex again. "My name's Leo. What's your name?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 23:13 (link) Select
Alex nods, "They get you out of PE, people can sign them, you get crutches...it's awesome." He grins when he realizes that Leo's looking up to him slightly. "I'm Alex."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-17 23:19 (link) Select
Leo could tell that Alex was a lot older than him. "How old are you? I'm five, but I'm almost six. I... I don't know when my birthday is anymore. I was with my daddy a long time I think. My birthday is May 25, and after summer I'm going to be in first grade. What grade are you in?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 23:33 (link) Select
Alex grins at Leo's rambling, "I'm ten, I just got out of school last week. I'll be in fifth grade next year." He turns his head to look at the calendar on the wall, "Hey! Your birthday is next week!"
kim_watkins
2004-05-17 23:41 (link) Select
"It is?" Of course he can't remember what day it was that he was last home, and time and dates make no real sense to him. All he knows is it seems like forever. "Maybe I could still have a birthday party. That lady said my mama was coming to get me. Mama..." At the thought of her his lip trembles, and he scrubs at his eyes with the back of his hand.
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open_discussion
2004-05-17 23:49 (link) Select
Alex suddenly feels uncomfortable as he starts to cry, shifting in his seat "Yeah, it's next week." He looks around, not sure what to do, "Hey, don't cry. She's coming, if my mom said she's coming then she's coming."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 00:04 (link) Select
The image is never far from his mind, and though he's too young to know, it will remain clearly etched on his brain for the rest of his life. The way Mama screamed as she ran up the stairs with Daddy chasing her, the way she grabbed him up and the utter confusing terror. The way he landed hard when Daddy pushed Mama onto the floor and then... he hadn't really known what was happening since it happened so fast, just that Mama was bleeding and Daddy tried to pick him up but Leo didn't want to go. Mama was hurt and she needed him, but he was too little to win against his big father, and he had no choice but to be carried into the night...
His head hurt and he's exhausted, the empty jello cup slipping from his fingers. Thoughts aren't staying anymore, just pictures, mostly of his mama. He's too tired to try and understand as he looks pleadingly at Alex. "When will Mama be here?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 00:13 (link) Select
Alex takes the jello cup from Leo, chucks it into the trash across the room, smiling at himself when it makes it. He shrugs at the question, "I don't know. Mom said Luka called her," He stops for a moment, knowing nothing more than that fact, he decides to lie to help the boy feel better, "She's on her way though."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 00:21 (link) Select
Leo doesn't know who "Mom" or "Luka" is, but he wants so badly to believe that he doesn't question it. His eyelids are heavy and he tries to force them to stay open, sniffling loudly. "Is your mama pretty? Mine is. Mine's the prettiest lady in the whole world."
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 00:27 (link) Select
Alex scrunches his nose, he's never really thought about Sam's looks before. "I guess she's alright. I don't really know. I guess she's pretty...I've never really thought about it." He sees Leo's eyes flutter shut, "I can go if you're tired."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 00:40 (link) Select
Leo's eyes snap open and he half sits up, ignoring the sharp blade of pain that slices through his head when he does. "No! Don't leave me by myself! Please don't leave me!"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 00:45 (link) Select
Alex's eyes widen when Leo sits up, he stands up slightly startled, "Whoa, it's okay I won't leave." He looks around, "I could get my mom to bring in a tv and we could play video games? Do you like video games?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 00:55 (link) Select
He nods. "Mama doesn't let me have them. She says maybe when I'm a little older but right now I should read books. But I played some video games at my friend Evan's house on his computer. We played 'Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego.' Do you have that?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 01:05 (link) Select
Alex sits back in shock. This kid had never played Mario anything, it was tragic really. "That sucks. What's 'Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" I don't have it, is it cool?" He feigns interest in the game, knowing full well it probably sucks.
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 01:11 (link) Select
"Uh huh. It's a detective game and you have to find the clues all over the world. It's so kids can learn geo... geophagry. And Evan's mama said it was vizool stimlulation, but I don't know what that means. I liked it but it wasn't as good as 'Scooby Doo.' Do you like 'Scooby Doo'? I like Velma. She's funny when she loses her glasses all the time."
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 01:15 (link) Select
Alex nods with fake enthusiasm, keeping his thought of how lame does that sound? to himself. He shakes his head no, "I don't, but my mom does...she can do a really good impression of Velma, you should ask her next time she comes in here to do it for you. She might not though cause she gets embarassed about it."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 01:25 (link) Select
"Is your mama here?" He's already forgotten that Sam told him her son would come stay with him and that Alex is that very same son, if he ever understood that in the first place. "I can do Shaggy. Watch. Zoiks!." He giggles. "And Velma always says 'Jenkies.' Does your mama say that?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 01:28 (link) Select
Alex laughs half-heartedly at him, "Yeah, when she does the voice she'll say it. She was in here when you woke up, my mom's a nurse."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 01:39 (link) Select
"Ohhh, that lady. She's nice. She was nice to me. My mama's nice too, but I've seen her mad. She doesn't get mad at me very much 'cause I'm good, but I've seen her get mad at Daddy but that's 'cause he's mean. She doesn't get mad at Trey though, ever. I think... I think I'd like Trey to be my daddy. Where's your daddy? Is he nice, or is he mean?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 01:46 (link) Select
Alex shrugs, "My mom's alright." He resists the urge to roll his eyes, then a twinge of pain tugs at him at the mention of his father, "My dad...my dad's..." He searches his brain for an explanation or a word to define what Steve is. "My dad's gone. I don't really know him, he and my mom don't get along at all."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 02:00 (link) Select
Leo nods sagely, too young to understand that, and yet he does. "Did your daddy hurt your mama?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 11:54 (link) Select
Alex's neck retreats back slightly, never actually having pondered the question. Had he ever hurt Sam? Neither of them had ever said anything about it, but the way his mom had acted around Steve was different than how she acted around Luka. His lips turn downward as his eyes follow a gaze to his shoes, twiddling his thumbs, "I don't know. They just don't like each other. I...I don't think he ever hurt her....I don't think..." He attempts to push the thought out of his mind unsuccessfully, "Hey, let's talk about something else okay? Do you want some more jello?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 12:03 (link) Select
Leo drops his eyes, his need to talk to someone causing him to ignore Alex's blatant hint. "My daddy hurt my mama. He knocked her down, and wouldn't let her get up and I couldn't make him stop. And then later he came back and he had a knife and he stuck her with it and took me away. I was too little to help her. I don't like being little. And I don't love my daddy. Is it bad if I don't love my daddy?" He bites his lip and looks at Alex again.
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 12:14 (link) Select
Alex looks towards the window to the hall, trying not to listen to Leo. What if he'd had memories of them yelling at each other, his palm finding its way across her face. He didn't though, did he? He hears the question at the end, the beginning of the babbling having gone through one ear and out the other, "No, it's not." He turns his gaze back to Leo, a forced smile hanging on his lips desperately trying to put on a front for the two of them. "Do you want some more jello or something?"
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 17:11 (link) Select
"No, I want a hamburger. I want pizza. I want a milkshake. Daddy never got me anything good 'cause he always said we didn't have enough time so he'd just gets stuff at the gas station and then he drove away. We drove around a lot but I don't know where we went because we never got out to see anything really."
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 17:50 (link) Select
Alex mutters something about wanting all of that too, he gets off the stool and looks at Leo's chart. Some of the words on it making sense, but a majority of them mean nothing to him. For the first time he realizes that it's just Leo in the room with him. No nurses, no doctors, no one. He puts the chart back and adjusts the beanie on his head. "You don't want to eat that stuff from here, the cafeteria sucks. I can get you some Sprite though, they have that in the lounge. Just don't tell anyone."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 18:39 (link) Select
It's almost on his lips to ask Alex if he's going to leave him alone to get it, and if that's the case then he'd rather not have it at all. But he doesn't want to seem like a baby in front of this big kid, so he only nods, feeling the tears starting to burn behind his eyes again as his throat closes.
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 18:57 (link) Select
Alex's face breaks out into a grin, "I'll be right back." He jogs out of the room across to the lounge, pushing the door open. He sighs with relief when there's no one in there. His eyes stay on the door as he opens the fridge and grabs a Sprite, distinctly labeled "MORRIS". He hides it underneath his jacket and walks swiftly back to the room where Leo is, narrowly missing getting run over by a gurney rolling in. He walks back in and grabs the cup by Leo's bed and pours him some Sprite before sticking a straw in it. He hands him the drink, "There you go."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 19:08 (link) Select
Alex isn't gone for longer than a couple of minutes, but during that time Leo fights to keep from crying, though he wants to, his hands clenched in the blankets. The only thing that keeps him from yelling for someone is the sight of the police outside of his door. Fortunately Alex isn't gone long, and Leo relaxes his fingers in relief when he sees him again, and accepts the Sprite when Alex hands it to him. "Thank you, Alex." The sugar tastes good, but it's not going to be enough to keep him awake much longer. "And... I'm glad you're here with me. I like you."
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 19:11 (link) Select
Alex blushes slightly, the redness unnoticable on his face. "No problem, kid," absently using a phrase his mother uses, "It's been kind of fun hanging out in here. I'm surprised my Mom's not here though, she usually watches me like a hawk or whatever."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 20:18 (link) Select
"I wish my mama was here. When will she..." He remembers then that he already asked and Alex didn't know, and looks down at the Sprite. He's so tired but he wants to stay awake and talk to Alex longer. He wants to stay awake for his mama.
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 20:53 (link) Select
Alex gently lifts the cup out of his hands, "If you're tired I can just sit here and play my game boy while you sleep...if you want."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 21:12 (link) Select
Leo smiles in relief. All he wants to do, deep down, is go to sleep. "Okay. But don't leave me alone and... will you wake me up when my mama gets here?"
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open_discussion
2004-05-18 23:48 (link) Select
Alex nods, his eyes drifting up from the game before he resumes clicking the buttons on his game boy. "I'll let you know."
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kim_watkins
2004-05-18 23:58 (link) Select
Leo pulls the covers up to his chin and watches Alex playing his game, his mind buzzing with the numbness of exhaustion. This time when his eyelids grow heavy he lets them close, and it's only seconds later that he's slipped beneath the surface of consciousness.