(Untitled)

[captain_moody]

[drowning teenage sorrows at the ranch]

Comments

[tyler_cain]

Hey, kiddo, you okay?

[tyler_cain]

It may not be anything you can fix or will ever be fixed, but you can help her get through it, like I do with Pop. As far as school, think of it this way, if you tell her 'bout school, it'll give her somethin' to focus on, to give her somethin' to do. Not tellin' her may make her even sadder knowin' that you feel you can't go to her 'bout a problem you're havin'.

[nods] Eventually, she's gonna find out you're not happy and that will affect them as much as it does you. If you're happy, it'll help them to be happy, too. [smiles]

[nudges her] Well, I'm older.

[captain_moody]

[she nods, knowing he's right; it's not the first time she's heard someone in her family accusing another one of not talking]

[turns her whole body to face him] How do you help? What do you do to help? [if anyone can help her help her mother, it's Tyler and Lulu]

[makes a face at him, though she's glad to have him to talk to]

[tyler_cain]

[smiles] It's actually just some small things you can do for her. For Mom, I would sneak into her room at night and leave a little token on her night stand or on the kitchen table. Ask her if there's anything she needs or help with. Anything you can think of to show her you love her. Tell her that on a certain day, you're gonna take her shopping, or out to lunch, or go to the bakery for tea time.

[captain_moody]

[DG and Az taught her how to make lots of little things, so that shouldn't be too hard...]

[glances down] She doesn't really like to leave her room. [shakes her head] I don't think she'd want to go anywhere.

[it had taken a family effort to convince her to go to the upcoming birthday dinner for both Wyatts, and none of them were sure she was actually going to go through with it]

[lets out a deep sigh; her eyes widen as an idea pops into her head] Maybe I can not have to go to school, if I tell my dad I want to stay home and help my mom. Then I don't have to tell them about getting in trouble and... stuff. [glances at Tyler, pretty sure he's not going to go for that one]

[tyler_cain]

[makes a face] There's one person who can get her up and out of her room and that's Grandpa. We can ask him to talk to her, if you want.

[gives her a look] That's not exactly what I was thinkin' of, but at least you're tryin'.

[captain_moody]

[bites her lip to hide the grin; the image of Grandpa hauling her over his shoulder is a good one] I think that might be good. [nods]

[makes a face, but smiles]

[stares at the ground for a moment; quietly] Will they ever get better?

[tyler_cain]

[grins] We'll talk to him then.

[sighs] I'm not sure they'll ever get better. [he and his parents miss Riley and there are days where he knows they're sad, especially on his birthday] We all went through so much that I don't think we'll ever get over it, but we can help each other get through it.

[captain_moody]

[gives him a small smile, then turns and gives him an awkward hug]

[tyler_cain]

[smiles as he hugs her back]

[captain_moody]

[pulls back and stares ahead for a minute] Was your granpda mad? [looks at Tyler] When he found out?

[she's been told that no one was mad at her for telling on Garrett, but she still feels bad]

[tyler_cain]

[gives her a smile while shaking his head] No, not at all. He's thankful you said somethin'...we all are. No one's mad at Pop, either.

[captain_moody]

[gives him a sad smile] Is your dad gonna be okay?

[tyler_cain]

smiles as he nods] Oh, yeah, he'll be okay. The support we're all givin' 'im will help.

[captain_moody]

[her smile warms] That's good.

[tyler_cain]

[pauses for a moment before asking] Wanna go feed the horses?