Though the Monsters

Chapter 44

"Usual" Day

Jethro walked with Hadlee as they made their way up to Harrison and Maggie's apartment.

"I wish you hadn't talked me into going back so soon." Jethro said shaking his head.

"It's almost been a week Jethro; you need to go back to work. Just because Hoppo has me off for a full week, it doesn't mean that you need to be with me the whole time," Hadlee said. "Harrison is going back today too which means that Maggie is going to be on her own for the first time. I'm gonna help her out and it's going to be just a really low key, usual day."

"Why does that not help?" Jethro muttered reaching up and knocking on the apartment door.

~~~~~~~

"Oh my God, both of you go." Hadlee said, pushing her brother and boyfriend towards the door.

"But, Hadlee are you sure? Mags, I can stay for a little while longer." Harrison argued.

"No, Hutz, go to work," Maggie said, her hands firmly resting on her hips. "We will be fine."

            Hadlee pushed both men into the hallway, blocking them from coming back into the apartment with her body

"Hads, you're good right?" Jethro asked.

"Yup, have a good day, love you." She smiled before promptly shutting and locking the door.

            Hadlee turned and leaned against the door with a wide smile across her face. Maggie laughed at her sister-in-law.

"So," Maggie laughed. "Since Rowan is taking a nap, do you want to possibly tell me about your little surfing adventure last week?"

            Hadlee's smile faltered as her mind whirled.

"Oh, that." She said, rocking back on her heels.

"Yeah," Maggie nodded. "That."

            Hadlee took a deep breath, walking over to the couch and sitting down.

"You know, I already had this conversation with Harrison," Hadlee said. "And Jethro, and a therapist at the hospital who then referred me to another therapist. Who I am now seeing once a week by the way."

            Maggie nodded.

"All good things. But why do I have a feeling that you didn't tell them everything?" She said.

            Hadlee opened her mouth to answer but then she stopped.

"Okay, maybe I told them most of it." She relented.

            Maggie nodded, sitting back on the couch.

"Why does it seem like we always have these heart-to-hearts on the couch?" Hadlee asked.

            Maggie shrugged.

"Sometimes it's easier to talk about things when you're with somebody who can understand some of what you're going through." She said.

            Hadlee's brow furrowed.

"You understand nearly dying?" She asked.

            Maggie laughed.

"That, is a story for another time," She said. "But the surfing story, that is a story for right now."

            Hadlee nodded.

"I mean you know most of it. I was out with Jethro, Jesse, and Nicola and things weren't going well. I mean I was wiping out left and right. I was ready to give up but they convinced me to go out one more time, so I did. And I was able to get up and it felt amazing, feeling the water under my board and the wind just rushing past me. It was unlike anything I'd ever felt before. But then I felt this shiver run down my back and then I guess I went down. I mean I don't know how to...it's hard to..." Hadlee trailed off as she thought.