Family is Forever (Sequel to Running on Insulin)

Chapter 15

Tyler POV

The next two days were rough. Really, really rough. Jenna slept with Samantha every time she lay down to sleep. She would take at least one nap during the day, and would often wake up screaming. The nights were worse. Sometimes, Jenna could catch the nightmare before it became screaming, while Samantha was napping, but at night, we were both so exhausted from taking care of Samantha, and being on top of making sure we were balancing her diabetes with her recovery from her ordeal with Stanley, that we'd get ready for bed, and separate. Jenna in Samantha's room, where once she'd gotten Samantha settled, she often fell asleep, and me in our room, in our bed, alone.

Brendon and Sarah were still visiting and Josh was staying to help, too. So the entire household was woken up every night, at least once, by Samantha's screaming. I couldn't fault her for it. They were nightmares, and she'd endured something we couldn't understand.

Samantha's first session with Doc at the house was similar to the session in the hospital. Brendon, Josh and Sarah went out for the hour, leaving us in the house. Samantha wouldn't let go of Jenna the whole time Doc was here, and I tended to be either out in the kitchen or down in my studio.

While Samantha was with Doc on Friday, my phone beeped with a text. It was Jake, asking if he could come by and talk with Samantha. I texted back saying he could come by, but she still wasn't speaking and I couldn't promise he'd get much. He said that was fine. Part of the reason he wanted to come was to see how Sam was doing.

When Doc was done with Samantha, he came into the kitchen to talk with me.

"I know it seems like there's been no progress, since Samantha is still not speaking, but she is making progress. For instance, she's not flinching away from you any more, I understand."

"No, you're right. She doesn't. But she is still very wary around me,"

"It's going to take time," Doc said. "But she's working very hard. She's frustrated that she can't speak, but you seem to have come up with some form of communication, and while I want her to start speaking as badly as I'm sure you do, she is communicating. But I can tell, she wants to talk. I can't give a timeline, but I think we'll have her speaking again before too long. You guys are doing really well.

"Jenna tells me she's still having nightmares and wakes up screaming."

I sighed.

"Yeah. I don't think any of us have had a decent night's sleep since she came home. Actually, since she woke up in the hospital. We can't fault her for that, but we are exhausted."

"I'm sure. If it gets worse, we could consider respite care for you guys. She could spend a few nights in the psychiatric ward at Nationwide, and you guys could get a couple nights sleep," he suggested.

"Absolutely not," I said. "We'll get through this. I won't send her away just for a couple extra hours of sleep. We promised her she's home. I won't betray her by sending her away, even if it's just for a couple of days."

"I admire your tenacity. I expect Jenna would say the same."

"I would hope so," I said, as I looked out into the living room where Jenna and Samantha were sitting on the couch, Jenna's arm around Samantha. "We're all in. Thorns and all."

"Good. Samantha needs tenacity. It's slow coming, but I'm seeing definite improvement. How much time is she spending away from either of you? Jenna specifically?"

"She doesn't freak out if Jenna has to go to the bathroom anymore. The first couple of days, Jenna couldn't leave the room without preparing Samantha. Yesterday, or maybe this morning, was the first time, during breakfast, that she mentioned she was going to the bathroom and Samantha didn't jump up and follow her."

"See? Progress."

"I suppose. I just wish she could tell us what was happening in her head."

"She'll get there. I'll see you all on Monday. I'll come by around three. Is the tutor starting Monday?"

"She is. She's coming from eleven to two."

"Don't be surprised if Samantha doesn't handle that much. But as usual, be encouraging. She's a smart kid, as you know."

"I do. Thanks, Doc," I said, walking him to the door. "We'll see you Monday.

He left and I went into the living room and sat on the coffee table in front of Samantha and got her attention.

"Samantha, remember Jake? The detective in charge of helping us find you? He came to the hospital."

Samantha nodded.

"He was wondering if he could come by this afternoon and visit with you for a little bit. What do you say?"

She looked up at Jenna, who smiled at her, and then nodded.

"Great," I smiled. He should be here in a little while. Also, I was thinking we should maybe invite Jill over this weekend. What do you think?"

Samantha didn't seem to know what to think about that. She frowned and slowly shook her head from side to side.

"No? I know Jill wants to see you. She's missed you something terrible," Jenna said. "And she's going to bring your homework to work on with your tutor. Remember, you're starting with her on Monday."

Samantha shrugged and then nodded.

"Should we ask Jill to come tomorrow?" I asked.

Samantha shrugged again and then nodded.

"Okay, I'll call her mom.

Just then, Brendon, Sarah and Josh came in with coffees for everyone.

"Here you go, Miss Samantha," Brendon said, handing her a cup. "Sugar free vanilla latte. What do you think?"

I saw her put her thumb up.

I pulled out my phone and called Jill's mom.

"Tyler," Erin said, answering her phone. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you. How's Samantha? We've been so worried, and following everything on the news."

I sighed.

"She's really struggling, to be honest, Erin. Her biological dad really messed her up. She's not speaking, is back to having problems with dosing her insulin and is having horrible nightmares every night, but since she's not speaking, she can't tell us what they're about."

"I'm so sorry," Erin said. "Jill's been beside herself since she went missing. We're glad you guys got her back, but I'm so sorry you're dealing with all this. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?"

"We were wondering if Jill would like to come over tomorrow for a visit. If she has any work for Samantha, she could bring that with."

"Is Samantha coming back to school?" Erin asked, skeptically.

"No, not yet. We have a tutor coming to help her keep up with her class, but she won't be coming back to school for a while," I said. "We really don't know when she'll be ready to come back."

"I understand. Hang on one second," Erin said. I could hear her talking to Jill and I could hear Jill speaking excitedly back. "Sounds to me like Jill would be okay with coming over. You know. No big deal."

I laughed because I could hear Jill in the background squealing excitedly about being able to come see her friend.

We made arrangements, and I got off the phone and joined everyone in the living room. I sat beside Samantha, and she let me put my arm around her. Progress indeed. I smiled.