After Forever & Ever

Hardin Bonus Chapter 3

Hardin

Smith got home a few days ago from the hospital. And today is Christmas....Vance said he just wants Smith to be home and then he said he will be making a decision on rehab or if he will let him go back to college.

Smith claims it was just a bad choice at a party....
So Vance wants me to talk to him and see what I think....or what I can get out of him.

Crazy that I'm not the one fucking up and rather I am who Vance is looking to help in this situation.

Going to Vance's for Christmas has always been our thing for the past few years and since him and I haven't really gotten along I've always dreaded it...but the kids love going there and they love Smith...and I'm curious to see how he will be with them and in general...

He's always been the fun uncle the one who gets on the floor and plays with them and does whatever they want him to do. Whether that's play Barbie's because that's what Emery wants or pretend to be a t-Rex because that's what Auden wants he's always doing that...I don't know if that will be different today though.

When we arrive Vance and Holly greet us at the door. The kids are excited to see their grandpa and Holly and they immediately run into their arms.

When Vance puts down Emery I see the exhaustion all over his face the same exhaustion I used to put him through.

"You okay?" I ask.

"What do you think?" He responds.

"Where is he?" I ask just as he walks out from the kitchen.

"Uncle Smith!!!" Emery and Auden both yell running into his arms.

"What's up beans?!" He excitedly replies... he calls both kids beans always has...not really sure why.

"We've missed you!" Emery says giving him another hug.

"Missed you too Beans." He says hugging her back.

He finally looks at me and mind you...I don't know if Smith has ever stopped hating me. I still remember the day he told me he wished I was dead and I sometimes still feel that was how he really feels.

And when he looks at me I see the blank stare I used to have...which makes me question if it was really just a bad decision at a party or if he is on something right now...

Tessa and Holly are off in the kitchen preparing food. I guess Holly has a huge family and since it's Vance and Hollys first Christmas together it was supposed to be their first Christmas with everyone together and they would all be here but because of what's going on they decided it would be just us this year.

I decide to talk to Vance before I talk to Smith to feel out how things have been going since he's been home. So we go into the basement and start a game of pool.

I cut to the chase pretty quick and ask "how's he doing?"

"He's you Hardin....he's a liar, he doesn't care about anyone but himself and he thinks he can handle things on his own." He replies as he angrily strikes the ball with the stick.

"Maybe he can..." I reply just to piss him off after the dig he just threw my way.

"Yea maybe he can but you sure as hell never could." He says throwing more shade my way.

"What else do you got?....cmon Vance don't hold back." I say slightly raising my voice.

Which seems to snap him out of coming at me.... "I'm sorry... I just didn't expect to go through this again." He says.

I want to come back and make him feel bad but I know that's not what he needs right now so I bite my tongue.

"It's fine." I simply reply.