The Delinquent's Haven

Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

 

          "He's sleeping, now," Haven said quietly as she shut the door behind her.  Looking around, she noticed everyone trying to get comfortable and make sense of this disaster Darin decided to cast upon them as they waited around in the hallway.

          Leaning against the wall was Jackson.  His eyes were filled with worry and concern.  It looked like he hadn't slept in days, even though they had been there for a mere four hours.  Hospitals do those kinds of things to people, though.

          Hospitals drain the life from people.

          Sitting near his feet was Derek.  He didn't look the same as Jackson, but he seemed to let off a glow of anger and frustration.  Haven figured it was best if Derek didn't go in, since she didn't want to overwhelm Darin.

          A couple feet away from him was Ryan and in his lap was a sleeping Odessa.  She looked so peaceful and calm in his arms as he gently rubbed her back.  Looking up, Ryan's eyes connected with Haven's chocolate orbs, and he gave her a weak smile.  He looked like he had been crying or fighting back tears; either way, it was because of the place Darin was right now.

          Looking a little ways past Ryan and his sleeping Odessa, Yolanda and Matthew were sitting together, holding hands.  Yolanda's face was cold and hard, but she managed to forcibly soften the look in her eyes.

          Matthew looked a little more irritated, but not because of what Darin did.  He didn't want to be there; he didn't even care about what happened to Darin.  They had never gotten along, so why was he even here?

          Sitting next to Yolanda was Brianna.  Up until now, Haven hadn't been in any room with her for more than ten seconds without her disappearing.  The only time they were seen together was when Maragret had cooked a meal . . . and even then, seeing them even looking in the general vicinity of one another was extremely rare.

          Haven looked up at Charlie as he moved to look in the window of Darin's room.  His eyes were cold and hard, his face set in what looked like stone.  He was more angry than anything.  The look in his eyes was unmistakable.

          Then, Haven saw Maragret.

          Her soft brown eyes were filled with tears.  Her face had gone completely white and there was a lost feeling Haven got when she looked directly into her deep brown orbs.  With a small smile, Haven walked over and wrapped her arms around Maragret.

          Stunned for only a moment, Maragret let her arms drape around Haven's sides.  She loosely secured them around her and they held each other for a moment.  Then, footsteps echoed through the calm hall before the doctor showed up next to Charlie.

          They both watched through the window before he spoke, breaking ever ounce of silence.

          "Well, this sure is one big family you have here . . .  Are they all your children?"  He asked, causing Charlie to nod.

          "We're foster parents.  They're as close to family as it gets," Charlie said, but just when Haven thought he wasn't going to speak about them, anymore, his voice carried on.  "We open our doors to them and give them a place to stay.  We feed them and welcome them into our home like they belong there . . . and that's because they do."

          "But this is how I'm repaid?  By trying to take their own lives?  By smoking weed and bringing concealed weapons into my house?  By failing school and declining college acceptance letters?"  He rambled on, "By betraying us and getting picked up by the cops because you're suspected of a crime you claim you didn't commit?"