A true friend doesn't jump with you, they catch you when you fall.- Unknown
CHAPTER #13
Both Daisy and Chris felt Ezra's resentment towards them. Whenever they came around, he left or ignored them. Daisy made a comment and he replied back, "what do you care?"
As for Chris, she was still numb. Working with Mark had helped, but he had done most of the talking. Before her break down, she might have worked harder to find out why Ezra was upset, but right now she didn't care. She had no appetite and had to force herself to eat, when someone was watching. But often, she was able to just dump her plate. Once Sophie thought the dumped food was Juliette's and took her to have her weight checked. Which of course, when Juliette checked out to be fine, the counsellor grew concerned because she couldn't figure out who had not eaten.
Peter received a phone call from David's mother, she was very upset and rightly so. The General had forced his son into the military and during a live amo training session, David opened fire on the General, wounding him. The truly tragic thing, was that David turned the gun on himself and committed suicide. David's mother had a letter that her son had left for Daisy and another for Peter. She asked if she could deliver it in person. Peter of course accepted and she'd arrive later that day. He knew he'd have to break the news to the Cliff Hangers, sooner than later.
"I need the Cliff Hangers to come to my office once you are done with lunch," Peter said to their group.
Chris got up and followed him, so did Juliette and Auggie. Daisy, Shelby and Scott came last. They sat down in a circle and waited for Peter to explain why he'd called them to his office for a group session.
"David's mother called. There's been a tragic incident. David used a gun on the General and then committed suicide. His mother will be coming this afternoon. He left a letter for myself and for you Daisy." Peter explained sadly, watching their reactions.
Scott rubbed his eyes and said, "the kid was messed up like the rest of us, but he was okay some times too."
Daisy said, "it's your fault Chris, it's all your fault that he's dead!" She jumped out of her chair and attacked Chris. Screaming and pushing her, before Peter could stop her.
Chris crumpled in pain and fell on the floor. Daisy had hit the big bruise that still hadn't healed. But she felt nothing else, no emotions. Shelby and Scott went to her and asked if she was okay. She nodded and they helped her back into her chair.
Ezra was fed up, "Daisy it wasn't on Chris. Open your eyes, David was a jerk. He was as big of a bully as his father was to me and to Chris. He didn't let Peter or any of the counsellors help him. He didn't want help. So sit down and shut up."
Peter had not expected any of this type of reaction. Daisy was always so calm and cool, Ezra never confronted people, instead he took the pain into himself. But the most alarming was that Chris had shown no emotion.
"Peter you can let me go. I won't do anything. Sorry Chris," Daisy said. "I'm just angry I guess at the General and even his mother. His mother should've fought harder to save her son. Ezra said it best, the General was a bully. I bet he's relieved David is dead."
Juliette had tears running down her face, "it's good that he had Scott and you Daisy as friends. I remember when he tossed the football around with Scott, he was good. It's so sad."
Auggie asked, "what about you Peter, how do you feel?"
"Sad that David felt that his only choice was to take his life," Peter admitted.
