It looks like the toughest of life's challenges are finally behind her, but now Scarlett has to deal with the aftermath. Her childhood trauma is still weighing her down, and she's beginning to feel like she'll never be free of it.
Relationships are...
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The backdoor to the Matthews' kitchen opens, prompting the woman of the household to turn and see who's coming in after her entire family's already left for the day. She smiles when she sees the young brunette who used to live with them.
"Hi, Scarlett. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school."
"I don't have a first period." She tells her, and the older woman nods as she remembers her always leaving awhile after Morgan and Cory. "I was wondering if it would be alright for me to have breakfast with you today."
"Of course." She motions toward the table of untouched food, and Letty chuckles as the two walk over and take a seat together.
"Everyone rushed out again?"
"Oh, don't they always?" Mrs. Matthews sighs. "Eric's excited to get to the store, his dad's chasing after him. Morgan has breakfast with her friend on the way to school, and Cory's usually in a rush to get to Shawn and Topanga. But today he was pretty upset because one of the lunch ladies died."
"Oh, yeah. Brenda." The teenager nods as she spreads butter over her pancakes. "She was always really nice. She'd save a slice of cherry pie for me and Topanga, and Cory got excited over the mashed potato and gravy volcano."
"She sounds like she was a sweet lady." She says, and Letty nods.
"So, how are things at the store?" She asks, popping a piece of fruit into her mouth.
This was Mrs. Matthews' big decision that she didn't discuss with her husband. A store that sells equipment for hiking and camping, among other things, was for sale. Mrs. Matthews bought it, and now Mr. Matthews runs it. It was one of his favorite stores before it was his, and it's a business that he already knows well. So they feel that it was a good investment for their family.
"Good. Alan's really happy there, and it keeps Eric busy." She tells the teenager. "Business is going well. I think Alan was even thinking about hiring you on. If you're up to it, that is."
"He always was my favorite boss." She smiles, but then looks at Mrs. Matthews. "Don't tell Tyler I said that."
The older woman chuckles as she eats as well. "So, how are things going with your brother and his friends?" She asks, and Letty shrugs.
"They're alright. The boys are idiots, but that's to be expected."
"And you're comfortable there?"
The teenager nods. "They're all trying really hard... I know that you and Mr. Matthews aren't exactly happy with the arrangement." She says, looking down.
"Oh, well...we just want what's best for you, sweetheart." She tells her. "I know you have a rocky past with your brother, and if you think that this is the best way to get through it, then we trust your judgment."
"And if I'm wrong?"
"Then you know where to find us." Mrs. Matthews says, and she looks up to meet her gaze. "Your bed is upstairs if you ever need it again. But, and I mean this with all the love in the world, I hope you don't ever need it again."
"I know what you're trying to say." Letty smiles, but then she looks down again as a thought crosses her mind. "Do you ever wish that Eric had never met me? I know his life would be easier if I weren't in it."
"He wouldn't be nearly as happy as he is when he's with you." She argues. "I've never wished that. I've wished a lot of things when it comes to you, Scarlett. I wish you didn't have such a tough childhood. I wish you didn't have to grow up so fast. I wish you didn't have the struggles that you do now. I wish I knew more ways to help you, better ways than I've been capable of. But I have never wished that you weren't a part of this family, not even for a second."
The teenager has tears in her eyes as she looks at Mrs. Matthews. "You've helped me in ways that you'll never know." She tells her. "In more ways than one."
"You didn't just stop in because you wanted to have breakfast with me, did you?"
"Actually, I did." Letty says, and she smiles. "I've missed this. And, uh... Mrs. Hunter's back, and I talked to her. As you can imagine, it didn't go over very well. She left me just like my mom did, but when she came back, I realized something. Despite both of them leaving, I've never felt like I didn't have a mom...because I have you."
She smiles as tears well up in her eyes. "You'll always have me, Scarlett." Mrs. Matthews promises.
—
There's suddenly a loud pounding on the front door, and it gains the attention of each of the hunters who live together in the house. They all get to their feet, none quite sure what to make of the urgency of whoever's on the other side of the door.
Reggie pulls his gun from the back of his waistband as Tyler moves closer to Letty. The two are standing on the opposite side of the island counter from the younger Price boy, and he shuts off the fire on the stove. Alec makes his way over to the door, looking out the peephole as the impatient knocking continues. He sighs as his shoulders relax, and Reggie places his gun back where he got it from as Alec opens the front door.
"Scarlett!" Shawn rushes through the door as soon as it's open enough, and Tyler moves away from her as she looks at the younger boy.
"Shawn, what's wrong?" The brunette asks as she walks over to him, and he shakes his head.
"Nothing." He smiles, tears in his eyes. "That's what I want to tell you."
"I don't..." She shakes her head as she glances at her older brother over his shoulder.
"Dad promised me that he's gonna be the best dad I've ever had." Shawn tells her. "And Mom's home. She's home, Scar! We're gonna be a family again!"
Letty forces her smile to look as genuine as she can make it. "That's amazing, Shawn. I'm so happy for you." She says, and he moves forward so that he can hug her.
The teenage girl wraps her arms around him as he squeezes her. The moment that he can no longer see her face, her smile falls. Letty looks over at her older brother, and he sighs as he turns away from the two of them. Alec shuts the front door, trying to keep his anger in check until after Shawn leaves. He knows exactly how this is going to end, even if it doesn't happen quickly.
Neither Mr. or Mrs. Hunter are gonna keep their promises to Shawn, like neither of them ever have. And then Letty will be left to pick up the pieces of his broken heart.
