Kaylee Jaymie Halstead

Project Pt2

Kaylee: as you can see my family is complicated. It doesn't look like your traditional family. As you can see within the tree is a quote from Maya Angelou "Family isn't always blood, it's the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what."
Mr Brown: that's wonderful Kaylee. Now do you want to talk us through a few of your leaves?
Kaylee: this is my Grampa Hank. He seems scary but he's a teddy bear really as long as you're on his good side. He's always there for me and would do anything to help or protect me. Next is kelly. He's the closest thing to a brother. He'll give me advise and put me in my place. If I'm being unfair to my dad then he'll put me straight. There's been times where I was in a dark place but kelly helped me get out. I know that I can go to kelly for anything that I can't go to my dad about. Hailey. Hailey isn't my mom by blood but she's my mom by choice. She chose to step up and take on the job that my blood mom couldn't do. She's there for me and I can go to her about anything. Especially girl things that is awkward to talk to my dad about. She's shown me that being blood don't make you family it's showing that you'll be there through the good and the bad that does. I'm gonna do two more leaves and then I'm done.
Mr Brown: okay

Kaylee: okay so this is my big brother Brandon. He was my best friend. He would sneak me out of the house and take us to get milkshakes. He did anything for me. When I was having a bad day, he always knew how to cheer me up. He would always side with me even if I was wrong. On days I was really hyper he would take me to the batting cages or trampoline park to get some of my energy out. If I was in trouble he would take the blame. He was the best big brother I could ever ask for. You may have noticed that I keep saying was. That's because Brandon's not here anymore. Nearly a year ago, there was an accident and Brandon didn't make it. It doesn't mean he isn't still here with me. I will make him proud and I know he's looking down on me. lastly this is my dad. He is the best dad I could ever ask for. He has been there for me from the day I was born. It wasn't always easy for him. He had a rough childhood and trauma from the army but he still stayed strong to give me the life that he never had. I owe everything to my dad. He has given up so much to make sure that I'm happy and healthy. Well as healthy as I can be. You may not know this about me but I have epilepsy. If you don't know what that is it's basically a fault in my brain. It sends irregular electrical signals and causes me to have seizures. They can be scary but my dad is always there for me. When they first started happening the doctors kept telling my dad that it wasn't epilepsy so my dad didn't stop until he found answers. The war gave my dad PTSD. He suffers from flashbacks and horrible nightmares. The thing about my dad is that after a horrible night he'll put on a brave face just so I don't worry about him. My dad is my hero
Everyone clapped and a few people stood up clapping. It was dad, kelly, hailey and Hank. They all looked very emotional.

I got up and walked outside. I went to a bench and sat down with my head in my hands. Someone sat down next to me.
Kelly: what's going on?
Kaylee: I miss him so much
Kelly: I know you do. Did talking about him bring it on?
Kaylee: mhm. Dad doesn't really talk about him anymore. It's like he's forgotten. Like he doesn't care
Kelly: of course he cares. Your dad just doesn't know how to express his feelings. He probably just keeps it building up. He's more like you than you think. Talk to him okay.
Kaylee: okay
Kelly: you're presentation was amazing. I'm so proud of you kiddo. I'm a proud big brother and I know Brandon is even prouder.
I gave him a hug
Kelly: talk to your dad
Kaylee: okay
Kelly went inside and dad came out
Dad: that was a really good presentation peach. Even Hank had a few tears. I'm really proud of you I know that wasn't easy. Especially talking about brandon
Kaylee: what would you know? You don't speak about him. You avoid the conversation.
Dad: Kaylee it's just
Kaylee: it's too hard yes I know. But I was the one in the crash. I watched him die. I was there when he said his last words. Took his last breath. And it's hard for you. Bullshit
Dad: Kaylee
Kaylee: No leave me alone

I ran off and went to the basketball court.
Coach Evans: hey kid
Kaylee: hi
I was shooting shot after shot
Coach Evans: why don't you take a break? Come talk to me
Kaylee: just leave me alone. I'm not talking to anyone
Coach Evans: kid you're gonna hurt yourself
Kaylee: 'm f-fine

Coach Ryan Evans pov
Ryan: hey let's get you on the floor okay
Kaylee: need d-dad
Ryan: I'll get him in a minute
I laid her on the floor and put my hoodie under her head. Her eyes kept rolling and her hands were twitching and she was trying to stop it
Ryan: hey don't fight it. Let it happen
After a few seconds she began seizing. I timed it and just waited for it to end. Zach ran in
Zach: oh shit
Ryan: go get her dad
Zach left and a few minutes Jay ran in followed by zach. Kaylee also stopped seizing.
Jay: what the hell happened?
Ryan: she overworked herself
Jay: how long was it?
Ryan: 3 minutes
Jay: not too bad. I should probably take her home
Zach: is she alright?
Jay: yeah she's fine
Jay picked her up and left.

Jay pov
I was driving home when I saw her eyes flutter open trying to adjust to the light. She looked around confused.
Jay: hey peach
Kaylee: dad were being kidnapped. Call for help
I laughed gently.
Jay: I'm driving you home. You had a seizure at school
It went silent for a minute
Kaylee: I miss him
I looked in the rear view mirror and she fell asleep. I pulled up and wills car was here. I carried Kaylee in and laid her on the couch.
Will: seizure?
Jay: yep. She overworked herself and got angry
Will: about what?
Jay: Brandon. Shes upset at me for not talking about brandon
Will: you haven't spoken about him since?
Jay: No I can't. I let him down. I should have protected him. I'm the reason he's dead. It's all my fault. How can I talk to Kaylee about how I feel and stuff when the whole thing was my fault?
Will: it wasn't your fault Jay
Jay: a father is supposed to protect their kids. Both of mine got hurt. I should have been there to protect them.
Will: Jay listen to me. It was a drunk driver who ran the red light. They were safe. Brandon was driving safely. Intelligence worked the case. It was an accident Jay. A terrible accident. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't your fault Jay
I felt myself about to cry
Jay: I erm I need to go
Will: Jay stay. I don't want you to leave when you're like this. Your mind is else where. It's not safe for you to be driving like this
I went upstairs and slammed the door.
Jay: Fuck!

Will pov
Jay went upstairs and as soon as I heard the door slam I knew to leave him alone. I heard groaning. Kaylee woke up
Will: hey trouble
Kaylee: Uncle Will?
Will: hey trouble
Kaylee: everything hurts
Will: you'll feel better soon
Kaylee: where's dad?
Will: he needs some time
Kaylee: is he in a bad place again?
Will: No he just needs some time.
Kaylee: I brought all the feelings back. I know he blames himself. Me bringing up brandon just made it worse.
During the day me and kaylee had a movie marathon and Jay stayed in his room. We had dinner and I took some up for Jay.
Will: Jay
Jay: leave me alone Will
Will: Jay we need to talk
Jay: Will seriously fuck off
Will: there's some food outside the door. I'm gonna leave you alone

I went back downstairs and Kaylee had fallen asleep. I put a blanket over her and went to bed.