I Dare You (Random Updates)

Chapter 23

"Now is not a good time, Boys," he said as he grabbed his car keys. "You should come back at another time. It's a bad day for her and I need to go get Osiris. I'll let you know when you can come over."

"Sorry Uncle but no," North shook his head. "If we're going to have any chance with her, we are going to have to show her that nothing is going to push us away, especially her health issues. We're going to be there for her no matter what."

Ben shook his head with a smirk on his lips, "well then at least leave the house for a little bit so I can keep my word about kicking you out. Come on, let's go."

"For now," Luke nodded as he followed his uncle out the front door.

"I don't like this," North growled as he followed his older brother out the door.

"None of us do," Silas shook his head, "but we have to listen to Uncle if we want to prove ourselves. She trusts him and if we want to get in her good graces then that means Uncle needs to keep his word."

"Fine," North sighed in agitation.

"He never said anything about leaving the property," Luke giggled excitedly as Uncle drove off. "He said we had to leave the house for a bit."

North smirked as realization dawned on him, "Lucien, you are a genius."

The group looked at one another and started working around the yard on some projects that Uncle hadn't had a chance to get to yet. After some time Erica pulled up and watched them for a second then headed inside.

Just as they were finishing clearing the garden the men saw Erica helping Isis out onto the back porch. "There we go," Erica said gently as she helped Isis sit down in a rocking chair then put a blanket over her lap. "Now this is stronger so hopefully it will last longer too. The guy said that this with your pain patch should hold you over until lunch but you may need to apply a new patch and smoke again by then. I already wrote everything down in your journal to keep track."

"Thanks Auntie," Isis winced as she shifted to try and get a little more comfortable. "These patches don't feel as strong. Think might need a stronger dose."

"I know," Erica nodded as she started grinding up the bud for it to be rolled. "I already put in an order for stronger ones. I figured as much when Luke called me."

"Luke?" Isis asked. "Thought Ankh was going to call me."

"He told Luke to call me since it looks like it's about to rain and he wanted to get Puppy back home before it did," Erica said as she dumped the bud on the tray in her lap then passed it over to Isis.

The guys watched from a distance as she rolled with shaky hands then Erica reached over and lit the lighter in her hand. Isis inhaled and closed her eyes as she waited for it to start working. The cough not being as bad as when she first started smoking years ago.

"So I heard from a little bird that you are wanting to move out from Ben's," Erica said after a few moments. "Can I ask why?"

Isis blew out some smoke and sighed, "I need to prove that I can take care of my son on my own," she said after a few moments. "I'm never going to be cured from this, Auntie. I know that and I accept it. There is going to be a time when I can no longer handle this pain and will need help with my son but until then, while I still can, I need to take care of my son. I have to do this. I have to care for my son."

"I understand that," Erica nodded, "I truly do. But from a medical standpoint, Isis, you can't have added stress or it's going to make it worse on you. What about a compromise?"

"Like what?" she turned to look at Erica curiously.

"Stay with Ben or stay in one of his rental houses and pay rent and bills through him," Erica explained. "You can have your independence and still have Ben close by for the days you need him."

"And your son and his friends?" Isis asked as she took another hit. "They obviously don't listen to Ankh."

"The boys," Erica chuckled, "the boys are just about as stubborn as you are, young lady. Honestly it wouldn't matter where you stayed. They've got their eyes on you, Girly, and that little boy of yours too. They've claimed you two and as determined as they are, they will stop at nothing to show as much. Might as well say welcome even more into the family, Dear." She patted Isis' cheek as she stood. "Now, let's get you back inside, before it starts to rain."

Isis sat the tray down on the table and carefully stood. She wobbled a bit but clutching Erica's upper arms she managed to keep her balance. She looked out to the yard and saw the men still working, shaking her head at the words Erica told her, she headed back to her room, shutting everything around her out.