The Diary of Evergreen Evelyn

chapter 37

After placing Evan on his bed and ensuring he was comfortable, Dan stepped out of the room and dialed Sam's number. As the phone rang, he couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling of the recent events. Finally, Sam answered the call, his voice tight with concern.

"Dan, what's going on?" Sam's tone was urgent, sensing the gravity of Dan's call.

Dan took a deep breath before recounting the events that transpired, detailing Eve's outburst and reckless behavior. "Sam, Eve threw a tantrum, and things got out of hand. She was adamant about going somewhere, and when I tried to reason with her, she lashed out."

Sam's silence on the other end spoke volumes, and Dan could almost feel the tension through the phone. "I'm sorry, Sam," Dan continued, his voice heavy with regret. "I tried to handle it, but she was beyond reasoning."

Is Evan okay?" Sam's voice was tight with worry, his tone indicating the gravity of the situation.

"He's fine, Sam," Dan reassured him quickly. "Just a minor injury from the broken glass. But the situation with Eve... it's concerning."

There was a pause on the other end of the line as Sam processed the information. When he spoke again, his voice was laced with anger. "I can't believe this. Eve's behavior has been spiraling out of control lately, and now she's putting Evan at risk."

Dan nodded grimly, even though Sam couldn't see him. "I know, Sam. I've tried to talk to her, but she's been defiant."

Sam let out a frustrated sigh. "First, make sure Evan is okay. If it’s serious, take him to the doctor. And what was Eve thinking? This behavior is literally unacceptable!"

"Of course, Sam," Dan replied, his determination evident. "She's getting out of hand."

Sam's voice softened slightly, reflecting his concern for his sister. "We’ll deal with Eve when I get back. For now, keep her grounded and make sure she doesn’t leave the house. If she tries anything, let me know immediately."

Dan nodded, grateful for Sam's guidance. "Understood, Sam. I'll make sure she knows."

As they hung up, Dan felt a sense of resolve wash over him. Despite the chaos of the morning, he was determined to maintain order and ensure that everyone was safe and cared for until Sam's return.

Dan took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation ahead. He knew he had to be firm with Eve, to make her understand the severity of her actions. He climbed the stairs with purpose and knocked on her door.

"Eve, it's Dan. Open up," he called, his voice leaving no room for argument.

The door opened slowly, and Eve peered out, her eyes wide with trepidation. Dan stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

"Eve, you are grounded until Sam and Ed return," Dan said sternly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Your dinner will be brought to your room, and you are not to leave until further notice."

Eve's face fell, and she looked away, her hands twisting nervously. "But Dan, I—"

"No buts, Eve," Dan interrupted, his tone uncompromising. "Your reckless behavior today resulted in Evan getting hurt. This isn't just about disobedience; it's about the safety and well-being of everyone in this house."

Eve's eyes filled with tears, but Dan pressed on. "You need to understand that your actions have consequences. Breaking that glass wasn't just a childish tantrum—it was dangerous. What if the injuries had been more serious?"

"I didn't mean to hurt anyone," Eve whispered, her voice trembling.

"Intentions aside, you did hurt someone," Dan replied firmly. "And you need to take responsibility for that. Staying in your room is just the beginning. You need to think about how you can make amends and earn back the trust that you've lost."

Eve nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Dan. I just... I didn't think."

"That's the problem, Eve," Dan said, his voice softening slightly. "You need to start thinking about the consequences of your actions. This isn't about punishing you—it's about making sure you grow up to be responsible and considerate."

Eve looked up at him, her expression a mix of remorse and understanding. "I will, Dan. I promise."

"Good," Dan said, giving her a brief nod. "Now, stay here and reflect on what we've talked about. Dinner will be brought to you later, and we'll discuss this further when Sam and Ed return."

As Dan turned to leave, he paused at the door, looking back at Eve. "Remember, Eve, we're family. We care about you, but that also means we need to hold you accountable."

With that, Dan left the room, closing the door behind him. He leaned against the wall, taking a moment to gather himself. This had been taxing, but he knew that this tough love was necessary. Eve needed to learn, and it was his job to help her understand the importance of responsibility and safety.

Dan took a moment outside Eve's room to gather his thoughts. He knew that taking her phone was necessary, but he also knew it would be met with resistance. With a firm resolve, he opened the door again and stepped inside.

Eve looked up, her eyes wide and brimming with hope. "Dan, please," she pleaded, holding her phone tightly. "I need this to complete my assignment. Please, I promise I won't do anything else. I just need to finish my work."

Dan's expression remained stern, but he softened his tone slightly. "Eve, I understand that you have schoolwork to do, but given what happened today, I can't trust you with your phone right now. You've lost that privilege."

Eve's eyes filled with tears, and she gave Dan her best puppy-dog look. "Please, Dan. I promise I'll just use it for my assignment. I won't text anyone, I won't call anyone, and I definitely won't go online. Just for my assignment, please."

Dan sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Eve, your actions today showed me that you need to be closely supervised. If you need to use your phone for your assignment, you can do it my room where I can keep an eye on you. But you can't have it alone in your room."

Eve's face fell, but she nodded reluctantly. "Okay, I understand. But please, let me use it just for my homework."

Dan took a deep breath, weighing his options. "Fine, Eve. You can use your phone for your assignment, but you will be in my room and I will be there to monitor you. If you break this rule, the consequences will be much more severe."

Eve nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with relief. "Thank you, Dan. I promise I won't break any rules."

Dan held out his hand. "Give me the phone. I'll bring it for you."

Eve hesitated for a moment before handing over the phone. Dan took it and said, "Let's go."

They walked to the room together, Eve trailing behind Dan. He set up a spot for her at the table, ensuring she had everything she needed to work on her assignment.

Dan placed the phone on the table in front of her. "Remember, Eve, this is a privilege. If you misuse it, you'll lose it again. Understood?"

Eve nodded, her expression serious. "I understand, Dan. Thank you for trusting me."

Dan gave her a brief nod. "Good. Now get to work. I'll be right here if you need anything."

Eve sat down and opened her books, glancing up at Dan occasionally to ensure he was still watching her. She knew she had to be on her best behavior to regain his trust.

As she started working on her assignment, Dan sat nearby, keeping a vigilant eye on her. He hoped this would be a turning point for Eve, helping her understand the importance of responsibility and trust.