Screaming (but no noise comes out)

Chapter 6

Trigger warnings: alcoholism, vomiting, mention of miscarriage

———————————————

Autumn knocked on the door to Sorscha's house gently, knowing that there was probably someone sleeping and she didn't want to disturb anyone. To her surprise, Marjorie opened the door.

"Oh, good. You're here" Marjorie murmured quietly.

"Where's Sorscha and Clodagh?" Autumn asked with a frown.

"They're both asleep" Marjorie said quietly. "Come on, let's go to the kitchen". Autumn didn't say anything as she followed Marjorie silently. Do you want a drink? Tea, coffee?" Marjorie asked.

"Is there any wine?" Autumn asked.

Marjorie looked sympathetically at Autumn. "Are you driving?"

Autumn shook her head. "Winter dropped me off".

"Okay then" Marjorie said as she opened the fridge, noticing a large opened bottle of wine. She grabbed a wine glass for Autumn and poured it for her, sliding it across the kitchen island to her. "How are you holding up?"

Autumn inhaled and exhaled loudly. "Now's not the time, nor place".

Marjorie smiled sympathetically at Autumn.

"I know it's a work night" Autumn started.

"Yeah?" Marjorie asked.

"I'd rather go out for dinner and discuss it" Autumn looked away from Marjorie and downed the glass of wine. She could feel Marjorie's sympathetic eyes on her and still looked away, feeling ashamed. Even though she knew it was not her fault.

"Okay" Marjorie agreed.

"Another one, please".

"Autumn" Marjorie warned.

"After all that's happened, another glass is the least you can do" Autumn narrowed her eyes at Marjorie. Marjorie stared back at Autumn with wide eyes, not wanting to give in to the younger woman. She'd already had a glass and based off the fact that she wasn't driving, it was likely she'd already been drinking. Marjorie and Autumn looked away as they heard a cry, waiting a few minutes to see if Clodagh or Sorscha woke to tend to the baby.

"I'll get her" Autumn said softly, not looking at Marjorie. Marjorie watched as she walked away, seemingly still completely sober despite the fact that she suspected Autumn of drinking. Autumn went upstairs to the master bedroom, where Clodagh was still asleep but the baby was crying. Autumn bent down to the Moses basket, Quinn softly crying and writhing dressed in a floral pink bodysuit.

"Shh" Autumn said as she lifted the baby, making sure to support her head as she held her upright on her shoulder, gently rubbing her back.

"Is she okay?" Clodagh asked, eyes still closed.

"It's okay, I've got her" Autumn said, swaying with the newborn from side to side. "You go back to sleep".

"Thank you" Clodagh murmured, it was only a few moments before Clodagh was snoring again.

"Come on little one" Autumn said softly, adjusting the baby so that she was laying down in her arms. "Let's go downstairs". Quinn looked up at Autumn with wide blue eyes, her tiny lips pursed as she slowly blinked.

Autumn slowly walked down the stairs with the baby, gently rocking her once downstairs.

"You okay?" Marjorie asked.

"Yeah" Autumn said as she sat down on the sofa. Sorscha was still snoring.

"Are you sure?" Marjorie checked.