A Year in Juvenile Detention : Carl Gallagher

Visiting day

The day was buzzing with a nervous energy, the kind that filled the air on visiting days at juvie. Inmates shuffled about, their excitement palpable as they anticipated the arrival of family and friends. Carl Gallagher paced in front of the common area, his heart racing. He hadn't seen his family in what felt like ages, and the thought of their visit brought a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Would they be disappointed in him? Would they see how much he had changed?

As he glanced around the room, he spotted Areum sitting at a table, her eyes scanning the crowd. Today was different for her, too; it was the first time her parents were coming to see her since she had been locked up. The sight of her parents approaching sent a wave of emotions crashing over her. Carl watched as her mother walked in, her expression strained and weary. Areum's father followed closely behind, his shoulders hunched as if bearing the weight of the world.

Areum stood, her hands trembling slightly at her sides. For a moment, they just stared at each other, a tableau of emotions swirling in the air. It was a strange mix of longing, resentment, and a deep-seated need for connection. As her parents reached her, Carl could see the tension in Areum's posture. She seemed to shrink back, the girl who had once radiated confidence now appearing small and fragile.

"Areum, sweetie!" her mother exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her. Areum hesitated before stepping into the hug, her body stiff. "We've missed you so much. How have you been?"

"Fine," Areum replied, her voice lacking any enthusiasm. Carl felt a pang of sadness for her. He knew how much she struggled with her feelings about her parents.

"Just fine?" her father chimed in, his tone more accusatory than concerned. "You're not getting into trouble, are you?"

Carl watched as Areum's expression hardened. "Dad, I'm in juvie. What do you think?" she snapped, her temper flaring.

"Watch your tone, Areum," her mother admonished softly, but Areum wasn't having it.

"I'm not a little kid anymore! I can handle myself!" she shot back, her voice rising.

"Clearly, you can't," her father replied, crossing his arms. "We're here because we care about you. We just want to know what's going on with you."

The conversation was already spiraling, and Carl could sense the tension rising. He remembered how she used to talk about her parents—how their expectations had always felt like a noose around her neck. Watching her struggle to connect with them was painful, but he also felt a surge of frustration. He wanted to shout that they were the reason she was like this, that they didn't see her for who she truly was.

Meanwhile, Carl's family arrived, and he felt a mix of excitement and dread. His mom, Fiona, strode in with a determined look on her face. "Carl!" she called, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. He rushed to her side, relief washing over him. "Hey, how are you holding up?"

"Just trying to get through it, you know," he replied, forcing a smile. Fiona studied him, her eyes searching for signs of what lay beneath the surface.

"Look, we're all worried about you," she said, her voice softening. "We miss you at home."

"I miss you too, but I'll be fine. Just dealing with stuff." He cast a quick glance back at Areum, who was still locked in a heated discussion with her parents.

As the families settled into their seats, Carl tried to focus on his own visit. His little brother, Liam, was bouncing in his seat, clearly excited to see him. "You're not going to be in here forever, right?" Liam asked, his innocent curiosity breaking through Carl's tension.

"No, kiddo, I'll be out soon," he assured him. "Just gotta keep my head down and stay out of trouble."

Liam grinned, and Carl felt a rush of warmth. But even as he chatted with his family, his attention kept drifting back to Areum. She was still arguing with her parents, her face flushed and eyes blazing. The intensity of her emotions was almost palpable, and he couldn't help but feel drawn to her struggle.

"Carl!" Fiona's voice broke through his thoughts, and he turned back to her. "What are you thinking about?"

"Uh, nothing. Just... Areum's parents," he admitted, glancing over at the trio. "They're really laying into her."

Fiona followed his gaze, concern flickering across her face. "That can't be easy for her. Have you tried talking to her?"

"Yeah, but she doesn't want to listen," he muttered, frustration creeping back in. "She's been shut down for weeks now."

Fiona reached over, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Sometimes people need a little push, Carl. But you can't force her to talk. You just have to be there when she's ready."

He nodded, but the thought of Areum continuing to struggle in silence gnawed at him. He wanted to help her, to bring back the girl he admired—the girl who could fight back and didn't care about anyone's expectations.

Across the table, Areum's conversation with her parents had reached a breaking point. "You don't get it!" she shouted, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm not your perfect little daughter. I never was!"

"Areum, we just want to help you!" her mother pleaded, desperation lacing her voice.

"Help? By coming here and judging me?" Areum's voice trembled. "You don't know anything about me! You never cared to!"

The words hung in the air, heavy with accusation and pain. Carl felt a surge of anger on her behalf, wishing he could step in and shield her from the hurt.

"Areum, please, we're trying!" her father said, frustration creeping into his tone.

"Maybe trying isn't enough!" she cried, her voice breaking. "You don't understand what I'm going through!"

As the tension thickened, Carl stood up, the urge to intervene overpowering. He approached Areum's table, determination fueling his steps. "Hey, Areum, can we talk for a minute?" he interrupted, ignoring her parents' surprised expressions.

Areum looked up, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. For a brief moment, he saw a flicker of gratitude, as if she welcomed the distraction from the conversation. "I—"

"Let's just step outside for a second," he said, not waiting for her answer. He could sense her parents' irritation, but he didn't care. Areum needed him right now.

As they walked outside into the fresh air, Carl turned to her, his voice urgent. "You don't have to take that from them. You're allowed to feel what you're feeling, and you don't need to explain yourself to them."

Areum sighed, running a hand through her hair, her frustration palpable. "You don't understand, Carl. They're my parents. They just want what's best for me."

"Then why don't they listen to you?" Carl shot back, his voice rising. "You're not a kid anymore! You deserve to be heard, not lectured!"

"Maybe I just don't want to be heard right now," Areum said quietly, her eyes downcast. "I don't know what to say."

"That's okay," he said, softening his tone. "You don't have to have all the answers. But you can't keep pushing everyone away, especially not your family."

"I don't know how to let them in," Areum admitted, her voice trembling. "I don't even know how to let myself in."

Carl stepped closer, determined to bridge the gap between them. "Areum, I care about you. I want you to be okay, and I want you to fight back. You're stronger than this."

She looked up at him, vulnerability shining through her frustration. "I don't feel strong," she whispered.

"But you are," he insisted, his gaze steady. "I see you, Areum. You just need to find that fire again. You can't let them define who you are."

For a moment, their eyes locked, and in that silence, something shifted. The air around them seemed to crackle with a tension that was both comforting and electrifying.

"I... I'll try," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Good," he replied, relief flooding through him. "That's all I'm asking. Just let me help you. Let me be here for you."