Never Be the Same

Part 25

A week has passed since Sierra passed, and Stella still hasn't opened the letter. Tia keeps encouraging her, but she just isn't ready to know what's in the letter, at least not yet. She has spent the week with Tia, helping her with her grief and learning things about her mom she didn't know. No one has heard from Timothy since Sierra passed. Tia is convinced he will be at the funeral; she said he has a habit of isolating himself when tragedy happens. And he was in denial about their mom's cancer. She told Stella all his anger was coming out against her because he wanted someone to blame; it's what he does. He has
oppositional defiant disorder, and she doesn't think he's taking his medications anymore.

That worries Stella, people who go cold turkey off ODD medications start to have some serious side effects. Kelly told her to stay clear of him and watch her surroundings, especially since he seemed to have a lot of anger and aggressiveness towards her.

The funeral is tomorrow, and Stella has no idea what she's going to say. She doesn't want to speak; she honestly doesn't want to go. But she feels obligated to Tia; she wants to connect with her and get to know her. So she figured going to the funeral and speaking was a sign of showing respect. But she's nervous—very nervous. Luckily, Kelly will be with her, and he knows how to ease her mind.

She looks at her phone and knows that shift is over, which means Kelly is headed to the prison. To hand deliver that letter to Bo, Tia isn't too happy that Stella disobeyed one of their mom's final wishes, but Stella told her she couldn't see Bo, and she doesn't want to have a conversation with him or get to know him. Tia eventually came to  understand why; she knew Bo wasn't a good guy, and he's definitely not someone you wanted in your life.

She sends Kelly a quick message, then goes and gets the kids up.

Kelly walks up to the gate and signs in. He's not sure what to expect; he's never met the man. He did Google him a few nights ago, read up on his charges, and talked to Atwater and Upton about him. He knows he is not a man you want to cross or a man you want around your family.

Kelly sat at the metal table, tapping his fingers. He just wants to hand the man the letter and leave; he doesn't want to have a full-on conversation with him. He doesn't want to talk to him about his wife or family. The man doesn't deserve to know anything; hopefully he doesn't know anything.

"So my daughter sends her husband." A muscular tan guy with a shaved head and a few tattoos says as he approaches the table.

His eyes were brown, just like Stella's; she apparently gets her eyes from both her parents. He hates the way he calls Stella his daughter; even though he knows she supposedly is his daughter, it still bothers him.

He smirks. "Kelly, nice to meet you." He extends his hand.

"How do you know my name?" He asked as he shook the man's hand. He didn't want to, but that would have been rude, and he's not a rude guy.

"I know a lot about you, lieutenant Severide of squad 3 at firehouse 51. Son of Benny Severide, who was also a firefighter in his time, and not such a good guy." He sat down, still wearing that smirk. "At least not all the time; he had his moments; we all do." He puts his hands together. "That was a nice service you guys did for him, very respectful." He taps his foot. "Kelly I'm an honest man; I state how I feel and give my honest opinions, and a lot of people get upset with me when I'm honest. But I hope you don't; I do understand if you do."

Kelly wasn't sure where this conversation was going, but he was curious. "I prefer people to be straight-forward with me. I don't like liars, and everyone is entitled to their opinion." Kelly crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing at Bo with a look of distrust and uncertainty.

Bo, on the other hand, was impressed by Kelly; he already knew he was a hardhead, stand his ground, protective man. The seriousness on his face told him they were alike in many ways; both knew the difference between a time to play and a time to get serious. Right now was a serious time. Well,  for Kelly, it was. Bo was more ready for the entrainment, knowing Kelly wasn't going to like what he had to say.