Parents

Is it my fault?

Tam got into the back of the car, she was completely out of it Lucy placed herself next to Tam who was basically asleep, she didn't know what to do, how could she help.

Angela drove to Lucy's apartment it was starting to get dark out, they all got out the car Angela wanting to walk the two up. As Lucy unlocked the door she froze.

"Tim?" Lucy questioned.

"I'm just getting my things."

"Oh right...yeah."

Angela took Tamara to her room, she laid her down on the bed and ran her fingers through Tams hair, Angela really wanted to help Tam but she was just as stumped as Lucy was. As she was sat beside Tamara that's when she heard it. The arguing.

"WHAT THE HELL DO U MEAN SHE WAS SMOKING METH!" Tim screamed.

"She was with her friends when I found her!"

"CLEARLY THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE WAY SHE HAS BEEN RAISED!" Tim yelled at Lucy raising an eyebrow.

"So ur saying it's my fault Tim? Ur her father but u act like ur never there. You left her alone when u came to the station this afternoon, that's on u."

Angela came out of the room and stood there observing the argument. Tim was red with anger whereas Lucy was upset and looked distraught, eyes welling with tears. She knew she needed to step in.

"Tim why don't u get ur things and carry on this conversation tomorrow?" Angela suggested.

"ANGE! This is not ur place to give ur opinion!" Tim shouted back.

"Don't u dare talk to me like that Tim. Now get out." She ordered.

He left, bags in hand, slamming the door behind him. The second the door shut Lucy broke down hands gripping her hair she sunk to the floor. This time last week they were a happy family. Well Tamara acted out a little but not this bad. How could she resolve this?

"Lu I'm going to stay here with u tonight alright hun." Angela said with her arm round Lucy.

"Angela I don't get it? What's happened"

"Nothings happened Luce, I think maybe Tim blaming himself for what's going on with Tam."

"I need to find out what's going on with Tam too, but if I try speak to her she just shouts at me."

"Luce speak to her in the morning while I'm still here, also give her school a call and give them a little heads up about the situation."

"Alright thanks Ange."

"Ur welcome lu, do u want me to cook dinner it's like 8pm?"

"I don't have much of an appetite but u make urself something and maybe for Tam too."

"No Luce ur eating, go see if tams awake while I cook."

Lucy walked into Tamara's room to see her sat up in bed on her phone. Lucy approached her and perched on the end of the bed. She watched as Tamara's face turned from nothingness to sadness.

"Tam? What's really going on darling?"

Tam didn't know wether to open up or continue to suffer in silence, she was still a bit high so wasn't fully aware of what's was occurring.

"Mom, i need help,"

"I know baby, I just want to know what's going on?"

"I don't even know, ever since I started doing these drugs I've changed and I hate it."

"Just stop then Tam," Lucy said softly.

"U know it's not that easy ur a cop."

Lucy knew addicts only get clean when they're ready, but she needed tam to be ready.

"I know, why don't we have some dinner? Auntie Ange is here and we can have a talk about how we can both help u?"

"Alright I guess."

"I'll call u when it's ready hunny,"

Lucy left her room, making sure to shut the door on the way out, she headed to the kitchen to help Angela cook dinner.

"Ange, she said she's ready to talk over dinner," Lucy said with slight hope in her voice.

"That's great Luce, have u told her about u and Tim?"

"Not yet." Lucy said her tone becoming clearly upset at the thought of Tim.

"Ange do u know where he will stay tonight ?"

"I don't know Lu, do u want me to try find out ?"

"Yes please, I don't want him anywhere unsafe."

They all sat down to have dinner, the silence bounced off the walls, Lucy didn't know wether she should start the conversation or wait until tam was ready.

"Mom?"

"Yes baby?"

"It started when u and dad began to argue lots."

Lucy felt her heart sink, she had caused this. All of Tamara's pain and suffering was because of her and Tim's unstable relationship. She didn't know what to say.

"Tam I'm sorry, I didn't know it affected u that much." Lucy replied tears filling her eyes, she felt a hand rub her back, it was Angela.

Angela had no clue about Lucy and Tim's marriage issues, they kept it very quiet. At the station they were always happy, hugging and smiling.

"Mom of course it would affect me.. especially when u would argue about me."

"What do u mean?" Lucy knew exactly what she meant. When she got suspended they had a huge argument over now Tam should be punished.

"U know what I mean. Don't play dumb!" Tam shouted.

"Ok ok I know what u mean and I'm sorry and I feel awful that me and ur father caused this and I want to help u I truly do baby." Lucy pulled Tamara in for a hug, they sat hugging for what felt like hours.

Eventually tam went back to her room, she felt relieved she had got this off her chest. What she didn't know was her parents marriage was crumbling .

"Ange did u find out where Tim is staying?"

"Yeah his sisters house so he's safe Lu don't worry."

Lucy wasn't sure why she cared about Tim's whereabouts, he had just blamed her for their daughter becoming a full blown drug addict but she still worried about him. Lucy went into her bedroom and rummaged through the wardrobe to find the spare blankets to set up the couch.

"Thanks Luce, I can set the rest up," Ange said gratefully.

"No Ange ur not sleeping on the couch, take the bed."

"Lucy no I'd rather sleep here,"

"Angela please take the bed."

"Lucy I've offered to stay here so I'm not kicking u out of ur bed so quit arguing alright?"

Lucy accepted this was a debate she couldn't win Angela was so stubborn. Lucy went into her bedroom and got changed into some pjs and got some for Angela.

"Thanks Luce," Angela said while giving Lucy a hug.

"Night Ange."

"Night Lu."