One Shots 'The nursery nurse'

A missed Chance Part II

"I can talk all I want, she just won't let anyone get near her," Reece said in frustration, clutching the steering wheel tightly.

Marjorie sat next to him and just looked out of the passenger window. They are both on their way back from their lunch break.

" She doesn't want to go to therapy, anyone.... I don't know what else to do... something is very wrong with her, but she just won't say it!" Reece continued.

Marjorie sighed softly. It's nice that he realises that something is wrong with his sister, but not with his girlfriend.

"Even Winter is desperate. He's at his wit's end, too."

Now Marjorie finally spoke up.
"Maybe I should talk to her?" She immediately saw the sceptical look on Reece's face.

"Don't kid yourself, Marjorie. You're good friends, but if even Winter and I can't get anything out of her. How are you supposed to do it?"

Because I know what's wrong with her, Marjorie thought to herself. She looked out of the window again. The Halloween party was still in her bones. Not just the conversation with Autumn and the realisation of what could have been between them. But also Reece's subterranean behaviour, which they hadn't spoken about since.

Reece stopped the car outside the Knight Nursery. " Well, Gorgeous, I'll see you tonight." he steered towards her and gave her a quick kiss.

" See you later, love you.", Marjorie said.

" You too."

The car door hadn't even closed properly when Marjorie felt that pressure in her chest again. 'You too', he couldn't even say 'I love you'.

She walked across the car park into the building, she would spend the next few hours in the office with Autumn, and Marjorie wanted to talk to her. But she didn't know exactly how yet.

She stood in front of the office door and was about to reach for the handle when it was pulled open with full force. Autumn stormed out.

She made brief eye contact with Marjorie. But it was as if she just looked through Marjorie, not at her.

She walked away quickly before Marjorie could say anything. Completely confused, she looked after her and then into the office, where Winter was standing.

Marjorie entered the office and closed the door. " What happened?"

" What always happens! I asked her what's wrong and she completely lost it!"

Marjorie sat down, the atmosphere between Autumn and Winter was getting more and more tense.

"Now she's run off again! She's probably in some bar again, and I can pick her up later! But not today! I've had enough, let's see how she gets home!" shouted Winter angrily.

Marjorie took a deep breath and massaged her temples. "Autumn is not well at the moment... It's getting close to.. you know..."

Winter's mood immediately became tense. " I've lost a child too, Marjorie, but I'm not acting like it!"

"Winter, you weren't the one who was bleeding in a hospital bed!" Marjorie couldn't help but make this comment.

Winter gasped, shook his head, and walked out of the office, slamming the door as he went.

Marjorie tried to concentrate on her work again, but she couldn't do it properly. She had written a message to Autumn, asking her where she was. But she hadn't replied.

At the end of the day, Marjorie decided to go looking for her herself, she texted Reece that he didn't have to pick her up. There was no real enquiry from Reece. Just a blunt 'Ok'

Autumn stared into the empty space, the fourth wine glass already in front of her. Her head was empty. Everything was empty. No feelings, just emptiness.

She didn't want to go home, she didn't want to see Winter. She didn't want to see her brother either. She just wanted to be alone.

Autumn took off her glasses and binged her nose bridge. A pressure was building in her forehead. A headache that slowly travelled through her entire body. Did she drink or eat anything today?

She was so deep in this hole, that she didn't notice the presence next to her.

"Autumn?"

She looked to the side. Marjorie. The only person she actually wanted to see right now. The manager didn't have to say anything, she held out her hand to her.

" Come on... a bit of fresh air will do you good..."

Autumn took her hand and let herself be pulled to her feet.

The walk through the city was silent, Marjorie simply held her hand and led her through the streets. Autumn was glad that she didn't have to talk, just follow.

Marjorie led her through a park there they sat down on the bench in front of the fountain. Autumn watched the water. She enjoyed the silence, the darkness, and Marjorie by her side.

"You really worry me, Autumn..." Marjorie said quietly.

" Don't be. I'll push through. "

Marjorie approaches cautiously, closer to her. "I know you're in pain. But I don't know how I can help you..."

" I don't know either..." Autumn said slowly and looked at Marjorie.

When she looked into Marjorie's eyes and saw the look of understanding and caring, something she had long missed in Winter, her emotions came up, and so did the tears.

Marjorie had never seen Autumn cry before. Never so fragile, she carefully put her arm around her and pulled her close.

The two of them sat there on the park bench, alone in the dark. Until the first rays of sunshine appeared in the sky.