Fifty Shades of Pulp

Chapter 15

Fundraising Hell

Feeling overly tired and physically fried... this is the last place I want to be...wearing a tux at yet another fund raiser. Sitting at a eight top round table. Mother and father are to my right and Elena, my left. Peering over at my parents, they look happy. Even after all these years they still make goofy eyes at each-other. Not to say they're perfect, as kids Elliot and I would overhear them argue on the occasion, usually about me, as they tried to figure out what actions should be taken to help me. Admittedly I was a loose cannon. Knowing it was the person sitting my left, who took control over me and not some miraculous transformation that my parents thought had occurred. Even though it's been years, it's only in recent months the unease of having Elena and Mother in the same space keeps bubbling to the surface.

I'll never forget the day that John Flynn verbally back me against the wall "Christian over the years I have asked you to be honest with yourself when it came to Elena and your Mother's friendship. I had hoped by now, you would have been able to speak the truth but you continue skirt around the issue painting Elena as your 'be all, end all'. You are a brilliant young man, yet your stubbornness and self-hatred is boundless. I'm coming to you as a friend not your Doctor, realizing this will have to be spoon-fed because it's due time that you to look in the mirror, acknowledging this fact.

If your relationship with Elena had such a positive influence as you claim it to be. Why have you hidden it from your family? This supposed friend of the family has over the years systemically violated Grace's trust and in no uncertain terms, was and continues abusing her, you and while we're add it the rest of your family. She will continue making a mockery of the Grey family and I guarantee that Elena at every given every opportunity relishes in the knowledge."

That's all it took. I damn-near destroyed his office before storming "Flynn you worthless piece of shit, you're fucking fired. I'll see you get a blank check for the damages." When leaving he had this mellow look across his face, calmly sitting in his chair. In hindsight he knew, maybe expected me to react this way.

God I wish Mia was in town, who's my usual 'date' to these sort of events. I really miss my bratty sister. Remembering when they brought her home. So little and helpless... Elliot less than happy where I was fascinated and thrilled. Immediately taking on the position as protector. Mia's presence brought me out of my shell. I hovered over her like an overbearing big brother.

I remember one day she ran into the house wailing. Thinking someone hurt her, I was ready to kick ass. When she told me she fell off her tricycle, we walked to the backyard. Making sure she said on dry land I walked to the edge of the our dock and she watched while I launched her tricycle into Lake Washington. That made her giggle, clapping her little hands. It made me happy that I found a way to make her pain go away, even if was just a scraped knee.

My eyes closed I feel a little smile creeping over my lips when thinking back at how silly it was, yet at the time I felt like Hercules, enjoying how Mia called me her Hero. Dad was pissed when Mia told the story later that night over dinner I was grounded for five days, which was Mia's age at the time, but I didn't care. I hear my Mother's voice pulling me to the here-n-now asked what I'm smiling about, popping open my eyes

"Thinking about Mia and the Infamous Tricycle Incident" which makes my parents start laughing.

Hearing Dad pipe in "We all miss the baby of the family, soon she'll be home and the loud chatter can commence." laughing "Son you were surprisingly strong for your age. It took me a couple days to figure out using a grappler how far you managed to toss Mia's tricycle."

leaning over toward my parents "So Dad the auction is nearly completed and was hoping that Mom would have the first dance with me. Would that be okay with you?"