𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥

004. Family Stuff.

     

      THE NEXT morning, Valerie woke up bright and early, before the sun came up, so she can cook waffles for her and her family. When they came down, all three looked tired and were rubbing their eyes sleepily. "Good morning, Val." Stephanie is the first to greet her and she smiled, "good morning, Stephie."

The family of four sat around eating again and halfway through their meal, Stephanie looked up, "I'm sorry about last night." She looked to their mom first then over at their dad. Iris Smith was more of a mess than all of them combined when it happened. Stephanie being only eight, didn't even understand what was happening, but Iris, she took a long break from work and found herself lost. Leon was the backbone of taking care of his three girls, making sure Stephanie and Valerie were going to school, making sure Iris was taking care of herself at home.

It was him who insisted that Iris sees a grief counselor, considering she works in counseling. "I just... I don't feel seen, or heard, enough in this home. It's always Valerie this, Valerie that, always making sure she's okay, and I understand, she lost two friends. But it doesn't mean I don't have my own shit to deal with." She looked back and forth between their parents, even gave a small glance to Val as she spoke. The older of the two just gave a small nod of encouragement each time their eyes met.

"Oh, baby, we're so sorry." Iris got up, moving to kneel down next to her fourteen year old. "What's going on? You can talk to us..." She said quietly, brushing some of Stephanie's braids out of the way. The girl glanced over at Val who's nodding with a small smile. Then she glanced over to their father who's staring with concern etched all over his face. Before she finally looked at their mother again, seeing that look in her eyes she always gets whenever Steph cried.

"I've been struggling at school. There's these girls in my grade. They're so mean. And... then at home, it's like no one cares for me. So... I--I've..." She stopped to let out a small breath as her eyes brim with tears, turning her head away. "Hey, hey, we're here to listen." Iris whispered to her daughter, grabbing her hand gently. "I've been... I've been thinking of it. A lot. Like every night. Doing what Matt did." Her voice broke as she spoke and Iris gasped softly, before she leaned up, hugging her daughter.

She looked at Leon, and the Smith man just looked down, bringing his hands up. Valerie looked over at their dad before looking at their mom and Stephanie. "We'll be here. Every step of the way. For everything you need, Stephie." She said and her little sister finally looked up, looking over at her. Tears were evident in Stephanie's eyes, and the younger nodded softly. "Um, do you wanna stay home? Talk about it with me?" Iris offered in a whisper and her daughter looked up at her, nodding softly.

"Can I go take a quick shower?" She murmured and Iris nodded, rubbing the girl's back gently. She watched the teenage girl head up the stairs before sitting down and looking at the other two. "I should have known..." Iris naturally blames herself, shaking her head and Leon sighs. "No, darling, you couldn't have known." He said right away and Valerie sighed.

"I'm just glad she's speaking up... I can't imagine how it must have been for Matty." She looked over at Iris who gave her a small smile then her brows furrowed together, looking away. "Shit." She said, raising her hands. "What is it?" Val asked worriedly as Leon wondered the same thing, staring at his wife.

"I had this uncle..." Iris lowered her hands, looking between her husband and daughter. "Mom always said no one knew what he was going through, because he was never home. And then when he took his life, they found so many things in his room. Notebooks filled with ideations... not just hurting himself, but hurting others." She sighed, rubbing her face. "I didn't think it'd be passed on." She whispers, getting up and Leon got up as well, going over to her.