company ; gallagher

iii

three – goodbye old enemy

—

   "You're going to get a tummy ache if you eat all that, Gemma." Hailie scolded in her baby voice, as she moved the box of baby cookies away from her little sister. Gemma started to whine, causing the older sibling to pick her up and place her in front of the tv, where a cartoon was playing.

   "You're good with the babies, Hails." Her dad complimented, as he rocked a fussy Amy in his arms. Hailie smiled widely at his words making her feel oddly proud of herself.

   "I think they like me, that's all." She shrugged, plopping besides her dad on the couch.

   "They don't just like you, they love you Hails." Kevin stated sincerely, "Give yourself more credit." Hailie nodded, saddened but grateful by Kevin's statement. Hailie shrunk in her seat, she felt touched by Kevin's kindness. She had been living with him her whole life, she called him her father, she's the only father she has ever known, and he calls her his daughter. Hailie felt like she didn't have to prove herself, considering she has been living under her parents care for her whole life, but she felt like she did. The girl felt like she needed to pay back Kevin and Veronica for all the shit they had gone through just to take care of a child that wasn't even there's. But she was. She was their oldest daughter, the greatest gift they could have asked for. They were lucky Hailie was out on their doorstep and not on some asshole's. They were lucky to have Hailie, and Hailie was lucky to have them.

—

   Black sneakers padded across the old sidewalk and up to the Gallagher's doorstep. Her pale hand twisted the handle and pushed the door open, instantly seeing Liam run to the door. His smile was wide as he hugged Hailie's pant leg, giving her thigh a bear hug.

   "Hey Liam, how's my little buddy doing?" She smiled, picking Liam up and placing him on her right hip.

   "Good, I got cookies, want them?" The baby Gallagher asked, Hailie nodded, as Liam squirmed to be put down. He took off to the kitchen, Hailie following in persuit. "Hai-we's here!" Liam announced to the unknown people in the kitchen. The sound of a chair shrieking was heard as Carl jogged over to his best friend.

   Before Hailie could greet Carl, he was already dragging Hailie up the stairs and to his bedroom. Sitting the girl on the bed, Carl shut the door and sat beside Hailie on Ian's bed. The white plastic bag his been in his grasp the whole morning, waiting for this moment where his true best friend would be reunited with him. He placed the bag in her lap, where she glanced at Carl, her blue eyes filled with hope and excitement.

   "Look inside."

   Hailie nodded frantically, untying the hand plastic handles and peeking at the medication inside. Her hands started to shake with excitement, Carl immediately thought she was going to have a panic attack. He grabbed her hands and made her face him, he tried to sooth her, but she wasn't calm enough to look him in the eye. Her breathing became rapid, and her body was shaking violently. It wasn't because she was sacred, or nervous, it was because she was so goddamn greatful she had a best friend like Carl in her life.

   As minutes go by like seconds, Carl swiftly takes a bottle of medication from the bag, opening the vial with one hand while the other caresses Hailie's palm. He drops two white pills into his hand, clutching onto to them tightly, he moves to grab the old bottle of water on his desk. The girl's breathing becomes rapid once again, he gently takes Hailie's cheeks and squishes them together, providing him to easily drop the pills into her mouth. Carl slowly tips the water to Hailie's mouth, seeing as her numb hands cannot grab it themselves.