"Alright everyone." Aunt Betty gathered all the kids in the living room.
"We need to talk."
I fidget with the bandaids that I have to keep on my wrists till the stitches come out. Spencer looks over at me. Her face is asking what's going on. 'I don't know' I reply the best I can without speaking.
She points at Chris first. "From now on, you don't speak a word to Aria unless it's about who's turn it is to wash the dishes or something of that matter. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am." He rolls his eyes. His black eyes. My boyfriend can hit, hard.
"And you, Ezra." He looks up.
"Be mature. Don't beat my son no matter how stupid he's been."
"Yes Aunt Betty."
"Toby." She goes over to him.
Spencer and I exchange a look.
"You're going to be a father. And Spencer has informed me you wish to keep this baby. And at the end of the summer, I know you're going home and whatever you do is your business. But while you
live here I require you to have a full time job to save up money for your child."
"I agree." Spencer says. "I can get one, too. At least part time."
"So do I." Toby nods. "I'll get right on it."
"Good."
Crud. Now she's looking right at me. "I'm going to be searching your room for any sharp objects or medications."
I gulp. "Okay..."
"And I'm calling your parents."
"I figured."
"And we're doing full body cut checks every night."
"That's fine..."
"And you can't be in a room alone for more than a few minutes unless you're in the bathroom."
"Wait, what?" I raise my eye brows.
"I'm sorry, Aria. I cannot have you hurting or killing yourself on my watch."
"I need a babysitter?"
"It's okay, Aria." Ezra looks at me. "You'll either be with me or Spencer most of the time anyways."
I sigh. "Fine."
"There's more."
Chris laughs. He thinks this is histerical.
"You, Spencer and Toby all need to see a counseler."
"What?" Spencer's eye brows furrow together and she narrows her eyes. "You're kidding right?"
"You can choose between talking to one of the pastors at our church, me, or if you have any ways of paying for it, you can go for a licsened therapist."
We all groan and agree.
"One last thing. And there will be no reaction from any of you what-so-ever. Save it for each other outside." She points to the yard.
Now I really hold my breath.
"Uncle John is at the air port picking up a guest right now." She looks directly at Ezra now. "There will be no fighting. No violence, no agruing, no conflict."
Spencer and I look at each other from the corner of our eyes.
"So..." She puts her hands in her jean pockets. "Go get ready. Daniel will he here any minute."
