The Accident: Based On A True Story

Chapter Forty-One

(POV SARAH)

"I really think you should loosen the reigns on Casey.", David said. "Trying to control her too much might just push her further away."

"So she can act out more? Do more drugs? Have more sex?", I replied.

"She's acting out for attention.

"Well she got it."

"Not that kind of attention.", he stated.

"David, I love you. But you haven't been here. You haven't had to watch her slowly self destruct. If I don't do this, she could be the next one dead. I'm trying to do my best here.", I replied.

"I'm not saying you aren't."

"What are you saying then?"

"When was the last time you two actually talked and I mean really talk.", he asked. "You guys talk at each other. It's not the same thing."

"David, I'm not doing this right now. I'm gonna make dinner.", I said as I headed towards the kitchen, irritated.

"It's only going to get worse if something doesn't change. We talked the other-", he began saying. I knew where he was going with it so I stormed back in before he could finish.

"You had one talk, one, with her. Did you ever think maybe she did that because you haven't been here? For weeks now, I've had to be the strict one, alone. You come in here and think because you have one heartfelt chat with her, that you understand it all? You don't. I have a thought. How about the next time you guys "talk", you tell her to grow up. She is not the only one that lost someone.", I said before going back to the kitchen.

(END POV)

I opened the bathroom door to find Sarah standing there.

"You were in there for awhile.", she said.

"And?", I replied.

She took my arm and looked for new cuts. She wouldn't find the new ones.

"Geeze, Sarah.", I said. "Is that all you came up for?"

"Dinners done."

"I'm not hungry.", I said even though I was.

"You haven't ate today.", she said.

"Yeah. Because I'm not hungry.", I replied.

"You know what then don't eat. But you can still join us."

"Whatever.", I replied, complying, and walking downstairs to the table where the plates of food were already set out.

David was already at the end of the table, using his wheelchair to sit in rather than the dining chair. I sat to the right of him and Sarah, to the left, across from me. Chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans were on every plate. It was weird. The last time we all sat here, Ryan and Summer were with us. It's so empty without them.

"It looks great.", David said. Taking a bite, he added, "And it tastes even better than it looks."

"Thank you.", Sarah responded before there was an awkward silence. One of many to come.

I sat there, with one elbow on the table, staring at my food.

"Elbows.", Sarah said to me. I looked at her. "Off the table."
I listened but only because I wanted them to hurry up and eat so I could leave. David looked like he wanted to say something but I'm sure refrained so the situation wouldn't blow up.

"You should try it, Case.", David said. "You love chicken."

"I'm good.", I said.

"So I was thinking this weekend we can all go see a movie."