To Protect Each Other ~ A Haleb Story

Life's Unfair

Hanna's POV...

Today Caleb's going to California for the day for his mom's funeral. He's made it adamant that he doesn't want me to come.

"You've been to enough funerals as it is, Hanna. You're not coming to this one." He said.

"Yeah, I've been to numerous cop funerals. This is different, Caleb, this is your mom!" I told him.

"I said no and I mean no."

"I'll just follow you then."

"Well I'll leave when you don't know."

"Oh, come on! That's unfair."

"Life's unfair, Hanna. I wouldn't have to be going to Monecito if life was fair."

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. I made my way from the kitchen to the door. Today, I decided to wear a peach flowy dress that comes down to my knees and floral lace heels. I unlocked the door, surprised to see Toby Cavanaugh stood there.

"Hey Toby." I said.

"No need to look so disappointed, Han." He chuckled.

"Sorry. A small part of me hoped it would be Caleb." I said.

"Have you two fallen out?" He asked as he sat on the kitchen stool and I grabbed two beers.

"Yeah... I mean no. Not really; more like a 'misunderstanding'" I air-quoted the last word, "Anyway, what's up?"

"I actually came to ask if you know where Caleb is?"

"For all I know he could be on the other side of the country or right outside my door." I huffed.

"Good."

"Good?"

"Yeah. I need to talk to you about his birthday. When will he be back from 'the other side of the country'?" He asked.

"Tomorrow, I'll be picking him up. I think."

"Right okay well call him now and sort out this 'misunderstanding' you guys have so we can discuss some stuff I have in mind." He said, grabbing my phone from the counter and tossing it to me.

"Who are you? Couples counsellor?" I joked.

"No charge required." He smirked. I walked out the doors to the back patio and clicked speed-dial, where Caleb's number was. I hope he hasn't boarded the plane yet. It's only 11:30 and the funerals not until 5pm. After three rings he picked up,

"Hey Hanna." He said in a very monotone voice. I opened my mouth to speak. "Listen, if you're calling to persuade me to let you come then its not going to work. I said no." He said.

"No actually I just wanted to apologise for being such a pain in the ass. I understand why you want to do this alone and I guess I just got a little confused because if it was my mom, I'd want you there. But I guess were different people and we deal with stuff differently. So I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it Han. Truth is, I want you here more than anything but you're traumatised as it is and I don't want you seeing anymore caskets being buried. I'm doing this alone because alone because I love you and as much as you want to deny it, I know for a fact that your fragile and you need to heal. Besides, you're freakishly behind on your Algebra and English - yeah I looked at your grades - so you should meet up with Toby or Ezra and get help. Please, it's worrying."