fragile // heathers au

one // it all makes sense

"So what are you saying?" Veronica asked, leaning forward to move closer to the children's psychiatrist, trying desperately to understand what this woman she barely knew meant.

"What I'm saying is that your daughter has high functioning autism." The woman answered, feeling annoyed to have to make it this obvious in front of the child.

"But," Veronica began. "What am I supposed to do with that information?"

"Well we have therapists here, she'll possibly need a long-term psychiatrist. It's a lot of work, but if you want Mackenzie to be as, for lack of a better term, normal as she can be, you have to put in the work." The woman explained.

"I'm not normal?" Mackenzie asked in a small voice. But the psychiatrist didn't respond, and neither did Veronica.

"Well, thank you Dr. Smith. I'll call the office to set up an appointment." Veronica said in a tight voice, standing up from the uncomfortable vinyl chair. "Let's go Kenzie." She held out her hand for her daughter but Mackenzie didn't budge.

"What even is autism?" Mackenzie asked.

"Kenzie, we'll talk about it later. Just, lets go." Veronica said, saying they'll discuss it later so she could give herself time to figure out what exactly she would say.

"But I don't understand." Mackenzie argued.

"We can look it up when we get home." Veronica told her daughter.

"I want to know now." Mackenzie protested.

"Mackenzie, please, lets go." Veronica begged, feeling so very exhausted. All she wanted to do was get Mackenzie to leave, drive home and sleep.

"But mom," Mackenzie whined.

"But Mackenzie," Veronica countered. It was moments like this she wished she wasn't a single parent. She wished had some form of backup. "Please just come on." She begged. Mackenzie made an annoyed noise and stood up, letting her mother guide her out of the office and into their car.

Veronica got in the front seat while Mackenzie sat in the back. Veronica looked around the parking lot, so she didn't hit anyone with her car and saw a man. Veronica froze because the man was all too familiar. And he was supposed to be dead. Veronica quickly turned on the car and pulled out of the parking lot, driving home as quickly as possible. She was terrified for her life as she pulled into the driveway. She ushered Mackenzie inside fast and locked the door. She had no idea if he saw them but she could feel his eyes on their car.

Veronica spent the rest of the evening on edge. She was constantly just expecting him to show up. It was now past midnight, Mackenzie had gone to bed hours ago and Veronica was lying in bed, unable to sleep. Somehow she managed to fall asleep. Only to wake up when she could feel her bed indent.

"Kenzie?" She mumbled sleepily but she nearly screamed when she saw a dead man beside her. She opened her mouth as if to scream but he quickly covered it with his hand.

"Shh, don't be scared." He whispered, releasing his hand from his mouth.

"Why are you here, JD?" Veronica asked quietly, truly afraid for herself and Mackenzie.

"I saw you today." JD replied. "Why were you there? Do you go to therapy?"

"No." Veronica answered.

"Then why were you there?" JD asked.

"It doesn't matter." Veronica shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to tell him about Mackenzie.

"Who's that?" He asked, pointing to a picture of Mackenzie on Veronica's nightstand. He reached to grab the framed photo, studying the girl that was his.

"No one." Veronica said, snatching the photo and putting it back on her nightstand.

The two sat in silence for a moment until there was a knock at the door, which he had locked. "Mommy?" Mackenzie said, sounding like she was crying.

"Mommy?" JD asked as Veronica stood up and walked to the door, ignoring him. She unlocked it and opened it up.

"What's up, baby?" Veronica asked, not opening the door all the way.

"I don't feel good." Mackenzie whined. Veronica felt her forehead and sighed, going back to her bedside table and grabbing a bottle of ibuprofen. She took the dose out and started to walk back to Mackenzie but Mackenzie walked in to meet Veronica half way. Mackenzie instantly noticed the man in her mother's bed.

"Who's that!?" Mackenzie shrieked.

"No one, just take the medicine and go back to bed." Veronica told Mackenzie.

"But," Mackenzie whined.

"Mackenzie just go to bed! I'm trying to deal with this." Veronica said.

"But who is he!?" Mackenzie asked again.

"We'll talk about it in the morning. Please, you have a fever. Take the medicine and go to bed." Veronica begged. Mackenzie nodded, took her medicine and left the room.

"Cute kid." JD remarked after Mackenzie left.

"Thanks." Veronica said, sitting back on her bed.

"How old is she?" JD asked.

"She's eight." Veronica answered, knowing what was coming next.

"Who's her father?" JD asked and Veronica sighed, not wanting to tell him. She remained silent and silence told him plenty. "Is that my kid?" He asked and Veronica nodded.