Different Is Good

Thirty Three

Stevie carried Sara downstairs for breakfast, seeing her parents sitting at the table...but she smelled no food and the atmosphere was dreadful. "Is everything alright?" Stevie asked worriedly as she saw her mother crying.

"Tee, sit down..."

"What's going on? Did something happen? Is it Lindsey?" She clutched her daughter tightly

"We-" Jess went to speak but was cut off by the doorbell. When he opened it, Ruth and Morris were show into the kitchen...Ruth's arm in a sling

"Will someone please tell me what's going on?!" Stevie cried

"Lindsey had a fit last night and things got out of hand..."

"Did he do that to you?! He hurt you?!" She asked Ruth, pointing to her arm

"Sweetheart, he didn't mean to," Ruth began to cry as well, "We had to call the police...he was going to hurt himself. Stevie, they sent him to the state hospital...."

Stevie felt faint. Sitting down with her baby daughter pressed to her chest. "We should get him out."

"We can't...he can't, not until he's better, but he is allowed visitors."
"We have to go see him! We have to help him!"

"He's gotten worse. That's why I haven't let you see him in a few days..."
"I love him, and I don't want to live without him. I'm going to stay and wait for him. I don't care how long it takes."

"You have to worry about yourself and those children, Stevie." Ruth told her.

"Where is this hospital? I'll drive there myself," Stevie told her defiantly.

"Settle down," Jess said, his forehead creased with concern. He looked at his granddaughter. She was perfect now but would she inherit her father's...eccentricities. There was still much he didn't understand about this man.
"Daddy, he's probably scared and worried that he's going to be stuck there forever! I will take care of him! I know that I can!"
"You have enough to worry about. Lindsey's mother is right. You are too close to giving birth to concern yourself with this man. He is getting the help he needs and everyone will keep you updated."

She scoffed. "I have months to go. Once he's home, maybe I won't worry so much but he's a big part of my life. I need him."
"We have to be patient and be sensible about this," Barbara held her hands up

"I just want to see him...he's probably scared..." Stevie cried, "If you four won't help me then I'll go myself."
"Stevie, this isn't the time for you to act like a child. You're an adult, you have two children and they need a mother right now. When it's safe and when we are cleared for visitation, you may go but Sara shouldn't."
"Do you not get that he is probably scared?! That he thinks I don't love him! He won't hurt me!"
"We understand all of that but state hospitals are much different than private facilities. His last fit was much different than any previous ones. He was violent. He wasn't the Lindsey you know." Morris said.
"Maybe he just needs some love! I just want to talk to him!"

"Tee-"

"No! I have to get him out of there before the baby comes!"
"You will have two babies to take care of and after birth, you know recovery takes time. You can't take care of him too."

Stevie wouldn't hear it, hoisting herself up from her seat clutching her daughter tightly. "I can do this on my own."
"Stevie, just think about things," Morris warned

"I have, and I want to be with him."
She hurried up the stairs as fast as she could. The only state facilities she had ever heard of were a few hours away, and she needed to prepare. She wanted to pack a bag for Sara and herself as well as some hints she was sure Lindsey was missing. If no one would help her, she would do it herself.
"Tee, leave Sara here. I'll look after her," Barbara followed her up to her room