The Rising (final book of The Call series) ~ TMNT Fanfiction

Chapter 2: Denial

Leo's POV:

"And how are you holding up?" Donnie asks.

Emmeline takes a deep breath in and stares at her hands for a few moments while she sits on our couch.

"Getting by," Emmeline responds honestly. "We're just...taking it day by day. Rosalie and I started a thousand-piece puzzle yesterday. We're almost done with it." She shakes her head and folds her hands together. "That must sound like such a ridiculous way to cope."

"It's not ridiculous," Donnie insists from the other side of the couch. "Actually, that's a good way to distract the mind a bit. It gives you something to figure out; somewhere else to put your efforts for a bit."

"Even while we're working on it together, I know we're still thinking of him. We're always thinking of him," Emmeline continues, and her voice breaks a little bit. She looks like she wants to cry, but she doesn't. She holds everything together.

Still, Raph passes her a box of tissues from the coffee table. She thanks him quietly and doesn't use any. Yet.

"And um...how is Lexi?" Raph is never all that considerate about the feelings of others, but when it comes to Lexi, we all have a very special spot for her in our hearts.

"She's not herself," Emmeline says quietly. "But that's expected. We all are."

I would have asked if she's left her room. I would have asked if she's eaten anything recently. I would have asked if she speaks to anyone, and if so, who. I would have asked so many things; but I can't. I'm not part of the conversation. I'm listening from the hallway.

Lexi's brother Benjamin died. And then Lexi broke up with me. During the three days locked in the apartment, I was suddenly her worst enemy.

"None of us have gone to work yet; they gave us some time off to...plan things." She takes in a deep breath. "Lexi never leaves the apartment. But she has been keeping an eye on Rose. That's the only person that she will talk to. When Rosalie isn't there, she's...a mess. But when she sees that her sister needs her, she's there for her. She holds it together."

I get it, too. It's an instinctual thing. Lexi absolutely fell apart when everything happened, but as soon as she remembered that Rosalie was there, she clung to her and wouldn't let go. She felt this overpowering duty to take care of her younger sister, even if it meant pushing how she felt aside for a little bit.

But during those three days, she slowly started to fall apart. From Emmeline's words, it sounds like she's picked herself back up again when Rose is around. I don't think that anyone expects her to, but I guess Lexi expects herself to.

There is also a strain in Em's voice. I know that she must feel heartbroken that Lexi won't even talk to her own mother. Not to mention, Emmeline is holding it together too. She just lost a child.

"So she won't even talk to you?" Mikey's question is a mistake, and I want to reach out and smack him.

But Emmeline laughs softly. It isn't a friendly laugh; it's a short, distant chuckle.

"I think that right now, it's better that she strengthens her relationship with Rose. I had many years to show Lexi that I cared, and I failed." She sounds miserable, even though she's trying to mask it with humor.

"You didn't fail. You are a great mother to all of your kids," Mikey insists.

"Anyway," she says. "That's how she is. That's how things are." She pauses. "The funeral." I'm surprised when her voice doesn't break at the word, 'funeral.' "The funeral is tomorrow. We would appreciate it if you could come. Benjamin really enjoyed being friends with you." I hear her standing up, getting ready to leave.