One Step At A Time

Relax, Decompress

When Sunday evening came Virgil was practically bursting with anticipation of getting home to his brothers and the puppies.

As they drove out of the hospital and down the long road next to the seashore leading to their house, Patton couldn't help but feel a ping of guilt in his chest. This was the sea that had almost taken his child from him, with its' cold, unforgiving waters.

Maybe Patton should have moved further away from an ocean?

"Patton."

"Yeah kiddo?" Patton asks as he pulls into the driveway, the car's tires shifting the gravel. 

"I just...Thank you..." Virgil shifts around uncomfortably. "For staying."

"Of course I stayed, Virgil. I wasn't going to leave you when you needed me like that."

Virgil nods and runs his hand absentmindedly over the car's seat.

The two unbuckle and get out, and Logan races outside, Remus and Roman close behind with a horde of puppies.

Logan pulls Virgil into a hug and swings him down to sit on the lawn as the puppies begin their wild licking attack, making Virgil giggle.

Roman and Remus hug Patton, each one holding a puppy as they sit down next to Logan and Virgil.

The puppies race around on everyone's lap as the three teenagers hug their younger brother.

"I know what we need to do!" Patton suddenly claps his hands together with excitement as his four boys look up at him.

"What?" Roman asks.

"It's a secret." Patton winks. "But you guys are going to love it. Logan, would you help me with some phone calls? Debbie gave me a list of therapists that Virgil could see..."

Patton rummages around in the passenger seat of his car for a moment before withdrawing the list of names and numbers with a triumphant look on his face.

Virgil shifts uncomfortably, taking the puppies off his lap and heading inside.

Remus quickly stands and pulls Roman up as they race after him, the puppies hot on their tail. Logan brushes off his pants as he stands and looks at the list, adjusting his glasses.

"This seems adequate for Virgil." He nods as he and Patton head into Patton's office. "I'll start to ring them while you google search for their costs and credibility."

"Can do Logie-poo!" Patton rhymes as he turns on his google and begins looking up the names. Logan rolls his eyes as he takes a seat next to the phone.

"Hmm, this one is more about families getting divorced, not abusive homes..." Patton mutters as he crosses a name off his list. "And this one is a touch therapy...hugging without consent, these reviews are horrible!"

More and more names get crossed off the list as Patton reads all the horrible reviews on the therapist's pages, until only four names were left.

"Hmm, Picani, Jenkins, Rumsey, and Strempt..." Patton looks over the list, "Call this Emile Picani guy please Logan. 284-955-7138."

Logan rings the number and clears his throat, but suddenly starts smiling at the voice on the other end.

"Hello, yes. My name is Logan Sanders, my foster father and I are looking for a therapist for my foster brother, Virgil...You deal with children of abusive families? He's twelve. You do? Yes, I think he'll like that very much. Monday at one p.m? Perfect."

Logan hangs up and Patton looks at him expectantly. "Well?"

"I have gotten Virgil an appointment. I'll take care of it Patton, you'll be at work anyways." Logan shrugs.