Mr. & Mrs. Hunt

Mental Breakdowns and Addiction

Timeline: Owen has been in the hospital for a week.

CAROLINES POV
This past week has been awful. My mom refuses to come home, my dad is getting sicker by the day, and I have to take care of my siblings. I don't mind doing it because they're always well behaved, especially now, but it's just wearing me out. We started going to school yesterday. My dad said he's going to be in the hospital for a while and doesn't want us to miss weeks of school, but I'd rather be with him than go sit through 7 stupid classes.
"Hey," Brandon said as I opened my locker. And then there was brandon. He was kinda my boyfriend and kinda not. He kissed me after I started crying at my house that one time. We've talked a little after that but I haven't been to school in 5 days.
"How're you doing?" He asked.
"I'm okay," I said.
"How's your dad?" He asked.
"He's better," I lied.
"That's great to hear," he said.
"Yeah it is," I said.
"I know you're really busy with stuff right now, so I understand if it's a no, but I was wondering if we could hangout this week," he asked.
"Yeah we can," I said, "Can I just get back to you when?"
"Yeah of course," he said, "whenever works for you."
"Okay," I said. He leaned in and kissed me. I smiled as he pulled away.
"I'll see you later?" He asked.
"You will," I smiled. The only positive thing in my life right now.
OWENS POV
Amelia hasn't slept in a week. She's barely eaten in a week. I appreciate her staying here with me, but she needs to go home. I need to get Maeve or Caroline to take her home and make her dinner and get Amelia to sleep in her own bed.
"Amelia, why don't you go home tonight? I'll be here in the morning," I said.
"I don't wanna leave you," she frowned, "what if something happens."
"Maggie's here, there's a whole hospital of doctors," I said, "and you need to eat something."
"I'm just so afraid you're going to fall asleep and not wake up," she started crying, "and if I'm not here what if nobody comes?"
"I'll be okay, I promise. You need sleep and food honey. Go home with the kids today," I said.
"You're sure?" She said crying. I could see how exhausted she was, she looked so tired and hungry. I couldn't let her do this to herself anymore.
"Yes," I said, "I will be here in the morning."
"I don't want to leave you," she said.
"You're not, you're coming back," I said. The kids opened the door and Amelia wiped her eyes and sat down next to me.
"Everything okay?" Maeve asked worried.
"Yeah," Amelia sniffled.
"Your mom and I were just talking about how she should go home with you guys and get some sleep. Isn't that a good idea?"
"It is mom," Caroline said, "are you going to come with us."
"Yeah," Amelia said.
"Thank you," I mouthed to Caroline. She nodded. I hated how badly my condition was tearing Amelia apart.
CAROLINES POV
My mom was home and she's barely spoken a word. I know she was worried about my dad. We all were. I know she doesn't want to be here. I know she wants to be with him in the hospital. My siblings were upstairs and I walked downstairs and into the kitchen. My mom was sitting at the counter with a bottle of wine and a full cup of wine. I don't think I've ever seen my mom drink. My dad does on occasion, and on holidays, but I don't think I've ever seen my mom drink. Her eyes were all bloodshot from crying. She looked up at me and then at the bottle of wine.
"Can you do me a favor?" She said as her voice was shaking.
"Yeah sure," I said.
"Can you pour this out for me?" She asked. I nodded as I took the cup and poured it out in the sink as she got up and started to walk away.
"And the bottle too," she said softly. I dumped the bottle and followed my mom into the living room where she sat down and started crying.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"You're welcome," I said.
"I don't know what I was doing," she said.
"I didn't know you drank," I said softly.
"I'm an alcoholic," she said, "I haven't in a while." I looked at her as she wiped her eyes.
"Did you tonight?" I asked, worried for her sobriety.
"No," she said, "thanks for coming in because I probably would have."
"You're welcome," I said, "so you're still sober?"
"Yeah," she sniffled.
"I'm proud of you," I said, which made her smile a little, "dads proud of you too."
"Thanks," she said.
"We're all here for you too, as much as were here for dad were here for you too," I said.
"I know," she sniffled, "it's just hard because I can't keep it together because I'm so worried and I am trying to hard around you guys to keep it together just so that none of you have to worried half as much as I am and I haven't been here. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you're doing my job."
"Mom it's okay," I said.
"It's not," she said, "you shouldn't have to do my job."
"Sometimes I do and it's okay. You wanted to be with dad I get it," I said.
"I should be able to handle this better," she cried.
"Anybody who was thrown this would be breaking too, it's okay," I said. I heard footsteps and I saw Maeve come down the stairs.
"Mom are you okay?" She said, "did something happen?"
"I love you guys," she said as she hugged both of us.
"We love you too," we said.
"I'm just having a really bad night Maeve," My mom said, "I'll be okay." Maeve and I frowned at each other as my mom got up and walked upstairs.
AMELIAS POV
I almost broke my sobriety. After 25 years. What was I doing? I was panicking because Owen was dying. I was panicking. My life was in a spiral. My door opened and I wiped my eyes as I looked up from my phone.
"Mommy?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah bud?" I asked.
"Can I sleep in here?" He asked, "I don't want you to be lonely." I smiled at him.
"You can sleep in here," I said and kissed his head, "I love you Lucas."
"I love you too mommy," he said and curled under the covers.