"No, it's fine. My parents…….well after………" She swallowed. " after my little brother died in a car crash a few years ago…..well they haven't stopped arguing. My dad started drinking and sometimes when he gets really drunk he hits Ronnie and I. I escaped it when I got into college and bought an apartment, but I haven't been able to take Ronnie out of our house yet. I'm working on it. " Leah said softly, keeping her eyes on the road.
(Ouch, poor Leah… Hunter can sympathize with her on that, but for somewhat a different reason.)
"You're already helping a lot." Leah said as she stopped the car. " you can go ahead and get into the driver's seat now. " She said as she opened the car door and ran up to the door of the house they'd stopped in front of. I young girl opened the door and a purple bruise was already visible on her cheek. Leah took the backpack from her sister and helped her down into the car.
“Hi.”, he said softly, getting into the drivers seat, obviously worried.
(Veronica looks similar to Leah and is fourteen)
Veronica offered Rafael a half-smile as she and Leah climbed into the back. "Veronica, this is Rafael. Rafael, this is Veronica, my fourteen year old sister."
“Hey Veronica.”, he said ina. Gentle tone. “Should we get going?”
Veronica nodded. "Is he your…" Leah shook her head. "We met like a half an hour ago. " Veronica nodded as Leah gently lifted up her arm to see the gash running down her forearm. "Mom out?"
" Yup. "
As he drove, Rafael cast worried looks at the girls through the rear view mirror, frightened for the little one.
Veronica leaned her head on Leah's shoulder. "Hold on Bubba we're almost there." Leah whispered.
Rafael pulled into the hospital parking, opening the door quickly for the girls.
Leah helped Veronica out and they went around to the E.R. where a nurse was already waiting. "Leah, as much as you hate this, I'm going to have to ask you to wait on the waiting room with your….friend?" Before Leah could answer she has already disappeared with Veronica. Leah sighed as the two went to the waiting room. " She's right, I do hate this. "
Rafael tentatively placed a hand in her shoulder. “She’s in good hands, I can pretty much guarantee that the people here are great.”, he tried to comfort.
Leah have Rafael a small smile. "Yeah, I know. I know a lot of the staff after all the trips I took here, and later just coming here to hang out with the kids and help out in any way I can. It's really fun to see the joy on the children's faces I come to see them. And once again I'm rambling. I'll shut up now. Sorry again."
“I like it when people ramble.”, he assured her, sitting down. “And That sounds pretty special.”
Leah sat down beside Rafael. "Have you ever had to come to the hospital? Like for something other than a checkup. "
Rafael suddenly went quiet. “Yeah.”, he admitted softly, voice almost at a whisper.
Leah nodded knowingly. "Okay." She said, falling silent, not wanting to pry. " Sorry, that wasn't a good question. "
(Goodnight I gtg)
He exhaled slowly. “Not your fault, I just—- my brother—-“ his voice broke.
(Aww, okay night!)
Leah out her hand on Rafael's arm. "Hey. It's okay." She said softly, gently rubbing his arm.
He nodded slowly, swallowing. His eyes were unfocused, and he eventually had to slap himself to snap out of it. “Sorry.”
"Happens to me sometimes too. It's all good."
Hunter rolled down the window, handing the boy money as he grabbed the McDonalds bag from him.
“Have a good day, sir,” said the young teenager, smiling politely as he reached out to give Hunter his change. Hunter nodded, returning his smile.
“Keep the change,” Hunter told the boy, watching with amusement as the boy’s eyes widened in disbelief. Hunter wished the boy a good day and rolled up his window before driving off to Kenzie’s place to drop her off.
"That was really nice of you," Kenzie stated softly. "To do that. I bet you father wouldn't have done that, hm? Proof that you're not like him…"
(So what do you think of 'Reah'?)
