The Plan

"Adelyn's brash behavior has gotten her into a lot of trouble over the years but this one seems to top the cake." a male voice mutters just outside eye shot.

The walk from her bus stop to her house wasn't very far but seemed endless the past few days. Today wasn't any different except for the unwelcome guests that stood waiting at her front door. A sleek black car parked in her driveway, one that she recognizes to be her fathers Rolls Royce. "Here we go" she let's out a great sigh as she strolls up to her door. "Stephen, Cheryl what brings you here?" her voice dry and to the point and posture stiff.

"I am still your mother and you shall address me as such. " Cheryl snaps "Now, your father and I have been waiting for some time so hurry up and let us in." she motions with her hand toward the door.

Adelyn gearing up for a lecture, attempts to settle herself as she unlocks the front door to her home. "By all means come in" her tone sarcastic as she waves both arms into the space "So..what brings you two here? "

"Sit, we need to talk. " her fathers voice commanding attention. That tone always strikes fear in Adelyn even now her heart rate quickens. She promptly sits down without a word of defiance in response. Stephen tosses multiple newspapers onto the glass table in front of her, they land with a slide. Looking over them she notes that they are fuzzy, dark photos of Adelyn striking a man in the street in the pouring rain, the article reads 'Innocent bystander attempts to help crazed drunk.'

"I can explain that, this guy was totally a creep and..." she begins.

"And what about this?" Stephen stops her, pointing at an article in the paper.

"Known drunk driver Adelyn Tracey seen leaving hospital of victim Sandra Cuthwright, readers believe the coma was no accident and she's back to finish the job."

"That's complete bull shit!" Adelyn scoffs in disbelief.

"Adelyn Eve Tracy watch your language" her mother interjects.

"Whether it's true or not, you can't keep hiding from it or it will only get worse. I want you to issue a statement, an apology. This not only reflects on you Adelyn but on our whole family." Stephen's deep voice shook her to the very bone, his intimidating stature allowing him to get his way more often than not.

"But .." Adelyn attempts to defend herself but fails.

"But nothing, I may not be able to change your "lifestyle" but I'll be damned if you ruin my career." Stephen interjects angrily.

"Yes sir... " looking down biting her lip, knowing there is nothing she can say to persuade them she gives in.

"You know we love you honey, this is for your own good. " Cheryl adds softly. The room goes quiet, agonizing seconds pass by seeming like an eternity with her parents.

"Are we done? " Adelyn speaks up hoping to end the awkward silence that filled the air.

"How about you attend church with me this Sunday, it'll be good for you to be around people who aren't...well... It would be nice to be around normal people wouldn't it? " her belief sincere which made it that much more difficult to hear.

"Mom, we've been over this! There's nothing wrong with the way I live my life." conviction in her tone.

"Clearly there is, this mental illness has taken my daughter away from me. I just want my little girl back before it's too late. " her voice full of sadness as she lays on the guilt.

"I'm right here mom, I never left, you guys pushed me out of your lives not me! " Adelyn retorts.

"Enough! I've had enough of this senseless bickering. It's time to go Cheryl." Stephen snapped, clearly ready to wash his hands of this whole thing. Cheryl does as she's told and gathers her things before making a somber but brisk exit following close behind Stephen.

Tears form in Adelyn's eyes as she hears the click of the door closing behind them. "Can't I have just one person on my side?" she whispers to the empty room. Curling up in her brothers chair, as she often does when she feels alone and empty. She wraps her arms around herself trying to find a bit of comfort. The warm chair feeling like a hug, a small reprieve from an otherwise stressful day.

'knock' 'knock' 'knock' a rapping on the door jolts her awake, wondering how long she had been asleep she groggily stumbles through the dark room feeling for the walls. 'ting' she rams her knee into the side of the table the sound reverberates against the glass as the pain shoots up her leg.

'knock' 'knock' 'knock' again the rapping continues. "I'm coming!" Adelyn shouts to the unknown visitor. Finally she finds the light switch, flipping it and succeeding in blinding herself momentarily before she opens the front door. Blinking the haze out of her eyes she questions "Lukus? What are you doing here? What time is it? " a confused expression clings to her face as well as remnants of sleep, the red indents upon her face from the creases of the chairs stitching.

"It's just after 8 p.m. Can I come in? " Lukus says almost apologetically.

"Yeah, of course " she quickly realizes she is standing in the door way blocking the entrance and awkwardly sidesteps away.

"You look like crap" he says bluntly but not uncaring.

"Nice to see you too." her remark tinged with forbearance.

"I didn't mean it that way, it's just you don't look like your doing so well." his tone apologetic while peering down at his feet looking like a sad circus bear.

"I'm just peachy. What with the media making me a martyr and all." anger flavored her reply leaving a bad taste in her mouth. She knew it wasn't his fault but her own. "I'm sorry, I've just had a rough day."

"That's understandable, how's the arm? " glancing toward the cast perched along the kitchen island.

"It's been better, how's Sandra? " She looks down at her arm then shrugs a shoulder.

"She's good, almost walking on her own now." his voice speaks softly.

"That's good" a smile rose to her face, small and almost unnoticeable.

"She keeps asking about you..." his voice seemed almost shy which was odd for the ever confident Lukus Carter.

"She's been watching the news huh? Well I wouldn't imagine she has a particularly high opinion of me then. I mean why would she... " Adelyn's self deprecating attitude only strengthens as she imagines what Margret must have been spouting around town.

"Actually... Sandra misses you." He looks into her eyes to show he is sincere.

"She does? Wait how? She doesn't even know me....I mean we just met not long before the accident." Adelyn's elation and confusion showed through at the same time as she attempted to cover up her Freudian slip.

"Well she does, I can somewhat confirm that much myself. Except you never mentioned you have a brother. " Trying to connect information that Sandra has given him.

"How do you know about him?" Her tone now serious and slightly frightened.

"She said it, not me. You'll have to ask her. I don't know what to think about all this, not really. Some things she says are just impossible, while others I'm finding out are true."

"I don't really talk about my brother....he... he died....when I was in high-school."

"I'm very sorry to hear that" the concern showing in his eye's, he pushes his lips together thinly. They lose their shape behind the bushy beard surrounding them.

"I used to talk to Sandra when I visited her, sometimes for hours just talking about work or life. I mentioned him a time or two but I didn't think she was actually listening. I mean I hoped she could hear me but I didn't really know." Adelyn pulls at her fingers poking out from the cast, distracting herself enough not to let her mind delve into the memory of her brothers passing.

"Come to the hospital with me tomorrow, she's getting released." his request sudden as if he has been contemplating a plan.

"Won't Margret be there, I mean isn't it going to be a celebration of sorts? " uneasy with the thought of running into Margret again, she tries to find a way out of it.

"Exactly, Margret and Suzanne will be at home getting things ready for Sandra's arrival and I'm picking her up." he smiles raising his eyebrows awaiting her answer.

"Are you sure she wants to see me?" hopeful yet cautious, she questions his motives.

"I promise, besides, I kinda... miss having you around too." Lukus offers in a kind tone.

Taking a large breath in, Adelyn blows it out slowly in an attempt to ease her nerves. She feels excited and scared at the same time. Thinking just a moment she answers "Ok, I'll go."