Chris parked his truck on the street outside the Lins’s place. Almost as soon as the car stopped, June rushed out of the truck and made a mad dash for the front door. Her mom was in the living room, glued to the TV and folding laundry while her sick son slept in his room, and Calvin had gone down for a nap. With them both asleep, Ginny’s head snapped to the door, seeing her youngest daughter rush into the house and nearly dive into her embrace. June pressed herself tight against her mother, feeling another wave of emotion wash over her once again.

“June, sweetheart? What's wrong? What is going on?” Ginny asked, but June kept her face buried in her mother's chest.

Katia walked in shortly after June, gesturing for Chris to follow. They both carried a large basket of veggies and set them down on a nearby coffee table.

“Kat, what is going on here… is this?” Ginny said looking up at her best friend then to Chris, taking in every inch of the man.

“It’s a long story, I’m afraid, Ginny, but first, this is Chris. He was the doctor that took care of Jason in the hospital. He also wanted to share some of the produce he grew himself. One of those baskets is for you,” Katia introduced Chris to Ginny, then turned back to him.

“Chris, this is my best friend in the world, Genevieve Lins,” Katia said proudly. Ginny who was still sitting on the couch with her daughter wrapped around her smiled up at Chris.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Doctor Chris. Please, call me Ginny,” she said with a teasing smile and a wink. Usually, Ginny’s playful and flirtatious nature didn’t bother Katia, but she couldn’t help but feel a strange pang of intense jealousy.

“Please, just Chris is fine. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ginny.”

Chris seemed unphased by the flirty greeting, and the two shook hands for a moment before parting.

The three exchanged pleasantries for a few moments before Ginny’s attention was brought back to the small girl still clinging to her. Glancing up at Katia, Ginny gave her a look that told her that she was going to need an explanation as to why June was in such a state. Chris himself could sense there was a lot for the women to talk about, especially with Jason and Jillian missing, so he didn’t want to overstay his welcome.

“I should really get going. Kelsea seems pretty anxious to get home. Again, it was nice meeting you, Ginny.”

Ginny thanked Chris for the gift and said goodbye before Katia offered to walk him out, earning a knowing smirk from her friend. Katia stuck her tongue out at Ginny when Chris turned to head out. As they walked outside, Katia paused.

“Thank you so much for your help, Chris. You really saved us today,” she said with a warm smile. Chris tried to brush off the compliment, returning her smile.

“Oh, come on. I didn’t do much. Anyone would’ve done the same if they could. I just did what was right.”

Katia chuckled softly at his modesty.“Well, I’m still truly thankful, regardless...”

She paused, averting her gaze for a moment, feeling a flush creeping up her cheeks like she was back in high school. But as she glanced down, she caught sight of the indent where her wedding ring should be on her finger, a heavy reminder of her late husband. Her heart sank as memories came flooding back.

“It’s been over ten years, Katia,” she thought to herself, feeling emotions welling up. “I’ll always love Frank... But I can’t keep living like nothing has changed. It’s time... to move on.”

“Katia?” Chris’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Oh! Sorry, Chris,” she said, clearing her throat and smiling. “I’m really looking forward to our dinner.”

“Me too. I’ll text you, and we can figure out the date and time,” Chris replied, his hands fidgeting from resting on his waist to his arms and then his pockets. Kelsea, who was watching from inside the car, rolled her eyes harder than ever watching the two.

“That sounds great. I guess I will see you later then, Chris.”

Katia felt another tinge of jealousy hit, remembering the flirty way Ginny stared at him. It steeled her nerves as she moved in closer and pressed her lips against his cheek, giving him a soft peck. She was truly grateful for all his help today. Chris was left speechless, staring at Katia, who blushed a little more before stepping back.

“Um, yeah... see you…,” he managed to say as she waved and headed back inside, closing the door behind her. Chris lingered for a moment until the honking of a horn brought him back to reality. He turned to his truck, realizing Kelsea must be tired of waiting. Shaking off his daze, he hurried over to the vehicle.

“Sorry, sorry. Ready to go?” he asked his daughter as he got in. Kelsea shot her dad a glare, and their eyes locked in a silent standoff.

“What?” Chris prodded her, sensing something was off.

“Nothing…,” she mumbled, then turned to stare out the window, her silence speaking volumes. It drove the man mad that she clearly had something on her mind but wouldn’t tell him anything. With a sigh, he started driving back home, the tension thick in the air. Most of the ride passed in silence, but halfway there, they both began to fidget. Almost simultaneously, they blurted out,

“Dad?”

“Kels?”

Their eyes met briefly before Chris had to focus back on the road.

“Go for it, kiddo,” Chris said to his daughter, who shook her head immediately.

“No, you go,” she insisted.

He sighed again as he gave in. “Kelsea, I love you. So much so that I can't help but worry about your future,” he began, but she cut him off.

“You’re scared I’ll turn out like mom,” she interjected, her tone sharp.

Frowning, he nodded slowly.

“I’m not fucking mom!” she snapped.

“I know, Kels, but I see so much of her in you, and it scares me. You’re smart and talented. You excel at everything you try... just like your mother,” he said, his expression sinking at the thought of his ex-wife. Chris kept talking as he drove.

“You know, your mom was the most amazing woman I ever met. She’d dive into a new hobby and master it in no time at all. I see that same talent. The cheer coach called me last month. She was amazed at how quickly you got all the routines down, even though you just joined this year.”

Chris didn’t know much about cheerleading, but the coach explained that there were girls who’d been on the team for years and still hadn’t memorized everything she had.

“So what? Me being good at things gives you the right to treat me like some future criminal?” Kelsea said, arms folded, staring out the window with a pout. “I thought you’d be proud of me.”

“I-I am proud of you, sweetheart. I couldn’t be more proud, I swear. But...” Chris paused, his grip tightening on the steering wheel as they waited at a red light.

“Your mom... She just couldn’t handle the pressure her success brought. It was too much for her. Everyone expected great things from her every single day. It wore her down little by little, and even with therapy and meds for her anxiety, it just kept getting worse.”

He felt his voice falter.

“The first time I caught her taking pills… I didn’t know what to do... We fought and argued with each other, but she promised she wouldn’t do it again… It just wasn’t enough, I… didn’t do enough.”

He sniffed, trying to keep his emotions in check and focus on the road ahead.

Chris could see Kelsea’s tear-streaked face in the reflection of the window as she was turned away from him. They’d talked about her mom’s situation before, but it didn’t make this any easier.

“That’s why I flipped out when your school called me about you smoking at school,” Chris admitted, struggling to keep it together. “I panicked, thinking it was the beginning of the end. It scared me... I’ve already lost your mom to drugs. I couldn’t bear to lose you too, Kelsea.”

Kelsea turned to her dad. What was left of her makeup was smudged by fresh tears, but she was wearing a scowl.

“I’M. NOT. MOM!” Kelsea shouted, her voice echoing through the truck’s cab. “You act like you were the only thing that lost something that day.” Her tone was full of sadness and anger.

“I lost both my mom and my dad that day.”

Chris almost slammed on the brakes right then and there, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked back over at her for a moment.

“K-Kels... What are you saying?” His voice was shaky with fear of why she thought that.

“You’ve changed, Dad. You became someone else entirely after Mom was taken away,” Kelsea continued, still glaring at him as tears continually streamed down her face.

“I was only twelve, and suddenly you were this... shell of yourself. All you care about is keeping me out of trouble and my grades. I feel like I’m your prisoner, not your daughter.”

Chris couldn’t keep his focus on the road any longer, so he pulled over into a parking lot and stopped the truck. “Kelsea... I...” He began, feeling like he’d been run over. “I didn’t mean to...”

“But you did!” Kelsea interrupted, crossing her arms tightly and turning away to look straight ahead.

“H-how long have you felt like this?” Chris wondered. How could he have missed the signs? He thought he was being a good father, even going so far as to grow his own organic produce. All he wanted to do was make sure Kelsea was safe, healthy, and doing well in school. But he never stopped to ask how she actually was or how she felt.

“Since mom left…but it's gotten so much worse these last few years. You shipped me off to private school away from my friends and forced me into cheerleading because you thought it would impress colleges. And you drag me to those stupid farmer’s markets to sell stuff from that goddamn garden! You care more about that garden than you do about me!” she paused, seething with anger.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Ever since you started that thing, you’ve become more attached to those plants than to your own daughter! Worst of all, you don’t even fucking realize it!” Kelsea’s last words came out as a near screech. Chris flinched at her intensity, stunned beyond words.

Had he really been so wrapped up in everything else that he’d neglected his daughter? He had to pause and really reflect on everything. Yes, he did spend a ton of time in the garden. There was just so much to do... was it all… too much? It was massive, and it always seemed something needed his attention.

Chris had a huge garden that was way too big for just one person to handle easily without it being their actual job. He spent most of his precious free time dealing with weeds, watering, and soil care. Being a doctor meant he barely had any time for himself. When he wasn’t gardening, he was making sure Kelsea was doing okay in school, making food or sleeping.

“Um...” Chris felt overwhelmed as he thought about his conversations with his daughter. “Did you finish your homework? How was the test? Dinner’s ready, I’ll be out in the garden.” These phrases kept popping up in his head, repeating over and over like a broken record.

“I’m a horrible father…,” Chris muttered, tears escaping his eyes and rolling down his face as he stared blankly ahead through the windshield, whole body slumping forward. When Kelsea looked back at him, she wanted to keep being angry. She wanted him to feel the pain she felt every day. But seeing her father like this…her heart ached, and her scowl quickly faded.

“You’re… you’re not a terrible father, Dad,” she said in a whisper.

“You’re just stretched so thin there isn’t any room for anything else.” She sighed, feeling a wave of sadness wash over her. “I just miss you, Dad. It feels like I hardly ever see you, and when I do, it’s like...”

Kelsea hesitated. She didn’t want those thoughts out in the open anymore. She wrapped her arms around herself and squeezed herself tight.

“I don’t think the market is stupid... It’s the only time we actually spend together without worrying about school or your garden. It’s the only time when I feel like you actually care,” she admitted, prompting Chris to snap out of his daze a little.

Chris glanced at Kelsea, noticing the sad and lonely expression on her face. Without any more hesitation, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace.

“I’m so sorry, Kelsea... I didn’t realize you were hurting so much. I hate that you felt so alone. I should have been there for you. I am so….so sorry,” he murmured softly, holding her tightly.

At first, she seemed unsure, no longer accustomed to physical affections, but gradually, she relaxed into her father’s arms, her own trembling arms slowly wrapping around him as well. With her face buried in his shoulder, she let out a heavy sob. Chris kept whispering apologies, repeating them over and over, comforting her as best he could as he held her close.

The two hugged tightly until a calm settled over them. Finally, when they felt a bit better, Chris gently pulled away slightly. He put his hands on the back of his daughter’s head, looking straight into her eyes.

“Listen, Kelsea, things are going to be different from now on. Trust me, I promise. Now that my eyes are open, I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”

He leaned in, planting a kiss on her forehead before hugging her tight once more.

“I swear I won’t smoke anymore either, Dad. Honestly, I didn’t even enjoy it. It smells awful and tastes worse. I just desperately needed something to take my mind off everything,” Kelsea confessed.

“Thank you, sweetheart. I promise I’ll spend much less time out in the garden. I should have hired some help a long time ago. We will spend more time together, just the two of us. Be a family again…like old times,” Chris said, giving Kelsea’s back a gentle rub. There was a pause before she spoke up.

“What about... Katia?” she asked quietly.

Chris paused when the woman he was obviously courting came up.

“I’ll…I’ll stop seeing her if that’s what you want, kiddo,” he replied, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought. But if this was what he had to do to win back his daughter's trust, he would do it. Kelsea pulled back with a frown to meet her dad’s gaze.

“That’s not what I meant, Dad,” she said, staring at him with a soft glare. Chris looked a bit confused now.

“Umm, then what do you mean? I thought you hated her the way you were acting when she was around.”

Kelsea rolled her eyes and sighed at having to explain.

“I only disliked her because it felt like I was going to get bumped out completely if you started seeing a new woman. You already barely spoke to me. What would happen if you got a new girlfriend? It felt like I was going to vanish completely, and you were gonna start saying, ‘Kelsea, who?’” she said with a deep frown. Chris felt ashamed again that his daughter felt like this.

“But… if you really promise to cut back on the garden and stop being so controlling… I can accept you dating someone if it makes you happy. I mean, you seem to really like her with the way you were talking to her, babbling like an idiot and trying to show off was pretty blatant. She obviously likes you, too. After that kiss she gave you.”

He flushed slightly at his daughter’s observation.

“You think she likes me like that? I haven’t dated since I met your mother. I’m really out of practice.”

She rolled her eyes again at his question. “Yeah, obviously. Why else would she kiss you? Come on, dad. You’re not that clueless,” she teased. Chris rubbed his arm, glancing away from his daughter for a moment.

“It was just a peck on the cheek, that’s all.”

“A kiss is a kiss, Dad. It could’ve been on your big toe, and I’d still say the same thing... Actually, considering how your feet smell, I would think she liked you a bit too much if that’s where she kissed you,” Kelsea quipped, prompting laughter between them. He eventually nodded to his daughter.

“You’re right. I do like her. She’s beautiful and very sweet. A little bit older than me, but that doesn’t bother me at all. The fact that she has this mature…,” Chris rambled. Kelsea stopped him with a playful hand over his mouth.

“Alright, Dad, I get it sheesh. Why not ask her out on a date, then?” she suggested with a soft smile.

Chris removed the hand from his mouth, still smiling. “We’ve actually got dinner plans in the works, just haven’t decided the day yet,” he said bashfully. Kelsea looked surprised but smiled back.

“That’s awesome, Dad. I’m really happy for you.”

They shared another big hug.

“Who knows, maybe one day you’ll bring a boy home, and I’ll get to give you the dad talk,” he teased but got no response.

“Um, while we’re on the subject, Dad... I… don’t really like boys that way,” Kelsea admitted. It was her turn to look away, embarrassed. Chris pulled back from the hug, staring at his daughter.

“Wait, what?” His eyes widened in surprise.

Back at the Lins’s home, June and Katia filled in the details for Ginny. They talked about how Jillian and Jason disappeared when they separated from June. Ginny, understandably, was pretty mad that they left June alone and disappointed that June wasn’t more careful to stay with her sister. But she also had this gut feeling that something just wasn’t right.

It was then that her phone started ringing. The caller ID showed the local hospital’s business name. That definitely didn’t help with her anxiety. She took a deep breath and picked up.

“Hello?”

“Hello, is Genevieve Lins there?”

“Yes, speaking.”

“This is Grove Falls General Hospital. We’ve got a Jillian Lins here that was brought in by ambulance about ten minutes ago, and you’re listed as her emergency contact.”

Ginny let out a shocked gasp at the news.

“Is she okay? What happened!?” Ginny asked, her voice tinged with panic, while those around her watched with concern.

“I can’t give you all the details, but she was admitted with injuries that weren’t life-threatening. Right now, she’s resting comfortably after getting some meds for pain and nausea. They’ll likely move her to a regular room soon, so I just wanted to let you know.”

Ginny let out a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat reassured that her daughter wasn’t in mortal danger, though still worried.

“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll head down there as soon as I can.”

After hanging up, she turned to Katia and June.

“Jillian’s in the hospital,” she explained, her voice shaky. Katia gasped and covered her mouth in shock.

“Oh, no! What happened?!”

“They wouldn’t give me many details, but they mentioned she arrived in an ambulance, so it must have been pretty serious,” Ginny explained, tapping nervously through her phone.

“D-did…did they mention anything about Jason?”

Deep down, Katia knew they wouldn’t mention him to Ginny, but her concern for Jillian was only overshadowed by the worry for her son. Ginny shook her head, her expression solemn, not faulting Katia for the question. She might have done the same if it had been her they called.

“No, they didn’t mention him. But there’s a chance he might be with her at the hospital,” she said, attempting to offer some comfort to her friend, who nodded in response.

Ginny couldn’t just leave Lonnie alone, still sick in bed. And taking him to the hospital wasn’t really an option. Her only shot was to call her husband, hoping he could leave work early. Asking Katia for help wasn’t a sure bet either, as Jason might be at the hospital. And even if her son was still missing, she couldn’t just expect Katia to drop everything to watch Lonnie. Starting to obviously feel incredibly overwhelmed, both Katia and June noticed this and moved in close, giving Ginny a tight hug. She smiled softly, embracing her daughter and best friend.

“Thank you both,” she whispered.

Jason sat in a big room filled with chairs lined up in the middle, surrounded by police officers buzzing around their stations. Some were busy with paperwork or processing people. Others were keeping an eye on the people sitting like him. Handcuffed to a chain around his waist, he waited as calmly as he could. He was facing two charges: one for brandishing a weapon and another for resisting arrest. The latter, he was pretty sure, was total bullshit. Thanks to his best friend’s endless lectures on what to do if arrested, Jason knew better than to answer any questions without a lawyer. But he also understood it wouldn’t speed up the process to clam up entirely about his identity or the reason he was there.

Right now, Jason couldn’t shake off the worry about Jillian’s whereabouts and if she was safe. Time seemed to move at a slow crawl as he was forced to sit there. The half hour he had been waiting felt like years. He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, trying to distract himself by counting the holes in the tiles above. The bandaged holes in his back still stung from where the taser probes were removed. That was probably the most pain he’d felt physically in his life. And he had been punched in the gut by a heavyweight boxer before.

Finally, a detective came over and took him to a separate room to discuss the situation. Jason kept reiterating that he was just trying to prevent his girlfriend from being kidnapped and only had the gun because he feared for the life of his loved one. He refused to say anything else until he had a lawyer present. It was a long way to get out of there, but Jason understood the detective was just doing his job, trying to gather information.

Jason couldn’t even get a moment to make a simple phone call. The detective left him to stew in the room for over an hour. He finally got his phone call, though he was pretty sure they should’ve done that way earlier, but at this point, he just wanted out of there ASAP.

His first call? Marco. But he wasn’t thrilled that Jason only called because he needed him to reach out to his ex, who happened to be an amazing defense attorney.

“You’ve got a lot of splainin’ to do, Lucy,” Marco quipped in his best Ricky Ricardo voice, which made Jason chuckle a bit as he passed on all the details she would need. He thanked his friend before he ended the call. It wasn’t long after that Gabriella Vasquez called the precinct and tore into them for holding Jason for so long without giving him access to a phone. In the end, Jason went in front of the judge for a misdemeanor brandishing charge, which he pled not guilty to. His bond was set, and fifteen minutes and a thousand dollars later, he was free.

Once Jason got his belongings back, he got an Uber to the impound lot to retrieve his rental car first. His vacation was starting to run well over budget, but at least he was finally out of that damned police station. On the way there, he called his girlfriend’s cellphone. His call went straight to voicemail. He was still blocked.

“Damn it, Jill,” Jason said with a sigh. Once he got his car out of the impound, he just sort of sat there, feeling kind of lost. He continually checked his phone, hoping for a message from Jillian, but there was no luck. He’d sent her several more texts, but she never replied.

Eventually, he checked his other missed calls. There were a few calls from his mom. He figured she was probably really worried as well, and he felt guilty for making her stress out. But his protective instincts still struggled to involve her in the mess that was the last few hours of his life, even though it seemed like everything was going to work out in the end.

Jason took a deep breath to try and ease his nerves before he tapped his mom’s number and hit call. She picked up halfway through the first ring.

“Jason is that you, hun?!” she exclaimed, sounding panicked and relieved that he was finally calling back.

“Yeah, mom, it’s me. I’m okay,” he said, bracing himself for the conversation ahead.