❤ Old Sweaters❤
When Keaton was first brought state side she was unaware of her surroundings and her condition for quite some time. The doctors kept her sedated because of the pain and damage done to her body. Keaton was facing broken bones, exposure, dehydration, malnutrition in addition to cuts, scrapes, bruising, tearing and damage to her body, and that was only the physical wounds. There were surgeries and she was still undergoing physical therapy. When she was conscious enough the doctors informed her that her family was made aware of her condition but the details would be hers to share. That unfortunately was the problem for Keaton; she didn’t know how to share details, and the words often felt like hot coals or rocks lodged in her throat. The culmination of the weight of her imprisonment came when she tried to kill herself and was sent home. Now under the watchful eyes of her family Keaton wasn’t sure what to feel, she knew she needed to talk to them but she still didn’t know how, and whenever she came close to figuring it out she was faced with the attitude of being a broken doll. The only one who didn’t treat her like that was her father, but because of her love for him she hesitated to open up and say anything, knowing her words would weigh so heavy on him.
Keaton returned his smile, taking a seat in the chair near the window. She had a large collection now and was glad he understood without her saying it that she needed the comfort and safety of the sweaters. Watching him put them down on the bed she chuckled, “Every birthday, every Christmas she gave them too you.” Brushing some hair back she shook her head, “No I have one tomorrow, and today is good so far.” Giving him another smile, she pulled her legs up under her, resting one foot on the chair and resting her head on it. Another smile grew on her lips, “He is, that’s great.” She hadn’t seen him since Bethesda and she was excited to see the sibling she got along with best.
The idea of everyone being out and together made her a little nervous and she bit the inside of her cheek, “It will be nice, a good reason to celebrate,” she said trying to stay light. “I’m guessing Uncle J and the Otis’ will be here?” Realizing her leg was shaking up and down she forced it to still and smiled at her dad again, “So uhm, how many people are you thinking?” Crowds of people she couldn’t hide from, not exactly something she would enjoy, best start preparing now.
Montgomery McCall was a man of reason. He’d worked for the Long Beach Police Department for such a long time he’d become very good at reading people and even though he was not still out in the field he hadn’t lost his ability to see when someone was on edge. His little girl returned home a shell of her former self and that pained the older man. All of his kids had always been passionate about something. Monty was passionate about himself, Thomas loved travel and writing, Caitlyn had always wanted to be a mother and her ever growing family appeared to make her very happy. With Keaton, the youngest, his baby girl seemed passionate to prove to people that she was tough. It was hard enough growing up in the McCall household without also being the youngest girl. Keaton was special. In her youth she was energetic and athletic. All the younger kids had got along well until they were done with high school even though they were still cordial to each other in front of Montgomery and Diane.
Watching Keaton guard herself around him made his heart sink that she would even fathom the idea that he would hurt her. Smiling his big, friendly grin – mustache rising around the corners of his lips Montgomery took her movement to the window as the opportunity to put the sweaters on the bed. “Your mother filled my closet with sweaters in our youth and now complains I have too many. It is all crazy talk. No one can have too many sweaters. If I could get away with wearing them in the office I would.”
The man could tell the idea of the house being full of people was not a pleasant one. He figured she would be happy to see Thomas since they got along and hadn’t seen each other in a while. Keaton and Monty always butted heads and with the children, Caitlyn’s clan could be a little much for even him. Diane was a Navy woman and ran the house like the ship when their children were little but Caitlyn was far more liberal with the upbringing of the commissioner’s grandchildren. Still, he wouldn’t trade any of them. “Well, we are old honey, her won’t be partying too much. But you are right. Jonathan and Riley were going to come for sure. I have heard Mikey is back in town and I am pretty sure Jasper will be here as well given he is one of mine,” her father chuckled. He was concerned for Keaton’s well-being but she was never going to get the parts of her back that were torn away in Turkey. She needed to find the strength within to rebuild with new parts. “Is this going to be too much for you? We can shorten the guest list?”
