Abandoned (Matt Casey)
School was torture. All you could think about was her. She was a total stranger pretending to care, right? How could she possibly think that she could just waltz right in and pretend that nothing had happened. Sixteen years you heard nothing, zilch, nada. And she thinks that it is cool to call you her daughter. No.
You wanted to cry but you were determined not to cry any more tears over the stranger who abandoned you. Normally you would walk to the firehouse for tea but you were taken aback to find Truck 81 parked up in front of your school. Matt hopped out of the truck to come meet you.
“Hey tinkerbellie” Ugh, you hated that nickname that your dad called you. You didn't even say anything, but the eye roll spoke volumes. Throwing yourself into your dads arms was a big mistake, because the tears you had fought so hard to keep in all day just came out in a big sob.
Matt’s grip around you tightened which comforted you hugely. No matter how old you became your dads cuddles were the best, even though you'd never admit it to him. Rubbing your back he motioned for you to join the others in the truck, “Come on kiddo, you look knackered.” He was right, today was emotionally draining.
Growing up with 51 meant that they all knew to leave you in peace with your thoughts at a time like this, so that’s exactly what they did after saying hello. You sat with your head resting on Mouch’s shoulder, watching as the familiar streets came into view.
You walked in cuddled into your dad’s side and when Kelly saw you arrived he instinctively came over and suffocated you with a massive hug. When he finally loosened his bear-like grip on you, you spoke softly, “Is it okay if I go catch some sleep in your bunk dad? I’m exhausted.”
“Of course, we’ll keep a portion of food for you.” He smiled sweetly at you before you headed off with the shadow in the shape of Tuesday.
“How is she?” Kelly asked, scratching his head.
Matt took a deep breath, “Eh, I mean, she hasn't said anything. But I can tell she’s not okay. She is actually accepting cuddles for a change. I’ll wait for her to tell me how she is feeling. AS we all know with Ellie, the more we push the more she shuts down.”
“That’s our girl” Kelly chuckled.
“I just don’t get why? Why now did she come back into her life? I get not wanting to see me for all these years, but Ellie? C’mon, it took her years to accept and be okay with the whole situation, this is gonna fuck with her head.” Matt’s voice started to heat up with anger at the predicament he was in.
“We’ll get her through it. She’s got a whole family who love and will do anything for her. If she wants to get to know Amber, that’s cool. But if she never wants to speak to her again, that’s also cool and we’ll make sure that she knows that she isn’t welcome here.
Sighing, Matt sat down in Kelly’s chair, “Sadly, if I know Amber, she won’t give up that easily.”
And boy was Matt right.