Chad Simmons

"You're welcome, I'll save it for tomorrow."

"That'll work. Maybe I'll be able to eat tomorrow," I said and rubbed my head.

"Yeah, same here." I sighed and started putting the food away.

"Here, I can at least help you put the food away," I said and got up, helping him clean up. 

We got everything cleaned up and then there was a knock on the door "It's probably your parents."

I sighed. "I'll get it," I said and went to answer the door. "Hey. What's up?"

"Hey, we just wanted to come by and see how the two of you were doing."

"Oh we're great. Making dinner and... not being able to eat it. We're awesome," I said and opened the door wider so they could come in.

"You can't let yourself waste away, Chad."

"Your mom's right, you need to eat Chad. Both of you do," I said, looking at Owen.



"Well it's either I don't eat, or I eat and throw it up. So either way there won't be anything in my stomach."

"He's right...we try but it just doesn't stay down."

"Then you need to keep trying. I know things are rough, but starving yourself isn't going to help anything."

"I'll really try, I promise."

"Good. You both need to. If I have to bring food over here every day and wait while you eat it I will."



"You don't have to do that dad, I'll try too. Just... don't feel like eating today, that's all."

"I'm going to start coming by more often to check on you both. Your Dad and Sister too, we just...we love you." I told him.

"I love you too Mom."

"Are you going to come and live in the camp at all?" I asked him.

I shook my head. "No, I don't think so. I don't... really want to be around a lot of people. I'm fine out here."

"Alright." I simply said, knowing it was best not to push the subject.

"That's fine son. That just means we're going to be out here all the time checking on you."



"That's really not necessary. I promise we're fine."



"Well I'm glad you think you're fine, but I don't. I know you better than that."

"You'll just have to put up with our hovering for awhile. You too, Owen." I said "I may cook a family dinner in a few nights, will the two of you come?" I asked Chad.

"Sure. Maybe."



"He means 'Yes Mom, of course we'll be there, anything for you'. Right son?"



I sighed. "Alright. Yeah. I'll be there. Okay?"

I smirked over at Brady "Owen?" I asked, looking over at him "Don't trouble yourself with saying no." I said and thought maybe he even smiled just a bit but he agreed to come too. "Good. It'll be really great."

"It'll be a grand old party," I said, smirking as I put my arm around Dove. "Maybe you can even show up early and spend time with your sister. She misses you."

"She really does, Chad. We know you've been going through a lot but Winter's been worried sick. You should make time to come and see her."