Episode Twenty-One

Bowen-Harris House

It's was five in the morning when Jamie walked up to the house and entered using the key Mike had made sure he had. David's car still wasn't in the driveway, and though he'd wanted to tell them what had happened at the same time, he knew he couldn't wait any longer before telling Jenny. He slowly walked up the stairs and knocked on Jenny's door before opening it and sticking his head in. "Jenny?" he called.

Jenny woke up and blinked a few times, rubbing her eyes. "Huh? Jamie?" she asked. "What's going on?"

"Something happened," Jamie said. "Last night, there was an accident. Your mom and my dad... the jeep went off the road."

"My mom?"

"She's hurt. Bad. But she'll be okay, in a few weeks she should be all better," Jamie assured his step sister as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"What about Mike?" Jenny asked, "Is he okay?"

"He, um, he was hurt really bad. Really, really, bad. And, uh, he... he didn't make it. He died about an hour and a half ago, I think. I kinda lost track of time after Malcolm woke me up at one, so I don't know for sure," he said. "But yeah, my dad's gone. But hey, your mom's gonna be okay..."

"Oh God," Jenny said. She kicked off her covers and shifted closer to Jamie, who put an arm around her.

"I, uh, I need to know if there's some relative of your's that you want me to call? I mean, I don't think your mom has any siblings, right?" Jamie asked.

Jenny shook her head. "Mom's an only child. Grandma's dead and Grandpa's in the nursing home... there's no one to call," she said, starting to cry. "Where's David?"

"I don't know, Jen," Jamie replied. "He, uh, his car's not outside, so I, uh, I don't think he's home..."

"I want to go to Med Center. That's where my mom is, right?" Jenny asked.

"Yeah, she was out of surgery when I left, but in an ICU room. It would help for her to hear you. But she, uh, she looks kinda bad. There's bruises and stuff. But just remember she'll be okay."

Jenny nodded. "Let me get dressed, okay? Then can we go?"

"Yeah, yeah, we can go then. I'm gonna go over to my place and get dressed, I just rushed out earlier," Jamie said. "I'll meet you out front in a few minutes. I'll call us a cab, too."

"Okay," Jenny said.

HFHS - Later

Summer walked into school, laughing with Matt about an arguement they had seen out front. "If I ever start picking fights in front of the entire school, hit me," Summer said.

"Trust me, I will, baby sister," Matt replied, laughing. He stopped laughing when he saw Maria and Diego standing near Maria's locker, both upset. "Uh-oh," he said, pointing them out. The siblings walked over to the other siblings.

"What's wrong?" Summer asked, putting a hand on Maria's back.

Maria looked up, tears trickling down her face. "It's Mike Bowen. He... he died last night."

"What?" Matt asked, shocked.

"There was an accident, while Mike and Rebecca were heading down to Denver. They were both really hurt, and Mike... he died. They got him to the hospital, and he lived long enough for Jamie to get there, then he... he died. Uncle Drew came by this morning and told us. We're suppose to tell all Jamie, David, and Jenny's teachers that they won't be in today."

Summer dropped her backpack to the floor. "Jamie's gotta be devastated," she said.

"Uncle Drew said he wasn't really reacting," Diego said. "That he was really calm."

"He's in shock," Matt said.

"Yeah, that's what Uncle Drew said," Maria confirmed.

Summer looked between the three, then grabbed her backpack off the floor and ran out the door.

"Summer!" Matt called after her.

"Where's she going?" Diego asked.

"She's going to see Jamie," Maria said.

"Damn it," Matt said, starting after his sister.

"No, he needs her, okay?" Maria said. "Just about anyone else will be upset that Mike's dead, but Summer barely knows him. She'll just be there for Jamie."

Med Center

Summer leaned against the wall of the elevator, trying to catch her breath. She had run all the way there from school, at least a mile and a half. And now the elevator was taking forever to reach the ICU floor. "Come on," she whispered as it clicked one floor higher. Finally it stopped and the doors opened.

Summer ran out and looked around. It took her only a moment to spot Jamie sitting on a couch, his heed in his hands. "Jamie?" she said as she approached.

Jamie lifted his head and saw her. He stood up and started towards her, meeting her halfway.

Summer wrapped her arms around him, not knowing what to say, so she didn't say a word. She just held him.

Jamie gripped the back of Summer's jacket, not crying, or showing any real sign of pain or grief, but still needing and accepting the comfort.

"I heard," Summer finally said. "Maria and Diego told me when I got to school."

"It's that late already?" Jamie asked, looking around for a clock. "I didn't think it'd been that long. I picked up Jenny at five..."

"Jamie?" Summer asked.

"What?"

"You're not crying? Don't people usually, cry?"

"I've cried enough in my life, Sum. Crying didn't bring my mom back when I watched her die, and it won't bring my dad back either. He's gone, why get all dehydrated and stuff if it's useless?"

"Jamie," Summer said. "It's not useless. You lost your dad, and..."

"It IS useless, Summer. He won't come back, no matter how hard I cry. I won't do it. I won't cry, and be a mess. Jenny needs me to be strong..."

"She's got David!"

"No, she doesn't. I don't know where the hell good ole David is, he never went home last night. There's no one to call for them, so Jenny needs me, and she needs me to be strong. I'm the closest thing she has to a big brother right now. Okay? I don't have the time or the energy to deal with dad right now. I have to concentrate on Jenny or I'll be completely worthless to everyone."

"Let someone else take care of Jenny. Let me take care of you."

"I just... I need to be in control, okay? I need it."

Summer nodded slowly and reached out, taking Jamie's hand. "Okay. But when you're ready, I'll be here."

"Thank you."

"Have you... slept at all? Or eaten?"

"I haven't slept since about 1 this morning," Jamie replied. "Haven't eaten since the reception."

"Why don't we go over to Papa John's and get a pizza or something?"

"No, I should stay, so that when Jenny's done visiting Rebecca I'll be here."

"Okay," Summer agreed. "Come on, let's go sit down."

"Shouldn't you go back to school?"

"Yeah, but I'd rather be with you."

Jamie smiled weakly. "Thanks."

They sat down on the couch and Summer rested her head against Jamie's shoulder as she kept a firm grip on his hand. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Just be here?"

"Always."

They fell into a silence, just sitting together. Jenny came out a few minutes later, her eyes red and puffy. Jamie got up and walked over to his stepsister, pulling her into a hug. "It's okay," he said, rubbing her back.

"She's not awake, yet. But I couldn't... I couldn't stay in there," Jenny replied, sniffling.

"It's okay," Jamie said. "Come on, we can... we can take Summer's suggestion and go get some food before we come back. Maybe your mom will be awake by then?"

Jenny nodded, then noticed Summer standing nearby. "Shouldn't you be at school?" she asked.

"I figured you and Jamie could use a friend around," Summer replied.

"But, school's gonna call you mom..."

"Oh crap," Summer said, just realizing how much trouble she was going to be in.

Neither Jamie or Jenny could keep themselves from snickering at the expression of sudden realization. "Call her," Jamie said. "There's a phone down th hall, I think."

"Good idea. I'll be right back," Summer said as she took off down the hall.

Jamie turned back to Jenny and wiped a tear off her face. "How about you go wash your face, okay? Clean up a little bit before we go. So... so fewer people will be jerks and stare."

"Yeah, okay," Jenny said. She turned to go into the bathroom then turned around and hugged Jamie again. "Thanks for waiting for me."

"Anytime, little sister," Jamie replied.

Down The Hall

Summer found the phone and quickly called her mom's office. After two rings, Janice picked up. "Mom?" Summer said.

"Where are you?" Janice demanded, angry. "I just got a call from your school that you didn't show up!"

"Mom, did you read the paper or watch the news this morning?" Summer asked.

"No, but there is nothing that could excuse you skipping school!"

"Mom! Mike Bowen's dead," Summer said, starting to cry. "Jamie's in shock or something, he's not really reacting. He's just being Mr. Strong Guy for his stepsister, and he needs me here, okay? He needs someone that won't be grieving for Mike, won't be devastated about his stepmother being hurt, someone who's just for him. Okay?"

"Oh my God," Janice said. "How?"

"Car accident when they were going down to Denver. I'm sorry I left school, Mom, but..."

"It's okay, honey," Janice said. "You just... you stay with Jamie and his stepsister, okay?"

"Okay, mom," Summer said. "I love you."

"I love you, too, honey."

Summer hung up the phone and wiped her face before heading back to the ICU waiting room. She found Jamie sitting on the couch alone. "Where's Jenny?"

"Bathroom, trying to clean up," Jamie replied. "Were you crying?" he asked when he looked up.

"A little."

"Are you in trouble?"

"I was, but I told my mom why I left school, and she understood."

"Good."

"I'm gonna go check on Jenny and clean up myself," Summer said. "We'll be right out."

"Okay."

End Of Episode Twenty-One