“Clay Carlin?”

“Yes.”

“My name is Detective Cain, I’m with LAPD. I wanted to talk with you about your father for a moment.” Clay couldn’t help the tears that formed in his eyes as his heart began to beat faster.

“Your father is on his way to the hospital now along with your sister, Spencer and they are both doing okay.” Clay couldn’t help the small whoop of joy that escaped. He smiled sheepishly at the nurse’s disapproving glare.  He heard the detective laughing, “Well, I’m glad I made you happy there.” Clay smiled as he quickly asked, “So, this…this was all a mistake then? I knew it, I told Aiden that was no way that dad could ever hit mom or hurt anyone else. I knew it! ? Uhm… Hello?…Are you still there?” Detective Cain was quiet. She didn’t know how to respond to Clay’s questions, “I guess my advice would be, to talk to your father about what happened. Just remember, he didn’t create the situation he found himself in and he did the best thing that he knew how, to resolve it safely, for everyone. Clay, again, your dad will see you soon, take care.” As Clay handed the phone back to the nurse, his eyes clouded in confusion, ‘Why didn’t she agree that dad hadn’t hurt anyone?’  He sullenly headed back over to the waiting area.

* * * * *

Glen was going crazy; first his parents left, now Clay and no one would tell him anything! When his brother had come back in from talking with Chelsea, it had been obvious that something was very, very wrong. Clay was never a good liar and when he told Glen that he had decided to go home for a little while to shower and change clothes, Glen could see right though his feeble explanation. What he couldn’t figure out was what was so important that his brother felt that he had to leave him alone to attend to. Glen closed his eyes as his headache worsened. He heard the door to his room open, he opened his eyes slightly and involuntarily his eyes widened in shock as he saw who had come in.

* * * * *

Arthur turned around in the car’s seat to check on Spencer, she was leaning against the car’s door, her eyes closed. He could hear her softly snoring. He turned back around and caught Detective Cain looking at him, “Is something wrong?”. Arthur asked concerned.