#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Actually" the teenage girl considers "I never thought of it that way, but your'e right. Lee's being very toleant. Did she tell you of the situation? "

"Just that you have some friends that need some counseling, and you're being a good friend in return to try to scout us out." His eyes crinkle a bit in amusement. "I hope I pass muster. It's a sad fact that often people go to one therapist who isn't a good fit, and can be turned off from it forever. We recommend 'shopping around', as it were."

"Actually that's what I've been doing" She admits "This place looked a lot more promising than many of the options."

"It's.. difficult, sir.. Denny. You have a woman who has been married for years to an abusive husband. She has two sons. She's told she needs to stay with the man to be a good wife and mother. Eventually, she realizes how toxic this is, tries to bring thing on a better path, the husband reacts with more abuse annd finally one of his sons stands up to defennd tthe mother.. police get involved and.. well, she wants a restraining order on her hopefully soon to be Ex. That said, she's very fragile. the younger son now seems to be deciding his dad wasn't THAT bad.. and is lashing out. Add to that court ordered therapy and .. well. I am hoping this place can help the three of them"

He frowns, and nods. "I'll be glad to help if I can. Understand that it's not something that is an easy 'fix'. Just like any injuries, pain takes time to heal. Speak to Lee at the front desk as well. I have colleagues in nearby centers that they can meet with as well if I'm not a good fit."

"I think that you'd do, " A glance to the Lion, "Courage seems to think you're okay, and I figure he would know. Do you have a personal card I can add onto pamphlets?"

He laughs. "Courage is our best judge of character. Of course." He digs around, and finds a card to offer.

She takes it, "Thank you, thank you and Lee. For being so patient." A smile "I won't keep you any further. I know you have others to help"

"Sure thing. You enjoy the rest of your day." He escorts her back to the front, where Bluebell is... on the floor, with Lee?? They are running their hands over the ground, looking for something.

When Gwen is spotted, Bluebell exclaims, "Ah! Found it!" She plucks something infinitesimal - or invisible?? from the ground. "Thanks for helping me."

"Don't mention it." Lee says, brushing off her knees. "You should look into disposable contacts though, less fuss if one gets lost."

"Oh it dropped again" She moves over

Bluebell blinks, and kneels next to Gwen. "Do you see it, hmm? Because I do not see much without my glasses." A sigh. "And I think I forgot my pocketwatch too. I might be late for a very important date, and I'd never know it."

"Got it" She mimes picking somethin up and says "And the pocketwatch is in the car" A look to Lee "Thank you so much for your patience with me and your understanding"

"Glad to help. I hope to see your friends sometime. If you ever need anything, just give us a call." They wave and Lee buzzes the door to let them out.

Bluebell peers quizzically at Gwen, but is quiet as they exit!

She looks up "Thanks for the distraction"

"Thanks for my contact!" She holds out a hand.

"Ah.."She hands her othin and hopes she's wrong about this

"you don't actually use contacts do you?"

Bluebell bats her lashes prettily. "Never! Now, anything else on the agenda?"

Downtown Watertown is a pretty place, nicely decorated streets with planters and sidewalk cafes. A splash of color catches Gwen's eye as a teen with BRIGHT GREEN hair walks on down the way, walking with a taller man who has a small boy on his shoulders. The girl looks familiar...

But didn't that floozy who tried to steal Ch - that is, Chuck's completely platonic childhood friend... have pink hair last time?

"Actually, I should head right to Chuck's family and..." A look at the girl Katie?

The small group is walking... towards Bluebell and Gwen. Yes, it's the girl from the art class. As they approach, Katie notices Gwen, and gives a little wave.

The small boy notices this and says, "'TRINA, is that your GIRLFRIEND??"
"Freddy, be polite!" The man says, "But if it IS her girlfriend, that's okay, because we love her however she is. Isn't that right, Katrina?"

Green hair, it turns out, does NOT pair well with bright red cheeks. "GOD, Dad. She's not. I'm not - having dyed hair doesn't make me a lesbian!" She protests in an embarrassed hiss.

Dad just smiles at her and adds, "But if you WERE, we'd still love you just as you are."

"Ugghghhhh...." She groans, and turns to Gwen. "Uh, Hi. I'm... SO sorry about them. They're the worst."

Bluebell is hiding a giggle behind her hand.

Gwen smiles sympathetically "At least they support you, even when they're getting wrong" Sympathetic shrug "Nice to see you outside of school, Katie."

"Yeah. We're supposed to see a movie, because it's my weekend with Dad. But we can't go see The Green Knight because it's rated R." A frustrated sigh as she rolls her eyes up towards the kiddo. "It looks like it's going to be Space Jam instead. But at least I can still eat popcorn."

Katie gives a glance over at Bluebell, and a low whistle at the car they're standing in front of. "Nice ride. What brings you out here?"

"Oh, we were looking into something for friends. Uggh, feel you about the Green Knight. The Trailer looks awesome. Space Jam should be fun though . See you later, I'd talk more but .. I have to go see someone"

"Yeah, see ya around." She turns to keep following after her dad. His voice filters back. "Your little friend looks nice. Next time you can invite her over if you want, maybe a sleepover?"
"I'm not seven..."
"I am!!" The boy crows. "And a HALF!"
...
Bluebell watches them go and then grins impishly over to Gwen, as she pushes the button on the car remote to make it chirp and unlock. "Your little girlfriend seems nice. Would you like to invite her for a sleepover?"

She watches them go, then looks at the pooka "aww bluebell, don't do that." GROAN...

"Someday I may have a small-medium or large Gwen of my very own, so it behooves me to practice." Bluebell giggles as she takes the driver's seat. "You know, the best part about driving? Drive Thrus!"

and she gets in the car

"Okay, but after that I'd like to visit the Chestertons?"

"Shall we take them Happy Meals?"

"I'm... not sure how they'll react to that...but tell you what, we could get happy meals for Briar, Rocholor and Blossom. Admit it, you kind of want to watch Marigold tell you how nice that is, even as he left eye twitches while we munch junk food"

a smile. Just because she sees Marigold like a second mother doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy giving a hassle now and then

"Happy Meals for all!" Bluebell brightens up. "I do love their fries. When - they - are- HOT." She punctuates this for importance, as they drive back towards Carthage. "Shall I drive through and then leave you to the Chestertons, so that the wee ones may have hot fries?"

"Yes, and that way you'll be returning a possibly stolen car alone. This protection urge only goes so far"

Bluebell taps her nose and smiles. "Also a drive through is the car wash. Ergo, I have a perfectly valid outing for the poor dear." She pats the dashboard and looks smug.

"Damn, Rabbit IS wise" She quotes the movie twister

"Don't you forget it!" Soon, the car is loaded up with happy meals - Briar's with a side of big macs - three of them! - and Gwen is on her way to the Chesterton's.

"Thanks, Bluebell" A hug, and when she parts, she goes to the front door of the Chesterton's and..knnocks. Pamphlets and card handy

(to Be continued)

It's quiet inside the Chesterton house, it takes a few moments for someone to answer the door. "Coming!" She hears Chuck bellow before he reaches and opened it - giving Gwen a surprised, but pleased look. "Gwen! What brings you by?"

"Well you do, and... well, I.. may have butted into your life" Sheepish

He looks a bit baffled. "Do you want to come in? Mom's out shopping, it's just me and Brett. He's been cooped up in his room playing games all day. All week, actually."

"Oh dear uhm..."She comes in and says "Brett still all pissy to your mom?"

Chuck glances at the bedroom door, but it remains closed. "Yeah, he's being a brat. He'll get over it. ..um, do you want a soda or something?"

"Sure but... uh.. have you guys already got a therapist?"

He's already sticking his head in the fridge, and almost gives himself a conk on the noggin at that. "You mean that court stuff? No, nothing yet. I figured I could just go see the counselor at school until they stopped bugging me about it."

He offers her a coke or a sprite, her choice.

"Well," She takes the coke "I got this for your mom and you and Bret only, I don't think you want him to see it yet he might throw it in the trash." She hands tthe pamphlets over "it seems warm and friendly and willing to work"

"That's really nice of you. You didn't have to go to the work... " He accepts them and looks at them. "This place looks nice, though. Good luck getting Brett there, though. The only thing he asks about is when Dad's coming back." A scowl. "Little brat."