A note: just a reminder from the last chapter - this is set at least 10 years ago.
I would love comments - I really want to improve my writing but need feedback to be able to tell what is/isn't working. Thanks for reading and please rate if you enjoy it.
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Brookes implemented new programs that were far more fun, and voluntary, than the old ones. With Willis gone, he had a word with the doctor and the priest, letting them know that they were no longer operating under the old rules and informed consent was mandatory. Though the atmosphere was almost vacation-like, through it all Sean was miserable, immune to attempts to bring him out of his funk by Logan, Brookes, and James. Everywhere he went in the compound he was reminded of being happy with Jake.
So, he was relieved when Saturday came and Brookes took him home. He'd said goodbye to Logan and James and the others, promising to see them in the real world, but his heart wasn't in it even though he knew he'd miss their easy companionship.
When they drew up in front of his house Brookes turned to Sean.
"I want to thank you. Your presence there did more than you could ever know." Sean hugged him.
"So has yours, with me. I know a lot more about myself than I think I ever would have without you." Sean stood on the path waving Brookes off, reluctant to enter the house.
Finally, he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the non-judgmental, free air of 'here', before entering 'there'. He was greeted with a 'Welcome Home Sean' banner strung above the breakfast bar, clearly handcrafted by his little sisters. Sophie saw him first and squealed her delight, running over for a full-body bear hug. He hugged her back before turning to Katy and repeating the process.
To his surprise, Alexie was standing beneath the banner, with a wide smile on her face and waggling eyebrows - clearly trying to tell him something. He had no idea; he'd just run with whatever she did. That was the usual procedure with free-spirited Alexie anyway. He briefly shook hands with his stern stepfather and hugged his mom, who buried her face in his neck and sobbed.
"It's so good to have you back Sean, we've missed you so much."
Alexie strode over when Sean had managed to extricate himself from his mother's clutches and wrapped him in a huge hug.
"Go with it," she whispered in his ear, before pulling back and planting a warm kiss on his lips. It was like an old sweater, they'd done this so many times before, and he had no problem putting on an enormously heterosexual show, to the point where his stepfather finally coughed disapprovingly.
"Eurgh, gross," Sophie blew a raspberry and she and Katy went off to grab snacks from the platters laid out on the counter. Alexie held Sean's shoulders.
"It's so good to see you Sean," she was waggling those damn eyebrows again. "You're so naughty, going to wilderness camp without even telling me." She batted his upper arm coquettishly. Sean thought she was laying it on a bit thick, but his mother seemed to be lapping it up, smiling indulgently at their interaction.
"Well...you know...away from people and all that..." he managed not to laugh, just, "I've missed you, too, Al" he said, hugging her to him.
Sean's mom asked Alexie to watch the girls and gestured for Sean to follow her to his stepfather's study.
"Sean, we truly are happy to have you back, and we're very happy you and Alexie don't seem to have been negatively affected by your little...problem," Sean managed to keep his face neutral, despite the cacophony of thoughts behind his dulled eyes.
"But you know you'll have to earn our trust back," she continued.
"Of course, mom, I understand," he knew his voice was monotone, but it's the best he could do. She handed him his college laptop.
"Log in, and then onto that Facebook," Sean did as he was told. He didn't see that he had an alternative. He saw that he had multiple messages waiting, but before he could click his mother whipped the computer from his hands.
She clicked, and read through some. Sean knew they would be innocent enough. Sam wouldn't have messaged lately and most would probably be about sports or lectures, probably asking where the hell he was. Then she spoke.
"Who is 'Jake'?"
"Just a friend I met there," Sean said, praying he hadn't said anything sexual in the message, "what does he say?" he added, optimistically.
"Just asked you to message him. I don't think so though. We want to put this unfortunate time behind us. I don't think any of us need to be reminded of you needing to go there," she clicked the delete button, and Sean had to stop himself from crying out in dismay.
"What is it with young people today not even using their real names on this 'social networking'?" she questioned her husband absently. She clicked into the settings and adjusted the password details. Then she did the same to his MySpace account.
"One of the ways to regain our trust will be by moving away from all this silly technology. You can spend time with appropriate friends in person. If you need the internet for study you can use the house computer when we are here. I also threw away your phone; far too much risk," Sean had been given an iPhone 2 for Christmas. His mother handed him his old flip phone.
"You can use that to talk to Alexie. I have given her your number. I will be checking your phone, so don't go adding more numbers without checking with me," she said with what she probably thought was a calming smile.
"Of course," Sean mumbled.
Sean was becoming frustrated with the litany of rules his mother was putting in place. He could only be out of the house for classes, study and exercise and she had to know where he was at all times.
"Mom, I can't live like that, I'm an adult. What about Alexie? She's not going to put up with never being able to go anywhere," he demanded.
