No Sleepover For Chris

Tam threw her arms around Serenity and began to cry. "Thank you... thank you... thank you..." Then she looked to Kent. "I'm gonna help you too. You're not alone now, Kent..."

Then she finally nodded at River's insistence that they leave. She did, sadly, need to go home and pack some things for herself and Chris. So once they all headed out it was just a matter of running in and getting what they needed, and she prayed that her father was out cold on another binge.

Sadly, he wasn't.

"Where have you and Chris been?" He muttered from his old recliner.

"Out." Tam said, her heart sinking like a stone.

"While you were working?"

"Chris was fine... he..."

Her father was on his feet in an instant. "You had strangers watching him? What the fuck were you thinking? Where is he now?"

Tam frowned. "In the car... I was gonna take him to stay at our friends again..."

"No." He said, looming over her now. "You both are staying here."

"You can't tell me what to do anymore..." Tam managed to say under her breath.

That resulted in a smack. "You think I can't??? Fuck you! I'm your father and you listen to me!"

"I'm an adult now! I can do what I want!" Tam shouted.

Her father hissed. "Fine... but Chris stays with me. You wanna go out there and party with your little friends and get knocked up by some shitbird, that's fine by me but my son stays here."

"No, please. They're his friends too don't let him."

"Now!" He raised his hand at her again.

Tam snapped. "Touch me again and I'll fucking call the cops! I'll get child services in here and show them what you're doing to us! My friend, Serenity has a good fucking lawyer, I'll have Chris in my custody before they're done delousing your filthy fucking ass!"

He glared at her. "You wouldn't fucking dare!"

"Watch me!" Tam then marched out of the house and went to her car. Her heart was trying to beat out of her chest and her face was red. She went to Chris and opened the door. "Baby, you gotta stay here for a little bit, okay?"

Chris gave her a pouty face. "But I wanted to hang out with you and Serenity and River."

"I know and I'm sorry but... Dad insists you stay... I'm gonna get you out though, okay?"

Chris visibly deflated, but nodded. "Okay..."

She kissed his head. "I promise, Chris. Things are going to get better."

She led Chris to the door where her father was already shouting at her. She ignored him. She had finally had enough. She was going to get the ball rolling on this once and for all.

"That's right you stupid bitch! Run! You have no home here!" Her father shouted.

"This was never a home!" She hollered back. "But I'm gonna change that! You're fucking finished!"

She hopped into her car and drove off to meet up with Serenity and the others, tears and sweat soaking her face as she looked to Serenity. "Please tell me you can get that lawyer of yours on the phone..."

---

Something about how Kevin had said that didn't sit right with Max. He felt a chill. Like a dark shadow had come over the whole town. He drove to Kevin's apartment but before he pulled up he looked to Kevin.

"Mind if we go somewhere before heading back home? I wanna talk with Serenity and see if we can't get that girl some help... I... I feel like it needs to happen sooner rather than later..."