last family meeting

"This is our last family meeting..." Molly said half-heartedly, eyes getting teary.

"It ain't like we won't keep in touch.  No need to get so sensitive about it."

She looked at me, unimpressed at how invalidating I was being, but now really wasn't the time.  There was enough on my mind about traveling with Izaak next week... to my hometown... where I'd have to deal with family drama and buried emotions. (What the hell am I getting myself into?)

"Besides, it's so awkward nowadays between sergeant douche and Clo."

Molly tensed up, suddenly ready to change the subject.  "It was a good few weeks though, right?"  She now looked at Toby.  "Do you think we accomplished our original mission?"

Toby chuckled.  "I'm not even sure I remember our original mission."

"To torture me," I said, sticking my tongue out at him.

The doc shook his head with a smile.  "Not everything is about you."  Today he was seated beside Clo, a little too close for my comfort.  I didn't like how chummy they were getting lately — like she was basically living with him now.  Like a typical dude, he thought he had all the power over her, but it was clear she had him wrapped around her little finger.  But I didn't dare approach that subject with Toby... he'd assume I was being protective about Izaak or just mad that he wasn't with Vic.... and he wouldn't be totally wrong.

"Ten bucks says this time it was about me."

"Neither of you should be gambling," Izaak said.  He was so good at pretending like nothing had happened with Clo.

"Agreed," said Molly.  "But she's right.  We were impressed that her punishment from Gabe in front of us had actually worked."  She looked at me.  "Do you think the family meetings helped you behave?"

"Nah, I dunno if anyone can *make* me behave."

"Challenge accepted," Gabe said from across the room.

I rolled my eyes.  "Whatevz.  I'd just get better at hiding shit.  The only reason there's an illusion that it worked was because I let it work.  There were times I resisted, regardless of the punishment I'd get.  And if shit felt unfair, I'd be more likely to just do whatever the fuck I want."

Molly nodded, seemingly deep in thought.  "What about you Chloe?  Do you think it changed yours?"

Clo blushed a little at all eyes on her, reminding me of that first meeting when I thought she was so innocent.  I couldn't fathom the idea of this little white chick doing anything out of line.  Ha.  If only I'd known.

"I dunno.  I think yes.  Maybe it was because I wanted it to, though.  I like having an authority figure and obeying him."

I couldn't contain my snort.  "Who are you keeping this act up for??  The doc?"  

Her eyes narrowed a little then her expression changed to be more solemn, sad (she was def keeping up this act for Toby!).  "I'm serious.  I wish I had a family like this when I lived in Michigan... then maybe I wouldn't have to suffer these consequences." 

The room instantly felt sorry for her, but I looked at the ceiling, practicing impulse control for once in my life.  If there's anything I'd learned over the last few weeks it's that sometimes saying what's on my mind isn't worth it.  Probably something I should've learned years ago.

Molly looked at me.  "I think the meetings helped you more than you'll admit."

"Hey what the fuck?  You didn't call her out on that BS but you're calling me out?"  I can't always hold back my thoughts.

"It's not a bad thing that they're helpful.  Humans evolved to be social.  There must be something about the family dynamic in general that was helpful.  There's no way you can believe you only changed when you wanted to."

My eyes were going to get stuck in the back of my head with all this eyerolling people were provoking from me.  

"You know she's not going to admit it," Toby said.

"Wait, do you think I changed because of the family meetings???"

He shrugged.  "I'm not sure, but Molly has a point, and you are capable of being manipulated, whether you care to believe it or not."

[[[i don't even know where i'm going with this so i guess i'll just sleep now 😂😴🧸]]]