Disclaimers: see pt. 1
 

Part. 8

      Kym resumed her life as usual, and the rangers worked on her case. It was taking time, but the recent things took prescedence over past cases, so she had to be patient.

(2 weeks later)

     Tommy lay on his bed in the room he now shared with Tyler. Kym was sitting on the floor facing him.
     “He isn’t home an hour, and already he bosses me around. ‘Tommy! Mom needs help with dinner tonight!’ So? Mom would ask me if she wanted my help, and anyway, why doesn’t he help? He thinks he’s my keeper, but he isn’t!” Tommy stood.
     Kym stood and faced him, “Tommy, listen to yourself. You are acting immature and being a jerk about this. I know it’s hard, but make an attempt to get along with Trent.”
     Tommy half-smiled, but it quickly faded as a knock and “Tommy!” resonated throughout the room.
     “I mean it Tommy! Please try to be a little more clam, “Kym smiled and squeezed his arm, then opened the door.
     “Hi Trent,” Kym said to the angry man outside the door.
     “Tommy, I told you that Mom needed help,” he said, ignoring Kym.
     She could see Tommy getting angry, so she pulled Trent into the room and shut the door.
     “Kym...,” Trent began, but Kym cut him off.
     “Shut up! Neither of you say a word. Sit down!” They both stood there. “I mean it! You two apparently have some issues you need to deal with. And I’m sick of all of the crap I hear, so let’s try to work something out.” She looked at Tommy, “tell him why you’re mad.”
     He lost some of his anger as Kym looked him sternly in the eyes. “Well, I’m sick of you bossing me around. You think you can act like Dad. And now I have to live with you,” he stopped.
     Kym looked at Trent who began to speak. “I don’t know what your problem is, I’m just trying to help out here!”
     Kym played the psychologist, “Tommy, you need to listen to Trent more and try to work things out. Trent, you need to chill a little. Yes, you’re the man of the house, but not the only one. Work together. You two have been acting as if you hate each other and wish each other were dead! Don’t wish that. It’s my life story. Now, I’m leaving and you guys are going to talk things out!” Kym grabbed her things and left.
     From around the corner, Katie silently applauded her.