| "Well I guess congratulations are in order…does Hank's family know yet?" Charlie asked as the waitress brought his beer. "No not yet..I think it will be best on postponing the announcement, with his mum being so ill." Caroline responded. She didn't know Anne that well, but from what Hank had described, she was almost a saint. So even though she and Hank had been dating for the better part of a year, she'd always found reasons not to visit the Kahns too often. It was a sore subject for her and Hank, but finally she'd managed to get him to understand her reservations. After all, she wasn't the perfect first wife, like apparently Sarah had been, and lord knew Jeff and Ginger knew that she was definitely no saint. She was trying very hard to be likeable and to get respect, but she knew she had an uphill battle to fight if she wanted to win his family over. "Poor Mrs. K. You know she's like my own mum..mother. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her you know." "Yes Charlie, I believe that, you do have a soft spot for your friends. That's not an insult..I think that your loyalty is one of your best qualities." Charlie put his beer down. "What are you doing Caroline? Did you forget your money or something? " "No, love, don't be so suspicious…I've changed. A person is allowed to change, you know. This is America, and like you always told me, if you want something badly enough you can find a way to get it." "It seems you'd figured that out even before you met me." He remarked. "Charlie! I'm trying to be friends , that's all…I don't need to be insulted.." She stood up. "Caroline sit down. Please. I'm sorry, I guess I just have to get used to this new you." She grinned. "that's okay Charlie…if anyone has any reason to hate me still it would be you." Just then they were interrupted by a happy little girl. "Charlie!" "Emma! How is my best girl?" He picked her up and sat her on his lap. "Oh I see you brought your boyfriend." "He's not my boyfriend!" Emma laughed. "Yeah I'm not her boyfriend!" Michael added. "My mistake." Charlie laughed. "How's it going Charlie. Hello, " Al nodded over at Caroline. "Al. How's Mrs. K? I've been worried sick about her…" "It's not good Charlie. " Al said simply. Right now he was here for a beer, not sympathy…although God knew that if he did need it Charlie would be a good buddy to have around. But Charlie took a hint and changed the subject. "So what are you doing with this little princess? Gina working again?" "Yeah, she's pretty busy now with her sewing…and we like helping out. No one can afford a babysitter these days." "Well Gina knows that I would…" "Well hello there Michael! Look at those curls..why you're as handsome as your father." Caroline said. She could tell Charlie was about to start griping about Gina. Maybe she didn't know very much about kids, but she did know that it wasn't best to talk about the child's parent in front of them. That she'd learned from hard experience. Thinking back to her own childhood, she recalled all the fighting her parents had done, and how she'd heard all the nasty things her mom had to say about her father. Even though she knew Charlie and Gina wouldn't intentionally hurt little Emma, Caroline still knew how harmful those bitter feelings could be for an innocent child. Michael looked at his dad. "Son you remember Hank's girlfriend, Miss…" "You can call me Caroline honey. " "Where's Hank at? " "he's out of town, love, but I promise you he's doing his best to come back here. When he gets back would you like for us to visit you?" "He should visit Mommy..she's feeling really bad right now." Michael said sadly. Charlie looked over at Al. "Hey can uncle Charlie buy you an ice cream? And Emma too?" "sure!" the kids'faces lit up. "Charlie why don't you let me take the kids up to the counter."Caroline suggested, then took the kids. "What's gotten into her? I've never seen her that nice to you." Al whispered when she and the kids left. "I don't know, I am asking myself the same thing. The only time she's ever been that nice to me is when she wants something." Charlie replied. "Well keep your guard up." "That I will do. So how is Mrs. K?" "Charlie it doesn't look good. Now it looks like she has something called post polio syndrome, which no one told us about, but then again most people don't live long enough to get this syndrome. So the doctors are saying I should be thankful that she's made it this far, but I'm not so sure..I mean…why give her hope if there's never going to be hope?" He shook his head. "Sorry, I'm just frustrated, mad…" "You don't have to apologize…" "This sounds bad..but I'm even mad at God. I mean, she's the most devoted person I know, she doesn't have a mean bone in her body… stubborn, yes, mean, no…She deserves a better hand than what she has been given." " I heard that brother." Charlie said, wishing he could do more. But at this point, there wasn't too much anyone could say or do for Al, or his wife. She'd definitely been given a raw deal, and it looked like things were going to get worse for a while. |
