After we finished dinner the ride back to Caring Hearts was pretty silent. I sat in the front seat and looked out the window as the city went by us still thinking about what puzzle the man in the driver seat is. People in this city really love him because of his charitable donations as well as his music. What I can't figure out is how he can walk around in public without security? He really feels that safe around here? If I were him I'd have Tony with me all the time. Prince was comfortable just walking around Minneapolis with nobody to protect him. It worried me a little. I didn't want to worry but I did just out of pure instinct. He began to grow on me the more time we spent together. When we stopped ad a red light I turned to him and just looked at how cool this guy really was. How did I not know who he was but Joey knew all about him. I felt kinda like an idiot. I think he knew I was just sitting there staring at his ora of awesomeness because he looked at me at the corner of his eye then turned his face to meet mine. Out of an afraid reaction I quickly turned away and looked out the window.

  "I saw that Carlyn." He said with a smile on his voice.

  "You saw nothing sir." I said trying my best to be coy.

  "You were staring awfully hard for me to not see anything. What's on your mind girl?"

  "Nothing. Just.....you can walk around here without your muscle with you. Shouldn't you be guarded at all times?"

  "This is my home. Why would I need protection from my own city?"

  "Because there are some sickos out here looking for a handout. You my friend are dollar signs to them and once they snatch you up nobody would even notice."

  "Oh people would notice. I have eyes all over the place.

We sat in silence for a moment. Then Prince cleared his throat and broke the tension that was present once again in the car.

  "So I have something to tell you kid." He said.

  "I knew that was gonna happen. What's the matter now?" I asked him jokingly.

  "I have to go away for a while. My touring schedule across the country starts on Monday so we won't see each other for a few weeks."

My heart began to sink to my feet.

  "But why can't I go with you?"

  "Because you have to get an education. That's more important. It's not like I'm leaving forever is just until the weekend of october 27th."

  "NO! But Prince that's my birthday! I wanted to actually spend that day with you!"

Prince was silent as he kept his focus on the road. We finally pulled up the the orphanage and he put the car in park. He knew that I was sad about him not being here for my birthday. I actually wanted him to spend the day with me. I've never spent a single birthday outside of the hell hole and it would have been a nice change of pace.

  "I'm so sorry Carlyn." He said as he place a hand on my knee.

  "It's cool. I was just being selfish I guess."

I opened the car door and got out pulling my book bag with me and closed the door. He got out and met me at the top of the steps.

  "Before we go in just remember it's not forever. I will be back. I'll try to come back sooner but I can't make any solid promises. Can you at least give me a happy face until I see you again?"

I tried to work up my best smile but I was just too sad. I was really gonna miss this guy. We may have our difference but he makes me feel wanted when nobody else does. Finally Wilkinson came to the door with that old wrinkly ass smile as she welcomed me back to the shit hole.

  "Hello Carlyn! Joey was asking for you! He's upstairs waiting for you. How was she today Mr. Nelson?"

  "Oh she was no trouble. She's become a joy to be with." Prince said as he still kept his eyes on my sad looking face.

  "Well that's very good to hear. Carlyn, get ready for bed dear. School tomorrow."

I didn't snap back like I usually would. I just made my way to the steps. I got maybe four steps up when Prince had stopped me.

  "Carlyn hold on!" He said.

I turned to him trying not to look at his face. He pulled out a sheet of paper and a pens from his jacket pocket and scribbled what looked like a phone number down.

  "Take this and call me whenever. If I don't answer leave a message with the receptionist and I'll call you as soon as I can. Ask for the name on the other side. I'm hope to hear from you." He said.

I folded up the piece of paper and gave him a hug as I began to feel my eyes well with tears.

  "I miss you already Prince." I said.

  "I know kid. I'm starting to miss you too. But you can call me now so I won't be so far away. Before long I'll be back and we'll be spending time together again."

Prince's hug got tighter around me. It felt like he didn't want to let me go. When he finally did we looked at each other and noticed that we were both in tears.

  "You better go. I have to make sure Joey's alright. I'll call you on Sunday night before we go to bed."

  "I'll be waiting little girl."

  "Have a nice trip. Skipper!" I said with a small giggle.

  "You really are something. Call me. And not your little boyfriend." He joked.

  "Hey! I don't have a boyfriend. Yet." I joked back.

He flashed a smiled and walked out the door. I left the warden in the dust and bolted to my room.

  "Joey come here quick!" I shouted.

Joey came to the top of the steps and I pulled him to my room. We went inside to the window and I pointed down to the black car.

  "See that car? That's Prince. Call him!" I told Joey.

He yelled as loud as he could out the window.

  "HI PRINCE!"

Prince looked up and saw us waving to him from his car as he waved back. He put the car in drive and away he went.