CAROLINE ENTERED the Diner with RJ in her arms. She wanted to check on Tian-Chen. Finding out that Sara was the reason her husband was dead couldn't have been easy. Tian-Chen loved Sara so that's what made it even worse

"How are you doing?" Caroline asked as she took a seat at the counter. Tian-Chen smiled before she gently brushed RJ's hair and then continued doing work. Caroline shouldn't have been shocked. Tian-Chen wasn't one to say much after all. The Diner door opened and Tabitha and Ethan came in. Tabitha was carrying a box

"Good morning. Uh, I'm dropping these off for storage" Tabitha told Tian-Chen. She nodded and motioned for Tabitha to follow her. Tabitha and Tian-Chen went into the back. Caroline turned and looked at Ethan

"How you doing, buddy?" Caroline asked

"Okay.. I guess" Ethan shrugged. Caroline softly smiled before RJ began pulling at her hair. She turned to RJ and gave him a boop on the nose before pulling her hair out of his fingers. "Is that your baby?"

"Yeah, this is RJ. He's seven months old. He's adorable ain't he?" Caroline asked

"Yeah.." Ethan said

"Ethan" Tabitha called for him

"I got to go.. bye" Ethan said before he went in the back to find his mother

☆♡☆

CAROLINE ENTERED the Liu household to check up on Kenny. Caroline walked into the kitchen to see Kenny sitting at the dining table carving chess pieces from wood. She softly smiled

"Didn't know you were such a craftsman" Caroline said

"I'm not really" Kenny said as he kept shaping the piece of wood

"Do you want to talk about anything?" Caroline asked as she took a seat on the counter

"I'm not in the mood to talk about what happened with my Dad.. everyone keeps looking at me with such pity.. and I'm sick of it.." Kenny said angrily before he accidentally sliced his finger. "Fuck!"

Caroline grabbed a rag and wet it before coming over to Kenny. Blood dripped onto the table from his wound

"Let me see it" Caroline said. Kenny held out his hand and she applied to wet cloth to it. Kenny looked like he was on the verge of breaking. "You can just let it out.. no need to be tough around me"

Kenny looked at her before he put his head on her shoulder and began crying. Caroline kept her hands on his, applying pressure to his cut

"It's not fair.. none of this is fair.. why did Sara do that?! My mom trusted her! She was like family!" Kenny screamed into her shirt as he completely broke down. It broke Caroline's heart as she nodded

"Let it all out.." Caroline said softly as he continued crying

"Why him? Why did my dad have to die? How could she.. how could she do that? It's not fair.. it's not fair.." Kenny sobbed. Caroline just comforted and let him vent for as long as he needed. She would be there for him. Eventually Kenny seemed to calm down a bit. In that time Caroline had bandaged and cleaned his cut

"Maybe I should spend the night in town.. we can have a sleepover.. I know your mom would be happy to play with RJ" Caroline said trying to lighten the mood

"You might not get RJ back" Kenny said as he wiped his tears and laughed

"That's a risk I'll just have to take" Caroline smiled

☆♡☆

CAROLINE WALKED up to Colony House to inform Donna that she'd be staying in town. This kind of thing wasn't typically allowed but Caroline was sure that Donna would make an exception considering Kenny's circumstances. Caroline entered Colony House and into the kitchen to see Donna drinking a glass over water

"Donna" Caroline said. Donna turned and looked at her

"What can I do for you, kiddo?" She asked

"I wanted to let you know I'm staying in town for the night with RJ.. Kenny isn't doing to well and I want to be there for him" Caroline said. Donna sighed

"You know that really isn't allowed" Donna said. Caroline smiled

"If you don't let me go I'll let RJ cry all night" Caroline said with a grin

"I'll see you tomorrow" Donna said as she laughed before walking out. Caroline giggled herself before seeing Clara

"RJ is.." Caroline asked

"Julie has him.. she's up in Ellis and Fatima's room" Clara said. Caroline nodded before heading up the stairs and into Fatima's room. She opened the door and saw Julie on her stomach resting on the floor, staring at RJ who was on his stomach staring at her. Drool dripping down his face as he cooed

"Having fun?" Caroline asked causing Julie to jump as she scrambled to turn around. "Relax.. I'm just here for my little crotch gobling"

"Sorry.. I should've asked you.. we don't really know each other-" Julie was cut off

"I left RJ with Fatima and if she left RJ with you, she must trust you, and I trust her. It's all good. I will never complain about someone babysitting" Caroline smiled making Julie smile back

"Did you have him here?" Julie asked as Caroline walked over and picked up RJ

"No, he was a month old when I arrived.. that was hell, I mean the only thing this little shit could eat was breast milk. I was so glad I had a pump in my bag, but it was pure hell having to wake up every three hours trying to feed him. I drove everyone in the house mad" Caroline laughed

"Is it hard?" Julie asked causing Caroline to raise an eyebrow. "To be here, raising a child by yourself?"

"I feel like the answer is in that question but yeah, it's pretty fucking hard.. but I've managed so far.. everyone in the town helps a lot.. so I've never felt alone or without support. Oh, by the way.. if Fatima and Ellis get.. you know.. I won't be in my room tonight, you're free to use it" Caroline said

"What? Why?" Julie asked

"Staying with the Liu's. Gotta be there to support them like they've helped me" Caroline said

"Thanks for the offer.. it's really nice of you" Julie said

"Consider it a thank you for watching RJ" Caroline said before walking out with a wink

☆♡☆

"AND SO ONE of his groomsmen, total asshole by the way. I had always hated that guy but Randall saw no issue with the guy which was fair because he'd never been rude to me.. but he was an asshole to everyone else. Anyway, we were literally just about to do our vows.. we're literally in front of everyone about to get married and his friend, Shawn makes a comment to another one of the groomsmen. Something like 'that dress makes her tits look nice' or some shit I don't remember. I mean, I barely heard it because he was so quiet but Randall did. Next thing I know Randall's fist is connected with the dude's jaw. I was gobsmacked. We were literally getting married and now he's beating on one of his groomsmen" Caroline began and Kenny listened intently

"You know, I'm screaming at him to stop, everyone else is just watching in shock. I literally ran over in my big ass wedding dress and had to yank him off. God, I was so pissed and embarrassed in that moment. I was like 'what the fuck are you doing?' And all he says was 'He disrespected you'. And I had to process it. I was like what? And then I was really hor- anyway.. that was probably the hottest thing he'd ever done" Caroline laughed. Kenny laughed with her

"Your wedding day sounded like a mess" Kenny laughed

"I mean that was just one of the many things that happened. It was such a shit show.. but I loved it. Wouldn't change a damn thing. Not the food being ruined because the freezers broke at the place we rented, or the drinks getting knocked over leaving broken glass all over the floor. Or even the speakers that blew out during the party. It was such a shitty night. I mean all of my planning went to shit in a couple hours. Months of planning ruined just like that, but it was all okay. He made it okay.. I was literally sobbing as everything went to shit during that party. No music, no drinks, no food. All he did was put some music on his phone, picked me up, because he refused to let me step on glass even though I was wearing shoes and he danced with me. Oddly it was perfect.. I really miss him" Caroline said with a frown as tears threatened to fall from her eyes

"You'll see him again, I know you will" Kenny comforted her. She quickly wiped her eyes before she laughed

"No, I'm supposed to be comforting you, not the other way around" Caroline laughed

"You are. It's nice to just talk. Thank you for everything. I mean, my mom enjoys taking care of RJ. When she heard you were coming she got everything ready for him. She had mashed up food and a little bed for him. It was nice to see her happy. Thank you. You're helping more than you know" Kenny said which made Caroline smile

(1570 words)
11/05/24