Authors: Alan Mindell
"Didn't seem to matter," she answered solemnly. "Didn't stop her running away."
"Still," he said after a pause. "She's a nice kid."
"She's a sweetheart.... That's what makes this so heartbreaking."
"Sorry the kids didn't come today," he said.
"Yes, Terry," she winked. "My brother is their uncle."
"Their uncle..." he said slowly, careful not to utter anything else foolish. "He close to the kids?"
"Not as close as I'd like. He's a doctor and doesn't have much time."
"Divorced...five or six years."
"Any other relatives living here?" he asked, dabbing his eye with the handkerchief.
"No, I've kind of gotten away from family," she said. "The few still alive."
"Quite a coincidence that you should know Carly," he commented.
"Not so much as you'd think. In my prime I worked with hundreds of kids at a time."
She shrugged and appeared a little uncomfortable.
"Stay a while," he coaxed, once they finally drew apart.
"Sound instincts," she smiled. "Besides an uncle, you might make a good mother."
They both laughed. As she drove off, he rubbed his left eye once more with her handkerchief.
The kiss had made that unmistakably clear.
"Dad, when can I get out of here?" Carly asked the next morning.
"The doctor doesn't want you going yet, honey."
"Why not...? I'm feeling much better."
"But I've been here more than a week," she debated, sitting up in bed.
"He's giving you medication," he said carefully. "To help withdrawal."
"Withdrawal...? Sounds like detox."
"I think that's what he has in mind. He says there's a good program right here at the hospital."
"But that's not what I have in mind," she answered sharply.
"I think you should listen to him."
"I listened to
you
back when we made our deal."
"I know honey. I'm just telling you what he said."
"I'm more interested in what
you
said and us keeping
our
deal."
"Our deal almost killed you," he replied softly.
"Dad, I have something to tell you."
"I had a baby in Texas," she said.
"I had to give him up," she continued. "No money. No place for us to live."
"Could you meet me at the hospital tomorrow?" Lauren asked Terry over the phone late that night.
"And maybe have lunch afterward..."
"Sure," he said, becoming curious.
Was this indication things were heading in the direction he hoped?
Rick headed sadly for the locker room. They'd have another game tomorrow night.
"Any news about the baby?" Carly asked, sitting up in bed.
"He's doing fine," Lauren reported.
"Any chance I could go see him?" she asked Lauren. "Once I get out of here."
"What would I have to do to get them back?"
"Are you asking for my help?" Lauren answered.
"Go through a drug program," Carly petulantly replied, scowling.
"You can't...? Or you won't...?"
"I think you're being silly,” Lauren said. "You've got your whole life ahead."
"A few days ago," Lauren said, "I told you I'd keep in touch, but I won't be able to much longer..."
"Because of me," Carly responded angrily. "Because I won't enter detox."
"What do you mean
because
of you?"
"Sick? What do you mean...sick?"
"But you're going to get better," Carly said, clearly alarmed.
"No Carly. According to the doctors... I'm not."
"We'll leave you with your dad now," Lauren said, then gave Carly a hug.
"Will you come back?" Carly asked. "I mean...as long as you're able."
"Yes," Lauren responded. "I'll come back."
"Let's not say anything now. Let's just go find a nice place to talk."