Chapter 37 - Almost Normal

Day 37 - Rolled 8 Teen earns 50 babysitting.

With school back in session, and Reid still in the hospital, things were settling into an eerily calm and normal routine. There were no threats to deal with or fear of Reid calling or showing up.


Kaitlin was doing well at the Salon and always had plenty of clients. In fact, she was occasionally called to a client’s home for a private makeover or wardrobe consult. She had no idea she would enjoy this job so much.

She also invested in a drafting table and began working on fashion ideas at home when she didn't have appointments at the salon.

Reese was working his part time job and still managing to do his homework. Any extra time he had was spent with Brooke. Brooke was such a trooper. She had decided to go to school even though she was pregnant. The two of them didn't try to hide the fact that Reese was her baby's father.

In fact Reese had officially proposed to her - engagement ring and all. He saved up from playing for tips and his job to buy it for her. Brooke’s father was happy that Reese 'had done the right thing' and made it official. Kaitlin wasn't so sure and insisted they still had to wait until after graduation to get married.

Even though Kaitlin didn't like it, the engagement seemed to make Reese and Brooke very happy. They were settled and focused and very much in sync with one another. Kaitlin prayed every day they would have the fairy tale that she had hoped for when she married Newt.

Ben was doing much better since his outburst. School had given him an outlet, although he did ask about Reid's condition daily. He hadn't forgotten Kaitlin's promise that she would take him to see Mr. Reid.

Kaitlin thought the best part of this strangely uneventful time was that she saw Leroy everyday after work, plus he spent the entire weekend with them. She honestly almost felt normal again. Almost. She was learning what it was like to be truly happy - even with the hodgepodge of a family she was rapidly acquiring. Kaitlin longed for the day she would have enough money to buy a house. But for now, this was more than she ever hoped for and she would take it a day at a time.

* * *

When the phone rang early Saturday morning, Kaitlin held her breath. Leroy was sleeping in the bed next to her so she knew it wasn't him. When she saw it was Candy, Kaitlin groaned inwardly and answered the phone. She liked Candy a lot, but Candy wasn't doing well with Dakota and Kaitlin was nervous that she might ask her to keep her daughter again. She was relieved when all Candy wanted was for Reese to babysit Dakota for the afternoon. When she asked, he said he and Brooke would be happy to - he could use the money anyway.



Reese decided it would be best to take Maddy with them like they did before. It made watching Dakota painless since the two girls entertained each other so well. When Maddy found out they were going to see Dakota she squealed. Then she jumped up and down and clapped her hands saying, “Kota! Kota! Gonna see Kota!”

Kaitlin laughed at her because she was so excited but at the same time felt kind of bad that Maddy didn't have any playmates her own age. Maddy would get frustrated with the 'babies’ because they couldn't walk or talk yet. Although they crawled pretty darn good.

Now that Reese could drive, it made things so much easier. Kaitlin wouldn't have to take them. Reese decided at the last minute to take Sam too. He wanted Brooke to spend as much time with his son as she could. The unlikely trio, Reese carrying little Sam with Maddy toddling along behind, left to pick up Brooke and then on to Candy’s house.

* * *

A few hours later the four of them returned home. "How did it go?" asked Kaitlin.

Reese looked at Brooke before answering, "The kids were fine and had a good time. Candy, well she was a bit - what Brooke - distracted?"

Brooke frowned before answering, "Yes ma'am. She was um, sad, like she had been crying and when we left, Dakota cried and Candy got a little upset. Of course Maddy wasn't happy either. I felt so bad for them."

"Did she say what was wrong?" asked Kaitlin.

"No, but she did say she would call you," said Reese as he put Maddy down. Then he dug in his pocket and proudly presented his mother with the $50 that Candy had given him to sit with Dakota. “For the house fund,” he said simply. Kaitlin just smiled and thanked him but couldn't get Candy out of her mind. She would have to ask Leroy if he knew anything they could do to help her.

* * *

The next morning Kaitlin and Leroy were sitting at the table having coffee. Kaitlin picked up the paper. The headlines were once again about the fire. Her calm was nearly shattered again. It had been confirmed that arson was indeed the cause of the fire and since there was a death as a result of the fire, it was a homicide as well. The Feds had been called in to help with the investigation. The thought that someone deliberately set the fire sent chills through Kaitlin.

"Oh my God Leroy. It was arson! Who would deliberately set fire to that house?"

Leroy shrugged. "Not much telling. It seems strange. No one was killed except the fireman. Maybe the people that owned the house did it for the insurance or to hide something."

"That's horrible. I'm going to call and see how Reid is doing," said Kaitlin softly. She knew Leroy wouldn't like it and sure enough he looked at her like she had two heads.

"Kate, why?" he asked shaking his head and begged, "Please don't do that."

"Ben will ask and I need to be able to tell him something," explained Kaitlin.

"How long are you going to let this go on? When are you going to tell Ben the truth? He deserves to know that SOB isn't going to be a part of his life Kate."

Kaitlin stood up to get her phone, "I'm sorry Leroy. Ben is so fragile. Maybe once Reid is well, he can just sort of disappear from his life, then we won't have to say anything."

Leroy stood up, now angry. "That's bullshit and you know it Kate!!  Why can't you just accept he is a deranged jerk and that somehow we have to find a way to stop him! He won't quit on his own!"

Kaitlin didn't know what to say and couldn't look at Leroy. He came up behind her and wrapped her in his arms. "I'm sorry Kate. I'm not trying to frighten you, but you know I'm right," he said softly.

Yes, she thought, Leroy is right. Reid is a jerk and had threatened them both. Why couldn't she reconcile that with the man? Was it really because of Ben or because she wanted to 'fix' him because she feels like she caused his wrath. Or maybe because he reminded her of her husband. He was accustomed to getting what he wanted and when things didn't go his way, he went off the deep end using violence and threats to deal with it. If I can make it right, then I won't have ruined two men.

"Kate?" said Leroy when she didn't respond.

"It's okay. I need to call before Ben gets up." Kaitlin extracted herself from Leroy and pulled out her phone. Leroy watched helplessly while she got the information. They told her he was still in Intensive Care but out of imminent danger. They expected him to be moved into a regular room in one or two days. At that time he could receive visitors during visiting hours. Kaitlin let out a sigh of relief.

"Leroy, he's going to be okay. They are moving him out of ICU in a day or two. Then Ben can go visit."

"You and Ben aren't going alone," said Leroy stoically.

Kaitlin, reached up and touched his face tenderly, "Leroy, you are so sweet, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to go in the room. In fact he would probably throw you out."

"I will wait outside, but you will not go alone. Promise me."

"I promise," said Kaitlin.

"Good. Now, sexy Kate," said Leroy huskily and pulled her to him, "Seal it with a kiss."

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