Chapter 5 - It IS Better

Day 5 - (rolled 1/2 price groceries)

They had already been at the firehouse for 2 weeks and life at the firehouse was awesome! There was so much for the boys to do! The firefighters had tons of recreational activities since they have to live there for days and sometimes weeks at a time. They needed something to entertain them.


Ben quickly found the trampoline and chess table. Kaitlin hoped this would help Ben begin to open up, but sadly he does these things by himself - not really seeking out any company. Maybe if I were around more like I used to be...but no...nothing would ever be like that again. As bad as this is, it IS better, thought Kaitlin.

There was even a gym in the basement. Reese found that and splits his time between that and the video games.

The grocers were having a half-price sale so Kaitlin needed to leave earlier than usual so she could take advantage. Every dollar matters! As nice as this place is, the kids can't go to school until they have a home. She told Grady and the firemen that she was homeschooling them - which IS the truth. But they have no one their own age to interact with. The trauma of moving and Kaitlin being gone so much was taking an emotional tole on Ben. I have to spend more time with him thought Kaitlin.

Kaitlin went upstairs to find Reese to tell him she would be gone longer today because she had to stop for groceries. They were getting low on diapers. Maddy was just 17 months and not yet ready for potty training. Where there is Reese, there is Maddy. He was so good with her. It made her sad and happy at the same time.

She almost hated to tell Reese she would be late, "Hey Reese. Is everything alright up here?"

"Sure. I was just playing with Maddy. What's up?"

"I have to stop at the grocers on the way home. Will you be okay until I get back. I will fix hot dogs when I return." She saw the quickly concealed grimace on Reese's face at the mention of hot dogs...and thought maybe she could splurge on some ground meat and make hamburgers. If she knew how. Maybe - it IS half price day.

* * *

Over the last couple of weeks, Kaitlin had pretty much figured out the beekeeping thing. The more she practiced the less she got stung and the better the honey was. The consignment store sold it for her and took a cut of the profit. That worked for her. She was also finding discarded items in the dumpsters. Another man's trash and all!

This was helping the money situation and the living arrangements were such an improvement. She wanted Reid to come by the station so she could thank him. Now why did that give her butterflies? They had only been in Twinbrook for 4 months. She shouldn't even be thinking about men. She had never been with anyone but Newt. Maybe because Reid looks so much like him...it brings back the good memories?

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