Caroline in the City is not my T.V. show. I just love the show and wanted to
write about it.
Chapter One, The Evening Starts
"What do you think they're fighting about this time?" Annie remarked over the
crowd.
"Mmm...........maybe she wants a heavier wedding ring?" Caroline quipped with
sarcasm.
"I just don't understand how someone as miserable as Richard could find someone
who would ACTUALLY consider spending the rest of their life with him. It must be
a chemical imbalance."
Despite their distance, Caroline and Annie witnessed Richard's face flush a deep
crimson. His hands rose in defiance, and Julia dismissed it with a wave of her
hand.
"Hey Suzy Sunshine, what's up with Dracula?" Annie directed to Richard as he
approached them.
"Nothing........nothing at all." he mumbled to the ground. "Now, can we get
something to eat? I agreed to come free of charge, so I'd better get something
out of it."
"It's so nice to see you're back to your old self, Richard," Caroline laughed as
she linked arms with him. She pretended to react to him with indifference,
though inwardly melting with each step they took. *Just friends, that's all*
She thought, reprimanding herself yet again for submitting to her emotions.
"Hello, nurse!!!" Annie exclaimed. "I'm gonna examine the 18" bicep over
there....," she bellowed in the midst of her sprint to the biker on the West
lawn. Caroline and Richard proceeded to gazebo.
"Where did Julia go, Richard?"
"Uh, she needed some time alone. I don't really feel comfortable discussing it,
sorry."
"It's okay, I understand."
Richard retrieved his arm from her side as he reached down to adjust his
shoelace, his self-control, wilting. If their bodies were to remain side by
side, he did not know if he would care anymore about adhering to his morals. All
logic dissipated into HER. HER. Why? He constantly berated to himself, night
after night. Why did she have such a hypnotic effect on him? How could someone
so normal, by society's standards, captivate him with a single glance? He cursed
himself for his vulnerability. He cursed himself for opening himself to someone
he could never have. He cursed his eyes for providing the ability to see her,
his ears for the ability to hear her, and most of all, his heart, for wanting
nothing else but her.
"Where are Charlie and Del?" he questioned innocently.
"Oh, Charlie saw a blond on roller blades and claimed that she was his soul
mate, and if it were meant to be, that she had a spoiled friend with long legs
for Del," she chuckled over the announcements blaring on the P.A. It was the
New York Association of Comic Writer's Annual banquet. Caroline herself thought
it was cheesy, but went for the free food. This year, she managed to drag her
friends, and a bemoaning coworker with her.
Chinese lanterns illuminated their path. Caroline sucked in her breath upon
recognizing the deep hue of Richard's eyes. Booths representing comic strips
from around the state lined the walkway to the ice rink that was converted to a
dance floor. Couples of all shapes swayed to the music. Caroline reclined at a
table near the rink. Richard sat opposite her, making every effort to avoid
contact.
"So, when's Julia going to be back?" Caroline hoped it would be forever.
"About 20 minutes, she needed to cool off. She may have gone to a local coffee
shop or something…" his voice wavered. Caroline countered him with her stare,
her eyes glassy with hidden emotion.
"Richard, do you want to dance?"
TO BE CONTINUED