Chapter One The Meeting

Carly sighed as she hit the snooze button once more, trying to get more sleep. She didn't want to wake up and go to work. She didn't want to wake up knowing that this day was going to be the same as the day before. Carly suddenly sat up, looking forward to the only thing that could literally keep her awake from all the damage she had already caused.
Coffee! She rolled her eyes as she stood up and put on her fuzzy lilac robe to keep warm from the freezing kitchen. That's where Lizzy would be, sitting at the kitchen table, eating a bowl of Captain Crunch. Carly was thankful that her daughter knew how to make breakfast, because to her, it was way too early in the morning to even think about eating. But Lizzy had to get to school, and the school that Carly sent her too didn't serve breakfast.

"Morning sweetie." Carly said with a yawn as she walked into the kitchen and over to the coffee maker. "Did you finish your homework last night?"

Lizzy looked up at her mother, and smiled as milk ran down her face. Even though she knew how to fix her own food, she still made a mess.

"Here." Carly said as she picked up a napkin off of the table and wiped Lizzy's face off. "You had some milk running down your cheek, but I got it. So, I talked to Rosanna last night,
and she's planning on coming to get you in a couple of days. Like I said, I'm only going to be gone for two weeks, so don't miss me all the time. And I promise I'll call every day."

"Mommy, can't we do something before you leave?" Lizzy asked. "Like a party or something?"

"Why don't we wait until I get back to have a party?" Carly said as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "We could go shopping, maybe even go to Chuck E Cheese's."

Lizzy laughed, then took another bite of cereal.

"Ok, lets just focus on finish eating before we talk anymore." Carly said with a laugh. "We don't want you to have to take another shower before you catch the bus."

Setting: Wal-Mart.

Carly listened to her iPod, while pushing the buggy through the deli section. She wasn't paying attention when her buggy crashed into another man's buggy, who looked very familiar.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Carly said as she took the ear phones out of her ears and walked over to the guy. "I didn't break your eggs did I?"

"No, I think they'll survive." Carter said. "Carly...Carly Tenney. God, it's been ten years. What have you been up to?"

Carly put on her innocent smile and tried to act sexy, but she knew she couldn't pull it off.

"I've got a daughter, and I took some college classes." Carly said. "I work as a lab tech at the local hospital two blocks down. Wow, it looks like you've grown up."

Carter laughed.

"Well, you know I took that scholarship to AU." Carter replied. "Then I went pro, and I'm playing for the Colts. But I decided to come back here, trying to find some of my old roots.
And it looks like I've already found one."

"Are you single?" Carly asked.

"Carly, Carly, Carly." Carter repeated with laughter. "You know me so much better than that. I've dated some, but I've decided to stay single for a while."

"So, how about you come over to my house and I'll fix you dinner." Carly said. "You can meet my daughter Lizzy."