Taking the first step in anything. Someone Really wants to do, can be hard, harder for some than others.
This story was about that. Finding courage
I thank everyone for their reviews, and your support. I learnt a lot writing this. Thank you
SW is such an awe inspiring writer...Was a bit of a cheek really following her story.
But if your going to, "Have a go." There is no one better to try and emulate than. The Best.
Finding Courage
Caroline was thinking as she drove home, mainly about how her boy's would react to the news of her relationship with kate. she hoped they would be ok with it. Of course she hoped for a better reaction than an ok. But considered, a Fantastic, or a Brilliant was out of the question. So an ok would do for now.
She knew there would only be one outcome from Celia. One bloody negative opinion, she thought. Her opinionated Mum. Whose bigoted ideas she had heard all her life, who was still stuck in the dark ages, and never minded sharing her narrow misguided ideas to anyone within earshot.
Confrontations!..Dr. Elliot thrived on them, she rarely swayed from the decisions she made. If you really wanted to change something Dr. Elliot had decided upon. You better have a damn good argument to back it up. If you managed this. You got your change. And her respect.
Caroline alternatively, particularly in her younger years, did not handle arguments well. Perhaps from growing up with her argumentative parents. She had been in this situation before, when she was a teenager. The damage that nasty argument caused had followed her into her adulthood. When kate had come into her life. Caroline changed. She finally found what she had always longed for. Someone who saw beneath the Dr. Elliot facade. Someone who loved her for herself. Caroline felt the empowerment of this love. There would be no backing down this time.
Striding through her front door. she called out to her sons. "Boys!." William popped his head over the stairwell and grinned, "Hi mum." "Can you come downstairs please William, Where is Laurence? If he is in his room can you get him and both come down here please." Giving both boys a hug as they came through the door. Caroline gestured. "Sit down please, I want to discuss something with you both."
"I have something I want to share with you. This isn't easy for me." She noticed both boys looking at her, then each other, there had been so many changes in this house, in their lives lately. They wondered what was to come. "Um, er the thing is," she swallowed." I have met someone." "Who?" said william always the first to speak before Laurence. "This person is very dear to me," she continued. "We have been spending a lot of time together." Looking at her sons "It's serious."
"Who?" asked William again jumping in anxiously, is it someone from School?, Michael Dobson?" he asked. " What! that insidious little prick." Why would you think that?" Caroline replied aghast. "Nope, No! No!. Definitely Not him, not bloody Michael Dobson." Taking a deep breath she continued. "But yes it is someone from school.. I would like you two boys to be happy for us. Happy for me she smiled at them. This person is kind, gentle, loving, It's kate McKenzie."
She waited for something anything to be said from either of the boys, after what seemed like a long long silence. William spoke up. "She obviously makes you happy, we did notice you haven't been so sad lately. We mistakenly thought it may of been Dad." No, it wasn't your dad, and "Yes, she does make me happy. We make each other happy," Caroline answered him with an affectionate smile.
Looking at her younger son. "Laurence?" "I don't know what to say mum" replied Laurence. "I suppose this means you and dad will not be getting back together?" "Your dad and I haven't been happy together, for a long time. But together we still love you boys. That will never change. Your dad and I won't ever be getting back together." she answered him kindly
"If your with a woman," Mum, "People will be mean. I don't want people to be mean to you". Laurence spoke tearfully, Oh! Laurence I can handle people being mean and nasty. As long as I know you boys are fine. As long as I know your alright with kate and I being together, that's all I care about. I can handle the rest.
I know this is a shock for you both. Are you really ok with it.?" Caroline paused, looking at them questioningly.
" We are fine with it mum... We will be fine with it." William firmed. Answering as usual for the both of them. "We only want you to be happy, we have seen how miserable you've been since dad left."
Smiling Caroline beckoned the boys, putting her arms around them, she held them tightly, her heart full of love for these two young men, who had been her reason for living for such a long time. She knew William was really fine with it. She was not at all confident about Laurence. He is caught up in the emotion of the minute, she thought.
Only time will tell, how he manages. Particularly at school, knowing only to well how cruel some kids can be.
"What about granny? Laurence asked the question. Releasing the proverbial elephant in the room.
"Leave granny to me." Caroline said firmly, giving them a half smile. Knowing convincing her mum, was another matter entirely.
"You got a minute?" Celia smiled at Caroline through the doorway into the study. "Sure mum." Caroline replied throwing her reading glasses onto her work desk.
"I've got something to tell you," Celia smiled
"I've got something to tell you as well," Caroline replied, gesturing with her hand, "You first."
"Well!" Celia drawled out her words. "Alan, my pen-pal, you remember us speaking about him at the cafe. I've decided to meet up with him next monday"
"I'm pleased for you mum, it will do you good to get out a little more." Caroline spoke distractedly.
"You don't sound that pleased Caroline."
"No I am pleased mum, I am pleased for you." Caroline smiled. I really am!.
"whats your news then," Celia asked
"I've met someone as well mum, I hope your going to be pleased for me.
"Who.? Does this person have a name? " she enquired, "John's not long gone. This seems rather quick."
"It's someone from work. The modern language teacher, "Caroline bravely continued. "Her name is Kate Mck...",
"Her?. Caroline. Did I hear correctly.? Did you say kate.?" Celia scornfully interrupted.
"Yes I did Mum. Her name is kate Mckenzie, she is nice, she is kind... I hope you will be happy for us. Happy for me?" Caroline said quietly.
"Caroline! I thought you got over this nonsense years ago. You were married to John for twenty tears." Celia raised her voice.
"Well I guess I didn't Mum, when I tried to talk to you about these feelings, when I was a teenager you would'nt listen then. I am not an impressionable teenager any more. I am a very aware adult. This is what I want. Can you please be happy for me, can you..."
"No I don't think I can Caroline. Are you stark raving mad. Come to your senses. Before you make a fool of yourself." Celia bitingly Interrupted
"I was worried, you would be like this. I hoped you would be more accepting. I have spoken to the boys. They are fine with with it. I really would like you to be happy for me. I want to be with kate, we want to be together. I wont be changing my mind." Caroline stood firm ready to battle on.
With nothing more to say. Celia stormed out, slamming the door as she left.
Later that night, snuggling with kate on her couch, Caroline replayed the events of the day. kate was alarmed at the nastiness Celia had displayed and said so.
"Caroline are you sure about this.? About us.? Stroking Caroline's face with the back of her fingers kate continued. "I love you Caroline, and I am fearful that Celia's nastiness may come between us at some stage. I don't want to see you hurt...Us hurt..." she spoke anxiously
"kate!. I am successful in my professional life." Caroline began to explain, "But I have not been happy, I was lonely until I met you, and because of you, because of us." she smiled "All that changed. I couldn't be happier than I am now with you." she said kissing kate. " It took us being together for me to find the courage to be myself."
"I realise we will have our ups and downs. I do realise that, I know it won't be easy. We still have a lot to learn about each other, there may be times we dont agree. We can work on that" she smiled. "Occasionally I have been known to be pig-headed" she laughed, "I am confident we can have a happy life together. Despite my mother. She grimaced.
I do want to try. Dont you agree? she whispered to kate.
"I have never wanted anyone in my life, as much as I want you Caroline." kate whispered back, "I definitely do agree."
