Part 17
Caitlin walked into the kitchen the next morning and poured herself a glass of juice. She was surprised to find her mom was still home.
"Morning mom. Mind if I ask why you aren't at work?" asked Caitlin
"Nora called me. She said that you are going on a date with Barry tonight."
"Yeah. I have been in love with him for a while."
"I am glad that you both finally woke up."
"What do you mean mom?"
"Sit down honey."
Caitlin sat down at the table across from her mom.
"I know I haven't been the best mother to you, and I am truly sorry about that. You are probably not going to believe me. But I have known that you feel more than friendship for Barry for years. At least since you were thirteen."
"More like ten."
"Well will you give me credit for at least noticing?"
"Of course mom. I didn't even think that you would notice at all."
"Honey, I wish I could go back in time and change how I did things. When you were in that accident that killed Ronnie. I was so scared that I was going to lose you."
"But you didn't."
"No I didn't. But there is something that your father and I never told you. You had a brother. Charlie. I was pregnant with you when he died. He was two years old."
"What happened?"
"Cancer, Neuroblastoma. Before he got sick he wanted so much to be a big brother."
"Why didn't you and dad tell me about him?"
"I don't know. I guess I didn't think it was important. But now I hope that it might explain why I have kept you at arm's length."
"It does."
"Do you have any pictures of Charlie?"
"Yes come on let me show you your brother."
Carla and Caitlin headed into the living room where Carla pulled a photo album out a drawer. One a photo album Caitlin knew that she had never seen before. They both sat on the couch and Carla opened it. It was then that Caitlin realized that it was not any photo album but a baby book. Charlie, Caitlin saw had the same auburn hair that she had. But he had bright blue eyes where she had brown. She saw a photo of Charlie when he had to have been pretty sick. He had his small hand on Carla's small baby bump. The bump that was Caitlin before she was born. She knew Charlie was pretty sick because he was in a hospital bed and his hair was nearly gone.
"Mom do you think Charlie would have liked Barry?" asked Caitlin
"He would have loved Barry. His personality was a lot like Barry's. He was so full of life until the day he died. You know that brown teddy bear you use to take everywhere with you?"
"Yeah."
"That had been Charlie's he told me to give it to his baby sister. I hadn't known that you would be a girl. But he wanted a baby sister. So I promised him you would get the bear."
"Maybe Charlie has been looking out for me all these years. I saw the pictures of the accident. Mom, I should have been hurt a lot worse then I was. Possibly even killed. But I wasn't."
"I know. When I saw those pictures the first time I was shocked that you hadn't been hurt worse. But maybe your brother was protecting you."
"Mom, I know that Barry isn't your favorite person."
"Caitlin, I like Barry. He is a smart young man. It's just I don't think he is good enough for you. No one is good enough for you."
"Mom he does have a plan for his life. He wants to be a CSI. Use science to solve crimes. Help victims."
"I know honey. But I just will never believe any man is good enough for you."
"Mom, I got a question. Do you have an issue with gays?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Last night at dinner you were kind of cold to Alex and her girlfriend Kelly."
"No I don't have a problem with gays. I will be sure to apologize next time I see them. My mother, your grandmother's best friend was gay. Though back then it wasn't talked about. I just am not use to seeing two women or even to men kiss in public. I know it goes on. But as you know I have workaholic tendencies something I hope you haven't inherited."
"I don't think Barry will let me become a workaholic. If you haven't noticed he has made sure that I go out and have fun."
"True. Now how about we go get you something special to wear tonight."
"Mom, Barry is just taking me to the Golden Dragon."
"Still you should have something special. Besides I haven't gotten you a graduation gift yet. I want you to pick out something you like."
"Sure mom that would be great."
Caitlin ran up to her room to grab her purse and then she headed to the mall with her mom. They went to one of the department stores in the mall and found a light blue dress with a lose skirt that fell to Caitlin's knees and spaghetti straps. It was the perfect summer dress for a casual date night. They then had lunch in the food court where they ran into Kara and Alex.
"Alex, I want to apologize to you for my behavior yesterday evening. I never meant to come across as homophobic. I hope that you can forgive me." Said Kara
"I forgive you Dr. Tannhouser. I appreciate that you are willing to apologize. I have only recently come out of the closet. Though Kara has told me Caitlin figured it out a few years ago." Said Alex
"So what brings you to the mall Caitlin?" asked Kara
"My mom is getting a couple things for my high school graduation. We got a dress, just finished lunch and now she wants to go by the jewelry store." Said Caitlin
"Why don't you two join us? Help Caity pick out something nice." Said Carla
Alex and Kara both looked at their friend. They saw her smile. They had never heard anyone but Caitlin's dad call her Caity. In fact there were only two other people call Caitlin something other than her given name. Ronnie who was dead and Barry. In fact the one time Hunter Zolomon called her Cait she told him off, and if looks could kill he would have been turned into an ice statue by the frosty stare Caitlin had given him. They headed for the jewelry store where the three younger women found a gold and diamond pendent that was shaped like a snowflake with a lighting bolt going through it. Caitlin loved it as soon as she saw it. Knowing that she was often referred to as frosty by many of their classmates and that Barry was nicknamed Flash by his teammates on the track team. Carla and Caitlin headed home soon after so that Caitlin could get ready for her date.