Chapter.10
Hey y'all, hope you are all doing well. I don't really have much to say. I just hope that the chapter speaks for itself. I hope you all enjoy
School had gone accordingly with Kenny making it in-time. He was hoping that he would get in the same bus as his friends. Kenny wanted to unsure that his friends knew that he cared enough to be around. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way but he was still able to see his friends.
When Kenny's school day ended, his work day began. With no customers currently in the restaurant and closing happening in a few minutes,Kenny was currently cleaning tables.
Kenny proceeded to spray the table with cleaning spray and wipe it down. He noticed his reflection and then noticed lights form the building across the way.
"Wow...she's probably across the way right now." Kenny thought to himself
Kenny made this assumption based on his interactions with Heidi as mysterion. It was the time of night.
Kenny had also managed to fit in his daily interaction with Heidi. Just more casual banter. Nothing really special, but Kenny still considered their interactions important. He made a promise to Kyle and Heidi after all. Kenny was never the type to break promises.
Kenny confused his cleaning and was able to close up shop with . Kenny was waiting for to lock the doors before he would leave. This allowed for Kenny to give an effective good bye
"Alright, have a nice night sir." Kenny said
"You to my boy. Ooo, I've got something for you Dennis." said
proceeded to pull a twenty dollar bill, a five, and a few ones. He then hands it to Kenny.
"Ooo I can't take this. City Wok needs every bill it can get to compete."Kenny said
"It's the least I can do. You work very hard Dennis. And hard work deserves a reward."
Kenny smiled.
"Thank you sir."Kenny states
"No problem, have a good night." replies
"You too sir."
Kenny goes the separate way from his employer and heads in the direction of his home. He then looks at the money he had acquired. Kenny began to think about what he could invest his spontaneous pay on. A used game? A new porno magazine? A genuine meal? They possibilities were endless.
"Kenny?"
Kenny looked up to see the figure of a small girl standing next a lamp post. He would recognize this figure anywhere.
"Karen?"
Kenny began to walk fast towards her.
"Kenny!"
"Karen!"
Kenny began to run to each other. They finally embraced in a hug. Kenny could feel something wet against his parka. He looked down to see tear streaks on Karen's cheeks.
"Why are you here Karen? What happened at home?"
"A-after you left*sob*,mom and dad began to fight. It was more violent than usual and they ended breaking into my room. I was s-scared so I left*sob*. I thought about Heidis but I didn't want them to be scared.*sob*so I-I-
Kenny held her tight. He began to stroke her head. This situation was no doubt that result of his intoxicated parents who were feeling the stress of life. That still didn't console Kenny's disappoint and anger towards his parents.
"It's okay Kare, your gonna be ok now. I'm here."
They stood locked together under the lamp post. Karen began to pull herself together.
"Does it ever get easier?"Karen questioned.
As much as Kenny would love to reassure his sister that there was hope, he refused to lie to her.
"No...No, it doesn't."Kenny said with a frown.
Kenny could feel his own tears building up. Not for himself, but for Karen. It was one thing to feel sorry for your own shitty lot in life, it's complete different when you see someone else's. Especially when that person was as close as Karen was to Kenny.
Before Kenny could let a tear come out, he heard a growl coming from below him. He had eaten while at work.
"Sorry,I didn't have anything to eat once I got home."Karen said.
"It's okay,I actually got paid today so we can grab something."Kenny replied
"Okay."
Kenny then looked around to see if he could find somewhere that was open. They were on the opposite side of town from where there was any fast food places. He could only find one restaurant with its lights still on. It was a one story building that was green in color. It was also right across the way from city wok.
"How about that place?"Kenny asked
"Okay."Karen
The siblings made their way to the restaurant. They arrived and looked at the times of openings and closings. Looks like they had made it 30 minutes before closing.
They entered the restaurant and approached a stand where a hostess would normally be. The door had made a *cling*after they had entered.
Kenny then heard someone make their way to the entrance where they were.
"Hello, sorry but we are closing in a few minutes and the chefs-Kenny?"Heidi said
"Hey Heidi. Sorry to bother you. We were just looking for somewhere to eat and everywhere else was closed. We can find somewhere else if it's inconvenient."Kenny said
"No, it's fine. It's my treat. I just have to ask for a favor real quick, ok?"
"Okay? What is it?"
"Don't worry, not from you."
"Alright."
"Please take a seat wherever you like. I'm gonna see what I can scrounge up for you guys."
"Thank you Heidi."Karen said
"No problem."Heidi said while patting Karen's head.
Heidi had noticed that Karen seemed distressed. She thought that getting Karen a meal would hopefully make for less of that.
Heidi then made her towards the back where her fathers office was. She then knocked on his door.
"Hey daddy are you busy?"Heidi said
"Nothing in particular, just sort of tidying up right now."her father replied
"That's nice. Do you think you could do me a favor?"
"Of course buddy. What kind of favor?"
"I know it's kind of close to closing but,I've got some less than fortunate friends here. I was wondering if you could help me make something for them."
"Hmmmm..sure, why not."
"Thanks dad!"
"Of course, should always try to help out those in need. It would also be a nice change to go back into the kitchen instead of always being in the office."
Heidis father followed his daughter into the kitchen. put on an apron as he entered the kitchen and began to prep for cooking
"How do you think they would feel about the old classic chicken?" said
"I think that would be great! I'll go let them go."Heidi responded
Her father gave Heidi the thumbs to go back and check in with their customers. She went back to the main floor to see Karen leaning against her brother while with his Hackett around her for comfort as they both shared a frown across their faces. Heidi approached with caution, hoping to not brake the comfort they shared in one another.
"Hey so...we are gonna make you guys some chicken so we hope you enjoy. Would you guys like some drinks."
The McCormick siblings turned their attention towards Heidi.
"Ummm ya...if I could get a water, that would be good."Kenny replied
"Do you guys have lemonade?"Karen said
"We do in fact have lemonade. So a water and a lemonade, that good?"Heidi asked
"Yes please."Kenny and Karen replied in unison.
"Alright sounds good."
"And Heidi."Kenny said
"Yes?" Heidi asked
"Thank you.."
Heidi looked at Kenny with a smile
Heidi walked back to the kitchen to find her father fiddling with the grill. As she was about to ask about his progress, a huge flame was sparked in front of .
"HOLY SHIT!" shouts in fear.
"OOOo my god dad! Do you still have eyebrows?!"
Heidis dad turns around with his eyebrows still unscathed.
"Ya their fine. Guess I'm a bit rusty with the grill." dates with an embarrassed grin on his face.
"Oooii vey."Heidi replied
After grabbing their customers their drinks (and making sure that the grill was calibrated to corrected the heat),Heidi began to work on the side parts of the dish while her father worked on the the piece of resistance in-order to prove himself from his prior mishap.
Heidi found this father-daughter cook time really nice. She hadn't really hung out with her father in this capacity since her lull with Cartman. She kind of indirectly pushed people away when she went into her own world of sorrow. But none of that mattered now as she had be gone her journey to heal. That included letting those that loved her back in.
was also happy to have the little girl he raised back to prior state of joy. Like others around her, he had noticed Heidis dampened mood. And like the others, he couldn't come up with a way to help her. But Heidi had found her own way, and that made Thomas Turner a proud father.
Heidis father also began to notice the clients his daughter was hosting. First he noticed the little girl. She seemed distressed and somewhat melancholy. Maybe she was the reason Heidi felt inclined to let them in before closing. found it nice that his daughter had a kind heart. He then noticed the rustic boy the younger girl was with. He was probably the reason Heidi felt inclined to let them in before closing. big heart perception of Heidi was beginning to slip.
The father-daughter duo managed to finish the meal with no mishaps. After prepping the plates to be served they were ready to present the meals to their guests.
"Heidi, if you want to take the drinks,I'll grab the plates and utensils." said
"Ok daddy."
The Turners approached their guests with meals and drink made and ready for consumption. Kenny would be lying if he said that Heidis father siding look intimidating.
Kenny and Karen were served. was eyeing Kenny. Kenny noticed this in his peripheral and began to develop sweaty palms.
"Thank you...sir."Kenny said
"Thank you to...sir"Karen said. She was also a little intimidated by .
"No problem." replied
positive demeanor kind of help Kenny feel more at ease around him.
"I'm gonna grab you kids some utensils, need anything else?" asked
"No thank you sir…"Kenny replied
"No thank you."Karen added
went to the kitchen and the kids were left to their own devices. Heidi looked toward Karen and noticed she still seemed a distressed. She planned to say something and looked towards Kenny to get the go ahead. Surprisingly, he shook his head in disagreement. Heidi could only guess that Kenny wanted to make sure that Karen's belly was full before explaining what was causing her distress.
Heidis father returned with the proper tools for them to dig in to their food.
"Here you go guys, dig in."
Kenny and Karen cut into their food and a smile went across Karen's face when her food made contact with her taste buds. Kenny was a happy but a bit bewildered to see this smile on his sister's face. He then took a bite of the chicken and he immediately joined his sister in food euphoria.
"Ooo my gosh! This food is amazing sir! What kind of chicken is this?" Kenny said while downing his meal.
"Well it ain't exactly chicken…"
Kenny and Karen looked at each other with a face of dread. caught this and decided he should explain.
"It's plant based. We had some extra so I thought I'd mix it up for y'all."
"Ooo well sir, it's great. Thank you so much."Kenny said
"Thank you."Karen said. She felt inclined even though she was enjoying her meal. It's the least she thought she could do.
"No problem. We weren't really closed but it's really slow around now so we normally call it early and let my staff leave." said
The pair didn't replied since they were so I grossed with their meal. Most people would have liked a response but to chef like Thomas Turner, it's a compliment.
When the McCormicks were almost done cleaning their plates of any scarps, decided to add some conjecture. But then he noticed a orange parka around the little girl that was finishing the food he had made. He had seen that parka before but not on a girl that matched her description.
"Ummm your mothers name doesn't happen to be Carol, does it?" questioned
"Ummm ya…"Kenny answered in confusion
"Ooo well is she doin alright?"
"She's fine. Gets drunk and acts dumb but it could be worse."
"I see. Well give her best my best."
Kenny looked at with a look of interest and intrigue. No one had ever told him to check in on his parents before. seems to have known his mother in some sort of way. He knew that they were classmates but he didn't know to what capacity.
"I will sir."Kenny replied
Heidi smiled to see her father is having such a positive interaction about this topic. Her mother kind of went in hard and had to soften the blow. But managed to do it in a more efficient manner.
actually found himself impressed with Kenny as they began to talk about the constructs of capitalism and how its applications hurt the middle and low income houses. Heidi and Karen get distracted into their own conversation by talking about princesses and other girly things. But Heidi likes that Kenny is getting along with her father so quickly.
After cleaning up and closing up, Kenny, Karen, Heidi, and her father leave and lock up the restaurant. The McCormick siblings were in much better spirits than when they entered the restaurant. Kenny had acquired his parka back from Karen as she was much happier now.
"Well Kenny, you have impressed with your inflect on urban economics and how that plays a factor." said
"I'm telling ya, it's all meant for the man."Kenny replied
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Ooo I almost forgot!"
Kenny reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash.
"It's for the food."Kenny said
"It's okay, it's on the house." said
"Are sure? The food was great, I should at least owe you something."
"It's fine. As long as you enjoyed my cooking, then that's all that matters to me. That and that it will probably come out of Heidis allowance…"
"Hey!" Heidi interjected with a bitter look on her face.
"Well sir, it was very nice meeting you but I think I should get Karen home."
"Ok son. It's kind of late. Would you like a ride?"
"We will be fine. We appreciate the offer but we can handle our selves."
As Kenny began to say his goodbye to Heidi(he didn't exactly feel comfortable hugging her in front of her dad yet) Karen decided to interject on her brothers response.
"I-I don't…"Karen interjected
"Kare? Would you like to catch a ride with them?"Kenny asked
"Not just that...I-I don't want to go home." Karen said
seemed a bit confused but Heidi wasn't. She knew why Karen didn't want to go home. Heidis father soon recognize the look of a scared child on Karen's face.
"Your parents will be worried if you don't come home." said
Karen didn't respond and instead just starred at the ground. knelt down to near her height.
"I guess what your brother said before applies to both of your folks huh?"Heidis father said
Karen nodded while still looking down. then took in a heavy inhale and exhale. He couldn't just drop them off. Especially if one of them was scared to go back. And who knows how Kenny really feels. He did just convey his strong intelligence. Who's to say he isn't smart with hiding his fear. stood back up and looked at Heidi. She was giving him face that said "please" times one thousand.
He had no choice but to let these kids stay at his home . At least for the night. Maybe he could concoct some sort of plan in the morning. He did feel somewhat responsible for them being out this late.
"Alright, if it's okay with both of you, I've got a guest room for Kenny and a blow up mattress we can put in Heidis room so Karen can sleep in there. Sound good?" said
Karen's head immediately peaked up. Her faces turned to a slight smile.
"Like a sleep over? With Heidi? I would love that! Can we Kenny?"Karen asked her brother.
Kenny was hesitant but he knew his disinter would probably never forgive him if he didn't agree. He also couldn't forgive himself if something happened to Karen on arrival of their home. Who knows how pissed his parents would be at her for running off.
"Alright. Sounds good to me."Kenny said
"Yaaayyy!" Karen cheered
"Guess we finally get to have that sleep over Karen!"Heidi added.
"Yep. And Kenny gets to sleepover with you too."Karen responded
Oooo god dammit. Kenny then looked pale and looked towards Heidi. She was blushing a bit. And dare he even look at . Surprisingly, he had a grin on his face.
"Ooofff course...just remember Kenny..( facial expression changed to a stern glance)...all doors in my . . else." said
Kenny gulped.
"Y-Yes sir.."Kenny said with fear
"Good" replied
As the group began to make their way to Heidis fathers truck, they all heard someone coming their way through the crunchy snow. It was women that was o-so familiar to Kenny and Karen.
"KENNY MCCORMICK! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR SISTER THIS LATE AT NIGHT?!"Carol McCormick said
Both Kenny and Karen were shocked and scared. Kenny swallows his own and confront his mother. It was obvious she had a little bit of something in her system. It seemed to only be enough to jazz her emotional state. Despite her skill at it, she was still a mother.
"I was workin and Karen came to me scared. She was also hungry so we went to go get some food. That's all.."Kenny said
"Why the HELL didn't you just bring her home?!"
"She didn't want to go mom...and I don't want to put her through y-
Kenny cut himself off. He didn't want to present this side of his parents to the Turners. Especially Heidi.
"DO what good siblings are suppose to do and bring her ass back home!"Kenny's mother said
"It's okay Carol, they were with me." interjected
Carol then looked shocked. She hadn't expected Thomas Turner of all people to be looking after her children.
Kenny and Karen were also stunned. They had never really seen a man confront their mother. Except for their father who did it more on the physical end. He also never stood up for them like how was right now.
"Ooo OK Thomas, guess you could use any customers you could get huh? Even god damn poor kids."
Heidi didn't like the way had said that. Especially since she was aware of the restaurants situation.
"Nope, they came to me and I made sure that got a good meal in them."
"That So!"
then walked over to her kids and took their arms.
"Don't make them turn on me, got it?"Carol hissed.
"Got it." replied
Carol began to walk away with her children. Kenny looked back to Heidi.
"See you Heidi."Kenny said
Heidi was mad. No she was angry. It wasn't an emotion she felt often. She was angry because had made it personal with her father and was treating Kenny and Karen like crap. Carol should have been thanking Heidis father. Not pointing out its financial flaws.
Heidi was about to go after them when her father stopped her by putting his hand in her way. Heidi looked up at her father and he just shook his head at her telling her "No". Once they were out of site, walked towards his truck. Heidi followed suit.
They entered truck and Heidi decided to speak.
"Why didn't you stop her?"Heidi asked
"Unfortunately, Mothers always know best."
Heidi made a disappointed face. noticed this and couldn't hold it against her. He just hoped he made the right call not just for himself and those kids, but for his daughter.
Meanwhile, Carol came around a turn so the Turners could no longer see them. She was still dragging Kenny and Karen behind them. Kenny was getting mad. It was one thing to drag him in anger. But he made an oath to make sure Karen was never in harms way.
"Mom, you can stop dragging us? They can't see us anymore. You have nothing to prove. So what's your deal with them?"Kenny said
She said nothing
"I don't understand your connection with them. I mean they seem like really nice people. I'm pretty they would have been help to explaining the situation."
Still, she remained silent
"Come on mom. They are good people and treated me and Karen with respect. Should you want people to treat your kids with respect."
Once agin nothing
"Say something mom. Just because other people give a shit about your kids, doesn't mean you should get all pissy. If you'd actual payed attention and cared about us then you'd quit dragging us, explain yourself, and actually SAY SOMETHING."
stopped dead in her tracks. She then swung her arm so she could throw Kenny down on to the ground while staying a hold of Karen. Kenny fell hard onto the icey, hard side walk and landing against a pile of snow. He was more in shock rather than in pain thanks to the snow acting as a cushion.
Rolled on to his back and moved his body to look up at his mother who had an angry look across her face.
"Listen HERE BOY. It doesn't matter what that man did for you. You wanna know why? Because you're like me. You were born nothin more than gutter trash. He knows that and he knows that he's better than you for it. So forget about all that shit because in the end, you're in the shit just like me. And you'll eventually learn like how I did. Pitty doesn't exist. It's just a front to make them all feel superior. Just to give them all the satisfaction of knowing that they are better than someone. I refuse to give them any. Thats why we are were we are. Because I refuse to be the shit they think we are."
Carol then offered her son a hand up. Kenny was confused by this.
"Sorry mom, but I don't believe that. I refuse to be like you or dad. And if that means that I bite the bullet and take a little bit of that 'false pitty', then so be it. My life and Karen's means more to me than pride. Unlike you…"Kenny responded
Kenny then turned away from his mother's hand and got up on his own.
"Find then, be ignorant."Carol responded
Kenny's mother then walked away from Kenny. She was no longer dragging Karen. Karen then looked back at her brother with a frown across her face. A face of sadness combined with a face of suffering.
And after a look like that,Kenny decided to follow his mom. Not because he wanted to follow his mother or for his own sake. But to make sure nothing happened to Karen.
Well folks another chapter finished. And a spicy one indeed. I would like to have you all know that none of the characters in this fic are truly evil or malicious. Some do some pretty shitty things but that's because they are human. They make mistakes and have their own way of thinking based on their life experiences. Case in point Carol McCormick. I wasn't trying to make her come across as evil or a bad human being. Just a concerned mother who is intoxicated and struggling to support her family. This chapter actually helped me make an idea for a spin off to this fic. Kind of like an origin thing. It wouldn't be necessary to read or enjoy the fic but it would be a more detailed look into some thing in the upcoming chapter. I'll probably start it after I finish this fic.(maybe sooner). I'll go into more depth in the next outro. Well guys I hope you enjoyed. I hope you all would consider reviewing and critiquing below as I value your feedback and take it into consideration when I write. I hope you all have a great day(or night based on where you live.