Chapter Two

TC waited outside the doctor's office. Kara's cut was being treated but he still couldn't believe it. It had been six and a half years since he had last seen her. She should be twelve..right? She had been so small and timid that she looked nine or two. She was maybe 4'9 and only around maybe eighty pounds. He had enclosed her in a tight hug but he can tell her winced.

Then he called Cory and told her to meet him at the doctors and he took her to the hospital.

He heard steps and looked up and saw Cory's concerned face "What's wrong?" she asked in a hurry. "Do you remember I told you about my sister- Kara?" he asked. "Yeah. Oh my gosh is she okay?" "I'm not sure. She's in with the doctor. She just showed up on my door. She looked horrible, Corey," he said just as the doctor door opened. Jara appeared and ran into TC's arms. "Lemme see," TC said and examined her face.

The doctor started talking. "I need to talk to you alone," he said. TC nodded and tried to put Kara down but she screamed. "I don't really think I can," TC answered. He followed the doctor into hte office. "I have a few questions. Kara's injuries are very questioning. I'd never accuse you of child abuse, but maybe you had a bad day?"

TC couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Doctor Brown, you've known me since I was, what, eight? And you're accusing me of hitting a kid?" TC asked incrediously. "TC, I just suggested..." "He didn't him me you prick!" Kara yelled. The doctor's eyebrows raised and TC looked at her in shock. "Kara!"

"Can anyone fill in for me?" TC asked Corey later on the phone. TC and Kara were eating hotdogs when something hit him. "I don't think so TC. There are a lot of people out. Bobby's doing work at the desks and Teresa is with him. Kara can stay at the fire house." TC sighed. "I guess. I'll see you in an hour then."

TC picked up his plate and set it in the sink. "So, Kara...Where are mom, Kevin and Jay?" TC asked. Kara froze. "Uh..I guess taking care of Kelly," she said and didn't make eye contact with him. "Kelly?" "Jay cheated on mom. He had Kelly with another woman. She left Kelly with him and ran off. She's four," Kara explained.

TC sighed. H knew Kay was a jerk. "But where are they?" he insisted. "In Newark," she mumbled. He nearly spit out his drink. "Newark? As in Newark, New Jersey?" he exclaimed. She nodded. He grabbed the phone. "Number, now. No games," he ordered. She recited hte number reluctantly.

Kevin answered. "Kevin, it's TC. Let me talk to my mom," TC said, not caring it had been six years since he'd last seen his stepbrother. "Hello? TC?" she answered. "MOM? Are you aware of where Kara Leigh is?" he demadned. "Sure, a sleepover. Maxine Peara." "No, she's standing next to me. In California!" "Oh, dear. She ranaway again. Well I'll tell Kay. Can't she stay there?" TC was shocked-she wasn't concerned at all. "Of course. But school..." "She hasn't seen you in so long. Enroll her there. Jay is home now. Bye and thanks, tC." She hung up then so did TC. She doesn't even care, he thought. "Well I guess you'll be here for awhile," he said, turning to her.