Chapter3

The rest of the weekend went fairly uneventful for Kim. He didn't see Amy on Sunday and didn't really expect to see her until the next weekend at the beach. He didn't really think about it too much though, as he was always thinking about little Charlie and the things they could do together.

Kim had a somewhat boring day at school on Monday and was glad when the final bell rang at 3:05.

"Hey Kim," he heard a voice call out from behind. Turning around he saw his two best friends, Tasha Andrews, and her boyfriend, Robbie Hunter, walking towards him.

"Hey guys," he greeted them back.

"Are you getting Charlie this afternoon?" asked Tasha.

"Yeah I'm just gonna go home and get changed then I'll go get him," replied Kim, "Do you guys wanna come?"

"Sure, I will. I'd love to see the little guy again," said Robbie.

"Oh, sorry guys I cant. I promised Ms Fletcher I'd look after Pippa for her," said Tasha.

"Alright, well then we'll see you some other time. I might bring Charlie over to see her later,"

"Ok, have fun without me guys. See ya Rob."

"Bye Tash," said Robbie. They kissed and then pulled away. Tasha walked towards home and the two boys wandered off in the other direction.

"So things are getting pretty serious with you and Tash, aren't they?" asked Kim.

"Yeah, you could say that," Robbie answered, "She's such an amazing girl."

"Hmmm," Kim said, to nobody in particular.

The boys walked back to Kim's place with Alf Stuart over the diner, chatting all the way. Once Kim had changed, they climbed into his car and Kim drove to the city.

They arrived at Brooke's flat and Kim went up to the door, while Robbie waited in the car. From his seat, Robbie watched Kim knock on the door, then knock again after a couple of minutes. Climbing out of the car he called to Kim.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know," replied Kim, "there's no answer."

"Maybe she's not home, she might have forgotten it was your week to have him," suggested Robbie.

"I talked to her this morning and let her know. And the car is there," answered Kim, pointing to the driveway, where a beat up blue car was parked.

Suddenly there was a crash from inside the house and Kim heard Charlie cry. Then he heard Brooke shout, "Jesus Charlie, what the hell have you done?"

Panicking, Kim opened the door and rushed inside, where he found Brooke standing over Charlie, who was sitting on the floor with a bleeding hand, smashed glass scattered all around him. Robbie followed close behind in case Kim needed any help.

"What happened here?" Kim bellowed. He knelt down to pick up Charlie and at once the little boy stopped crying.

Kim looked up at Brooke and what he saw gave him a fright. Brooke looked pale and skinny and there were dark circles under her eyes.

"Nothing, none of your business. What the hell are you doing in here? And what is he doing here?" Brooke yelled. She sounded sick.

"I came to pick up my son," he replied, "where do you keep your band aids?"

"In the kitchen," she said, standing up. Without saying a word she walked into her bedroom and slammed the door.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Robbie, looking worried.

"I don't know. Probably not getting enough sleep of something," said Kim, frowning. He looked down at Charlie, who was thrusting his bloodied hand in Kim's face. "Hey mate!" Kim greeted.

"Why don't you get him cleaned up and get his stuff and I'll clear up this mess," suggested Robbie.

"Thanks mate, if ya wouldn't mind."

Ten minutes later, the two boys walked out of the house, Kim carrying Charlie and his car seat and Robbie with his bag. They were silent for most of the trip back to Summer Bay. Robbie thought it best not to talk seeing as Kim looked so deep in thought. It wasn't til they reach the outskirts of the Bay that Kim came out with, "something didn't seem right with Brooke."

"She seemed kind of distracted, maybe she's just not feeling well," replied Robbie.

"Hmmm maybe. I'm not sure. But anyway, if she is it will do her good to have a week to herself."

After dropping Robbie off at home, Kim headed back to the Diner.

"Just you and me now," he said to Charlie, smiling at him in the rear-view mirror. Charlie gurgled and smiled at him.