Chapter 4
Footprints, new home and new job

Code:
' ' thought
" " pretty self explained (dialogue)
MSN...MSN msn messenger covo
FLASHBACK bit self explanatory
(the wee stars)- singing
(A/N) author note

Disclaimer: I don't own Rugrats or all grown up. I don't own Teen ranch, Romeo and Juliet, Michelle McManus, David Sneddon or their songs. I don't own the poem footprints but I would like to know who does and I want to thank them because he/she is a genius and I own CJ and Torso.

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Tommy couldn't believe it. He was sure he had lost her, lying there in silence, slowly drowning but now she was awake and alive.

"CJ! You're awake! Oh my god....." Cried Tommy.

"Oi less of using God's name in vain" said CJ. Tommy smiled.

"Sorry CJ! You're back CJ you had everyone worrying!" said Tommy.

"How what happened? All I remember is leaving the Java Lava and having an argument with my auntie" said CJ.

"It's ok! Auntie Magi hurt you and its ok if your memory is fuzzy for a while because she did hurt your temple. Good thing Andy found you in time," said Tommy.

"Where's Andy? Is he ok? Did she get him?" panicked CJ as she sat up. Tommy placed a hand on her shoulder. CJ sank into the bed

"It's ok. He's fine. He's gone to talk to you Auntie Jane," said Tommy. Andy walked in.

"Hey CJ you're back in the land of living!" said Andy. CJ burst into tears.

"I'm sorry I should have listened to you!" cried CJ. Andy sat down.

"Hey it's ok! Auntie Jane says she's getting in contact with your social worker here in America and the one in Scotland and they'll arrange something ok?" said Andy.

"Does that mean I have to move again?" asked CJ. Andy gave a meek smile

'Should I make up a lie? I can't! She's my little cousin I can't lie to her' thought Andy

"I can't answer that CJ! Let's just concentrate on getting you better!" said Andy. CJ smiled back, trying hard not to cry.

"I'm just going to get a bite to eat. Andy do you want coffee?" asked Tommy.

"Yeah thanks" said Andy.

"Can I get a chocolate bar? Sorry candy bar and tea if they have any" asked CJ. Tommy smiled.

"Yeah sure" said Tommy as he left. CJ sat up in her bed.

"Did you get my CD player?" asked CJ changing the subject.

"Yeah and I got the saddo David Sneddon for you" teased Andy.

"He's not a saddo. He's good looking and he can sing!" smiled CJ.

"Is that why you fancy Tommy?" teased Andy.

"What? I don't fancy Tommy! Me and him are just pals" said CJ going red.

"So why are you going red?" asked Andy.

"I'm hot!" said CJ

"Sure and I'm mother Theresa" said Andy in sarcasm

"He's a great guy! Look Andy don't you think about matchmaking coz he's totally not into me. He's more interested in Kimmi" said CJ.

"So you fancy him then?" asked Andy. CJ nodded blushing

"Look Andy drop it I can get my own guys" said CJ.

"Yeah when did you last go out on a date?" asked Andy.

"Before mum and dad died" said CJ looking at the floor. Andy realised maybe he was being a bit insensitive.

"Look I now it hasn't been easy but Mum and Dad wouldn't have wanted you to give up on guys because of them!" said Andy.

"I know! I hate being in here. Reminds me of the crash" said CJ.

"You gave me a flash back!" said Andy.

"Did I?" whispered CJ. Andy nodded.

"I was scared. I thought she hurt you this time" said Andy.

"Hey I'm a petal! I'm not as weak as I look!" smiled CJ.

"I know but you scare me at times when you get yourself in these states and I didn't sleep last night neither did Tommy!" said Andy. CJ's smiled faded.

"Tommy was here? Why?" asked CJ.

"He really cares about you! I mean I tried to send him home to get shut eye but he was persistent!" said Andy. At that moment Tommy came along with the two Coffees, one tea and three chocolate candy bars.

"Thanks" said CJ.

"Any way I'm going to go and talk to mum and then phone your social worker ok? Right no chatting up the male doctors" said Andy.

"You sound like Aunt Jane" said CJ. Andy smile and laughed

"Just behave your self!" said Andy as he left.

"Tommy I don't want this to sound like I don't want you here but go home and get some sleep please?" said CJ.

"CJ I'm ok!" said Tommy.

"Tommy no offence you look like you could do with some sleep" said CJ. Tommy laughed.

"Ok I'll come back later on then! Now listen to your cousin" teased Tommy.

"TOMMY!!!" shrieked CJ as she playfully hit him in the arm.

"Kimmi was here but she's back at the java lava" said Tommy. CJ nodded as Tommy left and saw Phil and Lil cam along.

"Hey you're awake" said Phil.

"Yeah I feel like a bus hurt me" said CJ.

"We brought you candy" said Lil as she placed it beside the fruit basket.

"Thanks! I can't believe Tommy stayed here over night" said CJ.

"Tommy was a nervous wreak when we went to get your stuff." said Phil. CJ looked confused.

"Yeah we did this plan coz your Auntie Magi was in and me, Phil and Angelica acted like we were selling cookies while Chucky, Kimmi, Andy, Tommy and Suzie sneaked in to get your stuff" said Lil.

"Woh" whispered CJ.

"Hey they're cute girl nurses near your ward" said Phil. CJ laughed.

"You can go and chat them up if you want" joked CJ. Phil jumped out of seat and went to find the nurses.

"Men" said Lil. CJ and Lil laughed.

"Men aren't that bad. Just the majority of them are asses" said CJ. Lil nodded.

"So you don't think Tommy's an ass then?" said Lil.

"No he's not he's a cool guy and not in the "I have a crush on him" way which my cousin keeps hinting" said CJ.

"I just think you guys would make a cute couple" said Lil. CJ went red.

"He does have the hots for you" said Lil.

"Does he?" asked CJ. Lil nodded.

"Since the first day you met each other. Tommy is just shy with girls he really likes!" said Lil. At that moment Kimmi and Andy came into the room

"Hey!" said Kimmi.

"Hey" yawned CJ.

"Did you phone the s work" said CJ. Andy knew what she meant while Kimmi and Lil were confused.

"Couldn't the office is closed till Monday. Bad news Auntie Magi knows you're here but the police have arrested her but they said they might not prove that she hurt you" said Andy. CJ gave a half smile.

"THAT'S BANG OUT!" shouted Lil as she banged the table. CJ jumped in fear and her face went chalk white.

"Lil calm down hey where's Phil?" asked Kimmi.

"Chatting up the nurses" said Lil.

"Typical Phil" said Kimmi.

"I'm away" said Andy as he left to join Phil. The girls sighed as the gossiped about the dance and how CJ was.

CJ couldn't sleep that night. The drama of the day was keeping her awake.

She reached out to put her side light on as she grabbed her bible. As she opened to the front page she noticed a poem she had glued in.

"Footprints" quietly read CJ. CJ couldn't remember sticking in the poem but then again Tommy did say her memory would be a little fuzzy. CJ continued to read on as if she was reading the poem for the first time.

"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life was played before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

The really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me"

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During the times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you" read CJ. After she did she looked out the window and saw a nurse she came into the cubical.

"Why are you awake Clarissa-Jane?" asked the nurse as she sat down.

"My names not Clarissa-Jane its CJ! I can't sleep! I thought I would read a bit of my bible. I just realised I have a poem stuck inside and I thought I was reading it quietly," said CJ.

"I see! Do you believe in this stuff?" asked the nurse.

"I've been a Christian since I was 11. I became a Christian when I was at my uncle's work place" said CJ.

"Where does your uncle work?" asked the nurse.

"He owns a huge Christian camp for teenagers. I was a camper and I began to realise I couldn't get to heaven relying on my uncle and aunt, mum or my cousins. I prayed with others that week who also became Christians," said CJ.

"What did your family say about it?" asked the nurse.

"Most of my family where happy except two people. My dad and Auntie Magi. However my dad did become a Christian before he died in the accident" said CJ.

"Oh right! What happened?" asked the nurse.

"I was in the car and I was going to the ranch to stay for the whole summer. When a lorry swerved from no where and smashed into the driver's side of the car. My dad died on the way and my mum was on ventilators but died later on when I had to switch off the machine," said CJ.

"Sorry for asking pet" said the nurse.

"Its ok coz I know God is there for me! Like in the poem footprints" said CJ.

"How do you know that?" asked the nurse.

"When you look out at a sunrise or sunset do you believe it's just there by accident or did someone make it? When you look at nature and everything around you is beautiful is that because it just happened to be that way or did someone make that plant so beautiful?" asked CJ.

"If that's the case then why the suffering?" asked the nurse.

"Who says times of trials don't make you a stronger person?

2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 17 "we have small troubles for a while now but they are helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater than the troubles". What seams like a problem now can turn into an opportunity or a challenge in a good way" said CJ. The nurse was challenged.

"Oh! Right! Any ways I have other patients to see so keep the noise down ok. Any problems remember the buzzer?" said the nurse. CJ nodded as the nurse left. CJ put the bible beside her jug of water. She switched her light off. She lay awake as voices ran around her head. As the voices grew quieter, she fell asleep.

CJ didn't wake up till about half twelve the next day. CJ slowly sat up as she saw she had lunch beside her. She pulled the table to above her lap and began to slowly to eat the food. Andy walked into CJ's cubical.

"Morning or should I say afternoon?" asked Andy

"Hey" said CJ as she ate a bit of a puff pastry pie.

"I phoned S work here and they say that you have to finish your school year here in America then you've to move to Dundee and mum and dad are gonna foster you" said Andy. This made CJ have a mix of emotions. Joy because she was getting away from her Aunt Magi but sad as she would leave her new friends behind.

"Ok so where am I staying?" asked CJ.

"Yeah I have a friend here and he's agreed for me and you to stay until you finish your school year," said Andy.

"Do I know him?" asked CJ.

"Remember your group leader about 5 years ago?" asked Andy

"Oh Torso. He lives here!" asked CJ. Andy nodded.

"Cool" said CJ as she drank the orange juice in front of her

"I thought you might have liked that arrangement" said Andy as he laughed. I smiled. Torso was CJ's second group leader during the summer and was a very good friend of Andy's.

"Yeah my group only won coz of him and also my dorm won the dorm inspection and I won cowgirl of the week" said CJ.

"Yeah you were the first camper to do that CJ" said Andy. CJ smiled meekly as she ate a bit of the chocolate pudding. Andy knew CJ was holding back tears. A nurse came around the cubical.

"Morning Clarissa-Jane. We did a brain scan and despite being dropped on the temple side of your head there was no damage done to your brain and this afternoon you can got back home" said the doctor.

"thank you" said CJ.

With the help of Andy, CJ packed all her stuff into the bag Andy brought it in. CJ left the hospital as Tommy and Chucky came near the hospital.

"hey so doctor gave you the all clear?" asked Tommy.

"Yeap and I am going to live with Andy until summer and then me and him are moving back to Scotland" said CJ. Tommy's smiled faded.

"Oh so your moving back to Glasgow?" asked Tommy

"Nope I'm moving to Dundee where my uncle Rich and Aunt Jane are going to foster me! But you can always visit" said CJ.

"Hey what are you doing after you go back to where ever you're living" asked Chucky.

"Don't know why" asked CJ.

"Well I thought just hanging around the java lava!" asked Chucky.

"Yeah sure. Your dad owns it doesn't he?" asked CJ as they walked to the apartments

"Yeah why?" asked Chucky.

"Is he looking for any new assistants you know to help around?" asked CJ.

"Yeah there's a vacancy why?" asked Chucky.

"I could do with a job to earn some bucks before I go back to Dundee and then I can put that to the back account at home and start work up at teen ranch if aunt Jane and uncle rich will let me" said CJ.

"CJ they will!" answered Andy.

"Well I'll speak to my dad and I'll let you speak to him when we go down" said Chucky.

"Brill so I'll see you guys later on ok" said CJ as Andy and her went a different way form Tommy and Chucky.

"Yeah ok" said Tommy and Chucky.

They walked up the stairs to apartment 299B. Andy rang the buzzer.

"'hello!" said a voice.

"Hey it's Andy and CJ open up" said Andy.

"Cumin" said the voice. CJ didn't recognise the voice but as soon as he opened the door she was happy to see a familiar face. He has back spiky hair with blue eyes and compared to Andy he was really tall.

"Hey CJ how are you?" said Torso. CJ gave a shy smile

"I'm ok considering" said CJ.

"Man come in" said Torso. Andy and CJ entered into the living room. Inside was a large TV connected with cable TV and a music system. And the kitchen had one empty pizza box and the hob was a bit messy and the pots were in the sink.

"CJ I'll show your room and Andy I'll show your room" said Torso. CJ was guided to the room. Inside it was blue with a single bed and a desk beside the bed with a lamp and a laptop.

"I have the internet for you and msn messenger for you." said Torso.

"Thank you!" said CJ as she played the guitar near the desk.

"No sweat! Can you cook?" said Torso. CJ nodded.

"A few things why?" asked CJ.

"Well you and Andy can help out in the kitchen but today we'll go out!" said Torso.

"Oh cool brill!" said CJ.

"Ok you can settle in and make yourself at home!" said Torso. CJ began to unpack. Her cellphone began to ring. It was Tommy.

"Hey" answered CJ.

"Hey how's the new home?" asked Tommy.

"It's brill I have a laptop in my own room with internet and msn messenger how awesome is that?" asked CJ.

"Awesome. Will I come in for you?" asked Tommy.

"Yeah sure the apartment number 229B. Just press the buzzer so I know your coming" said CJ.

"Cool see you in a bit" said Tommy as he hung up. CJ threw her phone into a small denim bag. CJ placed her doll, Dotty on her bed. Suddenly the buzzer rang. Torso answered

"Hello" answered Torso.

"Hey this is Tommy is CJ there?" asked Tommy.

"Yeah I'll go get her" said Torso. He let go of the button.

"HEY CJ! TOMMY'S AT THE DOOR!" shouted Torso.

"COMING TELL HIM I'LL BE THERE IN A SEC!" shouted CJ. Torso pressed the button and spoke into the intercom.

"Ok" said Tommy. Torso let go of the intercom button. CJ went to the door.

"Was that Andy on the intercom?" asked Tommy.

"No it was Torso. He is so cool! He was my group leader from the ranch!" said CJ.

"Hey guys I'm going out for a while," said CJ.

"Ok we'll ring when we want you back," shouted Andy.

"Ok" said CJ as she left the apartment.

CJ and Tommy arrived at the Java Lava. Chucky was inside talking to what CJ thought was his dad.

"Hey dad this is CJ she's looking about the job" said Chucky as CJ and Tommy entered.

"Hiya" said CJ quiet shyly.

"Hello you sung here didn't you?" asked his dad.

"Yeah after Clive announced me! I'm Clarissa-Jane but call me CJ" said CJ.

"Well we have to do an interview and we'll do it in the office" said Chucky's dad.

"Ok sorry I wasn't dressed properly" said CJ as she followed him. CJ looked around the office. It was pretty basic. A poster or two and a desk with a desktop computer. CJ sat down on a chair will Chucky's dad sat down on a fancy swivel chair. Chucky's dad got out a form.

"I'll need a couple of details like name and stuff like that" said Chucky's dad as he handed her a form. CJ looked down, grabbed a pen form her bag and started to fill out the form. Basic stuff like name and wither or not you had experience at the type of job. CJ wrote out the form within a couple of minutes. Chucky's dad read through the form.

"I see you worked at a Christian run camp for teenagers explain about that" asked Chucky's dad.

"Yeah I basically helped out in the kitchen helping prepare food and set tables and sometimes I would help out washing dishes." said CJ.

"I see! Have you got any home economic certificates?" asked Chucky's dad.

"No because I didn't take home economics in third year in high school in Scotland but I am really willing to learn anything in the shop" said CJ as she bit her lip. Chucky's dad looked up.

"Ok I'll give you a tour round and you can start as of Monday after school. You're hired" said Chucky's dad. CJ smiled

"Thank you Mr Finster" said CJ

"Just call me Chaz" said Chucky's dad.

So CJ is rebuilding her life but will it all crumble? find out in love is like a blossoming flower