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Chapter 4
Courtney awoke the next morning to the giggles of a three year old. She wasn't sure what was so funny but she didn't particularly want to find out. So she stayed on the mattress eyes shut until the little girl approached her.
"Mommy," Cali cried in her singsong voice, "Look at me."
Courtney reluctantly opened her eyes. She was afraid at what she would see, and she had every right to be. In front of Courtney stood her daughter, perfectly dressed and clean, but the horror was behind her. The kid had gone through every single box that was in the place. Clothing, toy's, book's, and everything else imaginable were on the floor.
"What did you do," Courtney said as she fell back on the mattress.
"I got dress," Cali said as she went to sit on her mother, "I'm hungie."
"Yeah, I figured you would be, Munchkin," Courtney said as she lifted her daughter up and went to search the clothing tossed everywhere.
-.-
It had taken Courtney some time to find what she wanted to wear, seeing as Cali had thrown everything everywhere in her search for clothing to get dressed, it was her new favorite thing to do. Once Courtney was dressed she grabbed her purse and left with her daughter in tow.
They had arrived at a little diner called Kelly's and were currently waiting for someone to wait on them. After waiting about ten minutes a short brunette walked up.
"Hi, I'm Elizabeth. What can I get for you," She asked in an annoyed fashion. This was not where she had intended to be after having a baby, but she was.
"A plate of pancakes and bacon with hash browns and a kids waffle meal. Two glasses of Milk and a coffee," Courtney replied.
"Anything else,"
"No, that's all thanks," Courtney said with a smile.
"That should be right up," Elizabeth said as she walked away.
-.-
Jason walked into Kelly's exhausted. Sure he didn't mind Sam at times, but she was being very clingy. He didn't really pay attention to anyone in the restaurant as he walked up to the counter and got a cup of coffee.
-
Courtney watched as Cali continued to play with her food, only putting a bit in every few minutes, her way of saying 'can we go play'.
"You stay in your seat," Courtney requested, "I'm just going to give the lady over there money for the meal."
"Ok," Cali replied as she continued to play with her food.
Courtney just laughed as she made her way up to the counter. She stopped by a man who had come in a few minutes earlier and waited for Elizabeth.
"Can I get the check," Courtney screamed trying to get the woman's attention after having been passed by numerous times.
Jason turned to see who was screaming only to be met by the frustrated face of a gorgeous blonde waiting for Elizabeth to help her.
"Here, You could be a little more patient. There are other customers," Elizabeth snapped. She hadn't liked the blonde since she walked in, this incident just made her dislike her more. "More coffee Jason?"
"No," Jason said still not taking his eyes off the stunning woman next to him.
She could feel his eyes on her. She wasn't sure why but she didn't feel uncomfortable. It would usually have bothered her that someone was staring at her, but for some reason it didn't. Not when it was this man.
Jason watched as the woman dug in her purse to pay for her meal. He got concerned when he saw her brow furrow.
Courtney was digging in her purse looking for her wallet. She couldn't find it, and what she did have in her purse really wouldn't pay for the meal.
Elizabeth stood in front of the woman frustrated, she had been called over. The least the woman could do was give her the money promptly.
"Well," Elizabeth responded while tapping her foot.
"I'm sorry," Courtney, responded flustered as she continued to dig in her purse, "I can't find my wallet."
"Not my problem," Elizabeth replied.
Courtney continued digging in her purse. She couldn't find her wallet, but maybe she had some loose bills floating around. Her hands landed on a wad of paper, hoping it was cash Courtney pulled it out.
Elizabeth was shocked. Was this woman playing some sort of joke on her?
Courtney couldn't believe it. She didn't have any money on her and she knew why.
Jason sat in awe. He was trying to hide his laughter. This woman was trying to pay with fake money that looked like it was from a board game.
All three were ripped from there thoughts at the laugh of a child. They all spun around to look at the little blonde girl covered in syrup laughing. This made Jason start to laugh, and made Courtney have trouble keeping a straight face. Liz on the other hand was not so pleased.
"So who's going to pay," Liz said needing to get to work.
Courtney spun around just in time to see Liz walk away.
"Wait I," Courtney tried to say.
"It's ok, I took care of it. I'm Jason by the way," He said holding his hand out.
"Courtney, You didn't have to do that. I have money," She responded, as she ignored his hand in front of her.
"I don't think that will get you very far," Jason replied pointing to the fake stack of bills.
"Yes, I get that," She sighed, "My daughter thinks its funny when 'Mommy has Cali's money."
Courtney had to laugh at that. It sounded ridiculous, but this wasn't the first time that Cali had done this.
"I can pay you back," Courtney insisted.
"You don't have to," Jason said with a slight smile,
"So your daughter's name is Cali," Jason asked as he turned to face the little girl who was stacking what was left of her waffles and sausages on her plate.
"Caroline,"
"What," Jason asked. He had zoned out looking at the girl. She looked like her mother, but something about her made him want to get to know the kid, and her mother.
"Her full names Caroline. Caroline Rae," Courtney responded as Jason looked at her again.
"That's my friends name, Caroline. Everyone calls her Carly though," Jason said. He wasn't sure why he told her about Carly, it just slipped out. He watched as Courtney turned a pasty white, "What's wrong?"
Courtney couldn't believe this. She had been talking all this time with some guy named Jason and she hadn't put it together. This was one of Carly's friends, her Carly, the same Carly that got in tons of trouble with her. The same Jason who's last name was Morgan, the one that was supposed to be a cold-blooded killer.
