Chapter 3

Tara

The clock now read 5:15 and for some reason Tara was anxious as all hell for Katherine to be coming over. Tara knew she had always been socially awkward and now she remembered why she didn't have many friends growing up.

She was weird.

She couldn't decide what to wear but settled on leggings and a light sweater she had picked up from target the other day. She fixed up her hair a little and went to get Abel from the play pen in her bedroom. As she was making her way I to the living room she heard a light knock on the door.

"Abel our new friend is here." She said and the little boy smiled. She returned it and opened the door.

Both women took in the other's appearance and chuckled. They were both wearing black leggings and the same sweater just in different colors.

"Target special?" Katherine asked with a laugh. Tara nodded her head and laughed as well.

"I brought some treats with me." Katherine held up the containers and Tara had moved aside to let her in. She showed her to the kitchen and Katherine placed the containers down on the counter.

"Did you walk here?" Tara asked.

"Yeah it was only like three miles. I usually do a run at night but since I wasn't going to I figured I'd walk here and back instead."

"I wish I had your motivation." Tara said with humor.

Katherine shrugged "I just enjoy the rush it gives me, Ive been running since junior high and stuck with it."

The two fell into light banter and chatter. Tara had showed her around the house and spoke of a few key items and where she kept them but told her to feel free to change anything she needed.

"I figured we could order out. I'm craving a sub and fries."

"That sounds amazing!" Katherine said. She had turned to the little boy in Taras arms and gave him a mega smile. Abel reached out for her and Tara allowed Katherine to gather the baby in her arms.

"Well that was easy."

Both laughed.

Before they knew it they had both finished their subs to completion along with the fries. Abel had enjoyed the attention he got from both women. The conversation had been so easy and there were no awkward pauses between them.

Tara headed inside to put Abel down but didn't want Katherine to leave just yet. She decided to grab the tray of brownies and headed back to the patio outside.

"So I'm going to take a wild guess and assume that your boyfriend or husband is the one who decorated the house."

Tara had to belly laugh at that. She knew the house looked more like a bachelor pad than a home but she could admit that decorating was not her strong suit. Again they slipped into an easy back and forth.

Tara had explained that Jax was serving time and watched closely for a judgmental reaction, but noticed Katherine didn't possess one. Tara had confessed things out loud she had never did to anyone. Not even Jax.

Their conversation continued with some funny stories and more serious ones. Katherine had talked about her family. She was an only child in the biological sense but her parents had eight children total.

She was in the middle and had 3 sisters and four brothers. She described her parents as hippies, and said they lived in Arizona on a large plot of land. Her mother held yoga retreats and her father was a sex therapist. Katherine revealed that she loved love and lived her life that way.

Tara was fascinated with her and felt a real connection with her. As their conversation started to dial down she realized it was midnight. Katherine had told her she should be heading home but Tara didn't want her walking at this time of night.

"Why don't you just stay. We'd feel better knowing they you're not walking home alone." She placed a hand on her belly and gave Katherine a look.

"You're seriously using your unborn baby against me?" Katherine asked with amusement.

"Yes I am." Tara said seriously.

"Fine fine fine I'll stay."

They both headed inside. Tara gave Katherine blankets and a pillow for the couch since the guest room wasn't completed.

As she made her way into bed that night Tara could t help but feel like everything was going to be okay. She felt like Katherine was exactly what she needed. She hoped the young woman would be happy caring for Abel and her baby when he or she arrived.

JACKSON

It had been a few weeks since they had been in Stockton and they still hadn't been granted phone or visitation. He knew they were only a few days away but it was killing him. Clay had been in contact with Gemma who let him know that Tara was doing okay but that she had been reserved for the most part.

He wasn't surprised. He had left Tara to care for Abel while pregnant and to deal with his mother of all people. He knew Tara didn't have many friends, any friends, and he figured the next thirteen months would be hard for her.

He couldn't help but dwell on how their relationship stood today. The two of them had assumed they could pick up where they left off when they were eighteen. Both of them realized that couldn't work. He knew he had a lot to work on in order to be a good old man. He just hoped that Tara allowed him the chance.

He couldn't help but think about his son and everything he was going to miss. His mother had assured him that Abel wouldn't remember this time and he was grateful for that fact. He had told his mother to back off of Tara and to allow her to be a mother and make decisions on her own. Gemma had reluctantly agreed.

He felt his hand itching for a cigarette, he wanted to know how things were going. He needed to know.

The thing that sucked most about prison is that all you have time to do is think. He constantly thought about ways to improve his relationship with Tara and his kids. He just didn't have an answer. Yet.

He couldn't help but feel like something was coming. It was strange but he had a feeling like things were going to change. Something good for once. He just wasn't sure what it was.

It was only a few days. He could survive a few more days before getting a visit.