Okay here's the latest. Sorry for the delay with this. This update jumps a bit and is leading into some stuff that's proving a challenge to write. Hope it reads clearly in spite of that. Thanks so much Bookworm for the feedback and Shockey13 for the follow! I'm looking forward to updates to both your stories! More to come on this one soon. :)
1 Month Later
"Duck! Farrah duck!"
"I trying, I trying!", she yelled, fiddling with the controller for the game and trying to get her player out of harms way before the guards attacked, cost them both their last life.
"Damn it!", J.J yelled, throwing the controller down in frustration as Farrah glared.
"You say bad word again.", she said, shifting on the couch so she was facing him but he still was staring at the TV.
"I thought you said Pete would teach you how to beat the level."
"I no see him.", Farrah shrugged, tossing her controller onto the coffee table.
"How come?"
"Nick say he busy.", she answered before standing.
"You want popcorn?"
"Yeah. Sure. I'll reset the game if you make it."
Nodding, Farrah walked over to the kitchen where Brody was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper.
"Hey, brat. You need anything?"
"I make popcorn.", Farrah said, grabbing a pack from the box in the cupboard and tearing the plastic wrapper off.
"You guys just ate lunch!", Brody sputtered. Wondering when their stomachs had become bottomless pits.
"We hungry again.", she smiled shyly, pressing the button on the microwave.
"Look, it's a beautiful day outside. You guys want to go to the park or something?", Brody asked.
"We ask Pete to come?"
Shaking his head Brody stood up, leaned against the countertop.
"Farrah I told you, he's had a lot of work to do lately."
"J.J keep asking about him.", Farrah said softly as Brody arched a brow, frowned.
"What does he want to know about...", he started to ask as J.J walked in.
"Popcorn done yet? I reset the game for us."
"Good. I beat level this time.", Farrah grinned, grabbing the popcorn bag out of the microwave once it dinged.
"Wait guys, use a bowl, guys!", Brody called after them but they'd already started the game back up.
Rolling his eyes, he brought one in the living room, dumped the popcorn in it only to have his phone go off. Not recognizing the number he went into the kitchen to answer before J.J paused the game.
"What is wrong? I say I try again!", Farrah whined.
"In a second. Can I tell you something?"
"Yes. What?"
"You know how Nick asked you why I keep asking about Pete?"
"Yes. I not answer because I not know.", Farrah shrugged.
"Well, that day we were at the park with Nick and my grandma, I...I overheard them talking."
"What they talk about?", she asked curiously as J.J chewed his lip.
"They talked about Pete. My...my grandma said she didn't want him to be my dad."
"Wait...I confused.", Farrah frowned.
"Why would she say that if she didn't think that Pete was my real dad? My grandma doesn't lie or make up stories!"
"Wait, Pete...my friend...you think, he your father?", she gasped as J.J nodded, then shushed her when he heard Brody walk back in the room.
"Farrah, come here for a second."
"Why?"
"It's important, c'mon!"
Annoyed, she let out a huff and went to move off the sofa but J.J grabbed her arm.
"Don't tell anyone what I just told you, alright? We can talk about it but only us, okay?!" he whispered as she grinned.
"It secret?!"
"Yes, it's a secret."
"Okay I no tell. I promise.", Farrah said before Brody called her again. Rolling her eyes she ran into the kitchen and saw him standing impatiently, holding out the phone.
"Someone wants to talk to you."
Frowning she took the phone and hearing who was on the other end, a huge grin broke onto her face.
"CARRIE!", Farrah cheered as Carrie tried not to get choked up on the other end.
"I miss you!"
"I know, honey. I miss you too. But I've got a few minutes to talk. How are you? How's Calvin? Are you two getting along with Brody?"
"Yes. We good.", Farrah said, smiling up at him before J.J yelled from the living room.
"Farrah! It's almost your turn!"
"Who was that?", Carrie asked, hearing the unfamiliar voice over the speakerphone.
"It my friend.", Farrah said as J.J yelled again, walked into the kitchen.
"My too loud friend!", she groaned. Turning the speaker off she ran upstairs with the phone as J.J and Brody exchanged looks, shrugged.
"C'mon bud, I'll take her turn."
Once upstairs, Farrah shut the door, than jumped onto, sprawled out on her bed.
"You turned off the speakerphone?"
"Yes. Nick always get to talk. It is my turn.", she said firmly as Carrie laughed.
"So who's the too loud friend you have over?"
"His name J.J."
"How did you guys meet?"
"At community center."
"What about his family? Did you meet his mom and dad?"
Hearing unusual silence on the other end Carrie frowned.
"Farrah? You still there?"
"Yes. I...I here."
"What's wrong then? You just got really quiet."
"I have question.", Farrah said softly, chewing the tip of her braid.
"Sure. What is it?"
"Do spies need to be good at secrets?"
"I don't understand. You mean good at keeping secrets?"
"Yes. Keeping them."
"Well, yes.", Carrie answered, trying not to sound too puzzled. "Keeping secrets when you're a spy is pretty important."
Frowning at this odd conversation, not sure where it would lead but curious about it, she didn't try and switch subjects.
"Why are you asking me about this?"
"Can one spy tell other spy secret?"
"I think that depends on whom you tell. If he or she is a friend. Farrah?"
"Yes?"
"Honey, did someone ask you to keep something a secret?"
After a beat the girl answered.
"Yes. I...I promise I not tell!"
"Farrah look, my being a spy or not you can always talk to me, okay? You can tell me anything."
"I...I want to. Tell this."
"Then you should, alright? Sweetheart I don't want you to keep things from me. You know I don't like when there's secrets between us, I-"
"Miss Mathison?", a nurse interrupted, giving Carrie a stern look.
"Can I help you with something?"
"There's a line forming behind you for the phone. You need to be courteous to the other patients here. Please wrap it up."
"I'll wrap it up when my five minutes are up! You think I give a shit about a line? I had to wait in one too!", Carrie snapped, getting a glare from the nurse and muttering from the people behind her. Intimidated but wishing she wasn't, she swallowed hard, spoke.
"Honey, I have to go okay? But I'll try and call back as soon as I can, you have my word, okay?"
"But...Carrie?!"
"Farrah I-"
Cut off when the nurse pushed a button to end the call, Carrie shot her a glare. Eyes welling up she slammed the receiver back in the cradle and stalked off towards the double doors. Walked right into Abby.
"Whoa!"
"I'm sorry, I...I'm sorry."
"Honey are you okay?"
"I've been better.", Carrie sighed, wiping her eyes.
"Did something happen? Remember what I said in group. Communication is key, especially in here. We're here to help you."
Swallowing hard, not wanting to burst into tears with this much of an audience, she crossed her arms.
"Well your colleague over there kicked me off the fucking phone. I haven't spoken to my daughter in weeks and when I finally have the chance..."
"You mean the nurse over there? Peg?", Abby asked, getting a nod.
"Honey she's had a stick up her butt all morning. Don't pay any attention to her.", the older woman snorted, getting a trace of a smirk that soon faded.
"Don't look so sad. Even if you can't get to the phone your visiting privileges kicked in."
"They did?!"
"I got the last of the paperwork pushed through this morning. You've been attending group, taking your meds. Your monthly report looked good. So once the phone frees up call your sister or someone. They can stop by for a quick visit this afternoon."
Now trying to keep from crying for a different reason, Carrie nodded, smiled.
"I will. I definitely will.", she said before Abby nodded to a now freed up phone. Racing over to it Carrie reached for and grabbed it a split second before someone else. Who had the nerve to clear his throat.
"Excuse me, ma'am but I think I was here first.", he drawled.
"No, you weren't!", Carrie snapped.
"Fine then. Maybe I'll let you cut ahead."
Seeing him give her a once over she shook her head, scoffed.
"Why? Because I asked so nicely?"
Rolling her eyes she turned to dial the phone as he leaned up against the wall it was mounted on. His eyes still uncomfortably on her.
"Do you mind?"
"Who is it you're so eager to talk to?"
Tempted to bark about it being none of his goddamn business, chewing her lip she thought better of it. Knowing a surefire way to get him or any pushy man to back off.
"My baby-daddy two towns over.", Carrie smirked, moving her free hand to her belly for emphasis.
"I see. Well go right ahead then. I can wait."
Uncomfortable with an audience but knowing protesting or leaving could cost her the phone, earn her another day without a visitor, Carrie turned away, dialed Brody's cell before putting a suggestive smile on her face.
"Hey baby..", she purred into the phone.
"Carrie?"
"I really miss you, handsome. You miss me?", she asked, laying it on extra thick hoping she'd scare off or send the stranger away in disgust.
"Handsome? What the-"
"It's so lonely here all by myself."
"Carrie, for Christ's sake. What is going on?!"
"How are you feeling?"
"A little violated to tell you the truth!", Brody sputtered, thrown by the syrupy, singles line tone she was speaking to him in.
Giggling, Carrie moved as far away from the man as the phone cord would allow. Seeing his attention was mostly off her now she sighed, lost the flirty smile.
"Since when do you talk to me like that?"
"Since I had to show my complete commitment to my goddamn baby-daddy.", she hissed.
"Am I supposed to even ask what you-"
"No, you're not. Look I can't talk long but I wanted to tell you. I got visitation privileges."
"You did?! Shit, Carrie!", Brody exclaimed. "Can I come today?"
"You missed me that much?"
"What? I can't show my complete commitment to my baby-mama?", he teased, then grimaced at how that phrase sounded to him and must've sounded to her.
"Shit. That was pretty cringeworthy, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, we don't need to ever...yeah." Shaking her head she smiled in spite of herself.
"I really miss you."
"I miss you too. When can I come down? Would later this afternoon work?"
"I think it could. Talk to Maggie, she has the schedule."
"Is there anything you want me to bring?"
"I don't really know what's allowed. If Farrah has any artwork though she wants-"
"There's a folder full of drawings in her room. I'll bring it."
Blinking back tears Carrie nodded, smiled, then went solemn thinking of the last conversation she and her had had.
"Brody, is everything alright with her?"
"Yeah? Why do you ask?"
"She just sounded odd on the phone. Secretive. I don't-"
"Carrie, what else do you expect when practically everyone caring for her's with the CIA?"
"It's not like her, Brody. I'm used to hearing detailed descriptions of her entire fucking day. The Agency hasn't rubbed off on her that much. Hell, I haven't for at least the past month."
"Oh yeah? Because she gave me your patented scoff, snort, eyeroll earlier this morning."
"Well did you deserve it?", Carrie teased, only to hear a throat clearing and see the stranger's attention was back on her.
"Look I have to go, but try and come this afternoon, okay? I..."
"I know. I love you too."
"Be sure and tell-"
"I will. She knows, but I will. I'll be there with her drawings as soon as I can."
"Thank you. I...I can't wait. Bye."
After Brody hung up, seeing the man still standing nearby, instead of glaring or chickening out and not acknowledging him at all, Carrie walked up and shoved the phone into his palm.
"It's all yours."
"Thanks. You and your baby daddy have a good talk?"
"As good as you can when you're timed and watched.", Carrie snorted.
"I'm sorry. It's tough not to overhear when you're stuck standing around and waiting. You can listen to my call if you'd like."
"It's alright. I'm just gonna go back to my room.", she said, turning to leave.
"Want to make room for all the artwork coming in?"
"Excuse me?"
"You're getting some artwork, right? From someone named Farrah?"
"Jesus. You overheard quite a bit, didn't you!", Carrie bristled.
"Who is she? Friend of yours?"
"It's none of your fucking business who she is!", she spat.
"Again, I...I'm sorry. Didn't mean to cross a line I can't uncross. I just-"
"What?"
"I just want to get to know people around here. Make a friend or two.", he admitted, looking vulnerable as he did so.
"You want to make friends in the fucking psych ward?"
"Beats making enemies, right? Lord knows I got plenty of them on the outside."
"Point taken.", Carrie admitted. "I have a few of them myself."
"So you mind my asking who you are?"
"Who's asking?", she frowned, arching a brow.
"Well my friends call me-"
"We're not friends."
"That's true. But we're not enemies yet either."
"Yeah, well..." Carrie shrugged as a nurse walked into the lounge, approached them.
"There you are! Your lawyer's called for a meeting, Mr. Lawson!"
"Looks like you've got another friend to see."
"Hey, we'll get there. Give it some time.", he called after Carrie, watching intently as she walked out the double doors.
"This way, Dominic.", the nurse said, taking him by the arm and leading him out the opposite exit.