Keeping Katie Ch 12
John was smiling two days later when Don saw him and he knew Charlene had had a big date the evening before. He had a sneaking suspicion about what was going on, but it wasn't anything that he could have said anything about. A smile on a detective was unusual, but it wasn't something he could ask as his captain. And frankly it was nice to see. He did called him in.
John came into his office. "You wanted to see me sir?"
"Yes. We're having that family picnic this weekend. Are you coming?" he asked.
"Am I invited?"
"Absolutely. And a guest."
"I'll be there. I won't need a guest placemat." he said.
"There will be plenty if you change your mind."
"Thank you."
Don was certain now that he was seeing Charlene. Good for him. He called in everyone else too for a last minute check and made a note of who was coming and who wasn't. Karen called him and told him that they were going to need some groceries, that Charlene had an appointment and wouldn't be home for the evening. That she'd be going to get them so if they weren't home when he got home not to be alarmed. He offered to meet them at the store and then he'd take them to pick up some takeout. He looked forward to Karens thank you's. She really appreciated it when he was thoughtful.
Except he didn't get away in time and went home after the kids had gone to bed. Karen was sitting in the common living room doing paperwork that seemed never ending. She had them spread all over the couch and table in front of her. She had a pencil in her hand and a calculator next to her on the sofa. She was making notes on a notebook while filling out forms in pencil. She laid her head back on the sofa and smiled. "Hi."
"What are you doing?"
"Looking to see where we can cut corners. Joseph brings in the same amount of money the kids do, but he eats like a grown man and it's throwing my food budget way off. How are you?"
"Fine. I just couldn't get away in time, I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I understand. These things happen."
"So did you come up with anything?"
"Not so far. And BB had a talk with Charlene tonight, but I didn't get a chance to talk to her before she left in a hurry. I think she had a date. It's kind of bothering me that she thought she could come to Charlene and not me. I tried her number but it's shut off or something."
"If it's serious, you know Charlene would've mentioned it." he said.
"I know. I'm a control freak, I guess. I like to be on top of things."
"It's not a bad thing. Trust someone else to take some of the responsibility. Charlene knows how much these kids mean to both of you. If she wasn't worried you shouldn't be either. That's one of the good things about having people around you can trust."
"Yes, my mentor. Do you trust your detectives to do their jobs right?"
"Yes, I do. My job is to take care of the things they can't get to and I'm more objective than they are. I can see the bigger picture."
"The bigger picture. What a way to look at it. I'll think about that next time I get a chance. Welcome home, by the way. I missed you."
"I'm glad. You're spoiling me, you know. I'm getting used to being missed. I'm also in a big hurry to leave there and come home to hear what all went on today good and bad. Any idea why that is?"
"You're a glutton for punishment?" she teased.
"I'm a glutton for you." he admitted. "Is there anything I can do to help you here?"
"If you want to look it over, I'd appreciate it. Maybe your bigger picture mind will see something I can't."
"Let's see." he took the book from her and began to study it. She sat closer to him and explained things he asked about. She had a good system going, very detailed. Every thing was down to the last penny and it added up meticulously. "I must be tired tonight. I don't see where any of this is extra. I see where you get things in bulk, you use store brands not name brands, there's coupons on things, the stores are big box stores for savings, your food stores are high, but I see the highest things are the stuff you can. Entertainment is the only expense that I could see that you could cut back on and you don't do much of that now. You operate on a very tight budget. Can you cut back on food for the animals?"
"Not the dogs. They need the high protein for the mommas and puppies. I'll need to wean them soon and put an ad out for them. That'll help with the revenue. And they will be having fall stock up sales at the grocery stores soon. That'll help."
"You don't have alot that you need to stock up on. And what are you going to use to pay for it?"
"That's what this is for. See? Here's the monthly budget and here's the amount I take out every month to put in a special account for repairs if I need something fixed, extra food for the winter months when times are lean or the heating bill is huge. I'll spend it this time of year and next month I'll start replenishing it for next year. It's all on the next page."
He turned the page and found where the columns were added up. He even found one marked Xmas and one that said B-Days. Neither was extravagant but was sufficient to allow for a nice holiday if spent properly. It was all mapped out. "You don't have the picnic figured in here. That's causing you a major headache financially. Can we afford it?"
"This is something I do for the kids annually. I'm paying for it out of my salary. And this year it's for us as a family more than ever. It's all covered, Don. I want it to be a big deal for us every year, as long as you think it's appropriate."
"We'll see." Don said looking over the books. "I think you missed your calling. You should have been an accountant."
"No thanks. Too boring." she said leaning her head against his shoulder.
He continued looking over her books where they were all neatly done for the last four years in this book. "You do this every year? Where are the rest of them?" he asked casually.
There was no reply. He looked down to see she had fallen asleep leaning against his arm. She looked so tired. He put the book down and just studied her. Asleep she was calm and resting, but she looked tired. She had so much energy when she was awake. It amused him to see her relaxed. He smiled tenderly at her. This was a rare opportunity to just look at her.
He sighed and sank down just a bit on the sofa. It was good to be home. He was enjoying a rare quiet moment in the house when he heard noises behind him. He looked over his shoulder and say BB looking rumpled. "I didn't know you were home. I thought Karen was alone." she said.
"She's asleep. Did you need something?" Don asked quietly.
"I - I just wanted to talk to her about something." she said, but she didn't move off into her room.
Don moved carefully and eased Karen down onto the cushions and got up. "Let's go into the kitchen." he said softly.
BB was nervous, but she wanted to talk to someone and he was there. "Can I get you something from the frig? Karen put your dinner in there until you got home. I could stick it in the microwave for you." she said agitated.
"No, but I'll have a soda. Do you want some?"
"No, thank you."
"Can I help you with something?" Don asked accepting the soda from her.
"I, uh, talked to Charlene, but she said I needed to talk to Karen. I wanted to tonight but I didn't get a chance."
"Is something wrong?"
"There's this dance at school. Everyone is expected to go. I wanted Karen to give me a slip that says I can't go."
"Why can't you go?" Don asked.
"It's a Father/daughter dance. That's kind of obvious, isn't it?" she asked bitterly.
"Oh, I see. And you're the only girl there who doesn't have a father to take you?"
"No. I have a few friends who...well, the guys that are going with them aren't exactly their fathers. Julie is taking her stepdad, and Rene is asking her mothers boyfriend. But I'm different. I don't have either a father or a mother."
"And Karen doesn't qualify as your mother?"
"I guess she does."
"But you're still embarrassed at not having either parent? What about Laslo? Does he feel the same way?"
"I don't know. The boys aren't expected to care."
"Let me ask you a question, BB. Do you want to go to this dance?"
"No! But the teacher said we have to be proper young ladies and we should find a male relative to bring us. Even if it was our grandfather. She's really big into this manners thing."
"I'm going to tell you something that I've never told anyone before. I always wanted to have children of my own and it just never happened. If I was going to have a daughter, I'd want her to be alot like you. If you want to go to the dance, if it's good for your grade, I'd be honored to go with you. We wouldn't have to tell anyone anything except that I'm a friend of the family if you don't want to. I'm not trying to butt in here, but I'd be proud to go with you."
"You'd do that for me? You wouldn't feel out of place?"
"No. As you pointed out, I wouldn't be the only man there who is not a biological father, but I'd be one of the proudest ones there. Just think about it, BB."
"I will, no, I can't go. I'd need a dress and Karens budget is already stretched to the limit."
"I think we can afford a new dress if you want to go to the dance. I'll speak to Karen about it if you want me to."
"Would you?" BB asked relieved.
"First chance I get. When is this dance?"
"Friday night."
"I'll talk to her tomorrow. Is there anything else?"
"No."
"Then you ought to get to bed. You want your beauty sleep so you'll look gorgeous for your dance."
"Okay. Good night."
"Good night, BB."
"Uh, Don?"
"Yes?" he was startled by her use of his first name. She'd never done that before.
"Thank you for..." she gestured with a wave of her hand.
He smiled at the girl. "You're welcome. Go to bed."
He went into the living room and gathered up the papers. Then he leaned down and kissed Karens temple. "Hey, beautiful."
Luckily his reflexes were good because Karen shot upright "What? What's wrong?" she demanded, groggy and looking around for whatever had woken her up.
"Easy, love. It's me. Everything is okay."
"Don? I'm sorry. I must've fallen asleep. It wasn't the company. Paperwork always puts me to sleep."
"It's late. Let's go to bed."
"Did you get something to eat? I put your food in the frig."
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Let's go to bed."
"You sweet talker, you."
He smiled at her slightly off the wall comments. Now he knew when to tell her he wanted to do things she might not approve of. Or that she would not want to hear. Not that he'd ever do that to her. He closed down the house for the night and followed her to bed.
TBC
