Part 3
"So. You like my mom." Caroline watches Andy carefully. It's Thursday morning, and they are huddled at Andy's computer transcribing an interview. Andy clears her throat. She is so bagged.
"Um, why do you say that?" Caroline stares at Andy with raised eyebrows. She relents when Andy looks away, a blush staining her cheeks.
"Andy, I watched you two the other night. It's obvious." Caroline hears Andy clear her throat again. Caroline wonders whether Andy is afraid she doesn't approve. "I discussed it with Cassidy last night." Caroline stops talking when she sees Andy's panicked expression. "It's okay. I think you're great. And Mom smiled after you left. A real smile. I think you should go for it."
Andy leans back in the chair as if all her bones have turned to jelly. Caroline watches Andy close her eyes for a moment and rub her forehead. Sitting back up, Andy sends a smile Caroline's way. "Thanks. That means a lot. I can't promise anything, though. She might not want anything more than friendship. Or that might be all I want."
"Oh, come on, Andy! I can understand that you're afraid—everyone's scared of Mom. Even Cass and I are sometimes, but you like each other. I can put in a good word for you, if you think it will help." Andy's chuckle lets Caroline know that she's getting over her embarrassment.
"It's not—well. Thanks." With a deep breath, Andy turns into the journalist-cum-slave-driver-from-hell. Conversation over. As she has all week, Caroline tries to do her best to impress Andy. If Andy and Mom get together, Caroline will get much more than an awesome mentor and role model in her life. She'll also get Mom's bright smiles and animated voice again. Caroline intends to smooth the way for them as much as possible.
At the very least, Caroline will make sure that Mom knows she and Cass don't mind, that they want her to be happy. Andy is certainly better than all those losers Mom used to date. They never made Mom act like she had on Monday night. Caroline doesn't care that Andy's a woman. All she cares about is whether she makes Mom happy. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Andy can help Caroline with her writing. And, who knows—maybe she likes soccer, too.
It is hard to believe how quickly the week has flown by. Caroline is excited by how much she has learned. She's been helping Andy with her assignments while working on what she has dubbed as the punishment article. Caroline's never applied herself this much toward anything. She feels good, like she has accomplished something. Caroline has gained a healthy respect for the work involved in putting an article together. It's difficult not to allow her biases to color the article, to just stick to the facts. Andy's been great with showing her how to keep from letting her emotions cloud her writing. Caroline has learned that even editorials can't be purely opinion-based. All the research she has done is starting to pay off.
Last night, Caroline heard her mom talking to Andy on the phone. It wasn't hard since Caroline stood outside the den eavesdropping. Her mom used that odd tone of voice again. Caroline was finally able to place it. It was kind of breathless and sensual. Not something she particularly liked to hear her mom using. It was kind of icky. All the same, Caroline doesn't mind as long as her mom keeps smiling. This morning, Caroline actually heard her humming. And every night this week, she has seemed a bit more interested in what's been occurring during Caroline's day. It's not that she hadn't cared before. But Caroline knows how to hold a captive audience. So, Caroline has made sure to mention Andy. A lot. Andy this and Andy that. It has kept her mom focused and attentive.
At the end of the day, Caroline enters Andy's office and waits for her to look up. Softly, Caroline says, "I hope you and Mom have a good time tonight." Caroline shifts on her feet, then adds, "Please don't hurt her, Andy. She's been sad for a long time."
Andy smiles sweetly. "I have been, too. It's just dinner, though. We may decide that we're better off friends. We have a lot to discuss. Whatever happens, I'm not going to waste this chance. I want to spend time with her in whatever capacity we agree is best for us." Andy looks at Caroline solemnly. "I won't hurt her."
That's good enough for Caroline. She smiles at Andy. "That's settled, then." She shakes a finger at Andy, "Just don't you go keeping her out too late, young lady. She has to get her beauty sleep." It feels good to laugh with Andy. Caroline hopes fervently that the date goes well.
When she gets home, Caroline witnesses a sight she never expected. Her mom has thrown several outfits onto her bed and is currently pacing. Wow, she's so nervous.
"Hi, Mom." Caroline sits on the bed. "You look great. Andy's really looking forward to tonight."
"What do you know about tonight?" Her mom stands in front of Caroline dissecting her with one of her infamous stares. Caroline girds her loins. This is too important to feign ignorance.
"I know you two are going to dinner. I know she's made you smile and hum. I know she's been excited and nervous, and it looks like you are, too." Caroline stops talking when she sees her mom's lips turn up. Caroline stands up and places a hand on her mom's forearm. "She really likes you, Mom. I know you like her. Cass and I are okay with it. So, take this for the gift it is, and go get the girl."
Caroline is pleasantly surprised by the fierce hug she receives. Once her mom lets go, Caroline turns to leave. At the door, Caroline looks back and says saucily, "Besides, once you two lovebirds get together, you'll have me to thank. That must be worth something, right?" At her mom's raised eyebrows, Caroline smiles and continues on her way. Oh, yeah. There is no way she'll ever let them forget how their paths crossed again.
Several hours later, Caroline lies in bed listening to her iPod. She's been fighting sleep, wanting to find out how her mom's evening has gone. Hearing the door open, Caroline starts down the stairs. She stops when she realizes her mom isn't alone. She's brought Andy back with her? What a slut! On the first date, even. Then again, she and Cass have given their blessing. And they obviously have strong feelings for each other that go way back. Creeping forward, Caroline takes her position to spy. She promises herself she won't make this a habit, but she needs to know.
"Thank you for walking me to the door, Andrea. It wasn't necessary."
"Sure it was. How else could I do this?" Caroline stifles a gasp as she sees Andy lean forward to kiss her mom. Caroline watches with rapt attention as they act like they have all the time in the world. The kiss goes on and on and on. Andy treats Caroline's mom like she's the most delicate flower, one that can be crushed if handled too roughly. Their bodies don't touch; they don't smush together or grab each other. It is nothing like the soap operas Caroline sometimes watches on SOAPnet or even what she's seen at school when her friends make out in the stairwell. Their kiss is slow and gentle, as if they are drinking each other in. It's the type of kiss Caroline hopes to experience some day with someone who really cares about her.
Caroline feels like an intruder witnessing their first kiss, but that doesn't stop her from watching, of course. Not this one time. What's better than watching a romance blossom? Plus, she has promised to report back to Cass. When they finally end the kiss, her mom's eyes remain closed for a moment before fluttering open. Way to go, Andy!
"I have waited a long time to do that. I just couldn't wait any longer," Andy says softly. Caroline can hardly hear her. She wants to tell her to speak up.
"I have always appreciated how you make your own choices. How lucky I am that it coincides with my desires so perfectly." Oddly enough, her mom's voice sounds like it is booming through the house.
"I should go." Andy looks like she's in pain.
"Yes." Her mom presses her lips together as she wraps her arms around herself. "I had a lovely time."
"Me, too. Do you think, I mean, I know you're busy—"
"Are you free Sunday afternoon?" Way to go, Mom! Knowing that they are going to see each other again thrills Caroline. At Andy's nod, her mom places a hand on Andy's shoulder as she delivers a short peck on the lips. "Until Sunday." After Andy leaves, Caroline watches her mom take a few deep breaths as she runs a hand through her hair. She tilts her head upward and says, "Go to bed, Caroline."
Shit! "Uh, okay. Good night." Caroline runs back to her room without looking back. How does she do that?
The next day Caroline concentrates on finishing her assignments. This is her last day of the internship, and Caroline is upset to find her time at the Mirror ending. Caroline feels like she has no right to complain since she was lucky they had let her stay for the week. Yet, there is still so much more to learn.
Finally content with her article, Caroline prints it and goes to find Andy. Waiting while Andy reads it, Caroline keeps her fingers crossed behind her back and tries to remain still. Andy looks up and smiles. "You can sit down, Caroline," she comments before refocusing on the article.
Caroline sits on the edge of a seat and looks around the office. She has spent a lot of time here over the past week. She's going to miss it. She's going to miss the constant motion and sense of purpose she has experienced. She's also going to miss Andy. The only bright spot is knowing Andy is coming over on Sunday.
Watching Andy place the document on her desk while she sports a thoughtful look makes Caroline nervous. Caroline focuses on her breathing and tells herself that the article is good. Really good. It's the best thing she's ever written.
"You've done a great job." Caroline slouches in her chair, relieved. Andy grins at her response. "I had a feeling you'd deliver just what is needed. I was so confident, in fact, that I talked to Greg about having it published." Andy smiles. "With a few minor adjustments, we can submit this to him."
"Really? You aren't kidding, are you?" Caroline is so excited she's afraid she is going to pee her pants. At Andy's nod, Caroline jumps up and hugs her. "Thank you!"
"All right, all right," Andy laughs. "Sit back down. We have more to talk about." Andy waits until Caroline is sitting before continuing. "I also talked to Greg about extending your internship for the rest of the summer."
Feeling her eyes widen, Caroline grabs the chair armrests and tries to concentrate on what Andy is saying. This is so majorly awesome.
"I spoke to your mom, too. She said it's okay if you want to continue here. It will be challenging, but you don't seem to mind that. So, what do you think?" Andy asks.
"I think, I think, oh my God, Andy! Really? Thank you so much! You won't regret it. I promise." Caroline bounces on the chair wanting to hug Andy again but restrains herself. She feels her smile stretching so widely across her face it hurts her cheeks. She doesn't care. Caroline is so grateful she wants to cry and shout and dance and jump. She settles for beaming at Andy, who seems to enjoy Caroline's reaction.
"Good. Let's see if we can put this article to bed. We have about an hour."
By the time Caroline leaves the Mirror, she is feeling pretty jubilant. Her piece is going to be in the Sunday edition. Caroline can't wait to tell everyone. Seeing Roy standing next to the Mercedes, Caroline switches direction. For the past week she has taken the subway, much to her mom's chagrin. Although Caroline will never admit it, she is glad to see Roy and the car. She sends Roy a smile as she gets in.
"Mom! I have so much to tell you." Caroline says when she realizes the car isn't empty. She lets all her great news tumble out of her mouth, not stopping until she has said everything. Running out of steam, Caroline notices Mom's amused smile. Caroline grins. "So, how are you?"
"Very good. I thought we might go out to celebrate at Celeste's." Caroline agrees enthusiastically.
This day just keeps getting better and better. That's their special restaurant. It isn't one of those ritzy ones Mom goes to when meeting with a client. This is the one where she takes Caroline and Cassidy for special occasions. It is small and homey where food is served family style. Caroline sits back with a happy sigh. Cass is going to be so jealous.
Once they are making headway into their food, her mom gazes at Caroline for several moments and says, "I am pleased to hear that you are doing so well at the Mirror. Andrea mentioned that you have a talent for research." Caroline can't help feeling some satisfaction at proving herself to her mom. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Are you kidding? I love it! I have an idea for a new article, too. I'm hoping Andy will like it." Caroline can hardly contain her enthusiasm.
"Tell me about it." Surprised, Caroline accepts the invitation and fills the rest of their mealtime with details of the idea that has been forming for the last few days. Caroline becomes even more excited by the suggestions her mom offers. By the time they get home, Caroline is revved to start researching the topic.
"Thanks for dinner, Mom. It was great. And thanks for helping me with the new article. I really want to do a good job." Caroline smiles brightly at her mom.
"You are quite welcome. I am available to help anytime," her mom says. She seems sincere, but Caroline knows how busy she is. Still, she's been really helpful tonight. Maybe every so often she can ask her for some feedback. Caroline smiles once more and heads to her room. She wants to start outlining her new article before she forgets some of the ideas they have discussed over dinner.
Over the next six weeks Caroline gets to tag along with Andy on her assignments as well as work on her own articles. She's had three of them published so far. Her mom has showered her with praise. Well, her version of it, anyway. Still, Caroline is pretty proud of herself.
Caroline also feels absolved from her deception since a student from Bayard Rustin got awarded the internship that she had swiped. Joey seemed nice enough, although Caroline has hardly spoken to him. He ended up shadowing for a week the guy who covers the crime beat. Joey thought it was so cool to arrive at the crime scenes, seeing bloodied victims and drugged-out assailants. Caroline doesn't find any of that exciting.
It's Friday night, and Mom is out with Andy. Caroline smiles. They seem really happy, all shy and sappy—not at all the way Mom has acted with anyone else. Caroline has only caught them kissing one other time. It wasn't Caroline's fault. Really. She had no idea Andy was still in the house. It was late—nearly midnight, a couple of days ago. Caroline had been working on some research, and she had decided to go downstairs for some water.
Hearing voices murmuring, Caroline had frozen in her tracks on the stairs. Looking down, she'd seen them near the front door. Mom had been whispering something in Andy's ear. Caroline couldn't hear the words, but the voice had sounded low and seductive. Caroline had remained transfixed as she had watched Andy swing Mom against the door and kiss her. It hadn't been a little peck, either. It had been a full-blown, I-want-to-get-into-your-Chanel-pants kiss.
Caroline had watched in awe as Mom, the ever-in-control master of the fashion world, had swooned. When Caroline had heard Mom moan as she slid her fingers through Andy's chestnut hair, Caroline had begun to feel a bit uncomfortable. Finally, they had separated, but their faces had remained close to each other.
Once Caroline had seen Mom deliver one of those special, full smiles, she'd returned to her bedroom. She hadn't wanted to see any more. If Andy wasn't in love, that smile would push her over.
Tonight Caroline is going to the movies with her friend, Amy. Since beginning the internship, Caroline hasn't had much time to socialize. Besides Cass, Amy is her best friend. Caroline's looking forward to catching up. Noticing the time, Caroline hurries to shut down her computer and leave. They are meeting at the theater at seven.
Several hours later, Caroline lets herself into the townhouse quietly. She is still stuffed from all the carbs they ate. Mom would disapprove. Caroline smirks. Running up the stairs, she enters the den looking for her mom, but she isn't there. Caroline had planned to sleep over at Amy's house, but since Caroline wants to work on her new article about the pressures of private schools versus public schools on their students, she has decided to return home. Usually, Mom works on the Book in the den, but sometimes she reviews it while in bed. Without further thought Caroline opens her mom's bedroom door to let her know she's back. What she sees causes her words to die in her throat as she hurries to exit before she's noticed.
Heart thrumming forcefully in her throat, Caroline makes it back to her room and collapses on the bed. Oh my God! Caroline places an arm over her eyes as if to block out what she's just seen. It's useless. How is she ever going to look either of them in the eyes again? Of course, she knows they are dating, and she knows that sex must enter the picture at some point, but actually seeing the proof is mortifying. Caroline feels her face heat up. She's sure it's beet red by now.
Flashes of too much naked skin, her mom raised above Andy's prostrate body as she moved in an obvious rhythm with her head thrown back, and the sounds coming from them stream through Caroline's mind. Caroline groans in despair. She's never heard her mom sound like that! Remembering the way she was moaning Andy's name makes the hair on Caroline's arms stand up. Yuck! Pulling a pillow over her head, Caroline tries to clear her mind. There are some things kids just shouldn't know about their parents. It's too traumatizing.
Caroline decides to sneak downstairs, slam the door, and loudly climb the stairs while yelling for her mom. Perhaps that will serve as enough notice, and they will never realize that Caroline saw way more than she has ever bargained for. Decision made, Caroline rolls over and rises from the bed. Tiptoeing down the staircase, Caroline wonders whether she should just return to Amy's house. It is clear that her mom had planned to have Andy come back to the townhouse after dinner while under the impression that Caroline would be elsewhere. Caroline feels kind of bad for ruining those plans. Would Mom try to hide Andy's presence once Caroline announced herself?
After a few moments of serious contemplation, Caroline decides it is too late to go to Amy's house. It would seem too unusual at this point. Caroline doesn't want to create more problems. She certainly doesn't want to explain. Leaving the townhouse, Caroline sits on the concrete stairs to wait. They are obviously in the middle of doing it, and Caroline believes the least she can do is let them finish. To Caroline's knowledge, Mom hasn't been with anyone in years. Caroline supposes Mom might have had sex with others since Stephen. The truth is that Caroline's never really thought about it. She does not want to start now.
If Stephen is anything to go by, they should be done in about ten minutes. Caroline remembers how she and Cass would giggle when they heard Stephen grunting from Mom's bedroom. It never lasted long, and afterward, Mom would go to the den to work. Sure that ten minutes will be sufficient, Caroline thinks about her article as time passes. Glancing at her watch, Caroline is surprised to see that fifteen minutes have passed. More than enough time.
Opening the door, Caroline slams it loudly and clomps up the stairs while shouting, "Mom, I'm home." Listening for her mom's bedroom door to open, Caroline is puzzled. She isn't coming. "Mom?" Caroline says loudly as she slowly makes her way toward her mom's bedroom. No answer.
Placing her ear against the closed door, Caroline hears loud moaning from within. Caroline rears back. That's a surprise. Caroline fully expected them to be done, to maybe even see Andy readying to leave the house. Not this. They're still at it? Now what was she supposed to do?
With a sigh of resignation, Caroline returns to her room to write a note, letting her mom know that she's home and that she will see her in the morning. Returning to her mom's bedroom, she hears more sickeningly sexual sounds coming from behind the door. Was that Andy? Shaking her head, Caroline quickly slides the note under the door, returns to her room, and dons her iPod.
Evidently, Andy is nothing like Stephen.
Well, Caroline supposes she shouldn't be so surprised. After all, Mom took Andy to their special restaurant tonight. She must really like Andy if she is letting Andy into her world instead of merely trying to impress her. Caroline, hoping that Andy would recognize the significance of the restaurant, had even taken pains to discuss it with Andy. "She's taking you to a special place. She only takes me and Cass there." As Andy's eyes had lit up, Caroline had grinned. Andy really did like her mom.
Caroline considers as she feels herself starting to fall asleep that Mom and Andy are probably in love. That's a good thing. As for Mom and Andy having sex, they will have to work out a system so Caroline doesn't have to experience such trauma in the future. Caroline concedes that perhaps it will help if she stops barging into her mom's room unannounced, too. It's not something she has ever really had to think about before. She does now, though. Caroline shudders. Definitely.
When Caroline enters the kitchen the next morning, she sees Andy bending down to kiss Mom. "Hi," Caroline says brightly. She busies herself making toast while Andy and Mom plan when they'll see each other again. They sound so cute.
Caroline sits down and gazes at them. Yup, they're going to make it. "So, tell the truth. You have been pining away for each other since Andy left Runway, and you both have had no idea what to do or even whether you should do anything." At their stunned looks, Caroline chuckles. "It's so classic." She shakes her head. Pinning her mom with a look, Caroline continues, "Don't you dare let Andy get away. She's great." Turning toward Andy, Caroline says, "And don't even think about loving and leaving. That's so 1990's." Caroline starts munching on her toast. When she realizes no one is talking, she looks at two shocked faces and smiles.
"So, I'm getting the exclusive, right?" She's not sure whether two pairs of raised eyebrows equal a yes, but Caroline plans to keep working on them. She'll get her story. She's a reporter.
The End.