Chapter 5: Carrie meets Sean
You tell me, you hopeless romantic lovesick dope. Two hours past by as Sean and Ray were on the road again. Nothing but cold glares were being exchanged between the two brothers for all that was on their mind was both of their utter disdain for Kaitlyn and how she had the gaul to try and sneak back into both of their lives again as if nothing happened. The only detail left out was Sean not telling Ray how Kaitlyn mentioned both of their parents, otherwise Ray would lose it.
But Kaitlyn's never ending infatuation was always something Ray was never very fond of to begin and spewing on and on about her seemed to be what he was good at. He didn't even have to try and get riled up for him to almost lose his cool.
The look on his face basically gave away the entire situation. They were almost home, to their safe haven where they were guaranteed to feel at ease for the few precious hours left of their day and Ray was fuming in the passenger's seat.
"You know, I always admired you, bro. You were always the person that I admired myself to be one day. But in the back of my head, it always makes me wonder why you can't let your heart do the talking instead of your head sometimes?" Ray just spits right then and there unfolding his arms and placing them onto the dashboard.
As pissed as he was, he felt more frustrating than anything. He knew his brother had a big heart and an outgoing aura to him that made people want to know him better.
Nobody knew these qualities better than Sean but he didn't seem to get the full point across.
Sean: I'm not the same man I was in high school. Kaitlyn's publicity stunts are greatly exaggerated and I promised to not let them get in the way of what's important.
Ray: Then why do you keep falling for it? You already know what her play is so why give in to this hotshot bullshit?! It's always the same pattern she pulls on every boy who comes in her path every day of the week and then some-how much longer are you planning to drone this on for?
Sean: Maybe if the chick would take a hint!" Sean rebuttals, being forced to raise his voice, due to frustration. "I bet you, if we're to put a restraining order on her at this very moment, she'd be hightailing it in the back of my trunk. There's no getting away from her, ok? That well's been poisoned.
Ray: Look, I'm not saying to file a damn restraining order cause that'd cost a lot of money and a lot of time; both of which we don't have much of since it's only the beginning of the second semester. I'm just saying don't fall into her Poison Ivy theatrics.
It had gotten bad enough to the point that Ray had to be blunt about the situation just to get the point across.
Ray: Bad enough it made Scott dumb enough to give things away and last thing we need is history to repeat itself.
"Ray, come on. It ain't gonna happen again", Sean says.
Ray just scoffs at the remark. "Exactly what you said the last time before you came crawling back for her to sniff away your undies. I told you you were better off without her, man."
Sean: I get that. Jesus, would you cut me slack?"
Ray: I'm just trying to make a point here. What you need in your life now is normal. Social. A proper living. That's the whole reason we chose to attend college at home and not in another town. I mean, it's what our parents wanted, right?
Once again, the mentioning of their parents made Sean's nonchalant temper quickly erode from a physical perspective. For all that he could muster, the memory mentioned left little to be desired for the older sibling with his mind spinning at a hundred miles an hour trying his hardest not to comprehend what Ray has just said. The less he was briefed about it, the more Sean felt comfortable.
The only thing Ray got out of Sean was, "Maybe."
Ray: Maybe? Meaning what?
Sean: Not now.
Sean couldn't help but to leave the matter right then and change the topic as he finally pulls into the driveway of their safe haven. Turning off the ignition, he just rubs his hair. "You know something? I'm a little curious about...getting to know Ms. Desjardin better. Even that student of hers is a mystery in itself.
That came off to Ray as new. Student?, Ray ponders, not knowing what to make of his brother's statement. But he didn't like where this would go.
"I saw her earlier today before practice. She seemed shy and quiet", Sean piped up.
"I wouldn't go there, Sean." Ray intervened.
Sean: You're sure to uptight a lot. What'd you talk about?
Ray: Because it's not. It's always the quiet ones for nothing.
Not taking what his brother said on deaf ears, Sean fist-bumps Ray just as Sean notices Desjardin's van pulling up on the road from the corner of his eyes. Carrie was the first one to come out the van only for Sean to immediately lock eyes on her yet again. The very sight of her just overshadowed almost all that was happening around him, including his own brother. Ray had to honk the horn briefly just to snap Sean back to his own plane of reality.
Perhaps thinking rationally was also something he didn't have to try at.
It was only hours after that unbearable session with the doctor that Carrie and Desjardin took time to collect some groceries on the way back, the latter of which was a lot. Carrie was awfully quiet throughout the whole trip on the way back which gave Desjardin pause for concern, and rightfully so. Whether or not anything Anisha said broke her was left to be desired.
But that's all the more reason why Rita had to be upfront about it.
Desjardin: You sure you don't want to talk about it?
Carrie only nods as she basically did all day, much to Desjardin's dismay. It was always a pain whenever she DID try to shut her out and it showed. Despite being the only person she can trust, the very figment of this sad world had already done a number on poor Carrie and that meeting with Dr. Anisha was just the icing on the cake.
But that hardly did much to stop Rita from trying after Carrie stepped in with her hands full.
Desjardin: Look. I won't pressure you on anything if you don't wanna to say anything. But just know if that lady shows up again...she'll find her a-Ahem-herself in a hall.
Carrie: Don't worry about me...I'll be ok. And you know what? I'll...I'll consider going on this jog with you, just to prove so.
That's all she spoke, for the first time in hours. Rita's eyes widened as she gave her old student turned adopted daughter figure a wide smile.
Desjardin: Really? Well, that's great. You're going to love it. Trust me.
Two words, seven letters: Trust me. Carrie knew the only person who could say those words and actually mean it was the woman standing across from her. She just gave another nod as Desjardin stepped out of the van completely, only for Sean to get one more good look at Carrie again.
Nothing but stunned silence.
And there was nothing Ray could do about it. Unable to pass it by, he hops out of the passenger's seat to see Ms. Desjardin first.
Ray: Evening Ms. Desjardin.
Desjardin:Oh hello, Ray. How did the game go?
Ray groaned at the question. "Bad as shit. We lost by one point cause Sean...his ankle."
Desjardin: Oh no...that's horrible. Can he still walk?
Ray just nods Yes.
Desjardin: Well either way, I'm sure you'll get another chance.
Ray: Yeah, maybe next season but...not for a while. However, I think something-
As Ray and Desjardin continued onwards with their conversation, Sean finally gets himself out of the fantasy warfare in his mind as he looks at Carrie opening the trunk of the van after taking the first few bags inside. With more groceries than they bargained for, Sean saw exactly how much and ran up to help.
"Need some help?", Sean yelled from a distance away, startling Carrie again. Looking back as Sean grabbed a handful, she basically stumbled over her words trying to say it was ok and that she got it.
"It's no problem", Sean persists anyway.
Carrie just looked at him all dazed and confused. Even helping out with the simplest of things like that was something different than what Carrie'd see because normally that never happens back home and here was a complete stranger giving her and Desjardin a hand. Ray couldn't help but to notice but he didn't feel the need to flinch on what his brother was doing as Rita smiled again for Sean's helpful hand.
Carrie looked over, just for her nod at her this time, telling Carrie "It's ok".
Briefly grinning at Sean on the way, he just follows her inside, through the living room into the kitchen, placing the bags on the counter. Desjardins comes in shortly afterwards while the three just circle around each other from different corners of the room as Carrie just sits down.
"Wow. This is some house. I walk and drive by it a lot but never saw the inside." Not much of a response came from Carrie then. She just nodded at Sean and then looked down at him nervously.
Sean: It sure could fit my whole room. You like it here?
Once more, Carrie still remained silent. Sean didn't want to pressure her like before even though he was certain what happened last time was on his behalf, so he only thought of one thing.
Sean: Oh ma'am, I'm sorry. Where are my manners?
He extends and holds his hand out to Carrie.
Sean: I'm Sean. Sean Elvis Ford.
She just stares at him. No tension was being built. Just a friendly meeting with the next door neighbor.
Nowhere near as hostile as she was in her meeting with Anisha, she slowly gets up off the couch, walking towards Sean in a way that made him back up a bit. Sean almost thought of backing up again. But he finds himself with Carrie's hand grasped with his as she shook his hand as normally as she could.
Carrie: Carrietta...Naomi...White. Carrie, for short.
Sean: Carrie White, huh? Got a bit of a ring to it, honestly. I like it.
This marked one of the few other instances in which Carrie's name wasn't made fun of upon being introduced. One of the few times Carrie could actually relax from within.
Carrie: Umm, your middle name was Elvis? As in-?
Sean: Yeah, Elvis Presley. Mom was a big fan back in the 50's. Me? Not so much when I found out most of his songs weren't his. Long story but...yeah.
This actually made her smirk for a brief moment. But that smirk fades once she hears Desjardin clearing her throat from the other side of the room, startling her. Story of the night it seems.
Desjardin: Sorry, just thought...well, I see you two have so much to discuss. I'll leave you to it cause I think I'm gonna it call it a night. Night Carrie.
Carrie: Night, Ms. Desjardin.
She watches Desjardin disappear into the hallway and off to bed. It felt awkward having to draw those words from her lips. But at the same time, it felt all the more genuine since Desjardin was a better mom than Margaret ever was. As much as she didn't want to admit that, it rang true at the end.
Her focus suddenly shifted back to Sean. She felt the need to make the visitor feel welcome.
Carrie: Well um...would you...like anything to eat or drink?
Sean: I like water. I'm gonna need a lot of it.
Carrie: It's in the fridge.
Sean: Thanks. Let me...ow!
Carrie: No no no. It's ok, I can get it for you.
He couldn't tell but having read his mind mere seconds ago, she could tell that he wasn't close to 100%, giving his excessive limping. She had to lay him down on the couch as she crossed into the kitchen and got him and herself a bottle of water.
She just tosses it to him as he barely catches it.
Carrie: Wow. Nice catch.
Sean: Ahh it's no biggie. I actually used to try out for baseball when I was a wee little lad. Took a while thought before making the switch to basketball.
Carrie: Hmm. And what was your inspiration?
Sean: MJ.
Carrie laid puzzled as she sat down.
Sean: Michael Jordan. Who wouldn't want to take inspiration from a man who's always struggled through adversity right?
Truer words haven't been spoken.
Carrie: Yeah, I guess so.
Sean couldn't help but to smile briefly before he went serious again.
Sean: Except adversity...there's no simple way to it I guess...
No time to finish his sentence, Ray quickly comes barging through the door, startling Sean and making Carrie jump slightly.
Ray: O...K...I'm forfeiting entry. You can put your clothes back on.
Sean couldn't help but to scoff and chuckle again. "Dude, for real?"
Ray: Sorry man, it was right there. How could I not? Plus, would it kill you to NOT leave the door open?
Sean: How 'bout you try and not scare off the company, ok?
There seemed to be some miscommunication there since last Ray remembered Sean was the company in this house and not the other way around at theirs. Ray only hoped and prayed that his brother wasn't falling for Carrie.
As of right now, he felt no worry.
Ray: Oh right then...I um...I guess you're-
Carrie: Carrie White. And...you?
Ray: Raymond Ford. Sean's brother. But just call me Ray.
She nods slightly.
Ray: So what's your story?
That left Carrie reeling in both confusion and turmoil once again. Having told her life story and her forbidden past to Dr. Anisha mere hours ago, she didn't feel the need to repeat herself. So she tried to avoid the question.
"I don't have a story.", Carrie says in the most nonchalant manner imaginable.
Ray wasn't buying it and neither was Sean.
Ray: What do you mean? Everyone's got a story.
Sean: Very true.
Carrie: Just...sometimes I like to think there's always more to a person than just one thing.
This made Sean reflect back on himself, when he initially thought ahead to his past relationship with Kaitlyn and where everything just fell apart. And it brought Carrie to another interesting point.
Carrie: Have you ever had the feeling where you can't tell if you're still awake or if you're dreaming? Have you ever had a...a horrible, terrible, awful, no good, very bad day and you just wish that that day never existed? Is there anything about that you would want to change?
Both brothers had ONE day in mind that neither one were remotely proud of but just like Carrie, neither one of them knew it wasn't the appropriate time to actually express it and go into detail.
All they could do was just answer the question.
Sean: Yes. We did have one of those days. But I wouldn't deem it wise to wish that day never came.
Ray: Because it marks another opportunity for you to learn from your errors. You can either run from it or learn from it.
Yet again, another pint that Carrie couldn't seem to argue against because it made all the sense in the world. Suddenly, there's another brief chuckle from her. A rather uncharacteristic one, at that.
Carrie: You know I've watched "The Lion King"right?
Sean: Ha...she caught you there bro.
Ray: Yeah I've noticed. Look, if you're done in here, we got to get home.
Impatient and acting impractical, Ray almost felt the need to pressure Sean into getting him out of there. Whether it was right or not, he didn't care; he simply wanted out.
Sean: Soon.
Ray: Sean…
Sean: I said soon Ray.
Ray was already losing his patience with how much Sean still wanted to stick around and get to know Carrie more but again, Ray didn't seem to mind. But the way he proceeded to walk outside and wait gave Carrie a heavy suspicion about him as she looked at Sean with concern.
Carrie: Your...brother seems...unapproving.
Sean: Don't mind him. He's been that way since...
He stopped himself momentarily before continuing.
Sean:...since well...there was this girl and...
Carrie raised her eyebrows a bit and spoke out.
Carrie: You have a girlfriend...?
Sean: What...? No. No...I mean I used to but...it didn't last.
Carrie: What happened?
It eat at this moment Sean had to prevent himself from gritting his teeth.
Sean: Nothing really worth talking about.
Even with no idea where he was going with this, Carrie, from reading his mind again, did seem to understand a little bit about where he was coming from on how he felt Not being the person to inject herself into something she didn't belong in, she decided not to push any further. Letting loose of her grip on his head, she turns away a few seconds too late just as Sean sees her perched her face looking.
Sean: You alright?
Carrie: Huh? Oh...yeah. Yeah I'm fine. Sean, it was...really great talking to you but...I need to turn in too. I've kinda had a long day.
Sean: No sweat. And Carrie...?
She turns to him as he approaches the doorway.
Sean: If you ever want to talk about anything, anything at all...I'm a real good listener. I'm just right next door.
Carrie only briefly smiled at him just as Sean went out the door, this time shutting it completely. From the moment he stepped out, so much was already running through Carrie's mind and there was something about it that she couldn't place her fingers on. Twiddling her thumbs as she lunges off the couch, it was a full solid minute just thinking in solitude.
As much as Carrie didn't want to admit it, it was hard not to: there was so much about Sean that reminded her of Tommy Ross that it wasn't difficult to place the similarities together: His kindness, strong-will, somewhat of a big heart and not to mention Sean was 'pretty dreamy' in Rita's words...most of which Tommy displayed similar qualities for. It felt eerily robust, churning with butterflies in her stomach but Carrie wasn't gonna plan on going there so fast like before.
Though she enjoyed her moments with Tommy Ross, that event cost him his own life. Plus, her moments would have been short lived anyways given that Tommy still loved Sue Snell. The last thing she wanted was for history to repeat itself.
Still clouded over her judgment, not much could come out of it. She too has to go up for the night...but not before she stores away her prom dress and conceals it away in the attic for good.
To Be Continued…