The baby monitor came to life as Flora began to wail, "Mamamamaaaaaa."
Kate smiled at Caroline, "I'll check on her." For reasons only Flora knew, the past week, she only wanted Caroline. Naptime, bedtime, bath time, playing, eating, it was all Caroline, all the time. A few weeks earlier, it was the other way around.
Kate put on her robe just as track 3 began to play the first few notes. She hit pause before walking out. She momentarily stood outside Flora's room, knowing her daughter hadn't napped nearly long enough, silently hoping she would settle back down but the screaming continued. Kate rescued her from the confines of her cot, but the crying continued until she spotted Caroline.
"Mamamaaaaaaaaa," whined Flora as she reached for Caroline who was still out of reach.
Kate handed off the toddler and then turned back to start the music again. By the time she climbed back into bed, Caroline was rubbing Flora's back as she began to drift back to sleep.
"Awww, I love this song," said Caroline. I can imagine why you added it but I want to hear the story.
(June 2012)
Kate walked into the café, silently repeating 'I can do this' in an attempt to psyche herself up for what was about to happen and all that had happened over the past few weeks since she and Caroline first met.
She was happy to be there for Caroline, to give her someone to talk to but the whole situation was still a bit odd. Unlike their prior two meetings, Caroline stood as Kate walked towards her. The blonde hadn't gone for a hug, just an awkward mix of handshake and hand on the shoulder. Something about this made Kate smile and relax, knowing that Caroline found the situation a bit unusual as well.
Kate patiently listened as Caroline complained about all the things John did or didn't do. He came back to the house for some of his things but it was while the boys weren't home so he wouldn't have to face them. Weeks in and he texted them but has not yet called them or taken them out somewhere. He withdrew a nice sum of money from their bank account but has not contributed to their mortgage. He called while drunk one night called her a mad cow, but he never called to apologize.
The list went on and on and Caroline was eerily stoic as she spoke, but finally her voice cracked as she said, "he acts like I don't have feelings, like this is somehow my fault. We didn't have a perfect marriage, but I feel blindsided…angry…numb. All of this while I must be the responsible parent, the one who works full time to pay the bills and…" she lowered her voice, "…venereal diseases, I had to get checked."
Up to that point, it was all facts, a list of John's bad behavior but this was the first time she mentioned her feelings in any detail. "I'm here to listen. I don't have answers but will listen whenever you need to talk."
Caroline reached out and took Kate's hand, "thank you."
From that moment on, the conversation shifted to other topics but listening to Caroline as she shared her feelings, in Kate's mind, it was that day, that moment which marked the beginning of their friendship.
A few days later, Caroline found Kate in the hallway, "do you have five minutes?"
Kate nodded and followed the head teacher into her office.
"What I told you the other day, it was too much, I shouldn't have. You won't say anything to anyone, will you?"
"Caroline, it's good to talk to about our problems and anything you tell me; it stays between us. I promise, I'm not the kind of friend who will gossip, who will tell others. It's not my story to tell."
Caroline smiled.
"If you ever feel uncomfortable talking to me, that's fine, I will completely understand, just make sure you talk with someone, don't keep it all to yourself."
Caroline nodded.
A few days later, she called Kate.
"Hi Caroline, everything okay?"
"Yes, no, I shouldn't have called. It's late, we have work tomorrow."
"It's fine, it's 10:00, not that late, tell me what happened."
"You'll…I think I may be overreacting."
"I can't say if you are overreacting unless I know what happened, but if he has upset you, you have a right to feel however you do."
"John's sister called last night. I wouldn't say we are extremely close but at the same time, we've been friendly over the years. We don't see her too often, they live in Blackpool, but her kids are about the same age as the boys, so we would plan something and make a day or weekend of it, we've even gone on holiday together a few times. She called to see if the four of us wanted to meet up in a few weeks. She had no idea about John and me, he never bothered to tell his own sister. We didn't talk long; she was furious at John, hurt that he hadn't bothered to tell her. Anyway, he called me, livid that I told her, screaming at me, how dare I. Am I wrong, it is his sister, should I have let him tell her? Should I have…"
Kate patiently listened for the next hour, allowing Cariline to say everything she needed five times over, all while reassuring her it was John who was in the wrong.
Less than twenty-four hours later, Caroline found herself calling Kate once again. "John finally stopped by to see the boys today. I wasn't home yet but he wants to take them somewhere on Saturday."
"That's good, isn't it?" Kate asked.
"Yes, of course but William confided that John was making all sorts of unrealistic promises and saying disparaging things about me. I'm sure he's still angry with me for telling his sister. After they told me, I texted him, to ask for the details about Saturday. He called a little while ago, drunk, shouting and started the name calling once again. I'm just…I'm…," Caroline paused, unable to finish her thought.
"He shouldn't be calling you while drunk, he shouldn't be screaming at you but regardless of what he says or does, I want you to know that you have so many great qualities. You are kind, I've discovered this more and more each time we talk. You are smart, not just Oxford smart but clever in other ways that most book smart people aren't. You are strong, you get up each day, go to work, lead a school, all while caring for your boys and making sure they are okay. You are honest and forthright. Over the years, I've been on the receiving end of bad news you had to deliver but you were honest with kindness mixed in.
"I'm sorry I had to cut the choir budget and put Kevin Chambers in your French class four years running and…"
"…and make me work on that project with Myles Smith. Wait, it's only been three years with Kevin."
"Yeah, about that, his parents requested you again next year. I'm sorry."
"See, you just proved my point, honest, forthright but kind. You are resourceful. I've heard from other teachers about some of the helpful things you've done after you had to cut their budgets. You are ambitious. You want Sulgrave Heath to be the best and encourage everyone to try their hardest, and you lead by example. You are compassionate, I heard what you did when Rachel's husband passed away. In your relationship, you were loyal, you were faithful, you were considerate, things John wasn't, isn't. Should he ever say anything to the contrary, in addition to all I've said, you are beautiful, you are lovely, you are stunning and so many more good things, including fashionable. Please don't doubt any of this and if you do, call me and I'll remind you, I'll remind you a thousand times if I need to, okay?"
"Okay," said Caroline.
The next day, just after school ended, Kate went to Caroline's office. "Do you have a minute?"
"For you, anytime," smiled Caroline.
"Just wanted to check on you and see how you are doing?"
"Haven't heard from John today so I'm okay for now."
"Good to hear and I'll see you tomorrow morning at the café, right?" Kate asked.
"Yes and thank you for yesterday and the day before that and all the days before that."
"Anytime and if you need to talk, you need a friend, just call."
"I had such mixed emotions about becoming friends with you but at the same time, the more I felt like you needed a friend, the easier it became." Kate looked over at her daughter and wife, who now had her eyes closed but was still rubbing Flora's back. She leaned in and gave each of them a gentle kiss.
"Slow and steady, like a glacier over bedrock, I wore you down."
"So romantic, Caroline."
"Mmm," said a sleepy Caroline, "and now you aren't just my friend, you are my best friend."
"Better not let Flora know, she won't be happy about that."
"I'll chance it and then she'll scream for you at 3:00 in the morning instead."
Note: You've Got a Friend
Written and performed by Carole King. James Taylor recorded the song at the same time using many of the same musicians and both versions were released in 1971. Both are great but for me personally, I prefer the Carole King version and the Tapestry album is awesome.