Finding Carson Lee (Oh Captain, My Captain 3)

“Just remember that a southern lady needs to conduct herself in public as she does at home.”

“I know, Mama.”

“Well, I did call for a purpose besides hearing about your little lunch date.”

“And what is that?” I’m sure she is going to tell me the latest gossip that she and the ladies of her bridge club discussed.

“I saw Mrs. Blake at the grocery store, and she told me that Elliott is single again.”

“Mama,” I cut her off quickly. “Please, I’m beggin’ you. I don’t want to discuss Elliott Blake or his mother. We’re divorced. We’re not getting back together, ever.”

My mama and daddy were as southern as every stereotype could make them. I had kept some secrets from them. The fact that I choose to be twenty seven with a career and divorced makes her mad the most. Southern girls should be housewives, and that is not in my agenda at all.

“Kinley, you need to think about your future.” I can hear the sadness dripping from Mama’s voice.

“I am, and that’s why I have this amazing job. Now, Mama, is there anything else you need?” I’m really hoping that the answer is ‘no’.

“I worry about you, and as your mama I have that right.”

I roll my eyes. I know my parents love me very much. I know how much they’ve given me. However, I’m not them. I want my career and my independence.

“I love you too, Mama.”

“Good, then let’s have lunch soon,” and with that, she hangs up.

~

I walk into the bar and see Cassie sitting with a nice looking man next to her.

“Kinley.” She waves at me.

I smile and walk over to her. The guy does a once over on me, and I see the expression on his face. It’s typical. They see my thick hips, large thighs, and a slight disgust comes over their face. The only thing that they do like on my body are my breasts. They stare the longest at them. By no means, am I ugly. Just a little plump, as my daddy says.

Cassie doesn’t have that problem. She’s the perfect size four with an hourglass figure and model good looks.

The guy excuses himself, and I apologize to Cassie.

“What for? Trust me, I wasn’t going home with him.”

I smile and jump into telling her all about my day.

“So, you have to go to hockey games.”

“Yep.”

“Well, it can’t be that bad, right?”

I shake my head. “That first game was crazy. I couldn’t understand anything.”

“But you have the contract, you have C

arson Lee, and I’m sure the rest will fall into place.”

I shrug. “Maybe. And I don’t have Carson Lee. He works for me.”

“Either way, you can do it.”

She’s right. I can, and I will.