Finding Carson Lee (Oh Captain, My Captain 3)

“Yep, just work…stuff.” I don’t even want to talk right now.

“Well, I’m calling for a reason. Your father and I have talked, and I need to tell you something.”

I sit up. “What’s wrong?”

Mama takes a deep breath and my heart races thinking the worst thoughts. “Kinley, I’m old.”

“What?”

“It’s true. I’m old and I’m not getting younger. On top of that I’m worried about you. What happens if your father and I die soon? You’ll be all alone.”

“Oh my God, Mama, the last time you went to the doctor he told you that you’re in perfect health. You’re barely fifty-five. You have a long life in front of you.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t worry about my only child.”

My shoulders deflate. “Mama, I’m glad that you’re alive and well enough to worry about me. However, you raised me to be a strong, hardheaded female, and I’ll survive anything life throws at me.”

“First, it’s your father’s fault you’re stubborn because I’m not like that at all.” I giggle at her lie. “Second, I know you are a strong girl. I know you will always finish first because that’s the way you are. I guess I don’t want you to not have someone to lean on, like I have in your father.”

I close my eyes and let the words sink in. My mama has always been an amazing person, and I really can count on her for anything in my life. “Mama, I love you.”

“Kinley, there’s nothing more in this world that I love more than you.”

“I know.” My voice cracks, and a tear rolls down my cheek.

“Now, you go on and get some work done because I can’t wait to see it on in those magazines.”

I smile. “I will, Mama.”

I disconnect the call and toss my phone onto the bed. This has been a crazy day, but I need to get some work done. The knock on the door makes me forget for a moment that I need to go through today’s pictures. When I open it, I should have already known who it would be.

“I need to start looking through the peephole, so I know not to answer the door.”

“Are you still hung up on pretending I annoy you as much as you try to make out that I do?”

I roll my eyes at his childish comment.

“Do you want to watch a movie with me?”

“Are you going to be a rude jerk?” I snap my question back at him.

“Not today.” He smirks.

“Must be a full moon tonight then.” I mumble. “Fine, I’ll watch a movie with you. It’s not porn, right?”

“Not unless you rather it be porn.” Carson winks at me.

“No, I don’t. A regular movie is fine.” I grab my cardkey and go across the hall with him.

Carson already has the movie set up, along with popcorn. I sit in the the chair. The movie is Austin Powers, and even though I don’t tell many people about it, I have to say it makes me laugh every time I watch it.

“You look very uncomfortable over there.” Carson hands me the bowl of popcorn.

“Yeah, it’s not the greatest.”

“Come sit on the bed with me.”

I stare at him for a second.