FICLET FRIDAY THE SIXTH: STILLXMYXHEART
making things right - part 3 (Karen, Jeffrey, mentions of Hannah), G
Karen slid one more file into her bag, and frowned thoughtfully as she checked her desk one last time. Satisfied she had everything she wanted to take home, she zipped her bag closed and straightened, just as her boss stepped into her office.
Jeffrey moved towards her, hands in his pockets. "Heading home?"
"Mmhmm," Karen hummed, eyeing him a little as she wondered what he wanted.
"I've got a dinner this weekend."
Karen looked at him, her lips curving a little as she rested her hip gently against her desk, folding her arms over her chest. "And you want a date?"
His eyes flicked to her chest, just like she knew they would, and he nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting as he moved closer. "And maybe a little something after."
Her smile widened slightly. Evenings with Jeffrey almost always guaranteed a good time from start to the invariable finish in bed, and it had been a while since the last time.
She started to agree, and then faltered. "Wait, what night?"
"Sunday."
She glanced down at her folded arms, her mind drifting to Hannah. It would be so easy to fall back into old patterns, to call Hannah and tell her she had a prior appointment, and wouldn't be able to take her call on Sunday night. It would be too easy to keep falling, though, to slip back into her old ways, making up excuses to not see or talk to her daughter, until they were right back where they'd been.
She'd promised herself she wouldn't do that anymore. She'd already lost Hannah once, and almost for good a second time; she wasn't going to let it happen again.
"Tempting as that is," Karen murmured slowly, dropping her gaze to her bag as she reached for the strap, "I'm going to say no."
Jeffrey frowned a little. "Why?"
She looked up as she slipped the strap onto her shoulder. "Because Hannah's going to call."
His frown deepened. "Hannah? Your daughter? I thought she hated you."
Karen sighed, adjusting the strap. She already spent too much time going over the mistakes she'd made with Hannah; she didn't need Jeffrey, of all people, reminding her all over again.
"Yeah, well, ever since the whole kidnapping thing -" Her voice took on a sarcastic tone, and Jeffrey had the decency to look briefly abashed. "- I've been trying to make it up to her. She's called me every Sunday night for the past four weeks. I haven't missed one yet, and I'm not going to miss this one either. I'm sure you'll find somebody else."
Jeffrey looked annoyed as Karen stepped around him, turning to watch her progress to the door.
"Just blow her off. Make up some excuse. You never had any problem doing that before."
"No." Karen's voice was sharp as she whirled around, her resolve strengthening. "No. I'm not doing that anymore, not with her, and especially not for you." She shook her head. "Find somebody else. I'll see you Monday."
The tone of her voice made it clear that there was to be no more discussion on the matter, and though Jeffrey still looked annoyed, he said nothing.
She turned on her heel, striding quickly from her office and leaving him still standing in the center of the room.
A moment later, he followed, sighing as he locked her office door and headed back to his own to rifle through his address book for a suitable substitute.
making things right - part 4 (Hannah, Karen), G
Karen stared at the small crease in Hannah's brow, and the very faint distasteful crinkle of her nose, and frowned a little.
"What's wrong?"
Hannah glanced up, and her expression relaxed into a small smile as she looked around the crowded shopping center. "Not a fan of malls. They're just so loud, and everything's just so overpriced. I can get things that are just as cute as what's in these stores elsewhere for so much cheaper. It's okay, though," she added quickly, glancing up at her mother again. "Maddie and I come here a lot. I like looking at the clothes, even if I'm never going to buy them, and I had to get Dad's birthday present too."
Karen nodded, amused at how willing Hannah was to spend money on others, but not on herself, and then glanced at her watch.
"I think I want to do one more store, if that's okay, and then when we can have lunch."
Hannah nodded, short ponytail swinging as she looked up again. "That's fine."
Once they were inside, Hannah busied herself with the clearance rack while Karen looked elsewhere, and was holding up a dress when her mother found her again.
Karen smiled slightly. "Are you going to get that?"
Hannah nodded, fluttering the skirt with her hand. "I think so. I tried it on ages ago, but it was so expensive. But it's on sale now, and I do love it."
"It's really nice." Karen paused a moment, and then raised her eyebrows a little. "And I think Eli would love you in it."
A smile instantly curved Hannah's lips, and that seemed to help her make the final decision. She draped the dress over her arm, and then looked up at Karen, eyeing the items in her hands.
She arched an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth lifting. "I think you're gonna need another suitcase just to take everything back home."
Karen gave a short laugh. "I'm well prepared, trust me."
They walked silently for a moment until Hannah slowed to a stop in front of a display.
Karen looked back at her when she realized she had stopped, and moved to stand beside her. She recognized the look on Hannah's face, because it was identical to one she herself got quite often: pure materialistic want.
Karen looked up at the coat Hannah was staring at, admiring her daughter's taste.
"Do you like it?"
Hannah nodded slightly. "They only got it in a few weeks ago, but I always look at it every time I come in here."
"Then why don't you get it?"
Hannah tore her eyes away, her expression doubtful. "It's a hundred and twenty dollars. I've never spent that much on one item of clothing before. My most expensive jacket only cost thirty."
"Treat yourself. It's okay to splurge every once in a while."
Hannah shrugged, shaking her head.
"Then let me get it for you."
"No," Hannah said quickly. "No, Mom, I don't want you spending that much on me. It's fine, really. I'll just wait until it goes on sale."
She stepped away from the display. "C'mon, let's pay for this stuff, and then get lunch. I'm hungry."
Karen nodded as she started after Hannah, though she glanced back at the coat, her expression thoughtful.
Later, after lunch, and a bit more shopping at some of Hannah's favorite stores, they were back in Karen's hotel room.
Hannah bit gently on her lip, tilting her head slightly. "Thank you. For doing this, for spending the day with me. You added an extra day to your trip, just for me, and it really means a lot." Her lips curved slightly. "I had a good time."
Karen smiled back. "I'm glad. I did too." She raised her eyebrows. "You'll still call me Sunday?"
Hannah nodded, pressing her lips together. She seemed to be contemplating something, and then a moment later, she stepped forward, slipping her arms around Karen.
It was a quick hug, and Karen was too stunned to do anything at first, but she had time to rest her hand lightly on Hannah's back before she pulled away.
A smile flickered over Hannah's face, and she bit gently on her lip again before speaking. "I'll talk to you later, Mom."
Karen nodded, knowing that her surprise must show on her face, but unable to do anything about it. "Bye, Han."
Hannah held up her hand in a small wave before bending to pick up her shopping and leaving the room.
Karen stood in place a moment, her thoughts racing around in her head, and then grabbed her purse to head back out.
When she returned to her room sometime later, she had a large bag in her hand, and a smile on her face.
She remembered David saying years ago that Hannah wouldn't turn down something if it was given as a gift, and Karen now knew exactly what she was giving her daughter for Christmas.