Dream Occupation

[kim_watkins]

What is my dream occupation? Well, I certainly didn’t go through all the time, trouble, and money to become a defense attorney on a passing whim

Comments

[kaidlyn_reilly]

But if I were doing neither of these things I always thought it would be fun to join the Peace Corps, to see other countries and help people better their lives.

It can be fun. And so heart-warming. But then if something happens...if things go wrong... It's heartbreaking and terrifying.

Oh, by the way, hi. I'm Kaidlyn, Jordan's cousin. But she probably never mentioned me...we moved away when I was just a baby, just after her mother died and Mama said visits back were too hard.

[kim_watkins]

Hi Kaidlyn. I guess you know I'm Kim then. And of course she mentioned you. Remember, I've known her since we were little girls. There's not a lot about her that's gotten past me... okay, I take that back. There's a lot about her that has, but there is some that hasn't, I swear.

I'd love to do the Peace Corps thing still, but I can't. I have a six-year-old son. Maybe someday when I'm retired...

[kaidlyn_reilly]

Yeah...Jordan spent the night over at Uncle Max's with me one night and she told me a lot about when she was growing up. We had a lot to catch up on.

I understand. If you ever want to talk more about it, I'd be happy to tell you about my experience. It was definitely life-changing.

[kim_watkins]

I'm glad that you're here. Jordan would never admit it but I think she needs more friends. And I know you're her cousin but relatives can be friends too.

Sure. In fact, you can tell me about it now if you want. I don't regret having a child in the slightest, but I like to hear about things I might have done. You know what I mean? When Leo's a little older I'd like to take him travelling or something. Maybe a trip out west, or Europe. Or both, if he wants to.

[kaidlyn_reilly]

Thanks. I'm glad I'm here too. Honestly, when they told me I was assigned to Boston, I was so excited. After I was about three, Mama said that it was just too hard to keep going back. So we didn't. But I missed my time with Uncle Max and Jordan. But I didn't say anything to them about preference of where to go.

Um...ok. What do you want to know? Everyone wants to know something a little different...

[kim_watkins]

Oh right. Don't you work for the FBI? Forgive me if I'm wrong but my memory's a bit foggy these days. I've had a pretty stressful past few months but I'm finally starting to settle down.

Okay. Well... where did you go? And what did you do there exactly?

[kaidlyn_reilly]

Yeah, I just graduated from the Academy.

Um...I was in Kenya. A small little remote village. I taught in a school. If they got behind in the clinic, I'd help out there doing simple stuff...blood draws, immunizations, giving out meds. That kind of thing.

[kim_watkins]

Congratulations. I would imagine it's almost as good of a feeling as passing the bar.

Oh, that sounds wonderful. What was the most rewarding thing about it for you?

[kaidlyn_reilly]

Thanks. It's...interesting. I figured I'd be a cop for a little while after I got back before going to the Academy, but they had other ideas. I don't regret anything...but I do sometimes wonder how prepared I am compared to some of my colleagues.

In general it was... Um, I guess the best thing was how the chief of the village really practically adopted me as his own grandchild... But there was plenty of heartbreak as well.

[kim_watkins]

I would imagine it's like any other job. You've proven yourself enough to get hired but then there's still more proving of yourself you have to do. But you'll get there. I was a nervous wreck before my first couple of trials. Not that I'm all calm and relaxed before them now but I'm certainly not terrified. I'm sure you'll do fine.

Did he? That must have meant a lot to you, but I'm not surprised to hear there were sad moments as well, and I assume you're not just talking about when you had to leave?

[kaidlyn_reilly]

Thanks Kim. I'll keep you posted.

Yeah...it was a neat feeling. But yeah...watching babies be orphaned because of AIDS, watching people die of things we have medicine and immunizations for over here...it breaks your heart. And then there's the fighting that goes on over there. Stuff that never even makes the news here. That hurts just as much. To know that stuff is going on, but no one here cares because they're not told about stuff if it doesn't involve oil or something.

[kim_watkins]

I know. And when you're a mother you have to wonder what kind of person your child is going to be when he grows up, and if he's going to know or care about those things and how much you should tell him. Or if his generation is going to be able to do things ours couldn't, or didn't. And I worry about what the world in general is going to do to him, but then I think that really he's very fortunate. His father was a shit but he's gone now and I think Leo will be okay. Those children over there... so many of them don't even have a fraction of the chances that he does.

[kaidlyn_reilly]

Yeah. I mean, I don't have kids...probably won't. But I understand what you're saying.

We had some retired people on our team...so it's definitely possible!

[kim_watkins]

Good. I just might do that. Part of the reason I became a lawyer is to help people and make a difference, so I guess this goes along with that. I am also stubborn and very determined which might help (and somehow makes me wonder how Jordan and I made it through childhood without killing each other. Ha!). And who knows, maybe Leo will be interested in doing something like it someday, although I'm not going to push him. My parents left my career and major life decisions up to me unless I specifically asked them for help or advice and I intend to do the same for him (and hope he makes some better choices than I did).

[kaidlyn_reilly]

You sound like a great mom. Mine's good...it's been her boyfriends that have been the problem. The latest...don't even get me started. He's going to some professorship at Boalt Hall and doesn't understand how I could "waste my intelligence" chasing criminals when I could be convicting or defending them. He totally doesn't understand. But Mama's basically let me make my own decisions...she almost didn't let me go to Kenya because of something that happened, but she realized how much I wanted it and didn't stand in my way, even if she was overprotective to a fault. About drove me nuts.

[kim_watkins]

Thank you, Kaidlyn. I try, especially lately. I'm sure Jordan's told you what happened ooc: mun will write entry about Roger being dead as soon as Kim is done having sex with Carter mwahaha or you heard about it on the news maybe. I just want Leo to have as normal a life as possible after that, and I'd like for him to forget that stuff too. Which makes me especially picky about possible boyfriends. *Her face reddens but she continues* I'm *cough* very careful now, although this whole situation ruined my relationship with my last one, mainly through my own fault. I'm worried I'll wind up being overprotective of Leo too and I'd like to avoid that. Or at least I don't want him to know about it.