Townhome #3090, Judeson Household

[Jolene]

“Did anyone ask you for permission to speak?” Jolie returned coolly. “What you and Carinna do and say in your free time is yours, but you won’t talk to her like that in front of me. It’s that simple.”

Dealing with Chris wasn’t going to be pleasant. It had only taken a few moments to realize that. She didn’t have the time or energy to deal with him and his attitude, especially not that evening. She loved that her family was so simple, probably because she only considered Carly and her family but that was beside the point.

She was saved from an escalating argument by Calista’s reappearance in the kitchen. Jolie blew hair out of her face and set the warmed brownies on the counter alongside the cookies. She pasted a smile on her face before turning back to Calista.

“I’m going to head out now, let you guys get settled. Case reviews are calling my name. Brownies are warmed up and I made sure you had milk. Promise me you’ll relax tonight?” she asked of Calista as she hugged Carinna.

She’d have to set up something for her and Carinna soon. She was going to need it if she was going to have to put up with Chris for an undetermined amount of time.

[Carinna]

"Already?" questioned Carinna sadly. She really didn't want Jolene to leave now especially since Chris was home and her feelings for him were stronger than they'd ever been. She figured that his absence and negligence were the reason she felt this way. She really despised it too. Being a young woman of the Lord, she should forgive him and try to make amends. But she couldn't ... not right now. His attitude toward her didn't help her resolve either. She'd just have to pray about it and work through this. It didn't seem like he was leaving but then again, he was unpredictable.

Chris didn't make his exit just yet. He stepped up beside his mother and she instantly looped her arms around his. She seemed so much relaxed and happier even with the circumstances of his return. "Oh, I wish you wouldn't leave just yet. I know Carinna has been looking forward to this all week."

"No mom, it's okay. I might head over to Hazel's house for a while, if you don't mind."

Chris eyed his sister, raised his brow but eventually unattached himself from his mother. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight honey. If you need me, just call me and I'll get you whatever you need," said Calista. Chris nodded and left the kitchen without uttering a word to either Carinna or Jolene.

"Geez, he acts like I don't exist ... like I'm not his sister," said Carinna with a frown.

Full of hope, Calista said, "He's just anxious sweetheart. He'll come around tomorrow."

Carinna refrained from saying anything to her mom and her illusions. "Jolie, do you mind giving me a ride to Hazel's?" she asked. She needed to get out of the house and clear her mind.

[Jolene]

Jolie didn't want to leave Carinna but her nerves were just too frayed to efficiently deal with someone like Chris at the moment, especially given the temper she'd been working so hard to keep since she'd become a Christian. Fighting with Chris wouldn't be good for Calista either. No, it would be best if Jolie made her exit now.

She was too close to Calista and Carinna to not have to deal with Chris at all but that didn't mean it wasn't wise to pull back and regroup before that happened.

And then Carinna unconsciously provided the perfect solution. "Actually, if you want, you can grab some things and spend the night at my place," she offered. "We can continue ladies' night and I'll try to put work off a little longer."

[Carinna]

Carinna's face lit up completely, reversing the feeling she was getting about having to leave her mother, alone, with Chris. Sure, Chris wasn't stupid enough to upset their mother in her delicate condition but it didn't meant that the thought hadn't crossed her mind. He was not the same Chris she'd grown up with. There was something dark and hidden lurking behind his familiar features. Had life without the Lord really made him live in darkness? There was no doubt in her mind.

"Oh, that sounds so wonderful Jolie. I'm sure Carinna would love that!" cooed Calista. "Honey, if you'd like that, go right ahead. I'll be fine. Let me wrap up some of this food for you to take Jolie."

"Thanks mom," said Carinna, not wasting another minute. She ran upstairs to her room, tossed a few clothes into her overnight bag along with a toothbrush, a pair of flip flops and her bathroom bag.

While Carinna prepared her things, Calista was placing all the leftovers into a few containers. Even with all they ate, she managed to pack up four square tupperware containers with food. She placed two in the bag for Jolie and neatly placed the other two in the refrigerator, one for Chris for tomorrow.

[Jolene]

Jolie smiled as she watched Carinna dash upstairs. She couldn't shelter her from Chris forever, but she could give her some much needed time to adjust to his presence and address her feelings. Jolie only had to imagine being forced to live with her father again to completely understand where Carinna was coming from. Her relationship with her father was the only stain on her walk with Christ. She would address it. She would. Just not anytime soon.

She snapped out of her thoughts when Calista handed her the bag of food. "Thanks. I probably won't cook for a few days now."

[Carinna]

"Well, you know you're always welcome to come for dinner anytime you want. I don't know how many times I have to extend that offer to you," she said, shaking her head just as the smile brightened again. "Besides, now that Chris is home, I'll have more of a reason to cook. My poor son ... he looks so thin and exhausted. I can't fathom what must have prevented him from coming sooner. But I forgive him. Whatever is it, I will forgive him and help him the best I can."

Calista wiped down the surface she'd just used and tossed the cloth back over the edge of the sink.

"Thank you for coming and I'm sorry if you've encountered any bad feelings tonight. It'll be much better," said Calista, reaching around Jolie for a tight hug. "Oh, I love you so much Jolie. God has truly Blessed us with such a lovely woman in our life. Thank you for tonight and the brownies. I will sure to eat them. In matter of fact, I might eat one now."

After a few moments in their embrace, Calista let go, stole a brownie from the pan and chewed, giving Jolie a thumbs up.

"I'm ready," said Carinna, flying into the kitchen and eager to leave.

[Jolene]

Jolie had a feeling she'd actually be curtailing her visits now that Chris was home. From what little she'd seen, he was too antagonistic for her to deal with after a long shift at the hospital and dealing with abusive men for the women at the shelter. That was a disaster waiting to happen. Still, she would have to deal with him because Calista would need support during her chemo and she didn't imagine Chris would be able to supply it.

"I'm sure you'll fatten him up fast enough," she teased Calista, giving no sign as to what was on her mind. "He'll be fine. Don't you start with all that worrying. You know I've got thick skin. Don't be worrying about me either."

"You're blessed with me? You sure it's not the other way around? You don't have to thank me for any of that, but if you insist you can thank me by getting some rest," she instructed gently as Carinna joined them. The young girl was too excited to be getting out of the house. Bad sign.

[Carinna]

Calista nodded as she wiped her hands against her jeans and took a stride over to her daughter. She wrapped her arms around Carinna affectionately and as upset or disappointed as she was, hugged her mother back just as tight.

She couldn't be mad at her mother no matter what. Any possibility of that emotion would cause her to regret her actions especially now that her mother was ill. She couldn't take anything for granted.

"I love you honey. Have a great time with Jolie tonight and try to let her finish up her work. I know you two can spend hours chatting and carrying on," she laughed softly and pecked her daughters cheek. "Try to be home before noon if you can. I have a doctors appointment at one and I'll see you to watch Junior ..." she trailed when Carinna interjected her.

"But Chris will be here mom. Maybe he can actually spend some time with his son," said Carinna, tilting her slightly to one side. "But if you want me to, I will."

"No, no ... you make a good point. On that note, I should go call Jess to inform her Chris is here. I'm sure she'll be so relieved. And then I promise to go relax." Her eyes fell onto Jolie's.

"But if you need me for anything, just call me. If I don't come home right away, I'll be at Hazel's but I'll text you if I'm going to be out longer." Carinna gave her mother one more hug before starting out the door with Jolene. "Have a good night mom. I love you."

"I love you too honey. Love you too."

[Jolene]

Jolie smiled as she watched the mother and daughter embrace each other. It had been quite the struggle to stop envying the relationship the two had with each other, knowing the relationship she had with her mother was nowhere close to it. It still managed to warm her heart though.

She laughed softly. Carinna was a serious threat to her work but she would manage to squeeze some in even if she had to wait until the young girl fell asleep first. She'd learned over the years that being a mentor sometimes meant sacrificing yourself and as the mentor of more than one person, she'd learned the lesson well.

"Goodnight Calista," she said as she shepherded Carinna out of the house.

[Carinna]

Calista watched the girls leave the house before finally closing it and heading upstairs to her room. In all reality, she was pretty exhausted. She wasn't sure if it was mental or physical but she was ready to hit the bed for the night. Of course, not before she checked on Chris. When she'd gone to his room, he was fast asleep that all she heard was snoring and the sheets move against him. She smiled and eventually retired to her room to make the last phone call of the day.

Once Carinna had taken a seat in the passenger side, she sighed loudly. "I know that was extremely cowardly of me to just leave the house instead of trying to confront an resolve the situation but that was just plain hard. I mean, my brother ..." she trailed and glanced out the window. "He's not the same Jolie. My brother is so completely different from when I remembered him as a kid. I miss him ... not this Chris."

Carinna felt the emotion weigh down on her and all she wanted to do was cry.

"I just need to get out the house of the night and your place is perfect. I can pick that small corner to read the bible and pray .That's what I need right now. Tomorrow I'll deal with whatever God puts in my way."

Carinna tilted her head back to Jolene and stirred up a smile. "I promise to not bother you so u can finish your work. I can stand the quiet anyway."

[Jolene]

Jolie paused in starting the car and drew Carinna in for a hug, almost feeling the press of her emotions weighing down on her.

"It wasn't cowardly. You assessed the situation and realized you weren't adequately prepared for it so you retreated until you were. It was wise and nothing less than what I do myself. Running into something knowing you aren't prepared is never a good thing if you have other options. I never spent time with Chris but even I can tell he's different. That's got to be a big shock to you and you need time to adjust to the changes in him. That's fair."

"You know you're always welcome at my place. Prayer time is good but if you need to talk that case work isn't anything that can't wait. I've always got time for you girly."

[Carinna]

"Yeah, this was totally unexpected. I didn't think he would just appear out of nowhere. He came without warning an I wasn't ready for him at all. It doesn't help that he just doesn't seem like my brother anymore. He's more of a distant stranger ... and then again, maybe my prayers are being answered even if they're not the way I expected." She sighed, tugging the seatbelt over her torso and snapping it into the buckle.

"I've been praying that my brother comes back to the Lord, somehow ... maybe this is Him giving me the opportunity. I'm just not sure how to go about it."

She dropped her eyes to the fingers she twiddled in her lap. "I just need to not think about this. I'm too emotionally exhausted right now. I'll just take a breath, pray about it and relax for the rest of the night. Maybe they'll give a good movie and I can stay out of your hair," she teased lightly.