Alice and Her Doll

Chapter 14

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"Surprise, surprise!"

Carrie and her mother sat in the living room, after breakfast. Carrie had her mother's gift in her hands. (Earlier that morning, she went in town and bought her mother a gift.)

"You didn't have to, sweetie," Carrie's mother said, but her eyes said otherwise. Her crystal blue eyes lit up when Carrie laid down the wrapped present in front of her.

"Yes I did," Carrie bit her lip anxiously. "Come on, open it!"

Carrie's mother ripped the red wrapping paper that said "Happy Birthday" all over it. Under the decorative paper was a box. Carrie's mom opened the four flaps and pulled out something in bubble wrap. She gasped with delight.

"Carrie!" Carrie's mother was so happy to see that she got a professional Canon camera. It was black with a thick elastic strap and could hold thousands of pictures.

Carrie and her mother hugged with tears in their eyes caused by relief and joy. When they pulled back, Carrie's mom said to her daughter, "Thank you so much. You really didn't have to spend all that money. But I appreciate it and can't wait to capture all of life's spectacular moments--starting now."

With that, they posed and Carrie's mother snapped the first picture on her new camera.

"Hey, mom,"

"Yes, hon."

"Um, well....where is dad?" Carrie had a curious look on her face.

"His work is keeping him up. He, um, has to work more hours than usual because of a bonus," Carrie could tell her mother was lying, but she dropped the subject because she didn't want to start an argument on her mother's birthday.

"Oh,"

There was a period of silence. The two kin looked very uncomfortable, especially Carrie's mom.

Breaking the silence, Carrie let out a deep breath and glanced at the clock. "Mom, I hope you have the best birthday ever! I'm sorry, but I have to babysit Alice today-- right now, actually. I gotta go,"

"Okay, honey. You can go. Thank you."

Carrie's mother watched her daughter grab her coat and head out the door. She thought about how Carrie was such a good kid and was always sweet and considerate. She was so blessed with a wonderful daughter.

"Thank you, sweetie," She whispered, a runaway tear trickling down her cheek.

*****

After Carrie was done babysitting Alice, she was walking home, when she bumped into someone along the way.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Carrie said. She looked up at the person she bumped into, and it was Ben.

He smiled playfully. "You are forgiven, my lady," Ben bowed.

They laughed and then Ben said, "No, really. I am sorry, Carrie."

Carrie stared into his soft brown eyes. Ben stared back into hers. It was as if time froze for the two. Carrie's heart pounded inside her chest.

Then, Ben broke the spell and slipped his hand into hers. Carrie enjoyed the warmness of Ben's hand on that extremely cold day. They walked hand-in-hand all the way to Carrie's house, talking of school that was to start the next week and of their interests and such.

When they finally arrived at Carrie's door, they stopped. Ben started to say something, but Carrie hushed him with a hug. She loved the smell of him--it was musky with a tinge of sweet cologne. The two stayed that way until Carrie broke away and said, "Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it."

Ben blushed and looked away, then his gaze made its way back up to Carrie. He smiled graciously. "No problem. Hey, Carrie. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything," Carrie had butterflies racing in her stomach.

"Well, would you want to-"

Ben was cut off when Carrie's mother opened the door.

"There you two are! I thought I heard talking out here," She smiled and motioned for them to come inside. "Please, come in."

"Um, I'm sorry, but I have to go," Ben shoved him hands in his jacket pockets. "Thank you, though."

With that, he smiled at Carrie's mom and gave Carrie a look that said, "I really want to ask you something."

Carrie waved and stepped inside her warm living room. She closed the door. Carrie put both her head and hands against the door and closed her eyes. "Ben," she whispered.

"You okay, sweetie?" Her mother had a concerned look on her face.

"Yeah, it's nothing," Carrie lifted her head and hands off of the door. "I was just enjoying the warmth, that was it."

Later on, as she was watching TV, Carrie's curiosity was killing her! She really wanted to know what Ben was going to ask her. Would it be something silly and stupid, or something loving and gentle?

What was Ben going to ask Carrie?

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