The End

Chapter 4

A few hours go by, and everyone is wondering why Scott has been in his room all day. Kate knows the real reason, but just says that he has a stomach ache. Sierra is sitting on the couch, her emotions a mess. For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling of loss. She kept replaying the scene from earlier in her head, and each time she felt more dysphoria.

'I feel so stupid' Kate tells herself as she goes through the dishes. She starts to hate on herself for both rejecting him and wanting him. Danny offers to help with the dishes, she blows off the help, but he stays.

"Listen, I want to help. Plus, it will give David a little while while to digest before we begin to play." Danny spoke quietly.

Kate sighed in relief, free of thinking of what Scott had said. "Fine, you're drying." She looked to David, smiling, "He is such a sweet boy, you're lucky to have each other."

"You know, he loves you as a babysitter. He says you're like a second mother to him. You're great with him. You're so motherly." Danny smiled, looking at Kate. "I'm just surprised at how well he has been since the strange phenomenon."

"I'm motherly? Hah, never gets old." Kate laughed to herself rinsing the dishes first. "He's a child, he has a vivid imagination, so it doesn't seem as bad to him as it really is."

Danny chuckled. "True. I think it's just a big camping trip. But he hasn't asked about his mother." He looked at Kate, grabbing the dish and drying it. "You are very maternal. If I didn't know better, I would say that you have the instincts of someone who has been a mother."

She tapped the edge of the sink, it's been long since she's opened up about her situation. "I was never a mother. I nurtured my cousins and watched them grow, and I came close to being a mother. But I wasn't ready, things got in the way." She continued to clean the dishes, the hot water making her hands red.

Danny looked at Kate. "Oh Kaitlin, I'm sorry. I didn't know. May I ask what happened?" He turned the water off, his eyes regarding Kate with empathy. He knew how it felt to lose a child.

"Long story short? I was looking for someone, and I went looking in the woods. I fell, and bark went into my side. I still have the scar. I'm a few months away from my 18th, and I'm just too young, to be a mother. I finally realize that now. Thank you for helping me." Kate couldn't help but smile, but deep down she still needed to vent about earlier in the morning.

Danny placed his hand on Kate's. "Hey, it made you stronger though." He looked at Kate, sensing there was more. "If you ever need to talk, just let me know."

"Sure thing Danny." Kate nodded, she wouldn't promise anything, however it did help her relax.

Danny turned to David. "Do you want to see something funny buddy?" He saw the nod of excitement. Taking a handful of the bubbles, he blew them at Kate.

A bubble landed on Kate's nose causing her to approach David with a funny face, "I know I want to see something funny." She crossed her eyes to look at the bubble, laughing shortly.

David giggled, poking the bubble. "It popped! Daddy put a bubble on your nose and I popped it!" He clapped slightly, his ecstatic mood palpable to Kate.

Kate picked David up blowing on his neck, "I find this funnier." She began to tickle him, smiling brightly as his laughter filled the air. She felt hurt and realized what she needed, some solitary venting.

David giggled, calling out to Danny. "Daddy! Auntie Katie is tickling me!" He grabbed onto Kate's hand.Danny smiled, watching the entire thing. He was glad they got along well and that David was very content with everything. He however saw Kate's quick change of emotions just by her facial expression.