Caro

Chapter four

Dinner is rather awkward. I think Caro told her mom about me knowing when I wasn't there, because Caro's mom is very silent but supportive and kind at the same time. I think she wants to prevent anyone from bursting out in tears. 

'So, how was school?' Caro's mom asks carefully. 

'Fine, we just sat around and did nothing, basically.' I suppose Caro is trying to get us in a better mood, but it is not really working. The only sound is from our forks and knives touching the plates and us eating. 

'Aniela, I heard you went to church camp last weekend?' Caro's mom tries again, and I know she is trying really hard because she does not care about church at all. She is as atheist as it gets. 

 'Yes, indeed. It was fun. We had campfires every night, and the weather was good.' I don't really feel like going into depth about the services and stuff. 

'Oh, that sounds like fun, did your sister go too?' I feel sorry for her trying so hard, but I do appreciate it a lot. 

'No, she will have her own camp next week, for the younger kids.'

'Oh, right. Are there many young people at your church?' 

'Yeah, quite a lot. I guess about seventy.'

The conversation continues like this for a while, so I am happy when dinner is over. I offer to wash the dishes, but Caro immediately runs upstairs, so her mom tells me to go after her.

'Well, that was awkward.' is the first thing Caro says when I enter her room. 'I appreciate my mom for being so careful, but she really ruins the atmosphere.'

'Yeah, I suppose she did. But at least her intentions were good. I should probably go home though.'

'You should. I will try to talk to my mom about going to the hospital tonight.'

'Do you think she wants you to go?'

'I'm not sure, I suppose she prefers me going or not going, but I don't think she will tell me. She would want me to decide on my own. Do you want me to go?'

'Maybe. I'll think about it when I'm home. But you shouldn't be influenced by what I think, it's completely your decision.'

'Aniela, please tell me what you think because I don't want to make an impulsive decision based on nothing. You are not helping by letting me find out on my own. Sorry.'

'It's okay. I'll think it over. See you tomorrow!'

I go down the stairs, thinking about how I shouldn't leave her like that. I hope her mom will act normal to her tonight. 

'Bye, Aniela, be safe!'

'Thanks for dinner, mrs Ashton!'

I walk away a quick as possible, because I really don't want her making small talk with me. I want to go home and think.