Waiting For Superman

A New Angle

“His mum is such an asshole,” Sharon said as she sipped her drink. “You know what, I rather not talk about it,” Kara said as Joyce slipped in next to them.

“Hey guys, sorry I’m late. I hope you guys don’t mind but I brought my brother along,” Joyce said, gesturing to a tall guy beside her. “Josh, this is Kara. Kara, this is my brother Josh.” Kara waved to Josh as he slid in next to her.

“I hope you guys don’t mind me tagging along,” he said as he ordered a drink for Joyce and himself. “It’s fine,” Kara said, waving him off. “”Sharon of and I were just talking about how mean my boyfriend’s mum is.”

“Ex-boyfriend,” Sharon said, correcting her. Kara grimaced and said, “You don’t have to rub it in Sharon. Sharon laughed and said, “What I don’t get is how you survive going to work every day.”

“You work at the same place as your boyfriend?” Josh asked, sipping his drink. Kara nodded and said, Yeah, we work in the ICA.” “The ICA? That’s pretty cool,”  Josh said, turning towards her. “It was my dream when I was younger to join the CID.”

“I used to be in CID!” Kara exclaimed. Sharon chuckled and said, “I’m currently working there, and trust me, I have no idea what made me choose this career.”

Both Josh and Kara chuckled just as Shanise came running up to them. “Is it wise to bring a small child out with you guys when you’re drinking?” Josh asked, ruffling Shanise’s hair. Sharon rolled her eyes and picked at the nacho’s they ordered.

“I think he likes you,” Joyce said with a wink when Josh headed over to the toilet. “You’ve got to be kidding,” Kara snorted as she downed her drink.  “He’s been watching you all night, and trust me, I know what my brother likes,” Joyce said with a wink.

Kara shushed her as Josh walked back to the table and sat down next to her again. As Sharon and Joyce began talking amongst themselves, Josh whispered into Kara’s ear. “You’re pretty you know,” he said, giving her a small smile.

Kara smiled back at him and said, “Are you hitting on me?” Josh winked at her and said, “But you know what I think? You still love him, Glenn.” Kara looked up and said, “How would you know?”

“I can tell,” Josh said gently. “The way your eyes still tear up when someone says his name, how you refuse to let anyone say a single bad thing about him, the way you say his name.”

Kara felt tears welling up in her eyes and she turned back to her drink. “Why don’t you tell him?” Josh asked. “It’s complicated,” Kara said quietly as she sipped her drink.

Josh leaned back and laughed. “Everything’s complicated. It’s just how we choose to interpret them.” Kara stared up at him for a long time before Sharon called her back to reality.

“You guys doing okay?” Sharon asked, patting Shanise’s head. “We were thinking of leaving. Shanise is getting a little tired.” Kara shrugged and Josh dug out his wallet.

Later that night as she lay in bed, Josh’s words were ringing in Kara’s head. “The way you say his name.” “Glenn,” she whispered to the dark room, her heart clenching at his name. So it was true, she still loved him after all.