When my cousin Carolina got pregnant, my uncle and aunt were incredibly disappointed in her but supported her every step of the way. She never let being a single mother become an obstacle for her. Little Drew attended every single class with her and either slept or patiently sat next to or on his mom's lap. This was a huge accomplishment because not only had Carol completed her Masters in Environmental Systems. She had just graduated but she already had a guaranteed job with the US Department of Agriculture and would be on a team researching different water sources across the country.
"So what exactly happened between you and Clara?"
Carol and I were currently sitting on the floor of our semi-empty apartment. Clara had surprised Bobbi, Carol and I by letting us start moving in our stuff to the new apartment before the 1st of June. Seeing as most of Carol's stuff was still in boxes, she had brought some of it to put away. It was slightly chaotic downstairs at the moment, and I'd just be in the way so I came upstairs to help.
"She ditched me during that Spring Training trip" I replied.
Her brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"We had plans, and they fell through because she chose to hang out with a guy" I answered.
"You still went out and did the things you two planned, right?"
Of course.
"Yes," I responded.
"So how'd you meet your boyfriend?"
"We actually met at a bar in Arizona" I stated.
She hummed.
"Was he there to catch some Spring Training games?"
"No, he actually plays for the Dodgers" I mentioned.
Her shoulders tensed up.
"Is he from Arizona?"
"Yes, he's from Tucson," I said noticing her shoulders relaxed a bit.
She smiled.
"What's his name?"
"Alex" I answered.
She nodded.
"I can't wait to meet him"
"He's actually our neighbor" I disclosed.
"I can't wait to meet him"
"He likes to come over after games, and if it bothers you just let me know," I told her.
She waved me off.
"I'm quite the heavy sleeper and so is Drew"
"Unfortunately, he's out of town so you'll meet him at the graduation party," I said.
She smiled.
"Well at least you ended up with a boyfriend during that trip"
Guess so.
"What about Clara, is she still seeing that guy?"
"Last I heard, Alex mentioned Cody was ignoring her" I answered.
"So he's one of his teammates?"
"Yes, Cody Bellinger" I responded.
I knew my cousin real well, so I noticed the fake smile right away.
"He and Chris Taylor were actually my neighbors" I noted.
"Oh, no way that's cool. So you know them pretty well?"
I nodded.
"Why'd they move away?"
"Chris and his girlfriend bought a house" I replied.
She smiled.
"So you know the significant others pretty well?"
I knew Nora pretty well, but only because of the handful of times I talked to her while she waited for Chris. He had offered her a key, but she did not take it because Cody made a huge deal out of it.
"Not really" I admitted.
I had not made an effort if I was being honest.
"School has kept me busy, and now work will" I answered.
She nodded.
"Are you free next Monday?" I asked.
"I've got a busy morning and afternoon, but I'll be free in the evening"
"Do you want to go to a Dodger game?" I wondered.
We both looked away when we heard,
"Mama?"
Drew, her son had been napping in their bedroom. Besides putting away some kitchen utensils, I had helped Carol set up both hers and Ian's bedframes as well as a drawer dresser.
"I'll be right back"
She rushed into the hallway and came back holding a still groggy Drew.
"Are you hungry?"
He nodded and rubbed his eyes.
"Let me get you your snack, stay with Aunt Sonia"
I smiled at him as she set him down.
"A Dodger game sounds lovely actually"
But?
"I'd need to get a sitter though"
"You can bring Drew with" I replied.
He'd never been to a ballgame.
"Alex won't mind?"
I shook my head.
"Okay, then yeah. I'll go to the game, on one condition"
"And that is?" I wondered.
"Once the game is over, we head home. Ian shouldn't be out that late"
"Yeah of course" I responded.
This was going to be fun, it had been a while since I had last hung out with Carol. Sure she had a child now, but we were never really crazy or wild, to begin with.
A/N: Everyone, meet Carolina.
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