THE STARKS ALLEY

34

Despite the report on Kristie's condition, everyone at The Starks Alley was eagerly waiting for her return. Her father still had a ban on them visiting his daughter and he actually got a restraining order for it after Kelsie tried to sneak in. He was determined to get Kristie out of the country as soon as she was stable and no one could talk him out of it. It seemed to be the only solution to him.

He believed that everyone at The Starks Alley was evil and after his daughter and some might say he was being paranoid but he stood by that. He was waiting for the right time to tell Kristie about everything.

She was making great progress and was actually able to pronounce some words but slowly and slurred manner. She was like a child learning how to pronounce words for the first time, only this time, she already knew them and only struggled to say them.

Izzy was on his usual routine to the hospital then to The Starks Alley. He helped Kristie a lot in her recovery process and she was genuinely happy to see him always.

He went into Kristie's room after wearing an overall and he was happy to find her awake and ready for him. She smiled as he came in and he hugged her like it was his first time there.

"I bought some pastries, vanilla of course, just how you like them," he said giving her cookies, "Kelsie and I also made you pancakes and here is some orange juice as well. We can't have you living on hospital food." Kristie only smiled but she wasn't fascinated about it. She patted her tummy which meant that she was full.

"How is that possible? I always bring you breakfast," Izzy said as he placed the food on a nearby stool.

Just then the door was opened and Izzy's high spirits came crushing to the ground.

"Hello," Charlie said, clearly surprised by Izzy's presence.

"Charlie!" Kristie shrieked which made Izzy light headed.

"Kristie!!" Charlie said, "We've been practicing pronouncing my name for a week now. So whenever she sees me, she has to say it," he said to Izzy.

"Impressive," Izzy said, "I've been teaching her other words that might actually help her." The tension was obviously building in the room and Kristie could feel it.

"I see you brought her... Stuff," Charlie said looking at all the food Izzy got, "She already had breakfast with me. And she's not supposed to eat anything made of citrus fruits," he referred to the orange juice.

Izzy had no idea and he was sorry for that.

"Didn't Kristie's dad tell you? That's how I knew," Charlie added. He was going all out today knowing Izzy couldn't stand it, "Maybe he doesn't trust you."

"Now you listen here..." Izzy charged at him but Charlie stopped him.

"Not in front of Kristie. She's already traumatized." They stepped outside, Izzy first then Charlie taking his sweet time.

"I don't know what you are trying to prove but it's not working," Izzy said, "You can't just show up and act like you've been here all along."

"I think you're fighting a losing battle, Isabelle."

"It's Izzy, Charles," he said, trying to ignore the fact that he had been called a girl's name.

"It's Charlie." Izzy stormed out before he made Charlie get a room of his own at the hospital. He had more to say, but the only way he could was through his fist. He didn't want to disappoint Kristie by causing a scene and he had a photo session at The Starks Alley which he was already late for.

He had wasted so much time in taking care of Kristie to the point of almost losing his job and that is where he realized that he was losing himself. Love can surpass all human understanding, but it can't put food on your table and that's the fact.