Caroline's Cries

Chapter 21

Jake's POV

20 years later

"See, if you just focus on something else, you won't allow your focus to go onto your addiction. I believe you can get over it." 

"Thank you," My client smiled.

I was at work, and it was the slow days like this which made me question why I even chose to be an alcohol addiction therapist. I started gathering my items to go home when my client randomly asked "Say, why did you choose this job?" 

It was almost like he had read my mind. 

"Well you see, my dad was an alcoholic. He would get abusive. I've always wanted to help people be able to get out of that, because it is a tricky thing," I chuckled, "And my first girlfriend made me promise that I would become it." 

"Are you and this girlfriend still together?" He asked. 

"No, she passed away 20 years ago. Cancer." 

"Oh that's a shame," He frowned.

I nodded, "I'd better get home, wife and kid waiting for me. See you in a week." 

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"Daddy, daddy!" I heard my daughter Carrie's voice call out. 

"Hey honey," I welcomed as I embraced her in a hug. 

"Welcome home," my wife, Gracie, said as kissed me on the cheek. 

"How was work daddy? Did you get a lot of stuff done? Was it fun? Was it was it?" Carrie asked. 

"Same as always, couldn't wait to come home to you guys," I smiled. 

"You're just on time. I just finished dinner," Gracie commented. 

I washed my hands as Carrie asked me a gazillion questions. 

"Daddy, mommy, why am I named Carrie? Is there a reasoning? Why?"

I looked over at Gracie, who gave me a nod. 

"Well, you see Carrie, when your daddy was younger, he fell in love. The girl he fell in love with had a name. It was Caroline. Caroline was a beautiful, strong person. She passed away before we graduated high school." 

Carrie frowned, "So I'm named after a dead person?" 

"No, she's way more than a "dead person". Caroline was my first love, my first kiss, and my first heartbreak. We did everything together." 

"Can you tell me all about her?" 

"Of course, but buckle up, it's a long story." 

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After re-living those memories with my daughter, I walked outside. I built my house on the same stream that Caroline would have wanted to build our house on.

I looked up at the currently starry night sky.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey," I sang out, "You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine..." 

I looked over at the window of my house and saw my wife holding Carrie, who was laughing. 

I did it Caroline. I fufilled my promises. I did it for you.

"Away."