Again, I would REALLY appreciate at least some comments! Please!?

"Come on, Ro, it's not that hard to just pick a drink," Braum sighed, rolling his eyes at me playfully.

I let out a small groan as I stared up at the large chalk board. "I don't know what I like, though! I can't remember if I'm the type of person who likes lattes or if I prefer coffee. What if I don't like either?"

Braum let out a laugh. "How about this? Why don't I just order you something, and then if you don't like it, I'll get you something else?"

I gave him a small smile, nodding in agreement. "Okay. I'll go save us a seat."

I made my way over to one of the booths and sat down. I watched Braum as he waited in line, the easy smile never leaving his face. There was something about him that made me feel so comfortable, but I had no idea what it was. It may have just been that I felt safe around him because he was a cop, but I didn't think that that was it. There was almost something familiar about having Braum around that made me feel safe.

I fingered Kendra's dress as I moved my gaze from Braum to look around the shoppe. It was still relatively early, but the place was almost full. I supposed that, seeing as it was summer, people must often come here to get their morning coffee. As I continued to finger the hem of Kendra's dress, I found myself wondering about my own mother. I tried picturing an older version of myself in my mind, but I had no idea if that would work. Did I even look like her? Maybe I looked more like my dad. . .

"Here you go."

I smiled up at Braum as he slid a drink in front of me.

"What is it?" I questioned.

He eyed me for a moment before shrugging. "Try it."

Then, he took a sip of his own drink. I cautiously picked it up, discovering that it was warm. I licked my lips and then brought the cup to them, taking a very small sip. It was wonderful.

"This is amazing!" I exclaimed, nearly spilling it all over myself. "What is it?"

Braum grinned. "A French Vanilla. I was hoping you'd like it."

I nodded happily, taking another sip of the warm drink.

"So," Braum began, setting down his drink. "Do you want to tell me why it is you wanted to get out of that house so badly? What happened?"

I shrugged, setting my drink down as well. "I got in a fight with Ket this morning. No surprise there. I just wanted to get out of the house so I wouldn't have to deal with him."

"Understandable," Braum nodded. "What's up with him, anyways. Why don't you two get along?"

"Honestly? I have no idea," I admitted. "He just hates me. At first, I thought it was just because of the fact that his dad was giving me more attention than him, but now. . . Now I'm not even sure."

"Sounds like he's being childish to me," Braum commented.

"I guess so," I admitted. "I can't help but feel kind of bad for him though. I can see how much it hurts him that he doesn't get to see his dad very much. Jarod doesn't even seem to notice."

Braum raised an eyebrow at me. "You are way to nice for your own good."

"Maybe if he wasn't so upset about his dad and. . . whatever else, he'd be nicer to me," I suggested.

"Maybe. . . ." he trailed off. "So, uh, what do you want to do after we're done our coffees?"

I smiled slightly, glad for the change of subject. "Well, I know that Kendra wanted to go somewhere today, so I should probably head back soon. I just really needed somewhere to go to get away from Ket for a bit."

"Oh, alright," Braum smiled halfheartedly.

"Don't sound so sad, Braum! I know that you're going to miss me, but we can hang out again soon," I joked, grinning at him.

Braum rolled his eyes at me, but grinned as well. "It's true. I can barely get by when you're not around."

I let out a laugh.

"Seriously, though," he began. "I'm just worried about you going back so soon. I just don't want Ket hurting you."

"It's not like I'm even going to be seeing him, though. Kendra wants to take me out shopping, and I doubt that Ket will be coming with us," I excused, waving him off. "Thank you for worrying, though. You don't know how amazing it is to know that I have a friend."

The side of his mouth quirked up. "Anytime."

*-*-*

 "Hi, you're Cara and Steve, correct? Parents of Reed Gessman?"

I looked up to see a doctor standing in front of us, a kind smile on her face. I squeezed my husband's hand.

"Yes, that's us," I confirmed.

She took a seat in front of me. "So, it says here on the forms that the reason you came to Texas in the first place was because of the lung transplant surgery planned for Reed. Well, due to Reed's severe asthma, one of his lungs has collapsed. We obviously still want to go through with the surgery, but we would like you to know that the situation is a lot more serious now, and Reed's chances aren't as good. As we speak however, we are moving your son down to the helicopter pad to be transported to the University Transplant Center in San Antonio and they will be ready for him as soon as he gets there."

"We're allowed to go with him, right?" I asked.

The doctor nodded. "Of course, I just wanted to be sure that you understood the situation first."

"Just take me to my son," I demanded.

*-*-*

"Hey, I'm back," I called out softly as I made my way into the Thomas's house.

"Ro!" Kendra whisper yelled as she came into the front hall. "I'm so glad you're back! Now we can go shopping! Jarod just got home and he's upstairs sleeping, so thank you for being quiet. Ket, Josey and Cris are in the living room. Why don't you go hang out with them until I've gotten my purse and things from upstairs?"

I nodded and gave her a smile even though that was the last thing I wanted to do. "Sure."

Kendra started up the stairs and I slowly made my way through the kitchen and into the living room. The couch was facing away from the door, and Jose, Ket and Cris were all sprawled on it, watching t.v. I took a deep breath before awkwardly clearing my throat.

"Yes, Mom?" Ket asked lazily, without turning around.

I grimaced. "Um, ew."

It was all I could think to say. The idea of being Ket's mom was just. . . no.

All three of them whipped around. Ket's face immediately scrunched up in disgust, but Jose and Cris both fell into fits of laughter.

"Why are you here?" Ket asked after Jose and Cris had calmed down a bit.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Firstly, I live here, and secondly, I'm just waiting for Kendra to be ready. We're going shopping."

I was sick and tired of Ket treating me the way he did and I was done letting him walk all over me. He didn't even have a good reason to be mad at me anymore, seeing as I didn't see his father any more than he did.

"Shopping?" Cris asked, sitting up.

Jose made a face.

"Man, sometimes I forget that you're a girl, but then you say something like that. 'Shopping?'" he mocked in a high, squeaky voice.

Cris glared at him before hitting him right in the stomach. Jose let out a small groan. Cris rolled off the couch and came over to me.

"Would you mind if I came with you and Kendra? I absolutely love going to the mall, and I could honestly use with some girl time," she smiled.

I hesitated. Cris had been friends with Ket since they were little, and I couldn't help but fear that she would just be like a male version of him. I couldn't exactly tell her that she couldn't come, though, without a valid reason. Especially since Cris had known Kendra a lot longer than I had.

"Yeah, sure, that would be fun," I smiled slightly.

Cris grinned. "Great! Later boys!"

Then, she dragged me towards the front hall. Kendra was just coming down the stairs and she smiled when she saw the two of us.

"Are you coming too, Cris? Great!" Kendra beamed.

I felt a little better that Kendra was coming with us. If Cris was anything like Ket, she wouldn't try to do anything to me while Kendra was around, right?

"Let's go!" Cris exclaimed.

I gulped.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

So, I'm trying to learn how to play a new song, so I currently have a guitar sitting on my lap... I apparently like to multitask when it comes to the arts...

Only three exams left to go for me!! Good luck to anyone else who may be writing them right now!