Alone but United

Chapter 4

"This can't be it?" Carter looked up from reading off of a pink slip.

The man looked at her with defeat,"Carter, you know what business like mine is going through around this time of year."

"What about us? My mother has served you faithfully for years!”

“Yes, and I’m grateful. If your family is strong enough, you’ll make it through.”

“You know how sick she is right now, she won’t make it without the money she is owed.”

The shopkeep just looked at Carter with a blank stare,”Then that was meant to be. You know that you must hold your own in this society, for your family. If she dies you can’t blame anyone but yourself and your brother.”

“She is the strongest person I know. She helped your family with groceries and shelter and kindness!!!”

“Well, that’s not the strength that will get you through. That strength, as you call it, is a weakness only Kats or rich Exeptis can afford.”

“What will happen to my brother, what will happen to me?”

“Your dad’s family will pick you up. They have to.” Carter said, in disbelief, she turned and walked out of the store, then heard one last thing from the old man to justify himself,”If you're smart, you’d make the best of the situation.”

Carter went to the center of the spacecraft to cool off. This place was the only spot where there were actually trees and grass from Earth. Carter would go to the fourth level where at this time of the day, there wasn’t anyone else occupying the space.

She sat in the corner of this level of the park where there is a bookshelf with many genres of books. Often when Carter is frustrated, she would bury herself in poetry. Picking books of fairytales and happiness, allowing Carter to laugh at the ideas of a perfect world with happy endings.

Carter was reading so intensely she didn’t notice that someone was standing right infront of her. After they tried speaking to her without success they tilted the book she was holding to direct her attention to him.

Looking up from her reading, she glared with an annoyed look in her eyes. Carter then blushed to see that it was Karman smiling towards her,”What are you doing?”

“Trying to occupy my brain with fairy tales.”

Karman laughed and took a seat next to her and set his set of books down,”I’m right there with you. Life is currently difficult and books are one of the many ways to escape.”

“Yes…”Carter looked out the window and saw the cars and millions of people that walked the streets. Thinking of how everyone is dragging themselves through something difficult.

“You want to get some coffee with me?”

Carter carefully thought about this. She didn’t want to be rude but any excuse could sound rude or reveal her situation outside of school.

Karman, worried she'll say no, added,”I’ll pay.”

Carter, relieved, responds,”I'd love too.”

They both leave to a lower level and grab coffee then go to a platform that connects the mall to the other smaller stores. Leaning on the railing they looked down at the park below them. With its flourishing trees and flowers. Carter sipted the hot coffee and took a long sigh, letting the heat spread through her body.

“Something wrong?”

Carter takes a second to ignore the question to just hold on to the tartness of the coffee. Coming from the realization she couldn’t just ignore the question she responded”I’m dealing with many personal things right now.”

“Want to talk about it?”

Carter didn’t know what to say. It would be nice to confide in someone, but he could blow her whole statis at school,”It’s a lot of family drama you know,”she then proceeded with a small giggle.

Karman took a sip of this coffee and looked at her, seeming to see through her ruse,”Well, if you want to talk I’m willing to listen.”