Chapter 6
It had been a few days since Karen had dropped Sophie off at the police station, and the following days were filled with stress and worry over what could happen.
She had been escorted home after she left the station, the officer had asked her if she wanted him to walk her up to her apartment, but Karen had declined knowing it was a possibility that Frank was sitting up waiting for her. Silent tears tracked down her cheeks as she sat in the back of the police car so when he was about to leave Karen plastered on a fake smile and waved- hoping it would be convincing enough to let him leave quickly.
Getting up the stairs had been a whole other problem as once she was alone the sobs weren’t silent and her crying was messy. Her vision blurred with emotion when looking down at each stair one by one. Karen wasn’t sure how long it took her to make it up the four flights but finally she was on her floor. She took a deep breath and wiped the fresh tears off her face, knowing her eyes would be puffy and obvious- but she felt like she had to be somewhat strong in front of Frank.
Her keys jingled when she turned the lock on her door, and she knew that if he was there Frank would know she was home.
“Karen?” The deep baritone of his voice gave her a deep sense of comfort that almost made her break then and there.
She put her keys and purse on the kitchen counter as she puked both her jacket and shoes off, “Yeah it’s me…. You’re still here.”
“Well, I said I would be. Didn’t I?” She was headed to the bathroom to wash her face when he put his hand on her shoulder to stop her, since she still hadn’t faced him. That’s when he saw the obvious signs she had been crying.
“You were crying? What happened??” The concern in his voice was flattering, but not something Karen could deal with right now.
Definitely not now. So she pulled away, “Nothing's wrong, Frank. It was just hard to leave her. Y’know?”
Franks eyes flashed with pain and she knew that he did know. That’s how it always was with Frank, he always knew. Knew exactly what she felt, Frank Castle understood her- accepted her. Despite how fucked up she was.
He couldn’t judge her, because he knew he was just as bad if not worse in the shitty things department. Karen figured this was why she kept gravitating towards him; everyone else she knew thought she was just some pretty blonde ditzy- never-had-a-problem or gone through anything that might have changed her kind of girl. But Frank- Frank saw who she really was. He saw the girl underneath the surface, he understood her.
And she understood him. She accepted him, for all the fucked up things he does- because despite it all he was good.
And that’s what she wanted. She wanted someone who knew all the terrible things she had done in her life- to understand them, and then tell her she was still good.
She needed someone else to tell her she was still good, because the voice in her head that she constantly tried to ignore said otherwise.
Karen wanted Frank to be that person. And she wanted to be that person for Frank. Because he needed it, he might never admit it- but Frank needed someone to say it was all okay. To tell him he was good.
Pathetic, or at least that’s what she thought of herself for needing this reassurance. But she needed it. Him.
“I’m gonna got to bed, it’s Saturday. I’ve had a long night. And who knows how long it’ll be before I get a call from CPS.”
“CPS? Why would they call you?”
Karen went towards her dresser to get out something to sleep in before answering through the wall, “Well I’ve offered to foster Sophie, the caseworker said I might have a better chance for it since she could obviously see how much she didn’t want to leave me. And I figure Sophie needs someone who cares that she’s okay to be there, before she gets officially adopted. So I offered.”
She was changing and listening for a response from Frank, and getting none. He was probably shocked she had offered to foster the little girl- shocked into silence. So she peeked her head out at him, “Will you be here when I wake up, Frank?”
He was leaning up against the counter looking up into space when he answered, “Maybe. We’ll see, go to sleep Karen. You need it.”
“Okay.. I’ll see ya, Frank? Goodnight.”
“Night ma’am.”
Despite how much she wanted him to be there when she woke, he wasn’t. And as much as she wanted to be surprised about it, she wasn’t. Karen had gotten up around half past eight and looked all around her apartment. It was spotless, no coffee mug, nothing. Like he was never even there, like it never even happened. Except the little folded up note on top of her purse, the only evidence Frank Caste had ever been there.
You needed your rest. I’ll ask a buddy of mine who’s good with computers to see if there is anything he can do about CPS and Sophie. I’ll see ya around. -F
That was it. And it had been three days now and Karen hadn’t heard from him. She didn’t call, he had left her- again. And if he wanted to see her- then he would have to grow up and just do it. Karen was done putting herself out there, she would call him. But she did call someone else. Ruth Walker. Over and over- most of the time she got a voicemail or a secretary, but Karen could be persistent and she wouldn't give up.
And finally all her nagging paid off, as she sat in her office at the Bulletin when she got the call.
“This is Karen Page, who am I speaking with?”
“Hello Miss Page. This is Ruth Walker form Child Protective Services, calling in regards about Sophie Ryan.” She was flustered when she realized who it was that was calling and almost dropped the phone when she heard the voice.
“Oh yes, of course. Hello Miss Walker, is everything alright with Sophie?”
“Yes, of course. She’s fine, I was just calling to confirm that you are still hoping to obtain temporary guardianship of the child. To foster her, are you still interested?”
“Yes, ma’am I am. I might not have a lot of experience but I want to make sure Sophie is happy, so I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Well that is great to hear, Miss Page. It’s seems as though Sophie’s paperwork has gone through the system surprisingly fast, and in my professional opinion I think you would be a great fit for Sophie. It’s always in CPS’s best interest to get a child into a loving foster family as soon as possible. So we’re glad to have you.”
Karen couldn’t help but think Sophie’s fast paperwork might have had something to do with Frank’s computer whiz friend, and she couldn’t help but feel grateful.
“Great. So how does this work, do I just come and pick her up? Or?”
“Woah slow down, I said that I’m recommending you become her guardian, not that it’s a done deal, Miss Page. We will have to conduct a home visit to make sure she will be in a safe environment wherever she goes, which I’m sure you’ll ace with flying colors. But Miss Page-”
“Call me Karen,”
“Karen taking care of a child will require a bit of change in the lifestyle you might live now. I know that you are a reporter, and reporters have crazy hours, but when you have Sophie she will require you to have more steady hours. A more nine to five kind of job, you understand?”
“Of course, my boss is great- he’ll understand.”
“Good, and there is more- as you are a working caregiver CPS will provide a limited daycare should you need it. But it is not a five days a week type thing, you’ll need to get a babysitter or take a day off from work for the two days she can’t go. Do you have a car?”
She almost said she did, “No, not anymore.”
“Okay then you won’t need any car seat, we will provide a foldable stroller, as well as a few sets of clothes. But Miss Page it's all pretty cheap, and not the best quality. You’ll have to buy new clothes for her if she is to stay for a long period of time.”
“That’s no problem Miss Walker, I don’t mind.”
“Good, luckily she is potty trained- so no diapers. She probably learned out of necessity, not any parental guidance. And the one thing you will need to buy for her is a bed, she’s been with us a few days and it seems she’ll only sleep in the day bed. So I recommend looking for one of those. I think this would be a good fit for Sophie, Karen. But you have to know this is a big commitment to take on alone.”
Karen couldn’t keep the grin off her face at the possibility that she could have Sophie sometime soon.
“I will be great, I promise. You won’t regret this Miss Walker.”
“I would hope not, Karen. So the home check will be random, but it should be happening in the next day or two, and then after that you’ll come here to see Sophie and meet with me. And if all goes well, you’ll be her foster mom in no time. I look forward to seeing you.”
“Thank you, Miss Walker. Have a good day!!”
God this was happening!!!!