Never Left Behind

 It had been a cold few weeks for Frank, not only in the quality of air since Halloween, which had considerably dropped in temperature- but also with one of his girls. Things with Sophie were great, she hardly even mentioned the fact that he had left, and was extremely happy whenever he came by. Even asking him to stay over on fridays, which he would be happy to do if it weren’t for the silent treatment he received from one Karen Page.

 She was cold, icy- the below zero, frozen heart type silent treatment. And he couldn’t deny that it worked, every time he went over he would try or do anything that would get her to acknowledge him. Sure she would be courteous to him for Sophie’s sake, but Friday’s were no longer days they all enjoyed- now Sophie had fun while the two adults beside her danced around each other in a game of ‘who can be less awkward’

 It had been three Friday’s of awkwardness since Halloween but he couldn’t give up- he couldn't leave them again. He had to prove to Karen that he could be trusted again, and the only way to do that would be to go through all she had to throw at him to prove he would stick it out. No matter how long it took.  

  The Lieberman’s had made him come over for Sunday night dinner this weekend, and it had been great. The kids were there, the rosé was flowin, and he was stuffed- it was around seven and the kids were in their rooms finishing whatever homework they had left for school tomorrow. So when he was sitting with David in his office he was shocked when his phone rang. Only two people really called him, and one of them was sitting across from him.

 Karen.

Panic bloomed in his chest- something he couldn't control.

 “Karen? What is it? What's wrong?”

Nothing's really wrong, don't panic Frank. Were fine. I just-

 She stopped talking and he knew she was frustrated.

Sophie and I got into a fight today, and now she won't talk to me. Or let me in her room… I just don't know what to do.

  “Well what happened? What were you fighting about?”

We went to go see Ruth today, at social services. She was fine, her usual self- then out of nowhere she started acting up and I tried talking to her about it when we were headed home and she just freaked out and started pouting- and she wouldn't talk to me and still won't!

  “Has she eaten?” Frank started getting his things together, knowing what would be coming.

No, she won't come out- and won't let me in. Look Frank….. I know it's been kinda rocky between us but I need- She paused and Frank would never admit to himself or anyone else what he word he wanted her to say- You.

 She’s always on her best behavior when your around. Could you- can you come over and talk to her? Sophie's too mad at me right now, but she always wants you. So I'm counting on the fact that she won't want to upset you. Will you come?

  “Of course Karen, you don't have to ask. I'm on my way, I'll be there in about forty five-”

David cut him off, “Less. I'll drive you.”

 “Okay then i'll be there in about twenty, okay?”

Thank you, Frank. And thank David for me too.  She’d obviously heard him talking to Frank over the phone.

 “I'll be there soon.” He walked towards the kitchen and picked up the backpack hed brought with him, and stuffed the leftovers Sarah had packed for him in there- while David told his wife where they were going. She waved them off giving David a knowing look, that Frank had no idea what it meant but left despite it. He needed to get to Karen’s place, they needed him. No matter what Karen said- or didn't say.

 The ride over was pretty much silent, on Franks part at least- David talked as per usual. But Frank couldn't tell you what his friend had said if you paid him a million dollars, he wasn't paying any attention.

 Until they finally got to her place and he was ready to hop out, “Wait Frank, I uh-”

“Make it quick, David. I gotta get up there.”

  “Fine, fine, fine. Y’know how on thursday- in four days, it's Thanksgiving?”

Frank hadn't even really remembered the holiday- it hadn't crossed his mind, but he nodded along.

 “Well Sarah asked me to ask you to come over for Thanksgiving dinner…..” David stopped talking but the request sounded like there was more to it.

 “Umm, yeah sure- I'll come over.”

“And she wants me to tell you to ask Karen and Sophie to come with you.”

 His brain stuttered along with his words- bring Karen and Soph?

“I- I… I mean I don't even know- Y’know they might already have plans. Or something…”

 “Frank, I know but they all want to meet em. And it might be fun- but I'll understand if they already have plans, okay?”

 “Yeah….”

“I mean, jesus- Sarah and the kids just want proof they're real. I think you might be surprised how much us Lieberman's talk about you at dinner- blah blah Frank, blah blah Frank and Karen, blah blah David you better get this right. You know.” He laughed along with his friend thinking about what it might be like to bring Karen and Soph over.

 “Isn't this your first thanksgiving back after the whole ‘dead for a year’ thing? Don't you want to have just the family?”

  “Are you kidding? That makes this years dinner extra pressure filled for me. If you guys are there it'll be like, ‘Oooh David did something right, let's not bring up the year of crazy shit’ I need you there, bud. Besides even if it was only a family thing, that's what you are now- family.”

 Frank started opening the door and getting out before turning back towards him, “Well shit Lieberman, you tryna make me cry? I'll ask her okay?”

  The curly haired fool smiled back at him before Frank shut the door, then the driver rolled down the window, “Oh and Frank if you want you can invite Curtis to, make it less couple-y.”

 Frank couldn't keep the laugh in while he headed up towards Karen's floor- he pulled out his key considering using it, before deciding against it and knocking on the door. The woman who answered looked more flustered than usual, but she also had a look on her face that he had been hoping to see for weeks. She was happy to see him, and it made his heart swell.

 “You're here, good. Come on in.” Her hair was a mess of a bun on top of her head, and she was wearing sweats and a tank top- that made her look ready for bed.

 “Yeah I made it as fast as I could.”

“You were at David’s? Doing work?”

She walked him in towards the couch where she sat and was surprised to turn around and not find him behind her- instead he was in the kitchen, putting something in the fridge.

  “Having dinner, actually. With his family.”

Her eyebrows shot up, surprised that David was actually his friend- not just a partner, “Oh- I'm sorry I didn't know you were actually doing something. I hope I didn't make you leave too early-”

 “Nah, we were already done- David and I were just hanging out.”

He joined her on the other side of the couch, “Never thought I’d ever hear that, Frank Castle just hanging out like a normal guy….”

  “Yup that's me- normal through n’ through.”

“Of course, regular Joe Shmoe right here.”

He couldn't help but laugh with her, but behind it he knew they had to talk about what happened before he went into see Soph. “So what happened?”

  Karen thought back on what felt like a normal morning, her and Soph had an appointment with Social Services, and Karen had a feeling it would be to interview both of them on how things had been going these past few months. So when they got there, Soph went into a play area with a bunch of other kids and Karen went into see Ruth, “Miss Page, it's good to see you again. I hope everything's been going well?”

 “Yeah, I think it's been amazing- Soph’s been doing so well. She’s going to school three times a week- I think it's good to socialize her before she starts Kinder next year. She’s a lot healthier, i've made sure to put some weight on her- shes more around the size she should be at her age. Not malnourished at all anymore.” Karen was rambling, she was a bit nervous. Even though she's done nothing wrong- it felt like she was in the principal's office getting lectured.

 “Yes, I agree. I saw her when you two came in- she looked great. Look I'm sure you've done an amazing job with her these past few months, she looks happy- this is more a formality type thing. So I'll have to talk to her- I think it would be best if you go get her and bring her in, then wait outside for her. It'll make her feel more secure I think.” Karen got up and nodded, before heading out to get the little girl from the play area. She was happy and adorable, then took Karen's hand and brought her to Ruth's office.

 “I'll be waiting right out here, for when you're done. Okay?” Sophie smiled and nodded at her.

“Okay, Kare- you'll be right here?”

 “Of course. Right here.” She watched Sophie go into Ruth's office and she waited for her- playing Candy Crush on her phone to calm her nerves while she waited. It had been almost forty minutes in her office when the door opened.

 “Miss Page, you can come in now.” Karen smiled and nodded before sitting in the chair beside Sophie. She looked down at the her and saw her little arms were crossed across her chest with an angry pout on her face.

 She was about to ask what was wrong when Ruth started talking, “Well I am going to put the paperwork to continue this arrangement, since it's in the best interest of the child in my opinion- we’ll have another one of these meetings again in a few months. But now that we've have her paperwork in for the alloted time period, Sophie will have to be more available incase we have any meetings with any potential adopters, alright?” Karen's heartbeat sped up at the mention of anyone adopting Sophie, but she nodded anyway- ready to get out of this building as soon as possible.

So Karen's head was in the clouds thinking about what the caseworker had just said so she hadn't noticed how silent Sophie was. Not until they had reached the entrance to the train station and the little girl still hadn't said a word.

  “Soph? You okay?”

She looked down at her and she wouldn't look Karen in the eye- and that's how it was the entire time back and then after they got back. Still silent- Soph went straight to her room and slammed the door shut. Wouldn't let her in and continued to stay silent despite all Karen asked her. She wouldn't even come out for dinner, so Karen had to leave it outside her door- and she was pretty sure the little girl still hadn't eaten it yet.

 So she had to call Frank.

 “Yeah, so I just don't know what to do- she won't talk to me but I'm almost a hundred percent sure she’ll talk to you.”

 Frank nodded, knowing he would need to hear what Sophie thought had happened before he could fix anything, so he just nodded and headed towards Sophie's room.   

 He knocked on the door, and didn't hear a response so he knocked again- “Go away Karen. I don't want to talk to you.”

She never called her Karen. It was always Kare- r something else, not Karen. “It's not Karen. It's me.”

 The door creaked open a bit then he saw little blue eyes rimmed with red looking up at him. “Frank? What are you doing here? When did you get here?”