Chapter Two

New Friends

    Kaelin took the last tray of cookies out of the oven and set the n top of the stove. After a minute she took a spatula and took them from the try to cool. She quickly washed the dishes up then took one of the cooler cookies for herself and went outside.

    She had been living in the trailer park for a few weeks now. Though her neighbors were nice, for the most part they stayed to themselves, except for Jack. Kaelin smiled when she thought of Jack. He liked to joke around with her, but he was always a gentleman. Well at least he was when he was around. In the weeks she had been here he had been gone more often than he had been home. He had told her that though, so now even though Kaelin had made a new friend he was usually gone.

    Kaelin heard gravel crunching and wondered if one of the neighbors had decided to come visit. Maybe Mrs. Billings had smelled her cookies and decided to come ask for some. Kaelin had given an open invitation to all the neighbors to try her baked goods. Mrs. Billings had come twice already. Kaelin just automatically gave Jack something when he was home.

    Kaelin was surprised when she saw a woman and girl walking around her van. They weren’t neighbors; she had met everyone in the trailer park. They stopped at the end of her carport. The three of them looked at each other in silence until the woman spoke.

    “I’m sorry to disturb you, but my daughter and I just couldn’t help but notice that a delicious smell was coming from this area. To be honest we’d noticed it before, but since we were down by the creek today we decided to stop and investigate so to speak.” the woman explained.

    “I see.” Kaelin commented.

    The woman walked a little into the carport and took a deep breath. “Homemade chocolate chip cookies?” she asked. Kaelin automatically nodded. “Been ages since I’ve had good ones.” She raised her had to her mouth as her eyes widened in chagrin. “I’m sorry that was rude of me.” She looked at the deck with a question in her eyes. Kaelin motioned for her to come up. “Thank you.”

    Kaelin shrugged in answer then walked into the trailer. When she came out she had a small plate of cookies. She motioned for the woman and young girl to sit. She set the cookies on the table then sat across from them. Mother and daughter took a cookie and ate them in silence. They both reached for another cookie almost as soon as the first one was eaten.

    “You don’t live here.” Kaelin suddenly blurted.

    Once the woman swallowed her bite of cookie she spoke. “No, we live across the street.”

    Across the street meaning the housing development. “What were you doing over here?” she asked.

    “My daughter and I like to walk along the creek. The landlord doesn’t have a problem with it, I’ve already asked.” The woman gazed at Kaelin and saw the distrust there. “Look just because I live in a big house doesn’t mean I have a big ego.”

    Kaelin looked the woman in the eye and saw she was speaking the truth. “I’m sorry for my presumption.” Kaelin apologized.

    The woman waved it away. “Don’t worry about it. These cookies are more than enough of an apology. They are absolutely heavenly.”

    Kaelin smiled. “Well thank you. I don’t know if I’d go that far though.”

    “Oh I am really being rude today. You’ve given me these wonderful cookies and I haven’t even introduced myself. I’m Sheridan and this is my daughter Becky.” the woman told her.

    Kaelin shook each hand in turn. “I am Kaelin. Nice to meet you.” Kaelin saw Becky look longingly at the empty plate. “Would you like some to take home?”

    Becky looked at her mom. “Can we?”

    Sheridan smiled. “I won’t turn them down.”

    Kaelin smiled then stood up. As she headed inside she decided to invite the two of them inside. The three of them went in and Kaelin went about getting some cookies together for them. As she did this she noticed Sheridan looking at some of her already packaged cakes and banana bread. Once she had the cookies she grabbed a bag and put them in, quickly followed by banana bread and the cake slice Sheridan had been looking at. She then handed the bag to Sheridan.

    “There you go.” she said.

    “You don’t have to do…” Sheridan objected.

    “Hey, it’s free food. You aren’t supposed to argue about free food.” Kaelin joked.

    Sheridan smiled. “But I should pay you.”

    “You already did by calling my cookies heavenly.”

    “But how are you going to make money if you give your profit away?” Sheridan asked.

    Kaelin smiled. “Word of mouth maybe. Besides I’ve not exactly started selling anything yet to worry about a profit. If you decide to share and someone asks who made it just tell them about Wooden Spoon Food. That is if you don’t decide to take credit it for it.” Kaelin joked.

    Sheridan had been going to get upset, but when Kaelin winked she knew she was joking. “Oh, no problem there. Though I don’t know how much I’ll share. I will make sure to mention you though.”

    “Thank you.”

    “You are quite welcome.” Sheridan answered.

    Kaelin noticed Becky had been watching the two women talk. She had also looked around Kaelin’s home, she seemed to be interested. Kaelin guessed it was something new for the girl; she had probably never been in a place like it before.

    Sheridan noticed the clock on the wall and saw how late it was getting. “We should get going. I need to get dinner started. Would you mind if Becky and I stopped over again? Or maybe you could come visit us?” Sheridan suggested.

    Kaelin gave Sheridan a warm smile. “I’d enjoy that.”

    “Great. Your number is on the package right?” Kaelin nodded her head in ascent. “I’ll give you a call then. If we don’t take a walk by the creek I mean.”

    “Ok. It was nice to meet you, Sheridan and you too; Becky.” Kaelin said, looking at the young girl.

    “You too, Kaelin. You’re really nice.” Becky told her, honestly.

    As mother and daughter headed out Kaelin wasn’t sure she would hear from Sheridan again. It had been nice to meet someone new, someone around her own age. Even if Sheridan didn’t call she had at least had the opportunity to try and make a new friend.

    If things went well hopefully she had gained a new friend.

                               **************************

    Kaelin honestly hadn’t expected Sheridan to call. So it had been a pleasant surprise when she had called a few days after their first meeting. Sheridan and Becky had come over a few times; Becky had actually helped her prepare some more cakes. If Kaelin wasn’t mistaken she had seemed to enjoy it too. Kaelin had gone to the Marshall household a few times also.

    A few weeks previously she had met Sheridan’s husband, Benton Marshall. He was a great guy. He was sweet and great with Becky. Where many fathers claimed they didn’t have time to b with their children Benton made sure he spent time with Becky. Kaelin was so glad Sheridan had such a good man for a husband.

    Good men weren’t always easy to find.

    Now about a month after their meeting Sheridan had invited Kaelin to have dinner with the family. However they were going to be having another guest. Sheridan had conveniently forgotten to mention that fact until the day of the dinner.

    Kaelin looked in the mirror for the fifth time then shook her head. What was wrong with her? She wasn’t going to dinner to impress anybody, no matter if Sheridan had that in mind. She was going to spend time with the Marshall’s and get to meet someone new. Sheridan hadn’t mentioned who the guest was though. Kaelin gave her wavy auburn hair one final pat then headed out.

    A small chuckle escaped as she headed up the driveway. Sheridan hadn’t been ling when she said she lived across the street, she literally did. All Kaelin had to do was cross to the sidewalk and follow it around to the front of the house. The Marshall’s lived in the corner house right across from the trailer park. Once Kaelin reached the front door she rang the doorbell and waited.

    The door opened and she was greeted by Becky’s smiling face. Kaelin couldn’t help herself and pulled Becky into a hug. Becky hugged her back then took her hand in hers and walked her into the house. Kaelin heard voices in the kitchen which was where they were headed to. As they stepped into the kitchen two pairs of warm brown eyes swung in her direction.

    “Something smells good.” she commented.

    “Well that’s promising, considering I helped.” Benton joked.

    Sheridan put her arm around her husband’s shoulders and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Don’t listen to him Kaelin, he’s a great cook.”

    “Oh no. I guess I will have to watch out if he decides to start baking.”

    They all chuckled then the doorbell rang. “Saved by the bell. I’ll go get it.” Benton said as he stood up and headed out of the kitchen. Becky soon followed her dad.

    “They’ll hang out for a while so that gives us time to talk.” Sheridan said.

    “Talk? Is there something you need to talk about?” Kaelin asked.

    Sheridan shook her head. “You know what I mean, Kaelin.”

    “Yeah I do. Why didn’t you tell me before that you were inviting someone else?”

    Sheridan stopped what she was doing and stared right at Kaelin. “Why? So you could cancel?”

    “Well it would have given me the option. You know you don’t have to try to set me up with someone.” Kaelin told her.

    Sheridan actually looked surprised. “You think that’s what I am doing?” She shook her head in denial. “Well at least not consciously. I just forgot that Benton and Evan usually get together every third Friday of the month. I had already asked you and I didn’t think Evan would mind. I wouldn’t presume to try and set you up with someone. Unless you asked me to.”

    “Well I am glad to hear that. I just don’t need that kind of complication right now.” Kaelin told her.

    “Believe me I know. Right now you’re too busy with Wooden Spoon Food, which is a good thing.” Sheridan said with a smile.

    Two male voices could be heard coming from the living room and soon Kaelin and Sheridan were joined by Becky. The three of them finished the meal and took everything out to the dining room. Once all the drinks were poured Sheridan went to the living room and got her husband and guest.

    Kaelin watched the two men as they entered the room. Instantly she knew the man with Benton was his brother. If Sheridan hadn’t told her the picture of the two men in front of her told her the truth. They both shared a strong jaw line and many other of the same facial features. However where Benton had light brown hair, the man next to him had almost honey blonde hair. Kaelin noticed the man look at her with eyes widened in surprise, which he quickly tried to hide.

    “Evan, I’d like you to meet Kaelin. Kaelin, I’d like you to meet my old…I mean older brother Evan.”

    Evan held his hand out and Kaelin felt it envelop hers after she put hers out too. “Good to meet you, Kaelin.” he said.

    “Same here.” she responded.

    “Well now that everyone has been introduced, let’s eat. I’m starving!!” Benton exclaimed.

    Everyone sat down and started eating. Becky and Kaelin sat on one side while Evan sat on the side opposite them. Benton and Sheridan sat at the ends of the table. Every once in a while Kaelin felt like she was being watched. When she looked up from her food she found Evan looking at her. It was a little unnerving, but she didn’t feel threatened by it.

    Besides, if she had been interested in finding a man, Evan Marshall wasn’t bad to look at.

                           **************************

    Evan watched Sheridan and her friend Kaelin talking. It had been quite a shock when he had walked into the dining room and saw her. It had almost been like looking back in time, though Kaelin was the only one who had been young in the room, besides his niece of course.

    While they were eating he just couldn’t help but look at her every once in a while. He didn’t want to just outright stare at her. That would be rude and a little creepy, and that wouldn’t be a good way to come across. However he couldn’t stop himself from looking at her every now and then. Like he had thought when he first gazed at her, it was like looking into a mirror of the past.

    That was both a good and a bad thing.

    Sheridan got up from where she was sitting and asked if anyone needed something to drink. Everyone answered in the affirmative so she volunteered Benton to help her. Once they had left the room Evan stood up and walked over to Kaelin. She looked up at him and gave him a small smile; he gave her one in return.

    “I’m sorry if I ruined your evening with Benton.” she said.

    “You aren’t at all. I’ve seen enough of his mug growing up with him.” he joked.

    Kaelin smiled. “I’m sure you still have things you like to do.”

“I don’t come just to see my brother. “ They looked at each other in silence for a few moments before Evan spoke again. “So how did you and Sheridan meet?”

    “She had some of my cookies.” Kaelin told him.

    “I take it you like to bake then.”

    Kaelin chuckled. “You could say that.”

    “I’m glad Sheridan has made a friend of someone around her age.” he commented.

    “Why do you say that?” Kaelin asked.

    “Because most of the people around here are older. Not in their eighties old, but more in their fifties.”

    “So we should have more in common is what you are saying.” she said.

    “Exactly. She must like you a lot, Benton’s told me she’s always talking about her best friend.” Evan told her.

    “Best friend? I never…I mean she’s never told me I was her best friend.” Kaelin admitted.

    “Maybe she figures you just know. You seem pretty close just from what I have seen.” Evan commented.

    “We are.” Kaelin told him without hesitation.

    “Do you live close by?”

    “Across the street.” she answered.

    Evan looked at little perplexed. “There are only two houses across the street and they are already occupied.”

    “The street behind the house.” she clarified.

    It dawned on Evan what she meant then. “Gotcha. That is close by then.”

    “Yes it is.” Kaelin responded.

    Benton and Sheridan returned with their drinks then. Sheridan sat next to her husband which forced Evan to have to sit next to Kaelin. He sat next to her and rested his arm along the back of the loveseat. Not once though did he touch her.

    He wanted to be friendly, but he didn’t want to give her the wrong impression.

                           ******************************

    As Kaelin went to bed that night she wondered over Evan Marshall. He seemed nice enough but when she had mentioned that she lived across the street on the backside of the house his eyes had become chilly so to speak.

    Some people still had the wrong idea of people who lived in trailers/mobile homes. To these people you would always be trailer trash no matter what. Living in a trailer didn’t always mean being poor, sometimes it was an escape. An escape from the so called great city life.

    Well there was no sense worrying over it. Kaelin decided she’d ask him about it if she was ever in his company again. If she wasn’t then there was no point in crying over spilt milk, so to speak.

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