Love Quotes

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"My heart has been put on display, and put away,

And many ways, many times I told myself it was okay."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kelly closed the door behind her, taking a steadying breath.

"Kelly?" a worried voice asked.

She turned her head to find the blonde country singer walking towards her, her hand linked with the girl's who she remembered to be Claire.

"Hey," Kelly greeted with a weak smile.

"Everything ok?"

"Yea, everything's great," she replied, glancing quickly at Claire.

"Do you maybe want to get some lunch or something?" Carrie asked.

"Yea, sounds good."

"You don't mind, do you hun?" Carrie said, turning to the young girl.

"That's ok. I told Charlie I'd kick his butt at cards today, anyway."

"Ok, I'll see you later," she smiled, with a wink as Claire turned to make her way back the recreation area.

"So, what's up?" Carrie asked, turning back to Kelly.

"What happened to food?" she laughed, softly.

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"So?" Carrie asked as they sat at a table in the cafeteria. For being a hospital, the food there was pretty good.

"You're not much for small talk, are you?" Kelly noted.

"You looked really upset," she pointed out.

"Aw, I didn't know you cared," Kelly teased.

Carrie gave her a serious look, and she sighed.

"Alex started another round of chemo today," Kelly explained, concentrating on the salad before her.

"It's bad?" Carrie asked, softly.

"It just sucks, seeing her like that."

Carrie nodded, watching the Texan curiously, "I talked to her the other day."

"Alex?"

"Yea. She's a great kid."

"A real sweetheart," Kelly smiled.

"Where's she from?"

"A small town outside of Jonesborro, Arkansas "

"But that's not far from here," Carrie argued.

Kelly gave a slight snort, knowing what was on Carrie's mind, "She comes from a broken family. She's the third of five children, all of whom live with their mom who is struggling right now. Sadly, they sees this as one less burden."

"You're kidding."

Kelly shook her head, her jaw tense.

"How could someone do that to someone as sweet as her?"

Kelly just shrugged, "Money's a funny thing."

"So what? They just dropped her off and said here ya go, do what you want?"

"Carrie, it's not that big a deal," Kelly assured her. "She's being taken care of by the best doctors, I promise you."

"Who's paying for it?"

Kelly raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm not entirely sure how all this works," Carrie admitted. "But, I mean, there's bound to be some hospital bills, right?"

"Yea, you're right."

"So, I mean, it doesn't sound like her parents are, unless her dad, maybe?"

Kelly shook her head.

"So then is it like a scholarship program or something?"

"No," Kelly let out a slight laugh.

"Wait..." Carrie breathed. She cocked her head as she studied the Texan before her. "You are."

Kelly just shrugged, going back to eating her salad.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Carrie asked.

"Cause it's not that big of a deal."

"Big a deal? Kelly--"

"Look," she said, dropping her fork. "I was walking in when her mom was dropping her off. The lady asked me to take care of her, so I am, ok?"

"Ok," Carrie replied, a little hurt at the edge in her tone. "Sorry."

"No, I'm sorry," Kelly sighed. "It's just..."

"Touchy subject?"

"Yea," she smiled apologetically.

"No problem," Carrie smiled back as their eyes locked.

"So, um, she should be waking up soon," Kelly said, unsure of the nerves that were creeping up. "Alex, that is. I bet she'd love it if you'd come visit."

"You sure?"

"Yea, she couldn't stop talking about you earlier."

"I could say the same about you," Carrie laughed.